A Book Review on

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Submitted to : Henna Madam

Submitted by : Chauhan Bhumi K.

‘The Merchant of Venice’ is written by William Shakespeare. It published in 1623, during the
Renaissance period. ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is considered as a comedy because it ends with
the marriage of its protagonist Bassanio and Portia. It is a complex play which is divided into 5
Acts. The play delves into the theme of Love, Friendship, Prejudice, Revenge, Law etc. The play
sets in the two cities Venice and the near by country estate of Belmont. People often mistakes
Shylock for the ‘Merchant’ of the title which actually refers to Antonio.

Review:

The Merchant of Venice talks about the things which are still important today. Like the desire for
money, strong friendship, messiness of love and how prejudice mess things up. This is the fourth
play I have read to Shakespeare. I found it’s several interwoven plots to be fascinating and well
done. Shakespeare’s psychological insight into the human characters is impressive. I didn’t find
as many quotes in this play as some other. The plot of the play is complex and interwoven
actions which I enjoyed.

The play start and I already sympathize with one of its main characters, There are some quotes
which show his indescribable sadness like,‘ In sooth, I know not why I am so sad’( Antonio). By
emphasizing that he doesn’t know the cause of his sadness, Antonio creates mystery. While
Bassanio, Antonio and their friends meet , their polite manners suggest the relationship between
the noble of Venice. Gratiano’s brute joke on Antonio’s sadness reveals him as less sensitive.
Bassanio reveals his motif to see Antonio that he is in love with Portia, a noblewoman and needs
cash to woo Portia. Their further conversation suggests that he already owes Antonio’s money ,
indicating that he is willing to use his friend for material purpose. It indicates the connection
between love and money that will continue throughout the play .

The central plot revolves around Antonio’s agreement to borrow money from Shylock a Jew
whom has no mercy and no moral values. Antonio goes to Shylock to borrow money. Shylock
hates Antonio because of the previous treatment of him so he puts condition in which where
Antonio not to repay the debt then Shylock gets a pound of Antonio’s flesh. For the first time
Bassanio show some hesitation for putting his friend’s life in danger but Antonio agrees on this
condition. It shows his generosity and selflessness. So Shylock’s revenge plot starts moving into
action.

By refusing Bassanio’s offer to share a meal, Shylock shows that he has religious differences that
set him apart from the Christian of Venetians. Shylock reveals his prejudice against Christian and
explains the way in which he experienced anti-Semitic prejudice himself. Both groups’ ideas of
the other revolve around ideas of commerce: the Christian believes it is wrong to practice usury ,
whereas the Jews who were forbidden by law from engaging in most other professions often
resorted usury as a way to make a living. Being treated badly has given Shylock a desire for
revenge. Citing the Book of Genesis, Shylock shows how different interpretations are the basis
of his religious and personal differences with the Christians.

The another plot line of the play is the wonderful love story of Bassanio and Portia. Portia’s
father had died but left behind a riddle. Anyone who wants to marry Portia must choose one of
three caskets each marked with a clue. Only the man who choose correct casket can take Portia
as his bride. The third plot line is love affair between Lorenzo, a friend of Bassanio and Jessica,
Shylock’s daughter. These two have no problem with Christian – Jewish union. In the end
Bassanio with Portia , Lorenzo and Jessica escape, but Antonio can’t pay his debt on time and
Shylock demands his pound of flesh in the court of Law.

There are a lot of parallels and opposition the two female leads: Portia and Jessica. They are both
heirs from rich father seeking for a worthy husband to share their wealth with. One steals from
her father caskets and other obey the rules of her dead father for marrying the man who opens the
right casket. The both female characters were clever, strong and deceptive. Jessica for escaping
her horrible father to marry the man she loves and Portia for disguising herself and conducting a
genius plan to save the life of her husband’s friend Antonio.

In the courtroom Portia gives her famous ‘quality of mercy’ speech , one of the well know
Shakespeare’s speeches. However I was much more moved by Shylock’s defence of himself
against the prejudices of Antonio and others:

“ I am a Jew/ Hath not Jew eyes? Hath

not a Jew hands, organs/ dimensions,

the same food, hurt with the same

weapon, subject/ to the same diseases,

healed by the same means/ warmed and

cooled by the same winter and summer/

as a Christian is ?.....”

While I don’t like Shylock’s bitterness and sense of revenge. His single minded focus on his own
pain and suffering can make him appears as unsympathetic. At the end, we are left with three
happy couples but Antonio is still alone and single but also is saved and happy and Shylock
deserved what he got.

Overall, The Merchant of Venice is Wonderful read. This is such an awesome book that I kept on
reading this book without blinking my eyes! I was so thrilled and excited to read this book. I am
so sure that every readers will have a good opinion after reading this book. I Suggest every book
lover to read this book. So dear readers get, set and read!!!!