Merchant of Venice: Act II

Act Two of Merchant of Venice reveal many new developments in the plot. The one that most intrigued me was the casket test involving Morrocan prince. In 2.7, we get the strong sense of the desire that many feel for Portia. It is known in Act one that she has several suitors and that she is wealthy as well as beautiful but the Morrocan prince’s analogy of her in his decision making revealed just how much she is coveted throughout many cities. In 2.7.38-40, he states, “All the world desires her. From the four corners of the earth they come to kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint.” This scene also demonstrates the vast significance that people placed on wealth and riches, which is important when thinking about Merchant of Venice. The prince’s entire reasoning for choosing the golden casket is because it is the most lavish and surely a creature such as Portia would deserve nothing less. He says, “Is’t like that lead contains her? “Twere damnation to think so base a thought. It were too gross to rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Or shall I think in sliver she’s immured, being ten times undervalued to tried gold?” 2.7.49-53. This is not the first time we see value placed in gold, or wealth. It is an underlying theme all throughout the entire play. We then discover that the gold casket is in fact the incorrect casket. Portia’s father encloses a clever inscription starting with, “All that glisters is not gold;” 2.7.65 and telling the suitor, “Had you been as wise as bold, young in limbs, in judgment old, your answer had not been enscrolled.” In lines 2.7.70-3. We see here that Portia’s father has left quite the riddle for her suitors and intends to choose someone for his daughter who places more significance on wisdom than material objects.  The other obvious devlopment is the relationship between Shylock and his daughter. Ironically the very man who is a proud Jew and is at conflict with Christians has a daughter who condemns him and herself for their Jewish heritage, wishing to marry and convert to Christianity. Jessica’s character brings up several issues. It is not revealed exactly why she has contempt for her own religion and father, but the fact that Shakespeare put a daughter against her own father is odd in itself. It could be a sign of rebellion that is common amongst young women but it appears that like Antonio and Bassanio, Jessica feels that Jews themselves have shameful qualities, which she mentions. She acknowledges that it is wrongful to be against her father, “What heinous sin is it in me to be ashamed to be my father’s child!” but then assures that, “But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners.” 2.3.15-8. Jessica’s character and her relationship with her father introduce the theme of blood and/or family in the play. So far we have seen emphasis on material things but their relationship forces the audience to tackle the question of the blood shared amongst people and how family factors into the issue of religion and identification.