Merchant of Venice: Act V

I feel that the first third of 5.1 acts, specifically Jessica and Lorenzo both act as a foil to the relationships portrayed later in the act between Bassanio and Portia and Nerissa and Graziano. In the beginning of Act 5, the audience gets this sense of true, love and affection from Jessica and Lorenzo. They declare their undying love for one another, Jessica telling Lorenzo, “In such a night did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well, stealing her sould with many vows of faith and ne’er a true one.” He responds to her her saying, “In such a night did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, slander her love, and he forgave it her.” 5.1.2462-2471. There is this display of innocence and romanticism that is not so obvious with the other two couples. Instead with Bassanio, Portia, Nerissa and Graziano, we witness manipulation, deceit and a lack of trust. Bassanio and Graziano have both failed the ring test miserably, and when confronted about it, their wives insist that they will instead lay with the judge and his clerk. This is of course a comedy, so the audience knows that they are not serious but their tricky and deceptive way at affection and loyalty deeply contrasted against Jessica and Lorenzo.