In The Merchant of Venice, a play of
dichotomies, Portia may be seen as representing the theme of mercy as is eloquently
attested by her "Mercy" speech (IV.i.184-197). In dichotomy to this, Shylock may be seen
as representing the opposing theme of revenge, or vengeance, as is attested by his loan
contract and legal appeal for the one pound of flesh Antonio foolheartedly promises as
security against Bassanio's loan. Some might see Shakespeare's exploration of the theme
of mercy versus vengeance as tongue-in-cheek, in other words, as an ironic perhaps
mocking exploration in that Shakespeare clearly presents a good case for Shylock to
desire revenge based on his rendering of grievances against all of Antonio's base
behaviors and based on the obvious shortcoming in Portia's defense of mercy as it is
withheld from Shylock, who is stripped of everything including his religious and ethnic
identity.
Related to a second theme, Bassanio, Antonio and
Portia may be seen as representing the theme of outward show to impress others, or
appearances for the sake of impressing others. Bassanio wants a loan of a substantial
amount of money in order to impress Portia with the appearance of wealth in order to
attempt to win her hand (and wealth) in marriage. To impress by appearances, Antonio
brags to Solanio and Salerio that his livelihood and fortune do not depend upon the
success or failure of one shipping venture, then confesses to Bassanio that he can't
give him a loan because everything he has is tied up in his ships and presently at sea.
Portia and Nerissa impress by appearances when they impersonate legal personages and
speak up for Antonio, though as said before, Portia's eloquence and mercy (perhaps
appearance of mercy) extends only as far as Bassanio and
Antonio.
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