Money in The Merchant of Venice plays a number of important, but difficult to categorize roles. It enables the courtship and ultimately the marriage of Bassanio and Portia as well as the marriage of Lorenzo to Jessica. It allows for the generosity (if we choose to think of this way) of Antonio towards Bassanio. But it also create and enables divisions between these characters — particularly Shylock, the Jewish money-lender, and the Christian characters of this play. Money becomes a weapon used both by and against Shylock; money also leads Antonio almost to the point of ruin and death; and arguably money is the cause of Portia’s problems as well — as an incredibly wealthy heiress, she is literally a prize to be won in a game.
Considering the ways in which money functions in this play, write a 3-5 page essay discussing this theme: money. How does it influence the action of the play? How does it impact or motivate the characters? Is money an overall negative or positive force for these characters? Or both? Consider these questions as you develop a clear thesis that should be supported with evidence from the original (not translated) text of the play.
While it is not required, you are also welcome to cite any of the supplemental sources I have provided for this text. You should not consult or reference any other sources regarding this play without my permission.
MLA formatting and citation. Must be submitted via eLearning as a Word doc or .pdf. No other formats will be accepted. For late submission policy, see the syllabus.
https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/the-social-structure-in-elizabethan-england