Littering as a Part of Global Pollution
The merchant of Venice was created by Shakespeare, a famous 16th century play writer who used female figures as heroines. The Elizabethan era was during 16th century, where women were seen but never heard. During this time the only source of real entertainment was to go see a person get executed by guillotine or go to see a play. Women have always been portrayed as images of beauty and grace and not actual hero’s or role models. Women were always bound by these stereotypes set for them during this misogynistic era. Shakespeare often wrote about female heroines and romantic love as it was often uncommon for either of those things to take place during that time. Portia a smart, intelligent and rich girl bounded by her dead fathers will set in place so she could still have no freedom after his passing, and her loyal companion Nerissa which show empathy and gives advice for Portia’s needs. These women will soon play a major part in setting free their future husbands friend from Shylock a Jewish money lender. As the daughter of the Jewish money lender runs away from her controlling father to be with her Christian lover to escape with their forbidden love.
Portia is “a wealthy heiress from Belmont.Portia’s beauty is matched only by her intelligence.” (Characters). Even with her intelligence she has no freedom as her father clearly stated in his will that her future suitors must pick out of three caskets. She had no way to reject or accept them. “I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike so this will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father” (Act 1, Scene 2) As she has many suitors, the two of them didn’t seem to please Portia in the slightest. The prince of Morocco, an egocentric narcissist chooses the gold casket, which ends up to be the wrong one. Portia is happy that he chooses the wrong one, not only did she dislike him for his personality as his choice was very materialistic but it turns out Portia is blatantly racist against him too. “Let all o pf his complexion choose me so” (Act 2, Scene 7). The prince of Aragon chooses the silver casket as her believed the gold was too obvious and the lead casket had a warning which he believed was not worth what he was winning. At the end of the day he chose silver as he believed “I will assume desert.” This was ultimately the wrong choice. During all of these events Portia showed signs of reluctance as she did not have a choice in the matter. As the play progresses further, Shakespeare makes Portia a strong independent female that is capable of completing the impossible and helping others around her with a great deal of compassion. She got Antonio off the hook as he could not pay back the debt owed to shylock. Even though Portia offered to triple the amount owed Shylock rejected and opted out for the pound of flesh owed to him. Portia, disguised as a male law clerk, found a loophole in the agreement. “ But in the cutting it if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the law of Venice confiscate upon the state of Venice”. With her quick thinking she set Antonio free of his punishment.
Nerissa was a loyal companion for Portia and helped her during the whole ordeal. She was her lady in waiting. In modern day time she would be referred to as Portia’s best friend as they have a very close bond together. Portia confided with Nerissa and relied on her in her time of need.” Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none?”(Act 1, Scene 2). Nerissa played a major part in the play as she was disguised as a male law clerk with Portia to set free Antonio. With slight confusion on why they must turn into male law clerks, Nerissa trusts Portia and agrees to help.”Why, shall we turn to men?”. Later on in the play Nerissa would also marry Gratiano, who happened to be with Bassiano (Portia’s husband) at the time. They fell in love almost instantly. “I thank your lordship, you have got me one. My eyes my lord, can look as swift as yours. You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid.” (Act 3, scene 2) Nerissa could marry for love as Portia was forced into one. Even though Portia was lucky to be engaged to Bassiano. Nerissa and Gratiano announced their marriage at Portia and Bassiano’s celebratory dinner.
Jessica was an obedient young lady who fell in love with a Christian named Lorenzo. Her father, Shylock the Jewish moneylender was oblivious to this. During this time antisemitism occurred often and the thought of a Jewish person marrying a Christian was unheard of. This was a forbidden romance and if her father found out he would become absolutely livid. So under her controlling fathers orders she runs away disguised as a male to be with her lover. This was very brave of her. This showed that she could be independent and take action of what she wanted to do. Shakespeare writes about how Shylock finds out about her daughter running away with her Christian lover and his money. This was later confirmed by Venetian gentlemen named Solanio “As the dog Jew did utter in the streets. “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian!” (Act 2 , Scene 8). Even though Shylock loved his daughter greatly he wouldn’t mind her death as compensation for what she had done to him. “I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the ducats in her coffin!” (Act 3, Scene 1).
Every woman Shakespeare has written about often have great heroic aspects to them. Each female's role in the play was very different but equally as important to the storyline. They mostly have at least a controlling male in their lives which they break free from and find independence and strength within them. Each female character have their own distinctive personality’s which develops and grows as the play progresses. Shakespeare writes about great female heroines to break away from the stereotypes set upon them during that era.
