The Merchant of Venice - Essay Example

The Merchant of Venice In reference to Marxists, literature is portrayed as the social s out of which it comes up and is itself a social institution with a specific ideological task. Literature portrays class effort and acquisitiveness: consider how time and again the pursuit for affluence habitually defines characters. So in this relation, Marxists in general, observe literature "not as workings fashioned in harmony with undying creative criterion, but as ‘yield’ of the fiscal and ideological determinants detailed to that epoch" The enormous feudal battles had shattered the aged feudal nobleness, and the latest nobles were offspring of their own times to whom wealth was the supremacy of all powers. For Marxist theorist, consideration of the artistic human production must accompany “specific historical circumstances in which those production events occurred” (Tyson 54). As a Marxist critic, scanning literature ought to encompass a dreary criterion concerning guidelines. Of most significance is the role of class in the work, how the author depicts class relations in the work. Secondly, is discovering the mechanisms the characters come up with to revolt to it. Thirdly is to recognize how the work is an “evaluation of capitalism, imperialism, or classism” (Tyson 68). Finally, analyzing any form of utopian vision presented as solutions to overcome problems as depicted in the work. As seen through the lens of Marxist criticism, the merchant of Venice presents a conflict that relates to the issues of money and power. The key characters animate the trials and tribulations that come with the emergence of modern class economy basing on capitalism. Therefore, basing on Marxist criticism, this analysis endeavors to scrutinize William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, The Merchant of Venice through a thematic approach of the class antagonism evident in the play. In The Merchant of Venice, the theme develops around the manipulative potentials of the characters towards wealth in order maintain social equality. Shakespeare depicts various capitalist tendencies in some characters. The depiction of Shylock is a capitalist is very clear. Capitalism has the need to expand markets and finding new sources of raw materials, and with nature of domineering over others without concern of their welfare, it is simply anarchy and greed. Shylocks behavior in the play proves how greedy he is, lending money, and charging interest. Furthermore, he lends Antonio money with his cargo and ship as bond whilst hopping that pirates may attack it. Antonio also has some capitalistic tendencies. He accepts money from shylock while socially secluding himself from Shylock, spits, and kicks him whenever they meet. Bassanio capitalistic nature is also evident where his friendship to Antonio becomes strong due to a loan that he owes Antonio. Furthermore, portrays a greedy nature when he sets up to woo Portia since she has a rich inheritance. Shakespeare literates the underlying motive of Antonio’s loan to Bassanio somewhat rests on Antonio’s ambition to maintain the hegemony he enjoys their friendship that faces a threat from Portia marrying Bassanio. This further develops the theme of class competition. Antonio and Portia are involved in a tussle for Bassanio’s love. There is a conflict between the aristocrat, Portia, and the hard working Venetian merchant-class, Antonio. The description of Portia’s vast inheritance serves to illustrate the contrast between the rich Aristocrats and the hardworking merchants that sweat to acquire wealth. Nonetheless, it is evident that Antonio is a wealthy merchant and commands respect. However, Portia thwarts his ego and attempt to socially level up to the aristocrats, when she portrays her willingness to pay Bassanio’s debt to him with her gold that can pay the petty debt twenty times over. Shylock represents elements of bourgeoisie nature. One major element he represents of the bourgeoisie is Usury as an aspect of capitalism. Shakespeare attacks the puritans, the enemies of humanism, through Shylock. With regard to class conflict with shylock, Antonio represents the feudal aristocratic class. The bourgeoisie character in shylock is calculating and merciless in his hatred for the feudal class and the aristocrats. Antonio enters into a contract with Shylock, which bears dire consequences if Antonio forfeits. Eventually, Antonio forfeits the contract and Shylock demands a pound of flesh as the contract stipulates. Shylock has a good case against Antonio, but in the end, the ruling class manages to shift blame to Shylock instead. This is the class conflict between the ruling class and the lower class. Since Shylock is an outsider, the case flips on Antonio’s favor. Furthermore, the text represents shylock as a devil, Antonio’s friends; Salerio and Solario believe that praying in front of shylock will nullify their prayers. Class conflicts in the merchant of Venice shape character motivations. In Elizabethan culture, wealth and class was considered a virtue. In such cultures, people of high social standing, especially wealthy people, are of the highest importance and are held in high regard as compared to poor commoners who do blue collar jobs. A character review of the protagonists in the play displays their high social standing depending on their wealth. Antonio’s identity is in his wealth, being a wealthy merchant; his relationships also are centered on his wealth. Bassanio is some sort of a spoilt playboy squandering his estate on a lavish lifestyle compelling him to take a debt from his wealthy friend Antonio “I have a mind presages me such thrift” (Merchant of Venice act I scene II,). A fair lady is one who has a royal linage and immense wealth as depicted by Portia’s character, she is of high social standing and said to be the fairest of Ladies in the land perhaps due to her inheritance. Conversely, Launcelot Gobo is presented as a comic commoner with questionable manners and with difficulty in proper language expression. This trait is an obvious trait for low class people in that society. The play tries to illustrate the view of society on people’s behavior, associations, and expressions as a reflection of their wealth and background to classify them. The play revolves around the modern day financial capitalism; Antonio represents people in the venture capitalism while Shylock is lender such as a banker earning interest. Antonio has two major investments; he has ships carrying cargo at sea and invests on Bassanio’s conquest to win riches from Portia. Therefore, Antonio symbolizes the Trading venture capitalists and Shylock the Bank Capitalists. The two hate each other majorly because of their venture differences. Antonio gives out loans free without interest, this infuriates Shylock. Similarly, Antonio despises Shylock since he serves as a reminder of the evils he commits on his venture and sparks guilt in Antonio with phrases such as “you have among you many a purchas’d slave” (merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1.). The play delves in to illustrate the struggle between venture capitalism and banker capitalism. Antonio believes in investments and production, he also gambles, betting on Bassanio. Antonio has a capitalist need for finding “new markets in which to sell goods and for a new source of raw materials from which to make goods” (Tyson 63), he has ships on voyage sin Africa and others at sea. To Antonio hoarding and charging interest, a character of Shylock, is most vile. The combination of the two characters of investment and venture or entrepreneurship capitalism is a tale of the emergence of the bourgeoisie capitalism. Shakespeare provides a utopian solution at the closing of the play. By the end of the play, Shakespeare resolves all the plots in the play leaving only one party dissatisfied with the turn of events. The casket game has brought forth a rightful suitor for Portia, and she eliminates Shylock’s threat over Antonio’s life. In conclusion, the entire criterion in analyzing Merchant of Venice through a lens of Marxist criticism concludes that Shakespeare’s was indeed a Marxist writer. The overwhelming connection to materialism and the character’s behaviors relative to their emotional expressions to wealth and power illustrates to the modern audience that capitalism pins life with a price tag. However, it is remarkable how Shakespeare manages to juggle with all these Marxist themes and still maintain the entertaining and artistic integrity of the play. Work cited William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice” A Norton Critical Edition Edited by Leah s. Marcus. W. W. Norton & Company, 2005. Print. Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. New York, NY: Routledge, 2006. Print. Read More