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Through these characters in the play of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare suggests how love relationships put too much emphasis on other attractions rather than a connection on a deeper level. These attractions can blind us from the truth, however, without that deep connection, can lead us to become bored of our partner. In order to find true happiness and ultimately love, we need to think logically in order to have a strong foundation for the relationship so we can know who our partner is and never get bored of them.
Through the seemingly true love relationships in the Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare suggests how the emotion of love can be an unstable emotion. This aspect of human nature remains timeless as it is prevalent today.
"All things that are, are more spirited chased than enjoyed." [2.6.12]
In this quote said by Gratiano, Shakespeare directly says how love can be fickle. As humans, we enjoy searching for something more than actually receiving it. Because of this, humans are constantly going through a cycle of searching and receiving. He implies that humans have difficulty committing to one another.
We see this once Gratiano is married to Nerissa, he lives his life "fear[ing] no other thing so sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring," [5.1.321]
Before marrying Nerissa, he was happy getting drunk and having fun. He spent a lot of time and effort for her to accept his hand in marriage, but once she did, problems started and he could no longer do whatever he wanted.
In modern day society, this concept has become almost accepted, as people spend years dating different individuals to either find "the one" or to just have fun.
Taylor Swift is known for having many boyfriends and making millions off of their break up.
"But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit" [2.6.36]
When humans love someone, especially for the wrong reasons, sometimes it can distort our perception of that person. Flaws disappear and good qualities become even better.
When Lorenzo and Jessica get married, their love for each other blinds them, in the sense that Lorenzo is blinded by the fact that Jessica could be using him to run away from her father and become Christian while giving away her dead mother's ring. And Lorenzo could be marrying Jessica for her wealth.
The audience also sees this quality in Portia. Even when she clearly sees Bassanio care more about Antonio, and give away her ring, a symbol of his loyalty, she forgives him, despite having just said how it showed his bad character.
"Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne'er come in your bed
Until I see the ring." [5.1.188]
In The Merchant of Venice, money is the main driving force that brings Bassanio and Portia together.
"In Belmont is a lady richly left,
And she is fair and—fairer than that word—
Of wondrous virtues./Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued To Cato’s daughter, Brutus' Portia.
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth." [1.1.163]
Portia's wealth and Bassanio's greed for money distract him from her personality, making him fall in love with her- before he's even met her. This creates a weak foundation for the relationship and ultimately leads to downfalls. For example, he could not even recognize his own wife in court.
"Antonio, I am married to a wife / Which is as dear to me as life itself, But life itself, my wife, and all the world / Are not with me esteemed above thy life" [4.1.8]
He also clearly says how he values Antonio more than his wife, especially when he listens to Antonio and gives away Portia's ring, a symbol of his loyalty to her.
When we become so fixated on love and the distractions of the other person, it can prevent us from knowing who they truly are, therefore, blinding us from their true self.
Rihanna and Chris Brown
In pop culture, we see new celebrity couples get to together and break up. One major reason, is that they become a couple for the wrong reasons; whether it's for fame, money, looks, or all three.
Chad Johnson (Ochocinco) and Evelyn Lozada
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