Examples Of Tension In The Merchant Of Venice

In the city of Venice, tension arises between a moneylender and a merchant. William Shakespeare conveys this tension through his play The Merchant of Venice. The play is about a merchant, Antonio, who wants to help his friend, Bassanio, regarding his financial problems. However, Antonio’s money is at sea, so Antonio is forced to borrow money from Shylock who is a Jewish moneylender in Venice. Antonio and Shylock despise each other. Shakespeare uses a variety of literary devices to show how the differing life styles of Antonio and Shylock impacts the tension between them. Throughout Act One, three distinct sources of tension are introduced. The first is business practices, which causes a lot of controversy between the two characters. Shylock

This passage highlights Shylock’s anger towards Antonio’s no interest policy. He states that it lowers the interest rate in the city of Venice, which lowers Shylock’s total profit. Through the use of dramatic irony, Shakespeare presents Shylock’s anger towards Antonio. Dramatic irony gives the reader a clear understanding of Shylock’s intentions and perspective. As a Jewish moneylender, Shylock’s main purpose is to make money. This greed causes him to loath Antonio’s no interest policy because Shylock is no longer getting the amount of money he wants. Shylock’s way of living is forcing him to adapt to the fact that money is everything. However, Antonio is rich and does not need to worry about money so he is more giving. These differing life styles are also conveyed at the beginning of scene three when Shylock indicates, “Antonio is a good man.” (Shakespeare 1.3.11). Through the use of this pun, Shakespeare is able to display Shylock’s character and show why it causes tension between Shylock and Antonio. Shylock interprets this passage as the fact that Antonio is a rich man and will be able to pay

The loan agreement that Shylock creates highlights that Antonio is an obstacle for him. As a clause to the loan, Shylock adds that if Antonio is unable to repay the loan then he will have to forfeit “an equal pound of [his] fair flesh, to be cut off and taken” (Shakespeare 1.3.145-146). A pound of Antonio’s flesh is worth nothing in the market. Shakespeare uses this clause to add a twist to the play. He indirectly states that Shylock is planning a scheme in order to get rid of Antonio, who he undoubtedly hates. In his aside Shylock says, “If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.” (Shakespeare 1.3.42-43). This passage states that when Antonio is in a vulnerable position Shylock will take advantage of Antonio’s vulnerability and not spare him. Shylock’s main purpose, as seen through this passage, is to get revenge for all the hurt that Antonio has caused. By lending money to Antonio, Shylock is putting Antonio in this vulnerable position. As the lender and enemy, it is easier for Shylock to punish Antonio if he is unable to repay the loan. The clause that Shylock creates as joke may have more meaning then what Antonio interprets. By using his personal hate for Antonio, Shylock is attempting to get rid of the cause of his miseries. In Shylock’s aside, he explains, “Even there where merchants most do congregate, on me, my bargains, and my well-won