To what extent is money the most significant theme of the play in ‘The Merchant of Venice?

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Richard Byles


The issue of money is an interesting aspect of Shakespeare’s play in that it’s desirability affects almost every character, and certainly fuels the protagonist’s feud which leads to the demise of Shylock’s integrity. It is important to take into consideration the time in which the play was set, where people in the middle classes grew and became wealthier and wealthier, thus allowing its members increasing freedoms, luxuries, and voice in the local government. They often took advantage of the opportunities afforded to them through this social growth.





In the opening scene we are introduced to Antonio, a successful businessman who deals in the trade of goods, and his good friend Bassanio who needs some money to clear his debts. We are immediately made aware of the implications that money will have in the play when Bassanio is asked by Antonio who is the ‘lady to whom he swore a secret pilgrimage to’, he begins his answer talking about the burden of ‘having to get clear of all the debts I owe’. Bassanio’s interest in money and wealth is once again apparent moments later when he describes the lady he envisages to woo by describing her as ‘lady richly left’.


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Although we are led to believe that Antonio’s melancholic state in Act I Scene I is not a consequence of his money problems (‘My merchandise makes me not sad’ ), in the last act Shakespeare reveals that Antonio may have been concealing his true attitude towards the safety of his ships as he says ‘Sweet lady, you have given me life and living / For here I read for certain that my ships/ Are safely come to road’.


One of Shakespeare’s more memorable creations is the character of Shylock, the money-lending Jew. In Act I Scene III he comments upon his adversary, Antonio, with abhorrence because he ‘lends out money gratis’ which undercuts his profits. He is depicted here as a money-obsessed pariah


As we see more of Shylock, he does not become a hero or a fully sympathetic character, but he is an unsettling figure insofar as he exposes the inconsistencies and hypocrisies of the Christian characters. Shylock never quite fits their descriptions or expectations of him. Most significantly, they think he is motivated solely by money, when in fact his resentment against Antonio and the other Christians outweighs his desire for monetary gain. Proof of this is when he is offered more money to spare Antonio’s life, but insists ‘I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond’ suggesting he isn’t as money-obsessed as first assumed. One could certainly argue, however, that Shylock receives far less of a stock portrayal than would have been common in Shakespeares time, and that, given the constant degradation he endures, we can even feel something akin to sympathy for him.


At the heart of any sympathy we might feel for Shylock lies the fact that the bonhomie and good nature that so mark Antonios appearance with Bassanio disappear, and his treatment of Shylock is unexpectedly harsh and brutal. Even though Bassanio and Antonio require a favor from Shylock, Antonios is still a tone of imperious command, and his past, present, and future attitude toward Shylock is one of exceptional contempt. Shylock vividly illustrates the depth of this contempt, wondering aloud why he should lend Antonio money when Antonio has voided his “rheum,” or spit, on Shylocks beard, and kicked Shylock as he would a ‘stray dog’ . The repeated mention of spittle here sharply differentiates Antonios Venice, from Shylocks, where the city is a place of derogation on his part. Without these details, Antonios conceited attitude towards Shylock could easily be forgiven, but the very visceral details of spit and kicks show a violent, less romantic side to Antonio, and our sympathies for him cannot help but lessen.





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