The Merchant of Venice Cover Image

The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

Start Free Trial

Discussion Topic

Pythagoras' Influence in The Merchant of Venice

Summary:

In The Merchant of Venice, Gratiano references Pythagoras during Antonio's trial to criticize Shylock's insistence on claiming a pound of Antonio's flesh. Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher, proposed the theory of transmigration of souls, suggesting that human souls could reincarnate as animals. Gratiano uses this idea to insult Shylock, suggesting that his lack of compassion and bloodthirsty nature imply he is the reincarnation of a wolf, thus portraying Shylock as inhumane.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In act 4, scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice, who was Pythagoras and what was his theory?

In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio is unable to pay his bond to Shylock and Shylock is therefore claiming his "equal pound of your fair flesh" (I.iii.144) from Antonio which is the forfeit to which Antonio agreed so that Bassanio could woo Portia. Antonio never expected to be in such a position but is prepared to accept his fate. The Duke is trying to persuade Shylock to show mercy but Shylock is adamant. He refuses to explain his feelings except to reiterate that he has a "certain loathing" (IV.i.60) for Antonio.

Gratiano who is Bassanio's friend and who will marry Nerissa, is pleading for Antonio's life. He says that Shylock's insistence that Antonio must deliver a pound of flesh (and therefore bleed to death) is making Shylock seem like an "inexecrable (cursed) dog" (128) to the point that he almost believes that Shylock is the reincarnation of an animal because he has no compassion. Pythagoras, an ancient great Greek mathematician and philosopher believed that, upon death, the soul of another- and even animals and pets- could "transmigrate." In this instance, he is suggesting that Shylock was once a wolf and now inhabits the body of a man. Shylock's wishes are so bloodthirsty that Gratiano is inclined to agree with Pythagoras's viewpoint, and therefore doubt his own faith, and believe that Shylock is the reincarnation of a vicious animal.    

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Why does Gratiano quote Pythagoras in The Merchant of Venice?

Gratiano is Bassanio’s friend in The Merchant of Venice, a big talker and a bit of a rogue. He is probably Shylock’s biggest critique and is often very rude to him. In act 4 scene 1, during Antonio’s trial, Shylock demands the pound of flesh Antonio put up for collateral. Gratiano, never shy to sling insults at Shylock, gives an angry speech in which he says:

O, be thou damned, inexecrable dog,

And for thy life let justice be accused!

Thou almost makest me waver in my faith

To hold opinion with Pythagoras

That souls of animals infuse themselves

Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit

Governed a wolf who, hanged for human slaughter,

Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet.

In the first few lines, Gratiano is calling Shylock a dog and saying that he wants to kill him, even though he’s a Christian. He then references the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who believed (among many other things) that human souls are reincarnated from the souls of animals. Then, he accuses Shylock of being a wolf reborn, due to his vicious nature. He says it must have been a wolf that was put to death for slaughtering humans, and when the wolf died, its soul went into the unborn Shylock.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial