Student Question
What inconsistencies and paradoxes of human nature are in The Merchant of Venice?
Quick answer:
The inconsistencies and paradoxes in human nature within The Merchant of Venice are evident in characters' attitudes toward honesty, deception, revenge, and mercy. Bassanio's pursuit of Portia mixes love with financial motives, while Portia and Nerissa deceive their husbands to test them. Although Christians in the play extol mercy and forgiveness, they show little of these virtues toward Shylock and condone Jessica's betrayal and theft from her father, highlighting the complex moral landscape.
The inconsistencies and paradoxes of human nature in The Merchant of Venice include the attitudes of the characters to such matters as honesty, deception, revenge, and mercy.
Bassanio could be regarded as a duplicitous fortune-hunter in his pursuit of Portia. Though he declares his love for her, his first consideration (and the first he mentions) is her wealth. As soon as they are married, Portia's first act is to deceive him in order to test his love, and Nerissa does the same to Gratiano.
The Christians in the play claim to value mercy, kindness, and forgiveness. The most famous speech is the one Portia delivers in court, praising "the quality of mercy." However, the same characters are far from merciful, kind, or forgiving in their treatment of Shylock when he is defeated.
This ill-treatment of Shylock extends to Jessica, his daughter, who appears to have no filial affection at all. She is happy to betray her father and to steal from him, and the Christian characters apparently see nothing wrong with this conduct.
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