Garrett Smith

The Merchant of Venice

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Garrett Smith

Colonel Miller

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5 October 2018

The Merchant of Venice- Love and Gender

Part 1

Early modern English views on marriage and same sex friendships were at the same time more and less liberal than 400 years later. While gender roles with the man and his wife were much more strict than they are now both legally and socially, an almost unspoken approval of homoerotic friendships existed.

In Shakespeare’s time marriage was an extremely important and sanctified institution and one that was absolutely binding. At the same time same sex friendships were on a plane of their own, depending on the friendship and when they began this could even be valued over a marriage (Kaplan 312).  This was due in part to the gender-based segregation that dictated many aspects of life at the time. This included everything from sports, to dining, to plays where female roles were even played by men in what essentially amounted to drag (312). This resulted in an almost nonexistent interaction between men and women outside courtship and marriage, men and women were not friends, men and men were friends and men and women were friends. According to many historical accounts this not only led to strong same sex friendships, it also led to frequent same sex romantic desires (312). Even though same sex relations were officially condemned there existed an almost underlying current of approval for a slew of homoerotic relations not just purely sexual.

While marwwiage may be what brings us here today (Princess Bride Reference), it did not always exclude homosexuality as a practice at least on the underground. That is, it isn’t something you would go around and advertise, but at the same time most would turn a blind eye. These sorts of relations were used for all sorts of things: social, economic, and political alliances. However, at the time many depictions of these interactions showed the marriage and homosexuality or sodomy in conflict with one threatening the other (312).

Part 2

In the Merchant of Venice Antonio and Bassanio are two long time best friends, Bassanio is a poor man while Antonio appears to be much wealthier and overall of a higher class. This leads to Bassanio coming to Antonio for money when Bassanio needs help courting a woman of a higher status. At the time all of Antonio’s money is tied up in ships at sea and cannot give him any, but instead offers his credit as a cosigner of a loan.

“I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;

And if it stands, as you yourself still do,

Within the eye of my honor, be assured

My purse, my person, my extremist means

Lie all unlocked to your occasions.” (I, I, 134-138)

The quote by Antonio about all that he can and will give to Bassanio despite the amount of money that Bassanio is already in debt to him is indicative from the beginning of the commitment to their relationship that Antonio has. He is willing to give everything from the honor of his name, to his body. While a romantic relationship is never fully realized in the play, it is heavily implied through verbiage and actions that Antonio has feelings stronger than friendship for Bassanio. This is the first time we see the depth of their friendship.

Later on, the two of them speak to the lender, a Jew named Shylock. When Shylock charges an exorbitant amount and demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh should the debt not be paid, Antonio doesn’t faulter. Antonio even insults Shylock, the lender. This could be some sort of defense for his friend who is being charged this hefty sum. Antonio even rushes to reassure him that all will be well because he is expecting a pay day three times as large as the one that is owed, and in only two months as opposed to three.

“…Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

In what part of your body pleaseth me…”

“Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it.

Within thee two months—that’s a month before

This bond expires—- I do expect return

Of thrice times the value of this bond.” (I, III, 142, 148-151)

Even though Antonio is betting his life, he does so willingly and cheerfully for Bassanio. While same sex friendships seemed exceedingly strong at the time, this almost seemed to go beyond good friends. The possibility of Antonio sacrificing his life for the mere happiness of his friend seems indicative of something greater.

The third point in the play comes when Antonio is about to be killed by Shylock and instead of the anxiety of impending death he seems to only care that Bassanio knows that he is laying down his life for him. He knows so much love for him that not only is he willing to die, but he also takes the time to counsel Bassanio while being led to the slaughter.

“But little. I am armed and well prepared.

Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well!

Grieve not that I am fall’n to this for you…” (IV, I, 259-261)

At this point even if there is nothing more than friendly love between the two of them, this is one of the strongest examples of a friendship that Shakespeare could have written.

The final keynote scene related to their friendship is in the end when Portia disguised as the lawyer asks for the ring she gave to Bassanio as a sign of their everlasting love. Portia asks for the ring both as payment for court services, and to test Bassanio’s commitment. Bassanio begs not to hand it over, but as he has no other wealth, and at the urging of Antonio he gives it up. Antonio seems to expect this kind of thing as a show of affection in return for his own displays of love.

“My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.

Let his deservings and my love withal

Be valued ‘gainst your wife’s commandment.” (IV, II, 444-446)

While a sexual or romantic relationship is never fully stated, it does seem fairly obvious through the actions and words of Antonio and even of Bassanio that there are deeper feelings than just those of friendship.

Citations

Shakespeare, William, and M. Lindsay Kaplan. The Merchant of Venice Texts and Contexts. Bedford-St. Martins, 2002.