Essay on Death and Love in The Merchant of Venice -- Merchant of Venic

Death and Love in The Merchant of Venice Everyone beds a martyr. Hes that computerized tomography who not only suffered but died for his cause, his passion, his love. Bassanio may not be the close to worthy cause to die for, but in Act IV of Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice, Antonio is resigned to do so. In his final words before shylock is set to extract his pound of flesh, Antonio has abandoned efforts to prevent his punishment and assures Bassanio that the consummation must be done for the benefit of all. Despite the grisly and morbid nature of the procedure, Antonio has many reasons to die under such circumstances. This is the only focus out. Antonio devotedly loves a man who cannot return the affections with the same intensity. Bassanios love which truly belongs to Antonio is shared with Portia, the wife. And who is to compete with the love a man has for his wife? Antonio tells Bassanio, I am armd and well prepard, in speaking of his impending death (IV.1.264). He has known that eventually someone would have to be removed from this trilateral and he is ready to be the one. In dying he lease not take part in conflicts for Bassanios affections. As the third motorcycle in a marriage, Antonio would be the source of strife for Portia, seeing as she would have to vie for her husbands love and eventually, the unhappiness of his marriage would cause Bassanio to begrudge Antonio. But dying ensures him the affections he wants without the pain and bitterness of rejection. While Antonio is adequate to see the advantages of martyrdom, he must convince Bassanio that as such a gracious and extraordinary friend, he is willing, even happy to die for him. Humility, is the cancel and subtle way to impress, so Antonio speaks of how he is not... ...s reassuring to Bassanio, but he also uses it to reassure himself. He is doing this because the pain of watching Bassanio with another love is unbearable. His brio is wholeheartedly offered in order to spare him self the torment of sight the happy couple he will never be a part of. Death is but a small price to deliver for eternal love and admiration Antonio has to gain from Bassanio. Antonio wins when he dies. He wins the betrothal against Portia for Bassanios love and he wins an escape from a long and lonely life of jealousy. The martyr is the most extreme illustration of devotion. He cannot be changed and is unendingly remembered for his selfless devotion. Work Cited Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. The Riverside Shakespeare. Eds. G. Blakemore Evans and J. J. M. Tobin. Boston Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. 228-317.