In the Merchant of Venice the word bound is used to show the concept of obligation, especially in contracts, which was so crucial in the world of commerce during that time. However, in the play the idea of being bound isn’t just relevant when it comes to financial contracts; it is also used in regards to individual priorities and personal relationships.
The most common use of being bound in the play is Antonio’s contract with Shylock. If Antonio finds himself unable to pay back his loan then he will be bound to Shylock and will be forced to pay the penalty of a pound of flesh. This is the most traditional understanding of what it means to be bound. In the terms of law, a bound should be necessary, mandated, and contractual.
Although, there is another definition of bound which applies towards personal obligations. In The Merchant of Venice disparities in that which the characters are bound to helps create a distinction between Shylock and the Christians. The Christians plea for peace, and accuse Shylock of
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A ring, especially a wedding ring, often symbolizes the bonding of two parties, so when Bassanio gifted Portia’s ring away it signaled that he showed a greater obligation towards Antonio than he did to Portia. A ring much like a contract shows one’s obligations. Furthermore, marriage encapsulates both definitions of the word bound, not only in the intimate usage of the word, but also in a legal context. Whereby the two parties of the agreement share both a personal dependency with each other as well as having a strict obligation to remain faithful to each other bound by religion and law. Furthermore, this is why the fifth act of the play places such a considerable emphasis on the ring. Wedding rings symbolize how individuals align themselves and bound themselves with one another in a concretely observable