How Does Shakespeare Present Betrayal In The Merchant Of Venice

William Shakespeare is effective at conveying the message wealth and betrayal are sometimes more important than love. Two literary techniques used to portray this theme are symbolism and conflict. Love isn’t determined by the amount of money you have, and some people may view it that way. Many characters such as, Bassanio and Lorenzo who only marry for money are ones who will do anything for money even if it involves betraying their lovers. They will only marry for money and they value that more than their wives. Money is the number one priority for someone who is in debt, such as Bassanio and their only way of getting out of that debt is marrying someone who is wealthy like Portia. In The Merchant of Venice, one literary technique that Shakespeare uses is conflict. For example, when Lorenzo

He starts off by mentioning Portia to Antonio and says “ In Belmont is a lady richly left, and she is fair, and, fairer than that word, of wondrous virtues” (1.168-170), and from this he only thinks how he could get out of debt. Portia is the answer to everything for Bassanio, such as a potential lover but her money is his main focus. Once again Bassanio mentions her wealth by saying “Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth, for the four winds blow in from every coast. Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks, hang on her temples like a golden fleece” (1.1.174-177), and when he compares her to Jason’s golden fleece he views Portia as a quest for fortune rather than love. Gratiano also tags along with Bassanio in finding “true love” and he says, “The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you even at that time I may be married too” (3.2.197-198). Gratiano has the same type of thing that Bassanio and Portia have because he refers to himself and Bassanio as the “Jasons” who have “won the golden fleece”. Now Bassanio and Gratiano have their hookups for