Language and Imagery in Merchant of Venice by William...

Language and Imagery in Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare This scene in Belmont concludes the casket challenge left by Portias father, and conveys the love and affection between Bassanio and Portia. As the scene opens, Portia pleads for Bassanio to delay before he chooses one of the caskets, as she fears the outcome, especially as she has already fallen in love with him. She asks him to tarry (Line 1), to pause a day or two (Line 1), to forbear awhile (Line 3), anything to keep him from possibly choosing the wrong casket. However, Bassanio is anxious to choose, and compares the suspense, before he chooses his casket, to living on the rack, a realistic method of torture at the time.†¦show more content†¦Nevertheless, although Portias fears are partially suppressed, her desire to be released from her fathers will is apparent. I am locked in one of them (casket), if you do love me, you will find me out (Line 40). As we discover, a portrait of Portia is locked within the casket, but Portias words demonstrate the entrapment that her fathers challenge has placed on her. Shakespeare also demonstrates Bassanios love for Portia, as he understands that Portia is the only one who can relieve him from this torture and anxiety. O happy torment, when my torturer doth teach me answers for deliverance. But let me to my fortune and the caskets (Line 37). The fortune that Bassanio wants Portia can be seen as representing many different aspects of winning the casket challenge. His fortune my represent what he deserves, or the riches he will receive once he marries Portia, and more likely, the fortune he will possess for being married to the one he loves. However, Shakespeare leaves the meaning of this word as ambiguous, allowing Bassanios methods to be open to interpretations by the audience. Portias desire for Bassanio to succeed in the challenge is furthermore expressed by the stipulations she adds to the challenge. Unlike in the other challenges with the previous men, Portia expresses her desire for Bassanio to haveShow M oreRelatedThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay examples2198 Words   |  9 PagesThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare was written between 1594-1596.It is classified as a comedy; it is also a work of good triumphs over evil, but serious themes are examined and some issues remain unresolved. In the play Shakespeare has woven together plots from different books. Shakespeare gets the bond storyRead MoreEssay about William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1562 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The merchant of Venice was written by Willliam Shakespeare. 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