Dramatic Significance Exposed by Risk in The Merchant of Venice
Risk is the exposure to danger. Taking risks are necessary because risk reveals experience to an individual. Hazard has both malevolent and benevolent outcomes, which can affect the overall atmosphere in a play. The content of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice includes many scenarios of risk-taking among the relationships between characters. The Merchant of Venice consists of four different plots: the bond plot, casket plot, love plot, and ring plot; in which exposes characters to danger. Risk serves a major responsibility as it divulges many elements of dramatic significance throughout the play. Shakespeare manifests hazard through rival arguments, lovers’ commitments, …show more content…
The kinship between Portia and her unnamed father reveal the significance of the responsibility of risk by presenting dramatic significance. Portia is a character that reveals this function through the lottery of the caskets. During the rising action of the play, Nerissa explains to Portia that, “Therefore the lott’ry that hee hath devised in these three chests of / gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you.” (1.2.28-31) Nerissa’s explanation reveals that Portia is holding a lottery to determine who she will marry and that her father decided to have this lottery for her in his will. This shows that Portia is honouring her father, which reveals character traits about her commendable self. Background information reveals as it shows how renowned men are visiting Belmont to peruse the casket inscriptions and that Bassanio is taking the risk to visit Belmont to compete against the richest men in the world. On the other hand, Launcelot and his father, Old Gobbo, also establish the role of hazard. Launcelot makes vulnerable his relations with Shylock to work for one of Shylock’s foes, Bassanio. During the rising action of The Merchant of Venice, Launcelot says to his father, “Father, I am glad you are come. Give , me your present to one Master Bassanio, who indeed gives rare new liveries.” (2.2.8-10) Launcelot explains to Old Gobbo that he no longer wants to work for Shylock because Bassanio treats his servants better by giving them superior attire. This scene establishes the tie between Launcelot and Bassanio and also presents a dramatic contrast in Launcelot as he relieves that he no longer works for Shylock. These components of risk make the relationship of Launcelot and Old Gobbo a significant scene in the play as it forebodes what is to come to Shylock. Launcelot and Old Gobbo also adds comic relief in the play which lessens the
Risk is the exposure to danger. Taking risks are necessary because risk reveals experience to an individual. Hazard has both malevolent and benevolent outcomes, which can affect the overall atmosphere in a play. The content of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice includes many scenarios of risk-taking among the relationships between characters. The Merchant of Venice consists of four different plots: the bond plot, casket plot, love plot, and ring plot; in which exposes characters to danger. Risk serves a major responsibility as it divulges many elements of dramatic significance throughout the play. Shakespeare manifests hazard through rival arguments, lovers’ commitments, …show more content…
The kinship between Portia and her unnamed father reveal the significance of the responsibility of risk by presenting dramatic significance. Portia is a character that reveals this function through the lottery of the caskets. During the rising action of the play, Nerissa explains to Portia that, “Therefore the lott’ry that hee hath devised in these three chests of / gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you.” (1.2.28-31) Nerissa’s explanation reveals that Portia is holding a lottery to determine who she will marry and that her father decided to have this lottery for her in his will. This shows that Portia is honouring her father, which reveals character traits about her commendable self. Background information reveals as it shows how renowned men are visiting Belmont to peruse the casket inscriptions and that Bassanio is taking the risk to visit Belmont to compete against the richest men in the world. On the other hand, Launcelot and his father, Old Gobbo, also establish the role of hazard. Launcelot makes vulnerable his relations with Shylock to work for one of Shylock’s foes, Bassanio. During the rising action of The Merchant of Venice, Launcelot says to his father, “Father, I am glad you are come. Give , me your present to one Master Bassanio, who indeed gives rare new liveries.” (2.2.8-10) Launcelot explains to Old Gobbo that he no longer wants to work for Shylock because Bassanio treats his servants better by giving them superior attire. This scene establishes the tie between Launcelot and Bassanio and also presents a dramatic contrast in Launcelot as he relieves that he no longer works for Shylock. These components of risk make the relationship of Launcelot and Old Gobbo a significant scene in the play as it forebodes what is to come to Shylock. Launcelot and Old Gobbo also adds comic relief in the play which lessens the