Romantic Love in The Merchant of Venice
In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare utilizes his characters and their interactions to
highlight the different aspects of the notion of romantic love. The primary romantic
relationship of the play is between Portia and Bassanio, and their love is paralleled by the
relationship between Nerissa and Gratiano, and Jessica and Lorenzo. Each of these
relationships illuminates a different facet of the nature of romance.
Portia’s journey of finding the perfect husband is a large part of what this play entails.
Shakespeare suggests the concepts of trial-and-error and destiny through the three casket
scheme. In Act II Scene VII of the play, the Prince of Morocco incorrectly chooses the
gold casket and is forced to say goodbye to Portia forever. In Act II Scene IX, the Prince of
Arragon incorrectly chooses the silver casket, causing him to part ways with Portia also.
With these two failed attempts, Shakespeare tries to convey that finding love takes time
and and many trials. However, the reader should keep in mind the way Portia is being
objectified through this process. The contents of the three caskets essentially hold Portia’s
destiny, but Portia herself has no control and must abide by the authority of her deceased
father. The parental supervision that is translated through the casket scheme represents the
arranged marriage that was typical during Shakespeare’s time, and makes the reader
wonder the existence of actual love.
Shakespeare also suggests destiny, because Bassanio was the one meant for Portia all
along. If it is meant to be, it will be, and Bassanio will choose the correct casket. “If you
