Merchant Of Venice Essay Outline - Dogun Hong

   Trust is the bond that holds many relationships together. Without trust many relationships would not exist or be corrupted. With the whole society held together with trust, it is very important for people
to keep it.In the play, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, it portrays a story of a character known as Shylock seeking revenge against the merchant Antonio for his failure in paying a loan. This conflict leads to the ending of a mysterious lawyer and a clerk who comes to save the day. The merchant of venice by Shakespeare teaches us that trust is only earned by the hard work.

   In the play, trust is a major issue along with religious segregations. The first impressions of the two character, Shylock and Antonio are that of a cat and a dog. They both despise each other whether it be just religion or other factors. In the deal between Bassanio with Antonio with Shylock, the agreement talks about the loan of 3,000 ducats, their way of currency. The tension begins to rise between the dealers which resulted in the end with shylock's announces, "If you don't repay me on such a day, at such a day, such sum or sums as are in the contract, let the forfeit be agreed for a full pound of your fair flesh (1.3143/147). Not only because Shylock despises Antonio, he has a business and he need to be sure that he keeps it. Shylock could truly not trust Antonio. Even though Antonio has built a great reputation of being a good man, this is not enough for Shylock to trust him. From what he had to deal with in the past from Antonio it is evident that he would not trust him, thus proving he would need to gain the trust from hard work. Next, we can see the close relationship between Bassanio and Antonio. Two great friends who have developed that relationship after series of hard work. As a result of this, their relationship is even known to the public. For example when Solanio and Salerio were talking to one another, "I think he means the world to him" (2.8.50). In this excerpt, we can see the evidence of trust that they have made. To love another as much as the world, this would have to take a lot of trust. Even in previous encounters of their trust. As a result, the trust between people will have to be gained by their experiences together with hard work.

   Further along the play, you can see the trust issues even between people who seem like they need to have the kind of trust. In act 4, the brilliant Bassanio is able to choose the right casket and is able to gain Portia's heart. He is in possession of her things and is married. Along with Gratiano who is able to win the heart of the maid, Nerissa. In the following events where the court is taking place in charge for Shylock's bond of gaining the one pound of flesh from Antonio. However, a mysterious lawyer and his clerk, whom were Portia and her maid Nerissa, comes and saves Antonio through certain obstacles. After, these action, Portia test Bassanio and says, "And, in token of your love, I'll take this ring from you" (4.1.223). In resulting of Bassanio refusing at first but ends up giving it up. These actions were done so to test Bassanio's loyalty but also his trust. Portia was abruptly married to a stranger and this is the excuse for he insecurities. She wants to make sure she can trust him because he is her husband, however, she cannot trust him right away, because she barely knows anything about him. This causes Bassanio to work in order to gain Portia's trust. The only way he would get the trust is by proving to her that he is worthy. Thus, proving that trust comes trough hard work. Then, we get the same example from Nerissa, "I'll see if I can get my husband's ring - the one I made him swear to keep forever" (4.2.14/15). In this part, it is evident that Nerissa made Gratiano promise to keep the ring forever, both of Portia and Nerissa's marriages were pretty abrupt and this will cause trust issues. Thus saying that in order for their own wifes to trust them, they would need to prove themselves through hard work.

   As a result, the play constantly reminds us that trust is not given. Even for Antonio whose, reputation is so well known, he will need a lot more than just a reputation to gain the trust of those with different religions and believes. However, the rewards of that hard work will lead to be a strong relationship between the two people. Even when we are tested at times by those we did not fully convinced by our actions. Through these examples, we learn that we need to work hard to earn the trust of our peers.