The Merchant of Venice is problematic. Not only does it present the
disparate and unrelated stories of the caskets and the trial for a
pound of flesh, but it challenges contemporary audiences to
evaluate the treatment of Jews and what constitutes justice. The
character of Shylock, although presented as an object of ridicule
and even comedy to Shakespeare's patrons, might even be considered
tragic to one sensitive to injustice. In fact the implied
definition of justice is challenging: what justice is represented
by a forced conversion from one belief to another? The definition
of friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is itself quite
satisfying; Bassanio at one point says he would sacrifice his wife
for the friendship (IV.i.292-97) which naturally Portia bridles at.
The character of Portia, herself, is also challenging. While
intelligent, rich, and beautiful, she behaves questionably when she
deliberately entraps Bassanio-her affianced lover-into ostensibly
betraying her by giving away her ring and then apparently treating
the whole incident as a joke. Surely Bassanio is entitled to a
modicum of resentment if not anger. Additionally, she entices
Nerissa to do the same with Gratiano. While this scene (V.ii) would
evoke great laughter from an audience who is in on the joke, to a
modern-thinking person, it smacks of sexism: ridicule the male at
his expense and make fun of him for his resentment. Of course, the
groundlings would pay no attention to such an offense. It seems
clear that The Merchant of Venice today demands re-interpretation
and re-definition.
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