Love In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Merchant Of Venice

At the start of scene, Salarino and Gratiano wait for their friend Lorenzo so that they can capture Lorenzo’s soon to be wife, Jessica. Lorenzo is running late, which surprises Salarino for he believes that young lovers tend to rush because for them life seems short and time passes quickly. Gratiano agrees with Salarino’s idea, and then goes on to further voice his opinions on the topic of love. He explains that “all things that are, are with more spirit chased than enjoyed”(2.6.13-14). Gratiano concludes that when people want something, in this case love, they spend too much time chasing it so when finally they can attain what they have always wanted, interest in the matter disappears. Therefore, Gratiano feels that often love is a waste of time because many relationships eventually run out of steam. Based on his attitude towards the subject of love, I feel that Gratiano could be both a good and a bad husband. He could either use his understanding of relationships to make sure he and his significant other do not make the same mistake as most. Or, his ideas could prevent him from ever

However, the ship already left and the Duke could only conclude that Lorenzo and Jessica were together in gondola. Confused and upset Skylock begins to cry in the streets “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter, fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter...”(2.8.15-17). At first glance, this quote seems to portray Shylock as a victim. He lost his only daughter to a religion that oppressed him for years as well as his hard earned money. However, his listing of ducats and his daughter next to each other lead one to believe that Jessica, at this point, was just another possession. His blindness to the difference between monetary and human values lead me to believe that this scene portrays Shylock as a