The Merchant of Venice Essay

People think we're in this world to live up to people's expectations and we all think each person has a specific label or status individually. Appearance takes a big part in defining a person's personality and worth. However, we should learn to trust not too much on appearances because what lies behind an appearance is usually another appearance. In the play, The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare portrays that the appearance of something doesn't declare the value of it, and that physical appearance can often direct a person's life. Like Bassanio, a kinsman and a dear friend to Antonio who wishes to to change into a different status or appearance to impress a wealthy lady from Belmont. This play, also consists of choosing caskets that contains an item that is opposite from the appearance and worth of each casket, and also includes other characters that have different appearances, statuses and personalities.

Appearance is always something to be judged and assumed by other people. That's why people often make an appearance that's desired of themselves. "Oh, Antonio - I feel convinced I'd be successful if only I had the money to make myself a rival!" (1.1.173-176) In this line, Bassanio is saying that he will only be convinced that he would have a chance with Portia if he shows that he has a "wealthy" status. Someone trying to constantly prove their worth to someone, already guarantees that they have forgotten their own value. One shouldn't go out and look a successful personality and duplicate it. "Consider beauty. You'll see it's often purchased by the ounce." (3.2.88-89) Just like how people have an abnormal amount of plastic surgery or unwillingly attempting to be with people of different status. A person shouldn't even think of changing who they are to seem like something they're not. To reach certain standards a majority of people have shows how much one's self-esteem doesn't satisfy themselves. Changing an image of a person is often a misleading situation and is something that would eventually be revealed later.


However, misleading appearances could often lead to another and unexpectedly guide them to a path they probably would never have gone to if they never changed they way they were. "Appearances can be deceptive. The world is always taken in by ornament. In law, there is no plea, however tainted or corrupt, whose evil cannot be concealed behind a saintly voice." (3.2.75-76) This line said by Bassanio is saying, that the world is always convinced through appearance, but no matter how much a person is changed, their actual behavior and the way they truly are could never be completely hidden. To be themselves in a world that is constantly trying to make them something else is the greatest accomplishment. But, Bassanio didn't let the noise of others' opinions drown out his inner voice that he wanted to win over Portia and he had the courage to follow his own heart and intuition. "Therefore, gaudy gold, food for Midas, I want none of you. Nor of you, silver, the stuff of common currency. But you, worthless lead, which threatens rather than promises, your plain speaking appeals more eloquence than your rivals."(3.2.101-106) The casket game consisted of one who picked the gold casket and one who chose the silver casket, both explaining what why they thought those caskets were worthy and higher in power. In the lines 101-106 however, it shows that Bassanio chose the casket the would least likely be expected to be chosen. He even mentioned the casket as "worthless" lead and he shows that he clearly didn't choose the casket by the view, but he took a fair chance and choose quite true. This also goes with the stereotype that good and not so good looking people often have contrasting personalities.

One doesn't have to live their life and look the way other people expect them to. As for people absorbed in society, following trends and certain looks are often the choice people go towards. People end up wearing the same things, having the same style, and it all has to do with the way people view each other. When you judge others, you don't define them; you define the type of person that you are, depending on wether you thought of a person as something negative or good. When we often look at a person and from looking at their appearance, anyone could make an automatic assumption of what kind of person they are. But, the thing is, people say to know the story behind them first, but it is kind of difficult when it comes to first impressions, and it does take time before someone could actually tell their background. However, no one should judge someone based on looks nor believe that they should change themselves to live up to certain standards. To sum it all up, the play, The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare, teaches a valuable lesson when it comes to forming opinions or conclusions about a person through appearances and to "choose not by the view, take a fair chance, and to choose quite true" (3.2.131-132)