Essay --

Throughout The Merchant of Venice, there are a variety of ways in which the characters view wealth. Their views on wealth shape the play. Different characters view wealth in extremely different ways. Shylock’s life is centered around wealth, Bassanio views wealth as extreme power, while Antonio balances wealth and love greatly. Shylock’s view on wealth is rather extreme. He values only money, and not family. After Jessica runs away Shylock states, â€Å"I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear.† (III. i. 79-80). When Jessica runs away, he does not care that she is gone. He only wishes for his money, which she has stolen, to be returned to him. Shylock also prioritizes himself and what he has to gain over the lives of others. While making the deal with Antonio, Shylock states, â€Å"Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me† (I. iii. 150-154). This deal alone shows Shylock’s greed for money. If Antonio is unable to pay Shylock back by the deadli...