Deceitful Characters

Lying and dishonesty are characteristics of a deceitful act which is also known as a dishonest trick. You come across as a certain person but you act a certain way so in the end you get what you want. In William Shakespeares, The Merchant of Venice talks about how a few of the characters have two personalities. The theme of appearance versus reality helps show the deceitful side of characters. To begin with Portia is deceitful when she disobeys her father because she doesnt like the casket game, she appears to be a suitable wife but judges all the suitors and she tests Bassanios trust by lying. Portia shows disrespect and unworthiness towards her father by disagreeing with the casket game. Besides the lottery of my destiny bars me the right of voluntary choosing. (2.1.15-16) Portia thinks she has the right to choose the suitors herself instead of one of them being able to win her. Portia seems like a suitable wife to everyone when behind their backs she acts snobby and rude. and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me! (1.2.125-126) Portia is very picky and sets high standards for herself. Portia will always get her way by being sneaky. set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket, for, if the devil be within and that temptation without, I know he will choose it. (1.2.91-94) this was when Portia manipulated the Prince of Morocco with Rhenish wine to persuade him to choose it since he was intoxicated. Furthermore Portia is a deceitful character by always trying to get her way by acting sneaky. Addition to Jessica is also a deceitful character when she steals jewels from her father, then uses his money wastefully and runs away with Lorenzo. Jessica leaves her father. Farewell; and if my future not be crossd, I have a father, you have a daughter, lost. (2.5.56-57) this shows that Jessica states this right before she takes her fathers ducats and jewels then escapes with Lorenzo. Jessica says she needs money so her father gives in. snail-show in profit, and he sleeps by day. (2.5.47) this shows that Jessica was unsatisfied and stole from her father. Not only does she take her fathers money but she uses it wastefully. Out upon her! Thou tortured me, Tubal: it was my turquoise; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor: I wouldnt have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. (3.1.112-114) this was when Jessicas father Shylock found out she bought a monkey with his money. These three events show that Jessica is ungrateful, rude and stuck-up. Lastly Shylock is another character that is also deceitful, he pursues this when he lends money to Antonio but turns out to be evil because he wants his pound of flesh and he shows no mercy when he begs for forgiveness. Shylock is very demanding of Antonios flesh. Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body

pleaseth me. (1.3.146-147) this is when Shylock thinks he deserves Antonios pound of flesh. Shylock begins to get angry since Antonio did not pay Shylock his ducats on time. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond. Thou but uffendst thy lungs to speak so loud: Repair thy wit good youth, or it will fall to cureless ruin. (4.1.139-142) Shylock made people believe that Antonio was guilty when really Shylock was being selfish. Shylock had no right of telling everyone that he deserves a pound of flesh, this is when. It is enacted in the laws of Venice, if it be proud against an alien that by direct or indirect attempts he seeks the life of any citizen. (4.1.346-349) Shylock was arrested for attempting to get Antonio killed this was Shylocks way of seeking revenge. In these three events Shylocks showed pity, him being fake, and sucking up to everyone to make them think that he was just joking about what he said about Antonio. The theme of appearance versus reality helps convey the deceitful side of all characters in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice. Portia always acted sneaky to allow herself to get everything she wanted, Jessica was so into herself and only cared about herself that she would do things without thinking about the effects it would have on others and lastly Shylock was a very greedy and unfair man that always needed to get things done his way. These three characters are all dishonest and selfish and portray this in several different ways. Although it all worked out in the end Jessica, Portia and Shylock may not have been the type of good characters you thought they were in the beginning.