| “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter,Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!” (Act 2, Scene 8) | Here Solanio says that Shylock is furious when he realised that Jessica ran away with a Christian and took all of his ducats. Solanio claims that Shylock is not sure which is more upsetting—the fact that his daughter is gone or that his money has been stolen. |
| “In Belmont is a lady richly left,And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,Of wondrous virtues” (Act 1, Scene 1) | Bassanio’s going to get himself out of debt by going after a rich heiress who lives in Belmont (that would be Portia). Bassanio believes that if e can find a rich wife, all of his economic problems would disappear. This may make that audience feel hatred towards Bassanio as he is only after Portia because of her wealth and nothing else. |
| “O my Antonio, had I but the meansTo hold a rival place with one of them.” (Act 1, Scene 2) | Bassanio thinks that Portia would help him with his financial problems, but he is worried because he thinks he is too poor to court her. The audience may feel pathos for Portia as she is being used for her money and may no be actually loved. |
quotes about Wealth in the merchant of venice
July 6, 2019