Language
Shakespeare’s renowned for the language he used and often invented new words. Explore the way he uses rhythm and rhyme and imagery and metaphor in the play The Merchant of Venice.
Language overview
The way we write and speak has changed a lot over the past 400 years since Shakespeare wrote his plays, so don’t be put off if you find Shakespeare’s words difficult.
The language in The Merchant of Venice is often focused on money. The words ‘wealth’, ‘money’, ‘gold’ and ‘fortune’ feature repeatedly throughout. Similarly, words connected with love are also at the fore, with ‘heart’, ‘desire’ and ‘love’ being prominent.
Shakespeare used the following aspects of language in The Merchant of Venice:
- rhythm and rhyme
- imagery and metaphor
Rhythm and rhyme
The mood and social status of a character can often be determined by the rhythm of their speech. Those with a higher social status often speak in lines of 10 syllables (or blank verse) whereas servants, such as Launcelot Gobbo, speak in A type of spoken or written language that has no rhythm or rhyme.. However, prose is also used to show that higher status characters are angry or upset.
Analysis of rhythm and rhyme in the play
Question
Why does Shylock change from speaking in blank verse to prose in Act 1 Scene 3?
Shylock is angry about the inequality between the treatment of Jews and Christians in Venice.
He says:
SHYLOCKI am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?
Act 3 Scene 1
His anger is highlighted by the use of prose which reflects the direct and emotional nature of his outburst.
Question
How does Shakespeare make use of rhyme and repetition to show a connection between characters?
Shakespeare uses repetition when Lorenzo and Jessica are talking in Belmont. They are in love and their language is playful and echoes each other. In Act 5 Scene 1 they each begin their sentences with 'In such a night…' emphasising their togetherness.
Listening task
In Act 5 Scene 1, Jessica and Lorenzo are in Belmont talking about their love for each other.
The Merchant of Venice language - rhythm and rhyme
JESSICA
In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew,
And saw the lion's shadow ere himself,
And ran dismayed away.
LORENZO
In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
JESSICA
In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Aeson.
LORENZO
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
JESSICA
In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne'er a true one.
LORENZO
In such a night
Did pretty Jessica (like a little shrew)
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
JESSICA
I would outnight you, did no body come:
But hark, I hear the footing of a man…
Question
Which phrase does each character repeat?
In such a night.
Question
What does Lorenzo compare Jessica to?
A little shrew.
Imagery and metaphor
Several of the images and metaphors in this play have become so popular that they are used in everyday talk. Shylock’s ‘pound of flesh’ is used to represent unethical or unrealistic loan terms, and the name Shylock is often used to represent a person who is determined to claim their rights, however miserly. Portia’s speech about the quality of mercy has also been used repeatedly over time.
Analysis of imagery and metaphor in the play
Question
What point is Portia trying to make in comparing mercy to rain?
When Portia compares mercy to the rain that falls freely from the sky, she suggests that mercy should come as easily.
PORTIAThe quality of mercy is not strained,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Act 4 Scene 1
Portia shows that mercy has a gentle quality and should be given graciously.
Listening task – Imagery and metaphor
Rings represent love and commitment in this play. In Act 3 Scene 1, Shylock is upset about a ring that Jessica has stolen from him.
TUBAL
Your daughter spent in Genoa, as I heard, in one night four score ducats.
SHYLOCK
Thou stick’st a dagger in me; I shall never see my gold again.
Four score ducats at a sitting! Four score ducats!
TUBAL
There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice that swear he cannot
choose but break.
SHYLOCK
I am very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him. I am glad of it.
TUBAL
One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey.
SHYLOCK
Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal: it was my turquoise, I had it of Leah when I was a
bachelor.
I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.
Question
What sort of ring was it?
Turquoise.
Question
Why is Shylock so upset about it?
It was given to him by Leah, who we can assume to be his wife.
Test yourself
More on The Merchant of Venice
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