시장 경제적 관점에서 『베니스의 상인』 읽기: 바사니오와 포셔의 결혼 이야기를 중심으로
Reading The Merchant of Venice From the Perspective of Market Economy: The Courtship and Marriage Story between Bassanio and Portia
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This essay explores the ways in which Shakespeare illuminates the nature of marriage in the context of market economy in The Merchant of Venice. With a deep focus on the relationship between Bassanio and Portia, both of whom share the same purpose in courtship and marriage, this essay argues that they go on a marriage journey not only because they have loving feelings toward each other, but because they need to acquire the means of livelihood. Bassanio, the penniless and desperate gentleman, is being economically forced to earn such a wonderful meal ticket as Portia who is entitled to inherit a great fortune only on the condition that she gets married. From the perspective of market economy, they are made perfect for each other. However, this does not necessarily mean that love takes a back seat on the journey of their marriage because it is the fundamental condition of livelihood. Without love, conjugal living is destined to lead to eventual devastation. Bassanio and Portia are no exception to this general rule. This is the reason that faithfulness is the key issue to the journey of their marriage, as best shown in the ‘Portia’s ring episode’ in the play. In other words, claims this essay, Bassanio and Portia may go on the journey of their marriage for life only on the two conditions that they keep faithful to each other and that they take a fair share in their household management. Can their ‘marriage journey’ persist forever? Shakespeare leaves the ultimate answer to this question in the hands of the audience.
Abstract
This essay explores the ways in which Shakespeare illuminates the nature of marriage in the context of market economy in The Merchant of Venice. With a deep focus on the relationship between Bassanio and Portia, both of whom share the same purpose in courtship and marriage, this essay argues that they go on a marriage journey not only because they have loving feelings toward each other, but because they need to acquire the means of livelihood. Bassanio, the penniless and desperate gentleman, is being economically forced to earn such a wonderful meal ticket as Portia who is entitled to inherit a great fortune only on the condition that she gets married. From the perspective of market economy, they are made perfect for each other. However, this does not necessarily mean that love takes a back seat on the journey of their marriage because it is the fundamental condition of livelihood. Without love, conjugal living is destined to lead to eventual devastation. Bassanio and Portia are no exception to this general rule. This is the reason that faithfulness is the key issue to the journey of their marriage, as best shown in the ‘Portia’s ring episode’ in the play. In other words, claims this essay, Bassanio and Portia may go on the journey of their marriage for life only on the two conditions that they keep faithful to each other and that they take a fair share in their household management. Can their ‘marriage journey’ persist forever? Shakespeare leaves the ultimate answer to this question in the hands of the audience.
참고문헌 (12)
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