Jessica’s Dilemma in Shakespeare’s Play: The Merchant of Venice

Website design By BotEap.comJessica’s character in The Merchant of Venice starts out unlucky; however, he experiences a different position at the end of the play. Jessica is the daughter of a Jew named Shylock. It is a money lender in the area. Jessica lives with her father in a neighborhood that is not so good. The area is a Jewish slum, so to speak. Your freedom is also limiting at best.

Website design By BotEap.comJessica lives by the rules of her Shylock, her father, which she doesn’t like. He reminds her to close the doors and windows every time she leaves the house. As a result, he is not allowed to venture into the neighborhood due to hostility towards Jews at the time. His father is harassed most of the time by Christians whenever he ventures out of the house to do business.

Website design By BotEap.comJessica is unhappy and frustrated with her father, Shylock. Develop a relationship with a Christian friend, Lorenzo. She plans to escape from her father’s house with Lorenzo, her boyfriend. He finally escapes with a part of his father’s money. Spend money like the prodigal son. As such, he somehow achieves a psychological independence in his soul. Now you are free to do what you want; where she wants. Develop the spirit of free spending and enjoy the process without complaint or restriction, especially in an emerging capitalist society.

Website design By BotEap.comThe meaning of Jessica’s position is one of transformation. She goes from being a homeless living with restrictions to one of freedom and independence. Shylock, your father is a rich Jew. He is a wealthy moneylender who makes a profit. During a court trial, the judge orders Jessica to receive a percentage of her wealth. This occurs after he lost his case to collect his bail against Antonio, The Merchant of Venice, while trying to get his pound of meat from Antonia in court with a knife. Jessica finally marries Lorenzo, her boyfriend, a Christian, and she a Jew. She converts to Christianity through her marriage to Lorenzo.

Website design By BotEap.comJessica symbolizes the stereotypical rebellious woman who does not like her father’s rule. It is also similar to some women of this time who rebelled against the rules of their parents. In essence, there is no difference between the intention of children of the seventeenth century and now, who rebel against their parents.

Website design By BotEap.comThe main question is this: is it possible that Jessica is better off living with her father? Based on the morale and theme of the play, he probably would have. For example, especially when compared to Portia, the main character in the play, who follows her father’s rules, who is not alive and who sets restrictions against Portia in his will. The moral of the story reveals that one can accomplish more by following directions and obeying one’s parents, such as in relation to not following directions and rebelling against one’s parents.