Jessica(Merchant of Venice)
Jessica is the daughter of a rich Jew, Shylock, in The Merchant of Venice (a play written by William Shakespeare). In the play, she falls in love with Lorenzo, a Christian man, who has also fallen in love with her. She is a beautiful woman, but she was always obsessed with being Jewish. So, she steals money from her father and elopes with her lover.
Relationship with Lorenzo
Jessica and Lorenzo's marriage could be a happy one or based on fake love. In Act 5, Scene 1, they joke around with each other, which suggests they will have a good and healthy relationship. LORENZO In such a night did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, slander her love, and he forgave it her. JESSICA I would out-night you, did nobody come. But, hark, I hear the footing of a man (Shakespeare V,1).
On the other hand, Lorenzo's love for Jessica could be fake. In Act 2, Scene 6, Lorenzo confesses his love for Jessica, saying "Beshrew me but I love her heartily, for she is wise, if I can judge of her... Shall she be placed in my constant soul"(Shakespeare II,6). But Lorenzo makes this declaration of love right after Jessica promises to disobey her father and steal his money (Shmoop).
Jessica's opinion toward being Jewish
Jessica has lived life as a Jew, and she suffered a lot because of it. When Lorenzo asks her to abandon her father, her awareness of the conflict between the loyalty she owes her father and the moral disapproval she feels for his manner and Jewish life is juxtaposed.[1] Jessica's admiration for Christians stands out in the line "I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian" (Shakespeare III,5). Ultimately, she chooses her Christian lover over her Jewish father.
Famous lines
Farewell; and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a father, you a daughter, lost (Shakespeare II,5). Lorenzo, certain, and my love indeed, for who love I so much? (Shakespeare II,6).
References
- ↑ jester.org
1. Slights, Camille. "In defense of Jessica: The runaway daughter in The Merchant of Venice." Shakespeare Quarterly 31.3 (1980): 357-368. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2869199 2. Shmoop Editorial Team. "Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice." Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 21 Jun. 2017. http://www.shmoop.com/merchant-of-venice/lorenzo.html
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