Promises are made constantly throughout one's life. This concept is often not realized, because it goes by a different name; trust. It means having certainty and confidence; reliable of the truthfulness of an individual. However, trust is almost never in a perpetual state; it fluctuates. It changes constantly. Though, the basis on which it changes is something in which people make everyday; decisions. Some of which, have bigger impacts than others, as some can show one’s true measure of reliability and trust. In the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, this very concept plays a considerable role throughout the play. It follows a Christian merchant in the 1600s named Antonio who has made a deal with moneylender and Jewish man Shylock. Despite their (religious) hatred for each other, they make a deal. A personal deal in which Antonio is held to if not fulfilled. As the play progresses, various characters are introduced throughout the play; their interactions plentiful. Such interactions would either strengthen trust or weaken it between the individuals involved all due a single factor. The play “Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare has shown that trust can only be based on the decisions that they make.

    Promises are made constantly throughout one's life. This concept is often not realized, because it goes by a different name; trust. It means having certainty and confidence; reliable of the truthfulness of an individual. However, trust is almost never in a perpetual state; it fluctuates. As such, it begs the question; why must it fluctuate, and how does one trust another individual? In the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, this very concept plays a considerable role throughout the play. It follows a Christian merchant in the 1600s named Antonio who has made a deal with moneylender and Jewish man Shylock. Despite their (religious) hatred for each other, they make a deal. A personal deal in which Antonio is held to if not fulfilled. However, as the play progresses, various characters are introduced throughout the play; their interactions plentiful as their confidence in one another changes either for the better or for worse. The play “Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare has shown that trust can only be based on the decisions that they make.
    In order to even begin trusting an individual, one can only observe from their current decisions that play a role or relate to oneself. The play opens with a friend of Antonio--Bassanio--requesting a sum of money to appear to wealthy; to impress a wealthy woman she is attracted to who goes by the name of Portia. Bassanio says “Her fair hair is the Golden Fleece that attracts many Jasons to the Belmont shore. Oh, Antonio - I feel convinced I’d be successful if only I had the money to make myself a rival!” (1.1.170-176) Antonio, being the generous and trusting friend that he is to Bassanio, goes to a Jewish moneylender Shylock for a loan. However, as previously explained, the two despise each other. But Shylock sees something that he can get out of it. Out of all the mockery Antonio has for Shylock, he can bind him to the money that Antonio is asking Shylock for. Shylock knows of the fact that his money could potentially go down as his wealth is with merchant ships at sea (a potential risk). Thus, Shylock agrees to loan him money with the consequence of suffering immense physical pain if his money is not returned. And yet, with the situation at hand, Antonio still agrees to the bond. Bassanio and Antonio discuss; “You mustn’t sign such a bond for me. I’d rather manage without. / Oh don’t worry, man! I won’t forfeit it. Within two months - that’s a month before this bond expires - I’m expecting the return of nine times what the bond is worth.” (1.3.149-152) This very motion of generosity exhibits the amount of trust that Antonio and Bassanio share; the types of decisions in which Bassanio have presumably made in the past as well as the great friendship and loyalty they have for each other. Antonio’s reassurance proves this.
    Though, as trust builds, the level/degree of tasks that are inadvertently required to further prove it grow larger. As the play progresses, Bassanio is able to be with and impress his love Portia, even though it may seem like a very short amount of time has passed for them to simply just be engaged right off the spot. No trust has really been tested quite yet. This, though will very soon change, as Antonio sends a message to Bassanio that all of his ships did not survive and will be facing in court against Shylock. Portia sees an opening as Portia and Bassanio discuss; “How much does he owe the Jew? / On my behalf, three thousand ducats. / No more? Pay him six thousand, and reclaim the bond. Twice six thousand. Three times that. No friend of that description shall lose a hair of his head through the fault of Bassanio.” Both loyalty and trust is definitely something that is shown here. Portia is already using this opportunity to be of great assistance to Bassanio, who is essentially giving back to the friend who gave him so much. Even though Antonio is “accepting” of his fate against Shylock, Bassanio knows how indebted he is to his friend. Things all follow for the better, though; Bassanio is able to defend his beloved friend in court alongside a lawyer. However, what he doesn’t know is Portia’s involvement. She disguises as a lawyer in this court and ensures that Antonio doesn’t suffer anything Shylock has planned. As a way to test Bassanio’s loyalty to her and how trusting she should be of him, she requests his marriage ring as a “fee” in a way. Things are being put to the test. His answer to the test was a mixed one; “This ring has more importance than its value. I’ll give you the most expensive ring in Venice and advertise for it. With respect, you must pardon me on this one.” (4.1.430-433) The audience can see a lot of hesitance coming out from Bassanio here. He risks a lot of his credibility through giving up this ring. The thing is, though; he does. The result of this exchange when Bassanio returns to Portia alongside his friends, though, is a bit more on the comical side. It appears as if Portia is briefly angry at Bassanio, but soon forgives him; like a “second chance” in some aspects. However, this decision of Bassanio and his poor choice to discredit his loyalty could have easily swayed in a different direction.
    So, trust is not one that can so easily be earned at times. Whether it’d be between Portia and Bassanio’s young relationship or Antonio and Bassanio’s long-time friendship, the trust in them were born out of one thing that they both make and what Shakespeare repeats throughout the story. The fact that trust is based solely on decisions that the individuals make. Making negatively impacting choices will obviously damage choices sometimes to a greater extent than Bassanio and Portia, or yield positive and greater trust and dedication similar to Bassanio and Antonio.

1. What is the setting of the story? What are people like, the culture, etc.?
1. The setting of the story is in Venice (obviously), but the first two scenes take place in a more noble/rich area of Venice as the characters that are first introduced appear to be rich.
2. We meet Antonio in the first scene, who exactly is he and what is his worries that he faces early on?
1. Antonio is a sad man whose sadness is owed to an unknown thing. Technically, he is someone who has money and has loaned them to certain people such as Bassanio. From a technical point of view, Antonio worries about the money that he invested as a merchant. If that money is not returned, he will lose a lot of money. From a figurative perspective, he worries about what is making him feel sad.
3. We also meet Bassanio a friend of Antonio, what does he ask of Antonio? Explain.
1. Bassanio asks of Antonio for a loan; money. Bassanio wants to appear rich for Portia.
4. Portia worries about finding a husband, so what does she decide to do that she thinks will be best solution to her problem? Explain.
1. Portia thinks that Bassanio is the best solution to solving the problem of finding a husband because he is the man that she desires and vice-versa. They both like the attributes each other possess.

1. Revisiting the Portia situation, why is the choosing of a man suitable for her out of her hands?
1. His father’s dead will was for Portia to choose a man suitable for her but only from a select group of candidates. Bassanio, the man she desires, is not within this pool.
2. Who is Shylock? What is his importance in the story thus far?
1. Shylock appears to be a wealthy businessman who lends money and profits from loaning said money through interest. It’s quite important so far in the story to Bassanio in particular because of the fact that he is in need of three thousand gold coins over the course of three months. It gets Antonio involved too, because he is essentially the “insurance” to Bassanio’s lavish request.
3. What is the agreement Shylock and Antonio come to terms with?
1. Shylock and Antonio came to agree upon Shylock lending Antonio three thousand gold coins whose amount will be paid back within three months time.
4. Why is Shylock so hesitant of this agreement with Antonio?
1. Shylock is hesitant to agree with Antonio because of Antonio’s current state. Being a merchant, he has various ships at sea and as such, they all can be subjected to the dangers of the world; pirates looting their ship, nature’s tyranny through storms, etc. But what also appears to be a very major divide between the two is religion. Antonio is Christian, while Shylock is Hebrew/Jewish.
5. Would you trust Antonio? Why or why not.
1. Despite Antonio’s best intentions, I do not like the risk in which he is taking. If this wealth is at risk or being lost, that’s just bad decision-making; putting all eggs into one basket. Sure, it can bring back a substantial amount of wealth back, but I feel the risk is too great. In addition to this, Antonio despises Jews such as Shylock through mockery and disrespect, and although it doesn’t relate to trust very much, I wouldn’t prefer to be affiliated with individuals that condone such hatred.