Merchant of Venice || Final Draft

People frequently judge a person by their external appearance because they believe that their exterior could reflect on their personality. On the daily, people are judged by their appearance and their status. The first confrontation with a person could lead to many accusations about their personality. Therefore, first impressions are not always accurate. Looks can be very deceiving most of the time. The greatest looking people could have a terrible personality and vice versa. In the play, “The Merchant of Venice” written by William Shakespeare, illustrates the idea of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” This play emphasizes the concept of appearances with the characters and the choosing of the caskets. Bassanio, a desperate bachelor, tries to impress a girl by faking his wealth through a loan from a Jewish moneylender named Shylock. In the play, Shakespeare portrays the idea of appearances through the status and values of one’s exterior characteristics.

All around the world, people are constantly worried about their social appearance and how other people see them. Throughout time, people are still looking at wealth as status. Appearing more wealthy could earn a higher spot on the radar. “Antonio, you well know how I squandered my inheritance by living above my means. I’m not complaining, now that I have to cut back.” (1.1.120-125). Bassanio confessed to Antonio that he had recklessly spent all of his inheritance on his appearance for the obvious reason that he wants to gain a higher status in Venice. Not only does Bassanio want to impress the people of Venice but he also wants to impress a rich heiress named Portia. With the wealthy impression, Bassanio tries to win the love of his life and tries to gain the respect of his people. Even though he is is known as a "rich" man, his spendings have caused him to be buried in a huge pile of debt. Bassanio is clearly depending on his kinsman, Antonio to keep his "wealthy" lifestyle afloat. He claims that he owes his love and money to Antonio but he still sponges off him for money to impress people. Therefore, Bassanio could be described as a "wealthy leech", who reaps the benefits of his rich friends. All around the world people wear "masks" to cover up the truth about themselves, for their own benefit. A person could have an attractive mask, but that doesn't mean that they are attractive internally. People tend to connect beauty with the concept of purity. They often think that if someone is beautiful then she/he must have a pure soul. In spite of that, external appearances should not be the measurement of a person’s disposition. “Therefore, gaudy gold, food for Midas, I want none of you. Nor of you, silver, the stuff of common currency. But you worthless lead, which threatens rather than promises, your plain speaking appeals more than the eloquence of your rivals. This is my choice. May it bring happiness!” (3.2.100-105). Appearances are often deceiving, just like the three caskets in Portia’s marriage lottery -- gold, lead, silver. The gold chest is the most valuable one of all, but what it contains was a rotting skull. While the silver chest was the common currency, it contained a picture of a fool. But the humble and worthless lead, contained the best prize of all, Portia’s picture. Everyday people make assumptions of things solely based on their appearance. From basic things such as, vegetables from grocery stores to picking the best soulmate to spend your life with. People tend to choose the things that are flawless externally but neglect the things that have imperfections. This valuable lesson teaches us that the appearance of something, does not declare the value of it.

In the dictionary, there are some words that have more than one meaning. Some people interpret appearance as the looks of a person. While others, like Shakespeare, interprets appearance as deception. Most things in the world appear to be one thing, but in reality it is the complete opposite. “I want to be friends with you and have your love, forget your shameful treatment, provide the money you want, and take not a penny of interest! I’m offering a kindness..” (1.3.135) Shylock introduces the idea of deception by making a deal with an enemy merchant named Antonio. Shylock pretends to befriend Antonio and Bassanio by kindly offering them the money, which deceives them into thinking that Shylock actually wants to help.  Using the deception method, Shylock plans to take revenge on all of the bad things that Antonio has done to him. This tactic of deception that Shylock used on Antonio could be a valuable lesson that people have to learn. Trusting someone just because of their appearance could be quite dangerous. “If you don’t repay me on such a day, at such a place, such sum or sums as are in the contract, let the forfeit be agreed for a full pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken from whatever part of your body I choose” (1.3.140-150) Shylock suggests the flesh bond as an alternative for not charging any interest. Shylock also describes the bond as a “merry bond” meaning that it is just for fun, but he has an ulterior motive. The bond could possibly kill Antonio and thus Shylock has accomplished his deception. The nice and kind appearance that Shylock was using to deceive Antonio has an underlying truth. Shylock’s internal characteristics are described as crafty and manipulative.

As human beings, we all judged people without realizing it because it is one of our most important senses. Sight allows us to communicate with the people around us. But regardless of the reason, nobody has the right to judge anyone. When you look at someone, assumptions about their personality just come racing through your mind. Therefore, appearances could also allow people to take advantage of deception. "Don't judge a book by its cover", you will never know the contents of the book, unless you open it and read it till the end. To sum it all up, individuals should not judge others until they have truly know what they are like.