Answer:

The Merchant of Venice Significant Allusions

by William Shakespeare

Explanation:

Greek History and Mythology: Many of the allusions in this play are to love stories from Greek and ROMAN mythology and to classical gods of love, chastity, and romance. The CHRISTIAN characters use these allusions to show off their learning in the HUMANISTIC style. Ironically, many of the references they make are to couples whose stories have tragic endings.

On the NIGHT that Lorenzo and Jessica run away together with Shylock’s gold, they compare their elopement to the conditions “on such a night” of famous, mythological romances, such as Pyramus and Thisbe, Troilus and Cressida, Dido and Aeneas, and Medea and Jason. Ironically, all of these mythological stories end tragically. Dido commits suicide after Aeneas leaves her; Pyramus kills himself when he believes Thisbe has been eaten by a lion; Cressida is made to BECOME a Greek’s paramour and betray her Troilus; and Medea kills her own children when Jason betrays her. Jessica and Lorenzo compare their escape to these tragic love stories, missing the point of the myths they have alluded to.

LORENZO: In such a night,

Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,

And with an unthrift love did run from Venice,

As far as Belmont.

JESSICA: In such a night,

Did young Lorenzo swear he lov’d her well;

Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,

And ne’er a true one. (4.1)

Allusions to Gods: Venus, Goddess of love: “O, ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly / To seal love’s bonds new-made, than they are wont / To keep obliged faith unforfeited!”