Write the character sketch of Lorenzo.

Ans.

LORENZO

The Lorenzo-Jessica story, though a minor one, one of the four stories in The Merchant of Venice’ is truly romantic episode of love and adventure and Lorenzo is most suitably its hero.

We meet Lorenzo in Venice participating in a masque and eloping with Jessica. Next we hear about him escaping from law and Tubal describes the extravagances indulged in by the lovers, Lorenzo and Jessica, in Genoa. Lastly we meet him and Jessica at Belmont where they reach accompanied by Salerio bringing news to Bassanio of Antonio’s impending disaster, and staying on at Portia’s request to supervise the household affairs in her absence and they enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the moonlight night and music.

Lorenzo is the type of a true lover-ardent but easily led by his lady love whom he adores and admires as much as she does him. He does not care for the consequences when he elopes with beautiful Jessica. He illustrates more than anyone else the traditional conception of Italian passion of character. Lorenzo is simple and his assurance that they (Jessica and Lorenzo) are not tale bearers, when Portia asks them not to mention her absence, speak about his intelligence and trust worthiness two sterling qualities.

Lorenzo is made of a finer stuff, full of poetry and romance, not very practical. There is nothing more poetical than his speed “How sweet the moonlight……” in the last act.

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