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In one of Shakespeares many works, The Merchant of Venice, the main issues has been developed, using the characters Shylock and Portia. It is regarded as a fact that many people believe this, because the characters demonstrate the issues through their speech in the play. Issues of power and wealth, choices, and prejudice and justice are shown all around the whole story. Power is an outrageous topic. It is the reign of male dominance, gathering the needs of wealth, giving you status. Power, not only grants you the ability to order people around, but also gain respect from the society. It the source which the society relies on during the Elizabethan Era, during Shakespeare's time. Various examples were shown on the characters Portia and Shylock. Portia, a woman whose beauty is in same level as her intelligence, was a wealthy heiress. '...the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.' Though she had a lot of money, she is still in control of the will of her father, who was already dead. When she wants some form of control she will grasp onto it and use it well. Quotes like ' ...I will describe them- and according to my description, level at my affection.' gives the evidence that she wants some form of power. Her power was granted when she was disguised as a male doctor. Her intelligence made her harsh in having mercy on Shylock, and also gave her the moment she uses her wit. During the court scene, how the court scene ends up, it was up to Portia to make the decision, and the Duke would confirm it. The character Shylock is also important for the issues wealth and power. During the Shakespeare Era, Jewish people like Shylock would be down graded, because of their religion. you spat me on Wednesday lastyou called me a dog. Christians in Venice would show their power by spitting on people with a lower status, such as Antonio, a wealthy trader. But the issue power was also shown, when Antonio, who is assisting his friend Bassanio, was asking Shylock to lend the money. It now appears that you need my help At this time, Antonio seems to be the victim, because Shylock is the person in control of lending three thousand ducats to Antonio, and in if Antonio fails to give back the three thousand ducats, Shylock would cut of a pound of flesh wherever he wants. Be nominated for an equal pound of flesh in what part of your body pleaseth me. Shylock also has the power to control in his house, because he was the only male in the house, and his daughter, Jessica, is a girl. Quotes such as Jessica my girl, Look to my house., gives the fact that he orders Jessica to look after the house, giving him some form of control at her. The second main issue pointed out was the choices that the characters in the play make. The choices also give away the personality, mood of the character and their actions. Using the character Portia, choices that she made were important. At the beginning of the story, Portia was talking to her maid, Nerissa, about her suitors. In their conversation, she complains about how she does not have the choice to choose whom she marries, because she needs to follow her dead fathers will. Her choice, in the conversation, was that she would rather marry a sponge than any of her suitors! Or maybe Bassanio, because he is the better person than all other suitors. ere I will be married to a sponge. Another example was also