Re: Love Triangles in Chaucer -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 12:11:13 04/30/08 Wed
Author: Jonathan Dunn
Subject: Re: Love Triangles in Chaucer
In reply to: Janelle 's message, "Love Triangles in Chaucer" on 17:37:10 04/29/08 Tue

There is a great love triangle in The Merchant of Venice as well (Shakespeare, obviously, not Chaucer), between Antonio and Bassanio and Portia.

In the beginning of the play Bassanio adopts the role of the prodigal son and comes to Antonio who plays the role of the prodigal's father in welcoming him back. Antonio then does what the prodigal's father does: slaughters the lamb to welcome Bassanio back. At the same time, however, Antonio is also the lamb and thus his flesh is Shylock's bond.

When Portia becomes Bassanio's bride and with her wealth redeems his debts, she becomes the father figure, thus edging Antonio out in his first role. At this point the letter comes from Antonio, as his flesh is about to be taken, emphasizing his new role as the slaughtered lamb, a role which Portia is unable to fill. By doing this he hopes to defeat Portia in their rivalry in a way which she cannot imitate him.

But Portia travels to Venice in order to save Antonio and thus prevent him from adopting as his model the slaughtered lamb. By doing this she prevents Antonio also from fulfilling his role as the father: she will have paid the debts, not Antonio.

Throughout the play there is a rivalry between Portia and Antonio, both taking the parable of the prodigal son as an external mediator. They struggle over who will be able to adopt each role in respect to Antonio. It is a love triangle, in a way, but the model holding it together is external to the situation.

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