The Merchant of Venice Lorenzo Quotes

Lorenzo

Quote 1

LORENZO
Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
And true she is, as she hath proved herself.
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true,
Shall she be placèd in my constant soul. (2.6.54-59)

From the looks of this passage, Lorenzo seems to genuinely love Jessica, who is in the process of running off to marry him. Still, we can't help but notice that the marriage is a lucrative hookup for Lorenzo. When Jessica sneaks out of her dad's house, she steals a bunch of gold and says, "I will make fast the doors and gild myself / With some more ducats" (2.6.5). So even if Lorenzo doesn't just marry Jessica for her money, the play certainly makes her out to be, like Portia, a meal ticket.

Lorenzo

Quote 2

LORENZO
I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
How I shall take her from her father's house,
What gold and jewels she is furnished with,
What page's suit she hath in readiness. (2.4.33-36)

Lorenzo, like every other man in the play, conflates love with money. He's just praised Jessica for being beautiful, but what's important to tell his boys is that the girl is ready to go. She brings more than just her love, though; she's got her father's money, which seems as important to Lorenzo as the girl herself.

Lorenzo

Quote 3

LORENZO
Beshrew me but I love her heartily,
For she is wise, if I can judge of her,
And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,
And true she is, as she hath proved herself.
And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,
Shall she be placèd in my constant soul. (2.6.54-59)

Lorenzo gives us a rare mention of love here that has nothing to do with money or religion.