Pride in The Merchant of Venice

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," but this really struck me while I was reading it. I know the play has many interpretations, but I thought it was interesting, so I wrote this about it.

At the play's climax, Antonio, Merchant of Venice, stands in court for failure to pay back the money-lender Shylock's three-thousand ducats. Antonio looks to be the victim in this situation, as he had signed a contract giving Shylock permission to cut off a pound of Antonio's flesh if he were unable to pay. The state he is reduced to undoubtedly weakens Antonio's self-esteem. Shylock's pride, on the other hand, is elevated--for it looks to him as if he now has power over Antonio's life. Shylock is merciless in his pride, and has every intention of exacting his revenge on Antonio. Then, with the verdict of the judge, the tide turns, and Shylock becomes the unfortunate one (the judge states that Shylock may have his pound of flesh, but no blood may be cut off, only flesh.) Antonio is given control over Shylock's fate, and after seeing the horrible effects of Shylock's consuming pride, elects for Shylock's life to be spared.

The trial can be seen as a metaphor for the trial at judgement day. Bassanio is the Jesus archetype in this case (pun intended)--Bassanio, who, earlier in the play showed his humility through his choice of the leaden casket which represents selflessness, rather than the golden or silver caskets which represented idolatry and pride. Noble Bassanio is willing to give Shylock the money even after he is condemned, but the judge objects saying "He hath refused it in the open court: He shall have merely justice and his bond." Shylock had his chance to take Bassanio up on his offer, but he failed to because of his pride, just as someone might fail to accept the free gift of Jesus out of pride, and stand condemned before the bema seat. "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." -James 2:13a

How can we expect to be shown mercy if we ourselves show none?  We must humble ourselves and treat others as we wish to be treated rather than relying on our foolish pride.  We think we are so great, but what we really need to do is place others above above us.  It was pride that caused Satan to rebel--he envied God's power and wanted it for his own.  Obviously, pride can make us pretty blind.

"Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin." -Proverbs 21:4

Jesus had this to say:

"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 14:8-11

Do you sometimes place your own interests before the interests of others?  I know I do.  It's not all about me, it's all about God; and I (and we) need to show His love through my actions.  I feel like I have so much more to say and to learn about pride, but that's all I have to write for now.  I will definitely be revisiting this topic in the future.