Themes and Characters in Otway's "Venice Preserved"

The Conflict Between Love and Honor

The central engine driving the plot of Venice Preserved is the agonizing conflict between Love and Honor. This was a popular theme in Restoration drama, but Otway treats it with unique psychological depth. The protagonist, Jaffeir, is torn between two absolute loyalties. On one side stands "Honor," represented by his best friend Pierre and his solemn oath to the conspiracy to overthrow the corrupt Venetian Senate. On the other side stands "Love," represented by his wife Belvidera, who urges him to reject the bloody slaughter of innocent civilians. Jaffeir is unable to reconcile these two forces. When he follows Love and saves the city to protect his wife, he loses his Honor and betrays his friend. When he tries to regain his Honor, he must sacrifice his life. The tragedy suggests that in a corrupt world, it is impossible to be both a loyal friend and a loving husband simultaneously.

Jaffeir: Tragic Hero or Weak Traitor?

Jaffeir is a fascinating deviation from the traditional "strong" tragic hero. Critics often describe him as a weak and vacillating figure because he is easily swayed by the strongest personality in the room—first Pierre, then Belvidera. He lacks the stoic resolve of a classical hero; he weeps, faints, and begs. However, labeling him merely a "traitor" ignores the depth of his suffering. He is arguably a "sentimental hero" whose tragedy comes from having too much heart in a heartless world. He betrays the conspiracy not out of cowardice, but out of horror at the planned massacre. His final act—killing Pierre to save him from the shame of the torture wheel, and then killing himself—is his desperate attempt to reclaim the title of a hero. He is tragic because his ruin comes from his compassionate nature, which makes him unfit for the brutal world of political revolution.

The Character and Role of Belvidera

Belvidera is the emotional core of the play and the primary representative of the "Pathetic Tragedy" genre. She is not just a passive victim; she is a voice of reason and moral conscience who challenges the violence of the male world. While the men speak of "liberty" and "glory," Belvidera speaks of the human cost of their revolution—the burning homes and murdered children. However, her role is double-edged. While she saves Venice by convincing Jaffeir to reveal the plot, she inadvertently causes the death of the man she loves. Her descent into madness and her eventual death from a broken heart provide the play with its most intense emotional moments. She represents the innocent purity that is inevitably destroyed when political ambition and personal vengeance collide.

The Theme of Friendship

The bond between Jaffeir and Pierre is portrayed as sacred, often overshadowing even the romantic love in the play. Pierre serves as the masculine ideal—stoic, brave, and unyielding—acting as a foil to the emotional and soft Jaffeir. Their friendship is tested to the absolute limit by Jaffeir’s betrayal. The scene on the scaffold, where Pierre forgives Jaffeir but asks for one final service (to be stabbed rather than executed shamefully), elevates their bond to a mythical level. This heroic friendship suggests that while romantic love (Belvidera) is complicated and fraught with weakness, the bond between men in the face of death is the highest form of nobility. The play ends emphasizing this union, as their ghosts are seen rising together.

Political Significance: The Popish Plot Allegory

Venice Preserved cannot be fully understood without its historical context. Written in 1682, it is a direct commentary on the Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis that were tearing England apart. Otway, a supporter of the King (a Tory), uses the play to attack the Whigs and the radical Earl of Shaftesbury. The character of Antonio, a foolish and corrupt senator, is a grotesque caricature of Shaftesbury. While the play seems to condemn the conspirators (who resemble the real-life plotters against the King), it also portrays the Venetian Senate as deeply corrupt and ungrateful. This creates a complex political picture: Otway warns against the chaos of revolution and mob rule, but he also exposes the moral rot within the established government. It serves as a grim warning to his contemporary audience about the dangers of political factionalism.

PKG WAY

Search This Blog

Please wait! The Answer is generating in 10 seconds...