Posted by J.H.P. on May 31, 1998 at 14:10:48:
In Reply to: How are the minor characters of Salerio and Solanio essential to the play? posted by KLM on May 30, 1998 at 12:07:58:
It would appear that they are nothing more than plot devices. Their only
reason for being in the play is to give other characters someone to talk
to, and by talking to them, Shakespeare has given his other characters an
excuse for giving the audience information without resorting to asides and
soliloquies all the time. These two also give us information on the other
characters that we otherwise wouldn't get unless Shakespeare wrote numerous
little scenes about each piece. Act II, Scene VIII is a good example of
this second point. The first thing we learn from them is that Banio and
Gratiano have set sail before Shylock was able to get to them. The second
thing we learn is that Jessica ran away with some of his money and jewels.
The third thing we learn is that a ship has sunk and that it may be Antonio's.
As you can see, it would be difficult for Shakespeare to provide the audience
with all this information without resorting to writing two or three scenes.
It is important to remember that sometimes a minor character is necessary to
help get the writer out of a jam. Sure Shakespeare could have done without
these two, but it would have made writing the play a little more difficult.