The Role of Trust In Shakespeare

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What Role Does Trust Play In Shakespeare?


Throughout the quarter we have read many of Shakespeare’s works


closely and carefully. From each work we learned valuable lessons


that can be applied to everyday life today. Shakespeare is able





to capture humanity at its low points and high ones to create


the “average” society. In a sense Shakespeare is an advice columnist,


giving counsel to people in all walks of life. Throughout this


paper I plan to focus on Shakespeare’s guidance concerning trust


in relationships.


The most important facet of a relationship is trust. In many


of the plays the issue of trust is discussed. The first play


I would like to discuss is “Twelfth Night”. During this play


it seems as if everyone is in search of meaningful relationships.


Orsino is attempting to court Olivia, yet Olivia wants Cesario.


This causes some friction because Orsino trust Cesario deeply.


Orsino says “Thou knowest no less but all; I have unclasp’d/


to thee the book even of my secret soul” (1.4.1-14). This shows


us the blossoming of a relationship between Orsino and Cesario


after only three days. Though this trust is premature, it is


earned throughout the play. When trust is broken there is a


high price to pay, lost friendship or death in extreme cases.


Later on in the play when Orsino believes Cesario has betrayed


him he states “I’ll sacrifice the lamb that I do love/to spite


a raven’s heart within a dove” (4.1.16-17).


Another relationship that we watch grow from minor to major


is that of Antonio and Sebastian. Antonio does not know Sebastian


yet he takes care of him after the shipwreck. Sebastian begins


the relationship deceitfully by giving him a false identity.


When Sebastian begins to realize Antonio’s benevolence he tells


the truth. Even though Antonio has been lied to he trust Sebastian


so much that he gives him money, and risk his life to ensure


Sebastian’s well being. But when Antonio mistakes Cesario for


Sebastian, and Cesario denies Antonio conflict arises. Antonio


rebukes Cesario by saying


But O how vile an idol proves this god


Thou hast, Sebastian, done good feature shame.


In nature there’s no blemish but the mind;


None can be call’d deform’d but the mind;


Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil


Are empty trunks o’erflourish’d by the devil. (.4.8-)


Once again we see that trust is essential, and the abuse of trust


is grounds for dismissal.


In “The Merry Wives of Windsor” mistrust and jealousy fuel Ford’s


and Page’s “infidelity hunt”. Ford is the jealous husband, while


Page is the more confident. However, these two positions grow


increasingly closer as the play goes on. Falstaff trust his


men Nim and Pistol with his plan to seduce both Mistress Page


and Mistress Ford. And in return Nim and Pistol inform Mr. Page


and Mr. Ford of Falstaff’s plot. From almost the beginning of


the play we are aware of Ford’s jealousy toward his wife. This


is all unprovoked up until he is made aware of Falstaff’s courting.


Ford’s mistrust is deepened when he finds out that his wife


has invited Falstaff into their home. After many failed attempts


to catch their wives cheating the husbands are made aware of


the wives scheme to trick Falstaff. Ford feels so dumb that


he declares


Pardon me, wife. Henceforth, do what thou wilt;


I rather will suspect the sun with cold


Than thee with wantonness now doth thy honour stand,


In him that was of late an heretic,


As firm as faith. (4.4.5-)


In the end Page’s faith in his wife is reaffirmed, while Ford’s


jealous spirit is trampled. Shakespeare has shown once again


how important reliance is regarding relationships, especially


concerning marriage.


The Duke of Gloucester in “Richard III” is seen to be one of


the most villainous characters in all of Shakespeare’s works.


Though everyone in the play knows of Richard’s character, his


oratory abilities allow him to gain peoples trust. Richard’s


brother Clarence believes that Richard will come to his rescue,


thus trusting him with his life. Clarence is oblivious to the


fact that he is being held captive because of Richard. Clarence


is so faithful in his brother that he refuses to believe his


murderers when they tell him Richard has sent them. Clarence


states “O, no, he loves me, and he holds me dear/ Go you to


him from me”(1.4.18-1). After they speak badly about Richard


Clarence replies “O, do not slander him, for he is kind” (1.4.7).


Clarence meets his death while still taking up for his devilish


brother. Here we see that unwavering trust is dangerous when


it is not justified.


In “Measure for Measure” we are told the story of Claudio’s


imprisonment, his sister’s attempt to have him pardoned, and


Angelo’s requirements for granting a pardon. Though we know


The Duke and Isabella plan to trick Angelo, they trust Angelo


to be true to his word. Angelo receives his payment and does


not set Claudio free. Angelo abuses the trust of The Duke by


compromising his authority and that of Isabella by not pardoning


Claudio. In the end he is chastised, almost executed and forced


to marry Mariana.


In “Macbeth” trust in the witches prophesies is the cause of


Macbeth’s rise and fall. Macbeth believes he will be king so


much that he murders his king in his own house. He has his friend


Banquo killed based on his belief in prophesy. In his second


trip to see the witches they update him telling him that he should


beware of Macduff; he can’t be killed by anyone born of woman;


and he will be safe until Birnam Woods comes to Dunsinane Castle.


All of these prophesies are true again, but Macbeth’s faith


leads to his demise.


Finally we have King Leontes in “The Winter’s Tale”. This play


tells the tale of a King who plainly “turns something into nothing”.


Leontes suspects his good friend Polixenes of having an affair


with his wife. When he approaches Camillo regarding the situation


Camillo denies any knowledge of cuckoldry. Leontes deems Camillo


negligent due to his disagreement. The “green-eyed monster”


causes Leontes to distrust his wife so much that he has her imprisoned


without proof. He is so overcome by jealousy that he has his


own child abandoned in the woods. After he receives word from


the Oracle that Hermiones is chaste he refuses to believe it


saying “There is no truth at all i’th the oracle/ The sessions


shall proceed this is mere falsehood!” (..148-14). It takes


the death of his son and wife for Leontes to recognize his folly.





In conclusion it is clear that a relationship built without


trust is sure to fall. Weather the relationship is a friendship


or a marriage jealousy is capable of destroying the strongest


bonds. Shakespeare implemented this in various situations, yet


this obstacle remains, plundering all that it may.





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