More precisely, Wilhelm can also be interpreted as being an invention that in fact represents the reader to whom Werther confesses. The connection is thus more personal and direct and enables the reader to be in contact with the main character.
The other relationship Werther establishes is with Albert, who is his direct adversary in the fight for Lotte's love. Although they come to develop a certain type of friendship, Werther will never consider his adversary as being his friend, precisely due to the fact that his main characteristic is that of an unfulfilled lover, therefore he cannot base his friendship on sincere attitudes, but on hidden thoughts. Even so, there is a sense of relationship because Werther admires his qualities, although he is convinced that Albert will not make Lotte happy.
Throughout the evolution of these two pieces of literature, there are certain pressures these relationships are subjected to. In this sense, the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio, on the one hand, and that of Werther and Albert's on the other are faced with an evolutionary trend in their respective works. Antonio and Bassanio must go through the difficult task of saving Antonio's life when it is discovered that he had lost his ships at sea. Despite this pressure, Bassanio comes to his rescue to save his life. This represents a proof of the simplicity of their relation, based on honest, true feelings. The pressure of life and death is not relevant to change the equilibrium of their relation.
In the other case however, the relationship between Werther and Albert appears at the opposite corner. More precisely, due to the fact that neither of the two nurtured any sincere feelings of attachment towards the other, despite their relative closeness, as Werther is determine to end his life, Albert does not come to his rescue. Even...
Form this point-of-view it is obvious that there can be no talk of true friendship among the two men.
Finally, the dynamics of the relationship of the two couples must be taken into account. The dynamic of a relationship implies its change, evolution or involution. In the first case, Shakespeare places his characters in situations which define their character and their friendship. The beginning of the
play saw them engaged in rather simplistic actions; as the play progressed however, the tension of the action increased and the dynamics of their relationship changed. They were faced with new challenges that also challenged their friendship. However, in the end, Bassanio proved to be the friend Antonio needed; thus, their friendship was tested and remained unharmed. Such life and death situations are traditional for challenging the strength of a friendship and, especially in the Renaissance
literature these sort of literary options were often used.
On the other hand, the relation between Werther and Albert deteriorated as the plot developed. In the end, Albert decided not to intervene is Werther's decision and even silently approving of it. This dynamic evolution towards the end points out precisely the
nature of their entire relation. Although they were somewhat attracted to one another, at the spiritual level, their
love and desire for the same woman and the rest of their incompatibilities actually defined their relationship.
Overall, it can be said that in general, literature has offered numerous examples of relationship between men. Some of them are defined by honest true feelings, other by mischief and mistrust. Nonetheless, they are all defined by a complex system of patters, pressures, and dynamics.
Bibliography
Halio, Jay L., ed. The Merchant of Venice. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Wain, John. The Oxford Library of Short Novels. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990.
