Title: Interchangeable
Author: Kit-Kate Bar
Realm: Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare
Characters: Solanio, Salerio
Rating: G
Word Count: 174
Summary: Of course it's obvious to THEM who's who.
Notes: This story came about on the first day of doing Merchant of Venice in English class, when my teacher (jokingly) observed that 'Solanio and Salerio are basically interchangeable'…
Ever since they were little, sitting side by side in the schoolyard playing marbles, Solanio and Salerio have been interchangeable. People avoid the embarrassment of course – they are together so often that by asking for 'Solanio and Salerio' you are bound to come across one of them. It was not only that their names sounded alike – they were always in each other's presence, always appearing and leaving together. Over the years, the sting went out of the mistake – it was as common a slip up as writing 'then' instead of 'than', or pronouncing potato two different ways. Of course it's obvious to THEM who's who – Solanio is better at exaggerated humour while Salerio is better at listening to people's problems. Salerio remembers one time when he sobbed into his mother's apron from the loneliness of being called the wrong name, she told him, "It's only a name. People will still love you for being you."
So when Antonio addresses Solanio as Salerio, his mind on other things, Salerio places a gentle hand over Solanio's in comfort.
Because after all, it's only a name.