Essays On The Merchant Of Venice by Essay Help New Orleans

AnalysisofTheMerchantofVenice

WilliamShakespeare'splay"TheMerchantofVenice"isbasedonasimpleenoughplot,butitgives amorecomplexviewofthecharactersinvolved.Itportrayseachcharactersattitude,opinionsand actionsandshowshowtheyaffecttheothercharacters.

ShylockisperhapsthemostnoteworthycharacterHeiscentredonmostoftheplay'sevents Throughouttheplayheisportrayedasbothavillainandavictimandisusedtoemphasiseanumber oftheplay'sthemessuchasgreed,revenge,prejudiceandracism.

TheplaybeginswithAntonio,themerchantoftheplay'stitle,being...showmorecontent...

Hewasonceevenreferredtoas"thedevil".Thefactthatalloftheplay'scharactersseeShylockasa villainmakesitdifficultforthereadertoseehimasanythingelse.Thoughtheplaydoesshowan apparentchangeinShylockfromvillaintovictimitisstilluncertainwhatheactuallyis.

TherearemanyaspectsthatportrayShylockasavillain.ThefactthathelivesinaChristiansociety, yetstillhehasadeephatredofChristiansandinparticularAntonioisthemostobviousaspect:

"Howlikeafawningpublicanhelooks/Ihate himforheisaChristian"

HishatredforAntonioisshownattheendoftheplaywhenhisintentonAntonio'slifeisshownas wellashisdesireforrevenge:

Atthebeginningoftheplayhisdeviousandcunningsideisportrayedwhenhehideshishatredfor Antoniobehindhisproposedfriendship.Hiscunningsideisagainportrayedattheendoftheplay whenheexpectstobeshownmercybytheChristiansyethehasshownnomercytothem:

"Youtakemyhousewhenyoudonottaketheprop/theydothsustainmyhouse;youtakemylife/ whenyoudonottakethemeanswherebyIlive"

FinallythetreatmenthegiveshisdaughterJessicaportrayshimasavillain.HeforceshisJewish religionuponheryetdoesnot

AnalysisofTheMerchantofVeniceEssay

======================================================================

...Getmorecontent...

WhiletherearemanyfundamentalthemesinShakespeare'sTheMerchantofVenice,onlyone seemstodrivetheplaytoitsinevitableconclusion.Thereisaconstantthemeofself–interestversus loveOnthesurface,thisseemstobethedividingfactorsbetweentheChristiansandtheJew Shylockisportrayedtoonlycareaboutmoneyandprofits,whiletheChristiansareshownaspeople whovaluehumanrelationshipsmore.ExamplesofthisthemeareshownthroughShylock's behaviour,themanyweddingsoftheChristiancharacters,andtherelationshipbetweenAntonioand Bassanio.

TheChristiancharactersviewShylockassomeonewhoonlycaresaboutmoneyandbusiness. Shakespeare'sportrayalofShylockisacold–heartedman,whoshowmorecontent

ThisshowsthatsomehumanrelationshipsdoindeedmattertoShylockmorethatmoney.However, ShylockwantsrevengeforthelossofhisdaughterthroughthefulfillmentofthebondIncourt,he isdefeatedbecauseofhisselfishness.Moreover,hisinsistencethathehaveapoundoffleshrather thananyamountofmoneyshowsthatthisresentmentismuchstrongerthanthisgreed.

TheChristiancharactersalsopresentaninconsistentpictureTherearemanylovingrelationshipsin thisplaysuchastheonebetweenBassanioandPortia,JessicaandLorenzo,andGratianoand NerissaWhenonelooksdeeplyintotheserelationships,theywouldseeparallelstotheonesof today.Forinstance,thethreemarriageswillprobablynotlast.Oneofthemainreasonsforthisis becausetheyallgotmarriedtoofast,leavingnotimetorealizethattheyareprobablynotmeantfor eachotherThisisevidentintwo–andpossiblythree–oftherelationshipsGratianoandNerissa getmarriedafterknowingeachotherforonlyseveralhoursandBassanioandPortiagetmarried beforetheygettoknoweachother.JessicaandLorenzo'smarriagemightsplitforotherreasons, suchastheirdifferentreligion.TheseallshowtrueloveinTheMerchantofVenice. WhenwefirstmeetBassanio,heiswithhisgoodfriendAntonioaskingformoney.Antoniohas previouslylentmoneytoBassanioandhehas

RelationshipsinWilliamShakespeare'sTheMerchantofVenice

'TheMerchantofVenice'isoneofShakespeare'smostpopularplaysandAct1Scene3isakey scene.Therearethreecharactersinvolvedinthesceneandtheseare:Antonio,Bassanioand Shylock.Shakespeareportraystheircharacterseffectivelyaswellasthecontrastingrelationships betweenthemHeusesvariousthemes,hislanguageandstyleandtheplotofthebondtoachieve this.

BeforeIlookatscene3itisimportanttolookatthefirstsceneoftheplay.AtthebeginningofAct 1Scene1Antonio,themerchantofVenice,isportrayedasatroubledman,"Insooth,Iknownot whyIamsosad,"(line1)andacharacterinshowmorecontent

NotonlyhasBassaniosquanderedhisownfortune,hehasborrowedmoneyfromAntoniowhichhe isunabletorepay,"Ioweyoumuch,and,likeawilfulyouth,/ThatwhichIoweislost".This showsthatheisirresponsiblewithmoneyandmaybehedoesnotcareaboutAntonioasmuchashe careabouthim,becauseifhedidhewouldhavemadesurethathepaidhimback.Bassanioargues thatifAntoniowerepreparedtoloanhimyetmoremoney,hecoulduseittomakehisfortuneand repaybothdebtstoAntonio.Shakespeareportrayshimasbeingskilledingettingwhathewants. Bassanioillustratesthis,lines139–51,withtheideaofshootinganarrowinthesamedirectionas onethathadbeenlost,"andbyadventuringboth,Ioftfoundboth"(lines143–4)

AntonioagreestoborrowmoneyinhisnameinordertohelphisfriendBassanioclearhisdebts, "TrywhatmycreditcaninVenicedo".ThisdisplaysAntonio'sgenerouscharacterandconfirms theirclosefriendship,"Mypurse,myperson,myextremestmeans/Lieallunlockedtoyour occasions"However,Antonio'sassertsarenotsecuresoheisalsotakingariskforhisfriend

NowIwillmoveontoAct1Scene3.BassanioandShylockdiscussthetermsoftheloan–3,000 ducatsforthreemonthsIthinkAntoniosendsBassaniotodothisbeforehe

TheMerchantofVenice

Theplay,¡°TheMerchantofVenice¡±byWilliamShakespearehastwomainsettings.Onesettingis Venice,acitywheremanybusinessmenlive,aplace,fullofunhappyandunkindpeople.Itaworld ofcommercialandlaw.ShakespearehasportrayedVeniceasthe¡°real¡±world.Theothersettingis Belmont,acitywhichhousesarich,happysocietyofbeautifulpeopleBelmontisafairy–tale worldofmusicandlove.Inthisplay,itisevidentthat,goodthingshappeninBelmontandnotso pleasanteventshappeninVenice.

TheplaybeginswithAntonio,arichmerchantofVeniceisdepressed,whichshowsthatmoneyand wealthdidnotbringhappinesstothisman.Shylock,awealthybusinessmanwholivesinVenice isshowmorecontent

AlsothepeopleinVenicemockandlaughatShylockwhenhisdaughterranawaywithhismoney tomarryaChristianSalarinoandSalaniomakefunofhimTheyhadnosympathytowardstheman whohasjustlosthisonlyfamilyandhisvaluablemoney.Maybeheisgreedy,butitwasstillhis moneyandonewouldexpectpeopletofeelsorryforhimbuttheywereevencruelertohimby laughingathislosses.

EventhoughoneshouldfeelsorryforShylock,hehimselfisaverycruelmanHehatesAntonio andallChristiansandwhenhegottheopportunitytotakerevengehewasmorethanpreparedtodo so.HeandAntoniohadacontractwhichstatedthat,ifAntoniowasnotabletopayoffthedebtof threethousandducatsheborrowedfromShylockwithinthreemonths,hewouldhavetopaythe debtbylettingShylockcutapoundoffleshfromhisbodyclosetotheheart.WhenAntonio¡sships werelostandhewasnotabletopayoffthedebt,Shylockwasdelighted.Shylocklikessaying¡°I thankGod,IthankGod.IthanktheegoodTubal:goodnews,goodnews!ha,ha!¡±¡°I¡mamvery gladofit:I¡llplaguehim;I¡lltorturehim:I¡mgladofit¡±Thisshowsthathewasahorrible manLaterwhenhewasofferedthemoney,herefusessayingthathewouldrather

...Getmorecontent...

Essayonmerchantofvenice

Inthecomedy,TheMerchantofVenice,therolesandresponsibilitiesofwomenisasignificant socialissueproposedbyShakespeare.Thisthemeiscommunicatedbytheonlythreefemale charactersintheplay:Nerissa,PortiaandJessica.Forexample,inAct4duringthetrialbetween AntonioandShylock,PortiaandNerissadisguisethemselvesasBalthasarandBellariotofreetheir friendHowever,JessicaalsoplaysaminorroleinportrayingtheindependenceofJewishwomenin aChristianandElizabethansociety,bysuccessfullybetrayingherfather,Shylock.Thesecharacters portrayShakespeare'soverallopiniononwomen,aswellasamodernaudience'sviewon Elizabethansocietyinmanysignificantwaysbyaccentuatingthemes,ideasshowmorecontent Theaudience,aswellasBassanio,viewPortiaasabeautiful,immaculate,aristocraticand"fair" lady.HoweverafterAct5,Portiaisnothing,butprejudicialandbigoted,assheisthecauseof Shylock'sdemiseandclaimsthatsheused"my[her]body"topunishBassanioforabusinghergift oflove:thering.Thisisironic,becausePortiainfringesherrelationshipwithBassaniobyinferring shehascommittedanaffair,eventhoughsheherselfaccuseshimofabusingherloveandpowerby losingthering.ThisimpliesthatrelationshipsinElizabethansocietywerecorruptandfake,which allowedmanywomeninparticulartocommitreligiouscrimesagainsttheirhusbands.Furthermore, Shakespeareadditionallyusesthethemeofdeceptiontoconveythatwomenaresuperiortomen. ThisseenwhenPortiatellsNerissathat"I[she]haveworkinhand/Thatyouyetknowof.We'llsee ourhusbands/Beforetheythinkofus"(34),asshewantstohelpBassanioandGratianosave Antonio'slifebydisguising.Ingeneral,manyElizabethanplaywrightssuchasTwelfthNightand TheMerryWivesofWindsor,allowtheaudiencetounderstandthefactthatthepositionofwomen wassuch,sothattheycouldnotbecome"active"(34)insocietyByPortiaandNerissadressingup asBalthasarandBellario,thiswouldgivethemtemporarymasculinityandso,theabilitytodo thingsthatnormalsocialcodeswouldnot,

TheMerchantofVeniceEssay

English101–210 FinalDraft

BattleoftheDirectorsTheMerchantofVenice,alsoknownas"TheJewofVenice"isadramaplay originallywrittenbyWilliamShakespearein1598.Themajorconflictoccurswhenamannamed Antonio(Venetianmerchant)failstopayoffaloantoagreedyJewishmoneyloanerknownas ShylockwhodemandsapoundoffleshfromAntonioinreturn.Antonioandhisfriendstakea journeythroughfriendship,love,andhatredinanattempttofreehimofhispoundoffleshfate inducedbyShylockImagineyourselfsittinginthemastermindsofdirectorsMichaelRadfordand JohnSichelwhiletheyaredirectingtheiradaptationsoftheplay.Imagineexperiencingtheirunique ideasfirsthandlookingthroughtheirshowmorecontent

Byhavingtheprincetravelaloneitappearsthathehasmoretoofferinthesenseofbraveryand boldnesstoPortiacomparedtowhenhecomeswithhisfriends.TheviewerscouldseethatSichel usestheprinceseekingforloveinsolitudeasasymbolofnobilityandheroicnesstosupportthe character'spersonality.TheaudiencewatchingRadford'sinterpretationmaygivethemtheopinion thathischoicelowerstheprince'sindependencebybringinginunnecessarycharacters.Thischoice doesnotpresentthecharactersverywellwhencomparedtoSichel's.

Analyzingthesamesceneabovebutinadifferentperspectiveitisapparenttotheviewerthatin Sichels'sfilmthesetupofthecasketscanbeseenassymbolictotheprince'sactionsTheprinceis standingbehindthetriangleshapeddisplayofcasketsandasksPortiahowhewillknowifhe choosestherightone,afterherresponsehesays,"someGoddirectmyjudgment..."whilelooking upattheceiling(26:42–26:45)("YouTube–TheMerchantofVenice(1973)Part4of14")The shapeofatrianglestandsformanybeliefsaccordingtomanyancientbeliefs.Thisshapeis associatedwiththenumber3fortherearethreecasketstochoosefrom.Eachcornerissaidto symbolize"TheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit";whilethisshapeissaidtorepresentGodthe princeofMoscowlooksuptowardstheceilingas

EssayaboutMerchantofVeniceFilmAnalysis

TheMerchantofVeniceEssayOutline

Introduction:

Hook:ThethemeisthemainsubjectormessageofastoryItisusedtogivedepthandenhancethe plot.ThethemesofTheMerchantofVeniceareusedthroughoutthestoryoftheplaytomakethe plotmovealongandtoencouragethecharactersintoaction.

Bridge:WhenyoureadTheMerchantofVenicebyWilliamShakespearetherearemanythemes throughouttheplayandmanylessonstobelearned.

MainIdeas:Themostimportantthemesarehatred,mercyandfriendship.Hatredisimportant becauseitcreatesrivalryamongstthecharactersFriendshipmotivatestheherosandallowsfor theretobealogicalconclusionasbothShakespeareandhischaractersworkouttheir prejudices....showmorecontent... Ifhehavetheconditionofasaint

andthecomplexionofadevil,Ihadratherheshouldshrivemethanwiveme"(Act1scene2)

Analysis:Inthisquote,sheissayingthatevenifhewereasaintshewouldnevermarryhimbecause hehasdarkskin

ParagraphConclusion:Shakespeareportrayshatredandandprejudicethroughouttheplayto establishthateveryoneisflawed,andtoshowusthattheseflawscanbeovercomebymoralityand acceptance.

Bodyparagraphtwo:

TopicSentence:Mercyplaysamajorroleinthisplayitshowsustheimportanceofhumanlifeand friendship.

Subpoint#1:ThewholeplayleadsuptothecourtroomscenewhenPortiawastryingtoconvince ShylocktobemercifultowardsAntonio.

Example:"Thequalityofmercyisnotstrained:Itdroppethasthegentlerainfromheaven.Uponthe placebeneath.Itistwiceblessed:Itblessedhimthatgives,andhimthattakes."(Act4scene1)portia

Analysis:inthisquotePortiaistalkingtoShylock,she'saskinghimtospareAntonio'slifeandshe issayingthatmercyismoreimportantthanrevengeandthatmercyisaqualityofGod

MerchantOfVeniceEssayOutline

Subpoint#2:thedukeshowedmercywhenhepreventedShylock'sexecutionandlethimkeephalf ofhisestate.

Example:"Ipardontheethylifebeforethouaskit"(Act4scene1)Duke

Analysis:TheDukeallowedShylocktolivebecausehefeltsorryforhim

Paragraph

...Getmorecontent...

WilliamShakespeare'sTheMerchantofVeniceisoneofhismostcontroversialplaysforavariety ofreasons.Writteninsixteenth–centuryEngland,whereanti–Semitismwascommonandthe presenceofJewswasnot,theplayposesmanyquestionsconcerningracial,religiousandhuman difference.Theplayisespeciallytrickytoexamineintoday'ssociety,asitsanti–Semiticthemesand languagecanbeuncomfortabletofaceinaworldpost–HolocaustAdditionally,thedepictionofthe relationshipbetweenJewsandChristians,whichhasalwaysbeenanambivalentone,addsavery interestingalbeitdifficultdimensiontothisplay.Ultimately,throughdramaticplotanddistinctive characters,TheMerchantofVeniceexploreswhatitmeanstobeshowmorecontent

OnesideofShylockispreoccupiedbymoneyandcrazedbyrevenge,whiletheotherrepresentsan oldmanwhoeventuallyloseseverythingnearanddeartohim,anoutsiderwhoisspitonbyhis Christianenemiesandmustputupwithbeingcalled"misbeliever,cut–throat,[and]dog"(1.3.107).

UnlikeotherantagonistssuchasDonJohninMuchAdoAboutNothingorAaroninTitus Andronicus,Shylockdoesnotexplicitlynamehimselfasavillainnordoesherelishinhisevil behaviour.Hedoesindeeddisplayvillainouscharacteristics;veryearlyonheadmitsinanasidethat hehatesAntonio"forheisaChristian"(1.3.37),andhisobsessionwithrevengequicklygrowsout ofcontrol.ButwhatiscomplicatedaboutShylock's"evil"isthatitallseemstostemfromthe malevolenceoftheChristians.OnecannotreallyblamehimaboutbeingbitterforthetimesAntonio kickedhimandspit"upon[his]beard"(13113),orthathismoneylendingbusinessisdamagedby Antonio'stendencytolendout"moneygratis"(1.3.39).EventhoughtheChristiansintheplay considerusuryanevilpractice,itistheonlywaythatShylockknowshowtomakealiving,anditis understandablethathewouldbeprotectiveofhisbusinessHeshowshismoretendersideinscenes withdaughter,especiallyin2.4asheleaveshomeandtellshertoshutthedoorafterher,because somethingfirmlysecuredwillremainsafe;"Fastbind,fastfind/Aproverbneverstaleinthrifty mind"

EssayaboutTheMerchantofVenice

TheMerchantofVeniceisshowsthedynamicsofloveandtowhatextenthumanswillgotoshow love,theywillusetheirwealthandevenbepreparedtogiveuptheirlifeforthepeopletheylove. BothAntonioandPortialoveBassaniodifferently.PortiaperceivesAntonio'sphileoincompetition withhereros,(bothformsoflovewillbedefinedlater)andthroughouttheplaysheisseentryingto defeatAntonio'sphileoandshedoesthisbysubjugatingAntonio,firstlywithherwealth,sheoffers topayofhisdebttoShylockthreetimesmoretheamounthehadboundhimself,thenshesaveshis lifeandfinallyteachingBassaniothatshecanuseherwomanlypowerstorefusehimthe consummatingpowerinmarriage,throughtheringsagashowmorecontent

Theothertypeofloveisknownaseros,itiswhatmostpeoplerefertowhentheyannouncewitha smile,I'minlove.Thistypeoflovecoverseverythingfromqueasystomachsandwarmfuzzy feelingstostrongsensualpassion"(AShortHandbookonLove)orinotherwordsintimateromantic love.ErosisthelovebetweenPortiaandBassanio.Thewordloveinthispaperwillbesubstituted bythewordsphileoanderostoemphasizethedistinctionswhenaddressingAntonioandBassanio's loveandthelovebetweenPortiaandAntonio.EventhoughthelovebetweenAntonioandBassanio andBassanioarePortiaarecompletelydifferent,howevertheyareincompetitionwitheachother. BassanioisawareofthedepthofAntonio'sphileoforhim,andthereforeexploitsAntonio'slovein exchangeformoney.ThedepthofAntonio'sphileoisnotsuperficial,itrunsdeep,whichsurface whenhetellsBassanio"ifstandasyouyourselfstilldo/Withintheeyeofhonour,beassur'd/My purse,myperson.Myextrememeans/Lieallunlock'dtoyouroccasion"(I.i.136–39).Itisbecauseof thisphileothatAntoniogoesintoabondwithhisJewishenemyShylockwhoreturnforthisfavor ShylockdemandsapoundoffleshshouldhedefaulttheloanagreementInLoveandLikeness WalterFEggersJr.writesthat..."AntoniohastoenlistShylockshelptomakehisgenerosityto Bassaniopossible.Forthefirsttimeintheplay,friendshipisseen

...Getmorecontent...

EssayonTheMerchantofVenice

What'sinaWordPaperTheMerchantofVenus,isaplaywrittenbyWilliamShakespeareandisa majorityofthetimerememberedforitsscenewithShylockandAntonio.Asintricateastheplay woveitself,thewordthatseemedtooccuramajorityofthetime"bonds",hadmultiplemeanings occurringthroughouttheplay.OxfordEnglishDictionary(OED)tellsusthatBondscanmeanthe bondageofamarriage,thewaysofwhichathingisboundortieddown,agreementorengagement bindingtohimofwhichwhomakesit,andadeed,bywhichbindshimself,hisheirs,executors,or assignstopayacertainsumofmoney.Inthisplay,weseeastrongconnectionbetweenbondsand goodsreoccurringfromstarttofinishTheterm"bond",isshowmorecontent

Themanis,notwithstanding,sufficient.Threethousandducats;IthinkImaytakehisbond. Interestedly,insteadofShakespeareusingthewordbondasawaytotiePortiaandBassanioand theirundyingloveandpromises.WefindBassaniodiscoveringoutaboutAntonio'ssituationina lettertellingBassanioabouthislostshipsandShylocksintentionsoftakinghispoundofflesh.The newsincitesasinceofguiltfromBassaniowhichprodsPortiatoofferandpaytwentytimesthe originalsum.AfterreadingtheletteraloudtoPortiashesuggestsBassaniogotohisfriendsaidand gobacktoVenicebyhisside.(3.2.314)

SweetBassanio,myshipshaveallmiscarried,mycreditorsgrowcruel,myestateisverylow,my bondtotheJewisforfeit;andsinceinpayingit,itisimpossibleIshouldlive,alldebtsarecleared betweenyouandI,ifImightbutseeyouatmydeathNotwithstanding,useyourpleasure:ifyour lovedonotpersuadeyoutocome,letnotmyletter.Payhimsixthousand,anddefacethebond (3.2.298)ThissectionisaninstancewerethewordbondastheagreementbetweenShylockis confrontedbyanotherstrongcharacterinthisplayPortiaplayingastrongmasculineroleforher householdandnewhusbandBassanio.Sheshowsherpowerandauthoritybywantingtodefacethe bondandpaymorethantheoriginalsum,tofreeAntonioandhelpoutBassanio.Thisshowsthat eventhoughtheagreementbetweenAntonioand

...Getmorecontent...

TheMerchantOfVeniceEssay

ComparisonandContrastofShylockandClaudius

Introduction

ThisessaylooksintothelivesofShylockandAntonio.ThesearetwoofShakespeareanantagonists ofalltime.Theyarealikeinmorewaysthanone.ShylockinMerchantofVeniceisaJewish moneylenderbasedinVeniceHehasbeentormentedandrepressedmainlybytheChristian population.Onefindsiteasytosympathizewithhimmainlybecausehehashisownreasonstobe loathing,greedy,andmiserly.Thisendsupmakingtheentire'MerchantofVenice'bittersweet.This waswhenShylockwasforcedtogiveupallthatheownedandfurtherconvertedittoChristianity ThismeantthatthatJewishcommunitywouldnolongeraccepthim.Italsomeantthathewouldbe shunnedbyshowmorecontent

TheobjectofaffectionasseenisBassaniowhogoesaheadtotakefulladvantageofthismerchant's feelingsforhim(Wright45).

ThemainprinciplesofAntoniodonotsupportborrowingorlendingmoneyforprofitHepurely reflectsamedievalattitudeformoneythatneedstobelentforChristiancharity.Whenhelendsto Bassanio,thismadehimtocastasidehisprinciplesandtakealoanfromShylock.Hethenpledges hisfleshasbond.WhenAntonio'sshipsarelostatsea,thismeantthathecouldnotrepaytheloan andthereforeheacceptstopayShylockwithapoundofhisflesh(Shakespeare61).

ShylockontheotherpointisafocalpointoftheentireplayThereisatraditionalstereotypeofJews foundintheElizabethantimes.Heiscomicallyputoutasagreedyministerwhowearsatraditional Jewishgabardine.Asamiddle–agedman,Shylockhasakeennessofobservation,amemoryof severaldetailsaswellasastrongenergyamountUnlikeAntonio,heisportrayedassomeonewitha strongamountofenergywhoiswellversedwiththeBible.Heoftendrawsanalogiesfromseveral Biblicalstoriesandsources.Thesearerelevanttosituationswherebyhefindshimselfin. WhenShylockspeaks,hespeaksinamannerthatrevealsauthoritativeness.Hemakesfrequent referencestoancientandgreatnamesfromthescriptures.Hethenusesthesewhenjustifyinghis ownbadpracticesHisspeechfurtherrevealsa

...Getmorecontent...

TheMerchantofVenice

MerchantOfVeniceThemeAnalysis

TheMerchantofVenice Question:

TheMerchantofVenicewasaplayaboutaJewishmoneylenderwhoplotstocutoffapoundof fleshfromaMerchantwhomhehasahistorywith.RevengewasthecentralthemeofShakespeare's play"TheMerchantofVenice"However,thereareotherthemesthroughoutthetext,namely friendshipandprejudice,thathelptoemphasiserevengeasthecentralthemeoftheplay.

RevengeisanintegralpartoftheplayandcharactersintheplayRevengeiswhatdrivesShylock, seekingtoobtainrevengeonAntonio.Inaway,Jessicaseeksrevengeforthe"hell"thatherfather madeathome.InVenice,duringthetimeofShakespeare,Jewswerenotseenashumans.Theywere alienatedfortheirbeliefsandduetothebeliefthatJewswereresponsibleforthedeathofChrist.As aresultofthisalienation,Jewswereforcedtowearredhatswhenevergoingout,whichmadethem ripeforthepickingforabuseanddiscriminationSuchdiscriminationhasbeenlaiddownon Shylock,withAntoniospittingonhimandcallinghima"cut–throatdog".AsseeninSceneAct1, Scene3,Antonio,evenafterreceivingaloan,"Iamasliketocalltheesoagain,Tospitonthee again,tospurntheetoo."ThisshowshowunthankfulAntonioistowardsShylock,simplybecause heisaJew.ItisnowonderwhyShylockseeksrevengeonAntonio.WhenaskedbySalaniowhat goodapoundoffleshwilldo,Shylocksimplystates"Tobaitfishwithal:ifitwillfeednothingelse, it

In"TheMerchantofVenice"byWilliamShakespeare,Shylockisportrayedasanattractivevillain. ItistherelationshipbetweenShylockandAntonio,Shylockandhisdaughter,Jessica,andhis selfishnessthroughhisattitudetomaterialpossessionsthatmakehimanattractivevillain,heis portrayedasanattractivevillain,andIamgoingtolookattheextentthatthisistruein"The MerchantofVenice"

ShylockisportrayedasastereotypicalJewwhichisoneoftheaspectsthatmakeshimanattractive villainHehatesChristians,andespeciallyhatesAntoniobecauseofagrudgehehashadfromthe past.Duringthetrialscene,heisdesperatetocutapoundoffleshfromAntonio,andwon'teven acceptdoubletheamountheisshowmorecontent

Shylock'shungerforrevengeinthetrialscene,andhisdesparationtocutapoundoffleshfrom Antonio'sbodymakeshimanattractivevillain.TheDukeofVeniceasksShylocktoforgive Antoniobecauseitiscrueltocarryouthisbond"Thou'ltshowthymercyandremorsemorestrange thanisthystrangeapparentcruelty."ShylockhatesAntonio.Thisispurelythereasonheisso determinedtotakehispoundofflesh.HeregardsAntonioasbeingunimportantandinferior.He onlywantshisbondoutofspite,tohurtAntonio."Tobaitfishwithal.IfIfeednothingelseitwill feedmyrevenge."ThisshowsShylock'shungerforrevenge,andthatrevengeusmorevaluableand importanttohimthananyamountofmoney"Iratherchoosetohaveaweightofcarrionfleshthan toreceive3,000ducats."ItisthroughthisthatShylockisportrayedasanattractivevillain.

Throughouttheplay,Shylockisportrayedasanattractivevillainbyhisactions,speechandhunger forrevenge.Ihavelookedathisrelationshipwiththemaincharacter,Antonio,andwithhis daughter,Jessica.Ihavealsolookedathowhischaracterdevelopsthroughoutthetrialscene.The playwright,WilliamShakespeare,issuccessfulin

MerchantofVeniceCriticalEssay

Englishessay

InShakespeare'splaythemerchantofVenicetheaudiencelearnsaboutloveinmanyforms. Throughthecharacters,ofPortiaandBassanio,Shylockandhisloveformoneyoverhisdaughter andAntonioandBassanioTheaudiencelearnsthroughPortiathattruelovealwaystriumphsFrom shylockwelearnthatmoneyisn'teverythingitseemstobeandthatyoushouldtreasureyourfamily morethanmoney.ThroughthefriendshipofAntonioandBassaniowelearnabouttheloveofone friendforanotherandhowtheywouldsacrificeanythingforoneanotherShakespeareusesmany techniquesincluding:tests,plotincident,passionatedialogue,characterisationandemotivelanguage toexpresshisideaofloveandfriendshiptotheshowmorecontent

Hewasmoreworriedabouthisducatsandhedoesn'tcarethatJessicaranawaybutthefactthatshe ranawaywithaChristian.Heasksforjusticeandthelawtohelpgethismoneyback,becauseheis greedyEmotivelanguageisusedbecauseitemphasisesthatShylockwasangrieraboutlosinghis moneythenlosinghisdaughter.

AswehaveseenShakespearegivestheaudienceanumberofvaluablelessonsaboutlove.Plot incidentandpassionatedialogueareusedwhenAntoniogivesBassaniomoneytogovisitPortia. Thisshowsthattruefriendshipcanbeasstrongastrueloveandtheywoulddoanythingforeach otherandnotcareabouttheconsequences.TestsareusedtoshowhowPortia'sfathercaredabout her,evenafterhewasdeadandknewthathertruelovewouldchoosetherightcasketandnotbe deceivedbymoneyandwealthThisfatherlyloveshowsthatPortia'sfatherreallydidloveherand caredsomuchthatevenafterhehaddiedhewantedhertobehappy,withamanthatdidn'twanther moneybutwantedherlove.Characterisationandemotivelanguageisusedtoshowhowshylock wasmoreinterestedinmoneythananythingelse.Shylockwasgreedyandthisisshowninmore thanoneoccasion.thefirstiswhenhegivesAntoniotheloantogiveBassaniohewantstenpercent interestaswellasthemoneybackinthreemonthstimeThesecondiswhen

MerchantofVeniceEssay

CommentonTheMerchantofVenice

TheMerchantofVeniceisa16th–centuryplaybyWilliamShakespeareinwhichamerchantin VenicemustdefaultonalargeloanprovidedbyanabusedJewishmoneylender.Itisbelievedto havebeenwrittenbetween1596and1599.ThoughclassifiedasacomedyintheFirstFolioand sharingcertainaspectswithShakespeare'sotherromanticcomedies,theplayisperhapsmost rememberedforitsdramaticscenes,anditisbestknownforShylockandthefamous"Hathnota Jeweyes?"speech.AlsonotableisPortia'sspeechabout"thequalityofmercy".

Theauthor,WilliamShakespeare,wasbornon26April1564andpassedawayon23April1616 HewasanEnglishpoet,playwrightandactor,widelyregardedasthegreatest...showmorecontent... Basedontheenlightenmentofhumanisticspiritsandfeelings,TheMerchantofVeniceexplains whatthesincerefriendshipis.Antoniodoesnothesitatetohelphisfriendtomakeaproposaltothe beautifullady–Portia.Thoughhehasnocashinhand,heiswillingtomakeaguaranteeforhisbest friend,evenknowingthecruelrequirementofborrowingmoneyfromtheJew–ShylockWhenitis timetopaybackthemoney,Antoniocan'trepayonschedule.Then,ShylockurgesAntoniotopay hismoney;otherwise,hewillaskthecourttojudgethecase.Whereas,whenitistimetocutone poundoffleshinAntonio'schest,hedoesn'tshowregretorcomplainttohisfriendbuthis affectionatefarewellandbestwishes.Asthesayinggoes,afriendislikeaforeignbody.Friendship ismorepreciousthanjewelry,whichbringsyouwarm,reliefandhappinessThefriendshipbetween AntonioandBassanioreflectsthegloryof

...Getmorecontent...

CommentOnTheMerchantOfVenice

Mercyv.Justice–OldTestamentv.NewTestament

WhiletheconflictbetweenjusticeandmercyplaysakeyroleindeterminingtheoutcomeofThe MerchantofVenice,thisconflictisevenmoreimportantbecauseitprovidesasettingforthe contrastbetweentherigidlawandrulesoftheOldTestamentandtheconceptsofmercyand forgivenessastaughtbyChristintheNewTestament.ItisintheclimactictrialscenethatThe Duke,hopingShylockwillexcuseAntonio'spenalty,askshim,"Howshallthouhopeformercy rend'ringnone?"HeisreferringtoexpectationsofjudgmentintheafterlifeHowever,soisShylock, whenhecounters,"WhatjudgmentshallIdreaddoingnowrong?"Thisexchangeperfectlypresents thisconflictbetweenshowmorecontent

Shylock,forhispart,hasindeedbecomefierceinhisdesiretoextractvengeancebyforcingthe deathofAntonio.

ThetrialsceneisconstructedfromaChristianperspective,andithighlightsthedichotomyofOld TestamentlegalismasopposedtotheNewTestamentgospelofgraceandforgiveness.TheDuke, BassanioandfinallyPortia,allpleadwithShylocktoshowmercy,butShylock'shatehasmadehim immunetoreason,asheistotallyabsorbedbyapassionforrevenge.

TheMerchantofVenicedrawsuponlawsandrulesofVeniceandthosestipulatedincontractsand willsTwothingsareemphasizedwhenthetrialbeginsFirstly,itisclearthatShylockwillnotshow anymercyandrelinquishhisrighttoapoundofAntonio'sfleshasstipulatedinthebond,and secondly,thatShylockhastheruleoflawonhisside.Antoniohimselfsays,"TheDukecannotdeny thecourseoflaw:Forthecommoditiethatstrangershave/WithusinVenice,ifitbedenied,Will muchimpeachthejusticeoftheState,Sincethatthetradeandprofitofthecity/Consistethofall Nations."Shylockdemandsthestrictinterpretationofthoselaws,andseeksjusticeinitsmost severeanduncompromisedform.HedemandsAntonio'sdeathforforfeitinghisbond."The poundoffleshwhichIdemandofhim/Isdearlybought,'tismineandIwillhaveit".

InresponsetoShylock'sOldTestamentcryforbloodyjusticePortiaanswerswithaspeechthat rivals

EssayonMerchantofVenice

Defeatingtheenemy,light–heartedness,andahappyendingfortheloversareallelementsina comedicplay.WilliamShakespeare'sTheMerchantofVeniceshowsthatloveconquersallandthat youcanalwaysdefeattheenemy.Evenifapoundoffleshisthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath, orifonewrongpersonchoosesthecasketthatdecidesyourfate.Forexample,TheMerchantof Venice,Antonio,notonlysurvivesthefateofhavingapoundofhisfleshtakenfromhisbodyon accountofhisfriendthatcouldnotrepaythebondtoamanwhoisseenasthedevil,butgetsthrice hismoneybackandthevillainistakendown.NottomentionthatAntonio'sbestfriend,Bassanio, notonlyrepaysthebondandgetsoutofhisdebttoshowmorecontent

142–147)Antonioagreestothedeal,sincehefeelsthathelpinghisBassanioistherightthingtodo forabestfriend.AstimeprogressesBassanioandPortiafoundtheirwaytoeachother,though BassaniostillhasnotthemoneytopayShylock,sohetellsPortia.Shehasnoproblempayingthe bondandsays,"Payhimsixthousand,anddefacethebond;/Doublesixthousand,andthentreble that,"(32298–299)Withthat,Bassaniohasachancetosavehisfriend'slife,andpaybacktheJew AtthetimeofthetrialAntoniofeelsreadytoexcepthisfate,togiveintothevillain.Antoniosays hislastwordstoBassanio,butwhenShylockstartstopreparetocutintoAntoniothejudge(whois reallyPortiaindisguise)presentsareasonwhyShylockmaynottakeAntonio'sflesh.Portiastates, "Are,bythelawsofVenice,confiscate/UntothestateofVenice"(3.1.309–310).Shylockisdenied ofthemoneywhichwasofferedatthebeginningbecauseherefusedit

...Getmorecontent...

MerchantofVeniceEssay

TheDangersofStereotypinginTheMerchantOfVeniceThroughoutouryearsonearththerewere andstillarelimitsthataffectdifferentgroups.InTheMerchantOfVeniceShakespearediscusses andillustratesonthetopicofstereotypingandthedangersthatcomewithit.Somestereotypesthat areseeninTheMerchantOfVenicearereligion,gender,andethnic.Whichanyonecanseeasmany assumptionsaremadeinTheMerchantOfVeniceTheconsequencesarecostlytothepeoplewho assumeandtheirarealotofpeopleinTheMerchantofVenicewhoassumewhichiswhythereisa lotofnegativeconsequencesthatfollow.TheMerchantOfVeniceillustratesthenegative consequencesofstereotypingreligion,gender,andethnicReligionisoneshowmorecontent Portiaisonewomenintheplaywhohasassumptionsmadeonherwhicheventuallybitesbackon theassumers.Portiawasbeingcontrolledbyherfather'swill,whodidnotgivehertherightto chooseherownhusband.Portiadisagreedverymuchwiththiswill,"...Imayneitherchoosewho IwouldnorrefusewhoIdislike;soisthewillofalivingdaughtercurbedbythewillofadead father"(act1scene2,22–24)InthesetimeswomendidnothavemuchchoiceoveranythingFor examplePortiacouldnotchoosewhomshewantedtomarry,notevenifshewasinlovewith anotherman.Thefatherofthewomanwouldhavethemostsayinwhoshecouldmarryandifhe dislikedthemanshewouldnotendupmarryinghim.Thisjustshowsthewomandidnothavethe freedomtomaketheirowndecisionsabouttheirveryownliveswhichalsoshowsthestereotyping forwomenbackthenespeciallyportiaWhenPortiahadmarriedBassanio,hewasveryfortunateto beentitledtoPortia'sriches.PortiawasentitledtograntBassanioherfortune,"Myselfandwhatis mine,toyouandyoursisnowconverted...Thishouse,theseservants,andthissamemyselfare yoursmyLord's,givethemwiththisring"(act3Scene2,166–167;170–171)Marriedwomen wereexpectedtodoeverythingandanythingfortheirhusbands.Iftheyhadanyrichesorgreat fortuneoncetheybecamemarriedthosefortuneswere

StereotypesInMerchantOfVeniceResearchPaper

TheMerchantofVeniceisaplaywrittenbyWilliamShakespearein1596andfinishedwritingitin 1598.TheplaystartsoffwithBassaniowantingtomarryPortia.HeconfrontsAntoniotoaskhim foraloansohecanhaveenoughmoneytomarryhissoontobewifeAntoniofindshedoesn'thave enoughmoneytogiveBassaniotheloansoheagreestobethepersontoguaranteetheloan.The twoofthemfindShylocktogivehimtheloan.PortiathenwelcomestheprinceofMorocco,who hascomeinanattempttochoosetherightcaskettomarryher,hechoosesthewrongcasketand losesherhandinmarriage(SparkNotes:PlotOverview).3ofthemostimportantthingsintheplay arehowpeoplethatlookniceontheoutsidemayberottenandmean...showmorecontent... Thisproveshowpeoplecanlookniceandfriendlyontheoutsideandrottenatheart,Portiaisa perfectexampleofthis.DuringthedisputebetweenShylockandtheChristianbelieversmercy becomesamajorpartintheargumentsPortiathinksShylockshouldgivemercytoAntonioand makelessofapunishmentthenkillinghim.Portiamanagestobendtherulesandturnthelaw againstShylockandhisnon–mercifulways(SparkNotes:Themes,Motifs&Symbols,par.4).I thinkthatPortiashouldhavegivenShylockmercyasshewashardonhimsincehethreatenedtokill Antonio.Shealwayssayshowmercyistherightthingtodoandhowitshouldbeconsideredtothe peoplethatdobadthings: "Thequalityofmercyisnotstrained. Itdroppethasthegentlerainfromheaven UpontheplacebeneathItistwiceblessed: Itblessethhimthatgivesandhimthattakes. 'Tismightiestinthemightiest.Itbecomes Thethronèdmonarchbetterthanhiscrown. Hissceptershowstheforceoftemporalpower, Theattributetoaweandmajesty

Whereindothsitthedreadandfearofkings, Butmercyisabovethisscepteredsway. Itisenthronèdintheheartsofkings ItisanattributetoGodhimself.

AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod's Whenmercyseasonsjustice.Therefore,Jew, Thoughjusticebethyplea,considerthis–Thatinthecourseofjusticenoneofus

...Getmorecontent...

Shouldsee

ThemeOfRevengeInMerchantOfVenice

WilliamShakespearehasencapsulatedtheessenceofrevengeasacentralthemeinhiscomedic play,TheMerchantofVenice.Setin16thcenturyVenice,Shakespearecreatespivotalcharactersin amercantileenvironmentthatenablesrevengetoflourishandbeexploredintheplay.Tohighlight thecentralthemeofrevenge,whichistheactofseekingretributionforaharmdone,Shakespeare hasjuxtaposedittoothercentralthemesFromtheoutset,thecauseandneedforjustificationof revengeisanalysedfromtheperspectiveofanti–Semiticconduct.Theactofrevengeisfurther examinedwithreferencetofinancialwealthanditsroleindrivingrevenge.Asthestorylineunfolds, itculminateswithaninsightintotheoutcomeofrevengeinthecontextofanothercentraltheme, mercy.Itisthroughthesecomparisonsthatthecentralthemeofrevengecanbedissectedand thereforeunderstood.

Inexploringthecentralthemeofrevenge,Shakespearelooksatthecauseofrevengeandtheneed fortheperpetratortojustifyit,throughthehighlyemotivesubjectofanti–SemitismShylock,a Jewishmoneylender,isdeeplyangeredbytheChristiancharactersoftheplay,inparticularAntonio, themerchantreferredtointheplay'stitle.Havingbeencalleda'dog',andspatupon,hehasendured crueltyandsufferingsimplyduetohisJewishfaith,afaithwhichisthecoreofhisbeingand defineshimasaman.Thedepthofhispainandhishurtcanbefeltinhissoliloquy(Act3Scene1). Here,hishumanityisfeltwhenheasks,"Ifyouprickus,dowenotbleed?Ifyoupoisonus,do wenotdie?"Itisthisdepthoffeelingthatenablestheaudiencetounderstandtheoriginsandneed forrevenge.Shylockalsoneedstojustifyhisrighttorevengeasmuchtohimselfastoothers,and putsforwardacaseforwhyrevengeisnecessaryandjustifiedHestatesthat,"IfaJewwronga Christian,whatishishumility?Revenge.IfaChristianwrongaJew,whatshouldhissufferancebe byChristianexample?Why,revenge."Byjuxtaposingthethemeofanti–Semitism,Shakespeare givesShylock'sreasonforrevengedepthandpurposeandthusestablishesrevengeasacentral themeoftheplay.