William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays for a variety of reasons. Written in sixteenth–century England, where anti–Semitism was common and the presence of Jews was not, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human difference. The play is especially tricky to examine in today's society, as its anti–Semitic themes and language can be uncomfortable to face in a world post–Holocaust. Additionally, the depiction of the relationship betweenJews and Christians, which has always been an ambivalent one, adds a very interesting albeit difficult dimension to this play. Ultimately, through dramatic plot and distinctive characters,The Merchant of Veniceexplores what it means to be...show more content...
One side of Shylock is preoccupied by money and crazed by revenge, while the other represents an old man who eventually loses everything near and dear to him, an outsider who is spit on by his Christian enemies and must put up with being called "misbeliever, cut–throat, [and] dog" (1.3.107).
Unlike other antagonists such as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing or Aaron in Titus Andronicus, Shylock does not explicitly name himself as a villain nor does he relish in his evil behaviour. He does indeed display villainous characteristics; very early on he admits in an aside that he hates Antonio "for he is a Christian" (1.3.37), and his obsession with revenge quickly grows out of control. But what is complicated about Shylock's "evil" is that it all seems to stem from the malevolence of the Christians. One cannot really blame him about being bitter for the times Antonio kicked him and spit "upon [his] beard" (1.3.113), or that his money lending business is damaged by Antonio's tendency to lend out "money gratis" (1.3.39). Even though the Christians in the play consider usury an evil practice, it is the only way that Shylock knows how to make a living, and it is understandable that he would be protective of his business. He shows his more tender side in scenes with daughter, especially in 2.4 as he leaves home and tells her to shut the door after her, because something firmly secured will remain safe; "Fast bind, fast find вЋЇ / A proverb never stale in thrifty mind"
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Essay about The Merchant of Venice
Comparison and Contrast of Shylock and Claudius Introduction
This essay looks into the lives of Shylock and Antonio. These are two of Shakespearean antagonists of all time. They are alike in more ways than one. Shylock in Merchant of Venice is a Jewish moneylender based in Venice. He has been tormented and repressed mainly by the Christian population. One finds it easy to sympathize with him mainly because he has his own reasons to be loathing, greedy, and miserly. This ends up making the entire 'Merchant of Venice' bittersweet. This was whenShylock was forced to give up all that he owned and further converted it to Christianity. This meant that that Jewish community would no longer accept him. It also meant that he would be shunned by...show more content...
The object of affection as seen is Bassanio who goes ahead to take full advantage of this merchant's feelings for him (Wright 45). The main principles of Antonio do not support borrowing or lending money for profit. He purely reflects a medieval attitude for money that needs to be lent for Christian charity. When he lends to Bassanio, this made him to cast aside his principles and take a loan from Shylock. He then pledges his flesh as bond. When Antonio's ships are lost at sea, this meant that he could not repay the loan and therefore he accepts to pay Shylock with a pound of his flesh (Shakespeare 61).
Shylock on the other point is a focal point of the entire play. There is a traditional stereotype of Jews found in the Elizabethan times. He is comically put out as a greedy minister who wears a traditional Jewish gabardine. As a middle–aged man, Shylock has a keenness of observation, a memory of several details as well as a strong energy amount. Unlike Antonio, he is portrayed as someone with a strong amount of energy who is well versed with the Bible. He often draws analogies from several Biblical stories and sources. These are relevant to situations whereby he finds himself in.
When Shylock speaks, he speaks in a manner that reveals authoritativeness. He makes frequent references to ancient and great names from the scriptures. He then uses these when justifying his own bad practices. His speech further reveals a Get
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Defeating the enemy, light–heartedness, and a happy ending for the lovers are all elements in a comedic play. William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice shows that love conquers all and that you can always defeat the enemy. Even if a pound of flesh is the difference between life and death, or if one wrong person chooses the casket that decides your fate. For example, The Merchant of Venice, Antonio, not only survives the fate of having a pound of his flesh taken from his body on account of his friend that could not repay the bond to a man who is seen as the devil, but gets thrice his money back and the villain is taken down. Not to mention that Antonio's best friend, Bassanio, not only repays the bond and gets out of his debt to...show more content...
142–147) Antonio agrees to the deal, since he feels that helping his Bassanio is the right thing to do for a best friend. As time progresses Bassanio and Portia found their way to each other, though Bassanio still has not the money to pay Shylock, so he tells Portia. She has no problem paying the bond and says, "Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;/ Double six thousand, and then treble that," (3.2.298–299). With that, Bassanio has a chance to save his friend's life, and pay back the Jew. At the time of the trial Antonio feels ready to except his fate, to give in to the villain. Antonio says his last words to Bassanio, but when Shylock starts to prepare to cut into Antonio the judge (who is really Portia in disguise) presents a reason why Shylock may not take Antonio's flesh. Portia states, "Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate / Unto the state of Venice" (3.1.309–310). Shylock is denied of the money which was offered at the beginning because he refused it
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Merchant of Venice Essay
Merchant Of Venice Theme Analysis
Question:
The Merchant of Venice was a play about a Jewish moneylender who plots to cut off a pound of flesh from a Merchant whom he has a history with. Revenge was the central theme of Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". However, there are other themes throughout the text, namely friendship and prejudice, that help to emphasise revenge as the central theme of the play.
Revenge is an integral part of the play and characters in the play. Revenge is what drives Shylock, seeking to obtain revenge on Antonio. In a way, Jessica seeks revenge for the "hell" that her father made at home. In Venice, during the time of Shakespeare, Jews were not seen as humans. They were alienated for their beliefs and due to the belief that Jews were responsible for the death of Christ. As a result of this alienation, Jews were forced to wear red hats whenever going out, which made them ripe for the picking for abuse and discrimination. Such discrimination has been laid down on Shylock, with Antonio spitting on him and calling him a "cut–throat dog". As seen in Scene Act 1, Scene 3, Antonio, even after receiving a loan, "I am as like to call thee so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too." This shows how unthankful Antonio is towards Shylock, simply because he is a Jew. It is no wonder why Shylock seeks revenge on Antonio. When asked by Salanio what good a pound of flesh will do, Shylock simply states "To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it
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The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is shows the dynamics of love and to what extent humans will go to show love, they will use their wealth and even be prepared to give up their life for the people they love. Both Antonio and Portia love Bassanio differently. Portia perceives Antonio's phileo in competition with her eros, (both forms of love will be defined later) and throughout the play she is seen trying to defeat Antonio's phileo and she does this by subjugating Antonio, firstly with her wealth, she offers to pay of his debt toShylock three times more the amount he had bound himself, then she saves his life and finally teaching Bassanio that she can use her womanly powers to refuse him the consummating power in marriage, through the ring saga....show more content...
The other type of love is known as eros, it is what most people refer to when they announce with a smile, I'm in love. This type of love covers everything from queasy stomachs and warm fuzzy feelings to strong sensual passion" (A Short Handbook on Love) or in other words intimate romantic love. Eros is the love between Portia and Bassanio. The word love in this paper will be substituted by the words phileo and eros to emphasize the distinctions when addressing Antonio and Bassanio's love and the love between Portia and Antonio. Even though the love between Antonio and Bassanio and Bassanio are Portia are completely different, however they are in competition with each other. Bassanio is aware of the depth of Antonio's phileo for him, and therefore exploits Antonio's love in exchange for money. The depth of Antonio's phileo is not superficial, it runs deep, which surface when he tells Bassanio "...if stand as you yourself still do/Within the eye of honour, be assur'd/My purse, my person. My extreme means/Lie all unlock'd to your occasion" (I.i.136–39). It is because of this phileo that Antonio goes into a bond with his Jewish enemy Shylock who return for this favor Shylock demands a pound of flesh should he default the loan agreement. In Love and Likeness Walter F Eggers Jr. writes that ..."Antonio has to enlist Shylocks help to make his generosity to Bassanio possible. For the first time in the play, friendship is seen
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Essay on The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1596 and finished writing it in 1598. The play starts off with Bassanio wanting to marry Portia. He confronts Antonio to ask him for a loan so he can have enough money to marry his soon to be wife. Antonio finds he doesn't have enough money to give Bassanio the loan so he agrees to be the person to guarantee the loan. The two of them find Shylock to give him the loan. Portia then welcomes the prince of Morocco, who has come in an attempt to choose the right casket to marry her, he chooses the wrong casket and loses her hand in marriage (Spark Notes: Plot Overview). 3 of the most important things in the play are how people that look nice on the outside may be rotten and mean...show more content...
This proves how people can look nice and friendly on the outside and rotten at heart, Portia is a perfect example of this. During the dispute between Shylock and the Christian believers mercy becomes a major part in the arguments. Portia thinks Shylock should give mercy to Antonio and make less of a punishment then killing him. Portia manages to bend the rules and turn the law against Shylock and his non–merciful ways (Spark Notes: Themes, Motifs & Symbols, par. 4). I think that Portia should have given Shylock mercy as she was hard on him since he threatened to kill Antonio. She always says how mercy is the right thing to do and how it should be considered to the people that do bad things: "The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes The thronГЁd monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings, But mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronГЁd in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute to God himself. And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this–That in the course of justice none of us Should see Get
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Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is so alike to our financially afflicted world. The rules of law and commerce are subject to deceptive manipulation, fear of "the other" overwhelms respect for a common humanity, duplicity is the norm, sexuality is a vehicle for ambition, and money drives and wraps almost every action. It is a classic tale that includes important details of the financial crisis in the United States during 2007–2009. Shakespeare's Venice, like the New York of his time– and the financial capitals of ours – is a city based on borrowing, on market speculation and greed masquerading as wealth and sophistication. Behind the curtains of the practice of lending and borrowing money in Shakespeare's play lay the transition to capitalism: the rise of banking system; the scarcity for credit in developing industrial enterprises; and the growing dispute of default facing both aristocratic landlords and, above all, small, independent early entrepreneurs on trading ventures. Even though almost 600 years apart from each other, both Shakespeare's tale and the financial crisis in the United States during 2007–2009 have a similar financial dilemma, each has its unique Shylock, Bassanio and Antonio– people who were responsible for causing the meltdown of their days. We all know from our course that leverage and liquidity risks of financial institutions are vulnerable to the crisis. The financial crisis that emerged in 2007 had many and varied causes, but one of its most Get
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Relationships in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
'The Merchant of Venice' is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays and Act 1 Scene 3 is a key scene. There are three characters involved in the scene and these are: Antonio, Bassanio and Shylock. Shakespeare portrays their characters effectively as well as the contrasting relationships between them. He uses various themes, his language and style and the plot of the bond to achieve this.
Before I look at scene 3 it is important to look at the first scene of the play. At the beginning of Act 1 Scene 1 Antonio,the merchant of Venice, is portrayed as a troubled man, "In sooth, I know not why I am so sad," (line 1) and a character in...show more content... Not only has Bassanio squandered his own fortune, he has borrowed money from Antonio which he is unable to repay, "I owe you much, and, like a wilful youth, / That which I owe is lost". This shows that he is irresponsible with money and maybe he does not care about Antonio as much as he care about him, because if he did he would have made sure that he paid him back. Bassanio argues that if Antonio were prepared to loan him yet more money, he could use it to make his fortune and repay both debts to Antonio. Shakespeare portrays him as being skilled in getting what he wants. Bassanio illustrates this, lines 139–51, with the idea of shooting an arrow in the same direction as one that had been lost, "and by adventuring both, I oft found both" (lines 143–4).
Antonio agrees to borrow money in his name in order to help his friend Bassanio clear his debts, "Try what my credit can in Venice do". This displays Antonio's generous character and confirms their close friendship, "My purse, my person, my extremest means / Lie all unlocked to your occasions.". However, Antonio's asserts are not secure so he is also taking a risk for his friend.
Now I will move on to Act 1 Scene 3. Bassanio and Shylock discuss the terms of the loan– 3,000 ducats for three months. I think Antonio sends Bassanio to do this before he Get more content
In the comedy, The Merchant of Venice, the roles and responsibilities of women is a significant social issue proposed by Shakespeare. This theme is communicated by the only three female characters in the play: Nerissa, Portia and Jessica. For example, in Act 4 during the trial between Antonio and Shylock, Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as Balthasar and Bellario to free their friend. However, Jessica also plays a minor role in portraying the independence of Jewish women in a Christian and Elizabethan society, by successfully betraying her father, Shylock. These characters portray Shakespeare's overall opinion on women, as well as a modern audience's view on Elizabethan society in many significant ways by accentuating themes, ideas...show more content...
The audience, as well as Bassanio, view Portia as a beautiful, immaculate, aristocratic and "fair" lady. However after Act 5, Portia is nothing, but prejudicial and bigoted, as she is the cause of Shylock's demise and claims that she used "my [her] body" to punish Bassanio for abusing her gift of love: the ring. This is ironic, because Portia infringes her relationship with Bassanio by inferring she has committed an affair, even though she herself accuses him of abusing her love and power by losing the ring. This implies that relationships in Elizabethan society were corrupt and fake, which allowed many women in particular to commit religious crimes against their husbands. Furthermore, Shakespeare additionally uses the theme of deception to convey that women are superior to men. This seen when Portia tells Nerissa that "I [she] have work in hand/ That you yet know of. We'll see our husbands/Before they think of us" (3.4), as she wants to help Bassanio and Gratiano save Antonio's life by disguising. In general, many Elizabethan playwrights such as Twelfth Night and The Merry Wives of Windsor, allow the audience to understand the fact that the position of women was such, so that they could not become "active" (3.4) in society. By Portia and Nerissa dressing up as Balthasar and Bellario, this would give them temporary masculinity and so, the ability to do things that normal social codes would not, Get more content
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The Merchant of Venice
The play, ВЎВ°The Merchant of VeniceВЎВ± by William Shakespeare has two main settings. One setting is Venice, a city where many businessmen live, a place, full of unhappy and unkind people. It a world of commercial and law. Shakespeare has portrayed Venice as the ВЎВ°realВЎВ± world. The other setting is Belmont, a city which houses a rich, happy society of beautiful people. Belmont is a fairy–tale world of music and love. In this play, it is evident that,good things happen in Belmont and not so pleasant events happen in Venice.
The play begins with Antonio, a richmerchant of Venice is depressed, which shows that money and wealth did not bring happiness to this man.
Shylock, a wealthy businessman who lives in Venice is...show more content... Also the people in Venice mock and laugh at Shylock when his daughter ran away with his money to marry a Christian. Salarino and Salanio make fun of him.They had no sympathy towards the man who has just lost his only family and his valuable money. Maybe he is greedy, but it was still his money and one would expect people to feel sorry for him but they were even crueler to him by laughing at his losses.
Even though one should feel sorry for Shylock, he himself is a very cruel man. He hates Antonio and all Christians and when he got the opportunity to take revenge he was more than prepared to do so. He and Antonio had a contract which stated that, if Antonio was not able to pay off the debt of three thousand ducats he borrowed from Shylock within three months, he would have to pay the debt by letting Shylock cut a pound of flesh from his body close to the heart. When AntonioВЎВЇs ships were lost and he was not able to pay off the debt, Shylock was delighted. Shylock likes saying ВЎВ°I thank God, I thank God. I thank thee good Tubal: good news, good news! ha, ha!ВЎВ± ВЎВ°IВЎВЇm am very glad of it: IВЎВЇll plague him; IВЎВЇll torture him: IВЎВЇm glad of itВЎВ± This shows that he was a horrible man. Later when he was offered the money, he refuses saying that he would rather
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Essay on merchant of venice
Love and Hate
The Merchant of Venice a play written by the famous poet and play writer, William Shakespeare, in the year 1596– 1598. It is based on both love and hate. Shakespeare demonstrates the themes of love and hate clearly through various character. The friendship love is shown through Antonio towards Bassanio, romantic love is shown through Portia and Bassanio and self love is shown through shylock. However Shakespeare also illustrates hates during the play through the characters shylock and Antonio and shylock and his daughter Jessica.
The Merchant of Venice is a play about love, the play mainly revolve around the romantic love of these main characters Portia and Bassanio. As written in the play, Portia was a rich woman...show more content... Not only she leaves her dad without informing him about it, she also takes most of his money with her, which she truly knows his great love towards being rich. "Two thousand ducats in that and other precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed at my foot and the ducats in her coffin!" (3.1,74–86) in these verses all Shylock talks about is that he would prefer that his daughter were to be dead in front of him with the precious jewels and ducats lay with her in coffin than to find out that she has gone with the ducats after a Christian. This shows the great hate that is going on in the play The Merchant of Venice.
In conclusions, it is understandable that the Shakespearean play The Merchant of Venice is a play about love and hate. He has accomplishment to apply the love and hate theme, through the various actions and behaviours of the characters that make up the play. As a result the incidents and the characters make the theme of love and hate the backbone of the main plot which they collectively hold the story together. The love is shown through Portia and Bassanio, and another different way of love is shown through Shylock to himself. Hatred is greatly shown through the characters Shylock and Antonio and Jessica and her father Shylock. All these big incidents demonstrate the back bone theme of The Merchant of Get
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The Merchant of Venice was written in 1598 by William Shakespeare. The story is set in Elizabethan times, which was the sixteenth century. People back then were quite prejudiced towards any race that was not Christian. They would have hated Jews. When Shylock would come onto the stage, the audience would have just booed him back off. The Christians had their reasons for hating the Jews. The fact that they supposedly killed "Jesus" still angers many people today. Christians were resentful of their wealth. Jews were very successful with their businesses. You could say that the Christians were experiencing Xenophobia, fear of foreigners. They feared that they would take over their land. So when Shylock comes to act,...show more content... The audience would feel some sort of pity for him when Antonio says, "I'm like to kick you again!" On the other hand the Elizabethan audience members might go up on stage and give him a pat on the back.
When the court scene begins, Shylock is not anywhere to be seen nor is Antonio, the supposed victim of his. The duke is there who is supposed to be the master of ceremonies. One thing that you should know is that Antonio and the Duke are good friends, which puts Shylock in a bad position right away as the man who decides his fate is biased towards Antonio, meaning that he is in favour of helping out Antonio. The Duke says to Antonio, "I'm Sorry for Thee." You can see that Shylock will have his work cut out for him. The court rooms are a place of justice, the duke should not even think to be biased. They describe Shylock as, "stony, cold and inhuman." They say that he is incapable of pity. He is at the bottom of the chain of beings, below animals. You can see that Shylock is being criticised in his absence. The Christians who are in the court at the moment refer to him as "The Jew." He is nameless to these people. He is portrayed, through their use of language, as a stone cold villain.
After much criticism and "behind his back" abuse, Shylock comes in. His entry is quite dramatic in the way of what he brings in with him. It shows his cold side, and
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
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Analysis of The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" is based on a simple enough plot, but it gives a more complex view of the characters involved. It portrays each characters attitude, opinions and actions and shows how they affect the other characters.
Shylock is perhaps the most noteworthy character. He is centred on most of the play's events. Throughout the play he is portrayed as both a villain and a victim and is used to emphasise a number of the play's themes such as greed, revenge, prejudice and racism.
The play begins with Antonio, the merchant of the play's title, being...show more content...
He was once even referred to as "the devil". The fact that all of the play's characters see Shylock as a villain makes it difficult for the reader to see him as anything else. Though the play does show an apparent change in Shylock from villain to victim it is still uncertain what he actually is.
There are many aspects that portray Shylock as a villain. The fact that he lives in a Christian society, yet still he has a deep hatred of Christians and in particular Antonio is the most obvious aspect:
"How like a fawning publican he looks/ I hate him for he is a Christian"
His hatred for Antonio is shown at the end of the play when his intent on Antonio's life is shown as well as his desire for revenge:
"I will have my bond"
Analysis of The Merchant of Venice Essay
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At the beginning of the play his devious and cunning side is portrayed when he hides his hatred for Antonio behind his proposed friendship. His cunning side is again portrayed at the end of the play when he expects to be shown mercy by the Christians yet he has shown no mercy to them:
"You take my house when you do not take the prop/ they doth sustain my house; you take my life/ when you do not take the means whereby I live."
Finally the treatment he gives his daughter Jessica portrays him as a villain. He forces his Jewish religion upon her yet does not Get
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Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is a simple story line with three distinct plot lines incorporated into each other intricately. These three plot lines are the bond plot, the casket plot, and the ring plot, each equally vital to the meaning and conclusion of the play. In this essay, I will discuss the roles of the characters in the plot, the symbols, images, and rhetorical figures central to each plot, and finally how the events of the three plots are intertwined. The first sign that the three plot lines are intertwined is that the characters involved in each plot overlap. However, each of these characters plays a different role in each plot line. The characters involved in the bond plot are Antonio, Bassanio, and Shylock, although...show more content...
. tends to ennoble both the character of the hero and the character of the heroine since the emphasis is placed on being proven worthy of a peerless woman" (Holmer 54). After proving his worth and winning Portia's hand, Bassanio is given Portia's ring, vowing that "when this ring / Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence" (Shakespeare 3.2.186–87). However, Bassanio is easily tricked into giving away the ring after the trial scene comes to an end; this seems to indicate that he was not as noble or worthy of Portia's love as previously thought. Portia's character also appears to change from one plot to another. Sigmund Freud describes Portia as "the fair and wise" (152); each of these attributes is revealed at different times in the play. In the casket plot, she is portrayed merely as a daughter obeying her father's wishes; even though she laments that she can "neither choose who [she] would nor refuse who [she] dislike[s]" (Shakespeare 1.2.20–21), she agrees with Nerissa's statement: "Your father was virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations" (Shakespeare 1.2.24–25). Later in the play, however, Portia's cunning side is revealed when she plans to dress as a man in order to help Antonio. In contrast to Portia, Antonio appears to become a weaker character as the story evolves. He is powerful only as long as his ships are doing well; as soon as that fails, he can do nothing to save himself from the debt of the pound of flesh that he owes
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The Three Plots of The Merchant of Venice
Outline Of Merchant Of Venice
The Merchant of Venice Essay Outline
Introduction:
Hook: The theme is the main subject or message of a story. It is used to give depth and enhance the plot. "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13)
Bridge: When you read The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare there are many themes throughout the play and many lessons to be learned.
Main Ideas: The most important themes are hatred, mercy and friendship because they have a significant meaning and help advance the plot.
Thesis: The most important themes are hatred, mercy and friendship because they have a significant meaning and help advance the plot.
Body Paragraph One:
Topic Sentence:One of the main themes of this play is hatred and prejudice .Throughout the play, Shakespeare makes fun of other nationalities and religions.
Subpoint #1: Since the beginning of the play, you can tell thatShylock and Antonio strongly dislike each other . Example: "I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice.If I can catch him once upon the hip,I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him."(Act 1 scene 3) Analysis: From this quote, we learn that Shylock hates Antonio for being a Christian and for lending money with no interest. Antonio hates Shylock for being Jewish. Both of them have grudges against each other and they want to get revenge. You can tell from this quote that back in those times, Jewish people weren't treated right.
Subpoint #2: another example of prejudice in this play is when Portia rejects the Prince of Morocco. Even though she doesn't know him she judged him for his skin color. Example:"If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach. If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me." (Act 1 scene 2)
Analysis:In this quote, she is saying that even if he were a saint she would never marry him because he has dark skin.
Paragraph Conclusion: In the end, William Shakespeare seems biased towards people of different races and religions by using stereotypes and discrimination.
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William Shakespeare has encapsulated the essence of revenge as a central theme in his comedic play, The Merchant of Venice. Set in 16th century Venice, Shakespeare creates pivotal characters in a mercantile environment that enables revenge to flourish and be explored in the play. To highlight the central theme of revenge, which is the act of seeking retribution for a harm done, Shakespeare has juxtaposed it to other central themes. From the outset, the cause and need for justification of revenge is analysed from the perspective of anti–Semitic conduct. The act of revenge is further examined with reference to financial wealth and its role in driving revenge. As the storyline unfolds, it culminates with an insight into the outcome of revenge in the context of another central theme, mercy. It is through these comparisons that the central theme of revenge can be dissected and therefore understood.
In exploring the central theme of revenge, Shakespeare looks at the cause of revenge and the need for the perpetrator to justify it, through the highly emotive subject of anti–Semitism. Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, is deeply angered by the Christian characters of the play, in particular Antonio, the merchant referred to in the play's title. Having been called a 'dog', and spat upon, he has endured cruelty and suffering simply due to his Jewish faith, a faith which is the core of his being and defines him as a man. The depth of his pain and his hurt can be felt in his soliloquy (Act 3 Scene 1). Here, his humanity is felt when he asks, "If you prick us, do we not bleed? ... If you poison us, do we not die?" It is this depth of feeling that enables the audience to understand the origins and need for revenge. Shylock also needs to justify his right to revenge as much to himself as to others, and puts forward a case for why revenge is necessary and justified. He states that, "If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge." By juxtaposing the theme of anti–Semitism, Shakespeare gives Shylock's reason for revenge depth and purpose and thus establishes revenge as a central theme of the play.
Having established that
Theme Of Revenge In Merchant Of Venice
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What's in a Word Paper The Merchant of Venus, is a play written by William Shakespeare and is a majority of the time remembered for its scene with Shylock and Antonio. As intricate as the play wove itself, the word that seemed to occur a majority of the time "bonds", had multiple meanings occurring throughout the play. Oxford English Dictionary (OED) tells us that Bonds can mean the bondage of a marriage, the ways of which a thing is bound or tied down, agreement or engagement binding to him of which who makes it, and a deed, by which binds himself, his heirs, executors, or assigns to pay a certain sum of money. In this play, we see a strong connection between bonds and goods reoccurring from start to finish. The term "bond", is...show more content...
The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond. Interestedly, instead of Shakespeare using the word bond as a way to tie Portia and Bassanio and their undying love and promises. We find Bassanio discovering out about Antonio's situation in a letter telling Bassanio about his lost ships and Shylocks intentions of taking his pound of flesh. The news incites a since of guilt from Bassanio which prods Portia to offer and pay twenty times the original sum. After reading the letter aloud to Portia she suggests Bassanio go to his friends aid and go back to Venice by his side. (3.2.314)
Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond (3.2.298) This section is an instance were the word bond as the agreement between Shylock is confronted by another strong character in this play. Portia playing a strong masculine role for her house hold and new husband Bassanio. She shows her power and authority by wanting to deface the bond and pay more than the original sum, to free Antonio and help out Bassanio. This shows that even though the agreement between Antonio and
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The Merchant Of Venice Essay
Society tends to define people as being either victims or villains due to the actions, beliefs and decisions present in their lives. In the Merchant of Venice, this separation between those good and evil is existent in the Venetian community, especially for the character of Shylock. Although one may think that Shylock is a victim in this play, as a result of other's wrong–doing, Shylock is rather a villain because he conspired to kill Antonio through his bond, wished to see his daughter dead for him to retain his wealth, and refused to show even mercy so as he could get his revenge on Antonio. It is through such destructive intentions Shylock possessed, having a negative impact on other characters in the play, which designates him as a...show more content...
In Act 2 Scene 8, Solarino notifies Solanio of a ship that was lost in the English Channel and it is discovered later from Tubal, Shylock's servant, that this ship was Antonio's. Instead of being understanding of his loss, Shylock argues that just as a Jew wrongs a Christian and would seek revenge, if a Christian wrongs a Jew, they would be able to seek revenge too. Thus, when Antonio did forfeit because all his ships were believed to be lost, Shylock showed no mercy as Antonio was trying to speak and stated:
I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond;
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.
The duke shall grant me justice.
(3.3.4–8)
It is evident that Shylock has already made his mind up and his decision to keep the bond would not be swayed in favour of Antonio,
The Merchant of Venice
regardless of what he pleaded. In response to the cruel names Antonio had called him previously, Shylock wants to show him how horribly he can truly be, choosing to behave as a worse villain than Antonio was towards him. Rather than rising to the occasion and showing mercy, Shylock chooses to be a villain, bloodthirsty for revenge and his bond in order to get Antonio back for the
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