William Shakespeare shows how two tradesmen can have completely different lives when others view them differently in the play The Merchant of Venice. In the play‚ Bassanio‚ Antonio’s friend‚ needs money to pursue his love. They seek a loan from Shylock‚ a Jewish moneylender in Antonio’s name. The contract is for three times the value of the bond in three months or else Shylock cuts off a pound of flesh from Antonio. While all this is happening‚ there are love plots going on. One of which is for Shylock’s
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Shylock and Antonio resent and dislike one another. Firstly‚ Shylock hates Antonio because he is a Christian; secondly‚ because Antonio is a Christian and therefore not allowed to charge interest‚ Antonio undercuts Shylock’s business by lending money without charging interest. The fact that Shylock does loan money and charges interest is another reason for Antonio not to like him. As a businessman‚ Antonio must resent Shylock’s ability to earn extra money by charging interest. We know that Shylock
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The merchant of Venice contains many points and ideas which were relevant to the Elizabethan society‚ many if not all of these points and ideas are still relevant in today’s modern society. Some points and ideas included in the merchant of Venice are the role of women‚ the power of love and friendship and justice and mortality. All of these themes are present in today’s modern society. The role of women in the play is represented though Portia‚ Nerissa and Jessica. The three of the women are very
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To what extent does Shakespeare present Shylock as a victim? In the ‘Merchant of Venice’ Shakespeare makes it very difficult for us to define who is the victim and who is the villain as certain characters‚ such as Shylock reveal many personalities and therefore portray elements of both the victim and the villain. We are first introduced to Shylock in Act 1 scene 3. In this scene it is quickly made apparent that Shlyock enjoys power‚ especially over Bassanio and likes watching him suffer. This
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Shakespeare portrays the characters Shylock and Antonio in the trial scene to be victims of the trial scene. In my opinion‚ Shylock is the main victim as he is discriminated for following a different religion to everyone else in the court. Being a Jew meant that the other people in the court were racist against Shylock meaning that they treated him unfairly in comparison to Antonio; who was helped in every way so that he could win the trial and Shylock would not get his pound of flesh. Shakespeare
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Examine the way conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is portrayed throughout the course of the play‚ paying particular attention to the way Shakespeare shows the development of their characters and the changing nature of their relationship. During the play‚ Shakespeare presents the theme of conflict in various ways. From the conflict between the characters and their innermost desires to the disagreements between characters and their different opinions and furthermore the dispute between good and evil
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Shylock: Villain or Victim It is without doubt that William Shakespeare’s suspenseful play of The Merchant of Venice evokes complex feelings within a reader. Throughout the play‚ Shylock is portrayed as the antagonist‚ a miserable‚ cruel and prosaic figure menacing enough to endanger the happiness of Venetian citizens. At the same time‚ one feels a curious compassion for this character. In the 2004 film of The Merchant of Venice adaptation starring Al Pacino‚ Shylock is portrayed as a justifiably
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The Merchant of Venice In The Merchant of Venice‚ William Shakespeare portrays Shylock as a covetous Jew. Shylock charges interest to those who borrow money from him when they are in need. Shylock is mercenary. Shylock’s love for objects overweighs his love for his own daughter. This character trait shows that in Venetian times‚ it was a time of greed and selfishness. In The Merchant of Venice‚ Antonio discriminates against Shylock because he is a Jew. Shylock shows us his human moments –this embodies
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The Merchant of Venice - of Shylock Shylock was mistreated by Christians in particularly Antonio before they entered into their bond. It is understandable that this would be‚ because Jews were mistreated by the Christians and that’s just the way it was during those times. The Jews were segregated and forced to live in a ghetto and were abused by the Christians. It is know wonder that when Shylock was presented with an opportunity to reciprocate‚ he would. However‚ Shylock also did his fair
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Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. He is a middle-aged bachelor and merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied up in overseas shipments when the play begins. He is kind‚ generous‚ honest and confident‚ and is loved and revered by all the Christians who know him. Even Portia‚ who sees Antonio as a rival for her husband’s affections‚ reveres his character and appreciates — with reservations — his willingness to die for Bassanio. Antonio manifests his
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