Themes in the Merchant of Venice Gender stereotypes are not a modern notion and as such expectations and limitations have always existed for both men and women. Fortunately women‚ who have formerly beared great burdens of discrimination‚ now have very liberated roles in society as a result of slowly shifting attitudes and values. Shakespeare was integral in challenging the subservient role expected of women in the 16th century. Throughout the play‚ ‘The Merchant of Venice’‚ women are expressed as
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suspenseful play‚ “The Merchant of Venice”‚ the character of Shylock may evoke complex feelings within the reader. Shylock is clearly a villain in the sense that he repeatedly takes advantage of people in vulnerable economic situations and makes a handsome living in this way. He is not a likeable character throughout “The Merchant of Venice” by Shakespeare; he avoids friendships‚ he is cranky‚ and he is steadfast in his beliefs to the point of being rigid. Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” shows his tendency
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play “The Merchant of Venice”? William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice contains many themes and elements that could be considered timeless. Shakespeare effectively explores the themes of love and hate through character in the play which is a play of two parts. One part follows the fortunes of Bassanio‚ a friend of the Merchant‚ Antonio‚ in his attempts to win the hand of Portia‚ the rich and beautiful heiress of Belmont. The second part deals with the bond Antonio makes with Shylock‚ the wealthy
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The Merchant of Venice‚ Act 2 Watch the film version of Act 2 and answer these questions: Scene 1 Morocco is the first suitor to try his luck. What is he told before he is to choose? Scene 2: Lancelot Gobbo‚ the clown‚ wants to leave Shylock’s service‚ why? His father brings a present to his son’s master. Why is prose used? What does Gratiano want form Bassanio? Scene 3: Describe what happens. What does Jessica feel about the situation? Scene 4: A group of masqued men are on their
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Historical Context The historical context of The Merchant of Venice turns‚ for the most part‚ on one question: the status of Jews in Shakespeare’s England. Jews had lived in England throughout the Middle Ages; they were treated then as property of the King‚ and were permitted to stay in England‚ over the protests of the Church‚ only by his "good graces." In fact‚ English kings allowed the Jews to remain in England largely for financial reasons: practicing trades‚ particularly money-lending‚ that
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ACT 3 SCENE 1 – THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Prejudice – lack of tolerance (Guarantor) Contempt – hate / contemptuous = hateful /despicable Villainised Shylock Shrewd businessman/moneylender – cruel/ruthless Theme of loyalty predominates the scene Feel a sense of sympathy for Shylock due to treatment received Denigrate – to make someone feel inferior Vindictive – Revengeful Camouflage – hide Shylock is cunning and wise – will be able to trick them Sly Shylock is very wise in the way he
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Trial Scene Merchant of Venice At the court of law in Venice‚ the Duke‚ Antonio‚ Bassanio‚ Salerio‚ Graziano‚ and various notable personages are gathered for Antonio’s trial. The Duke begins the trial by showing how impartial he is: he immediately says he’s sorry for Antonio and that Shylock is an "inhuman wretch‚ uncapable [sic] of pity‚ void and empty from any dram of mercy." Wow‚ so much for a fair trial. Antonio shrugs this off as no big deal – he knows everyone has done what they can‚ and he’s
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Role of Prejudice In The Merchant of Venice This paper discusses the subject of prejudice in the William Shakespeare play‚ The Merchant of Venice. I. Introduction William Shakespeare’s satirical comedy‚ The Merchant of Venice‚ believed to have been written in 1596 was an examination of hatred and greed.The premise deals with the antagonistic relationship between Shylock‚ a Jewish money-lender and Antonio‚ the Christian merchant‚ who is as generous as Shylock is greedy‚ particularly
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Jessica in The Merchant of Venice In The Merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare introduces his audience to the multi dimensional character of Jessica. Jessica is identified as the daughter of a Jewish Merchant but the audience learns she is much more than that. As the play moves along and Jessica marries a Christian man‚ Jessica’s identity as a Jewish woman is challenged. Although a minor character in the play‚ she is important because she makes the audience question what it means to be Jewish and therefore
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opportunity‚ many Jews would retaliate against Christians with the same treatment Christians submitted them to. In William Shakespeare’s play‚ "The Merchant of Venice‚" this opportunity arises for one particular Jew‚ Shylock. Shylock stirs up a range of emotions in the audience‚ when giving a speech to support his claim that he is entitled to regard the Christians with the same ill-treatment they have shown him. Shylock‚ the speaker‚ is a Jewish moneylender in Venice‚ who is depicted as greedy‚ self-centered
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