The Merchant of Venice (1596) is one of Shakespeare’s most outstanding comedies. For the past more than 400 years‚ it has been paid close attention to and also highly praised. Many people‚ such as literature critics‚ historians‚ and the scholars who study religion‚ have keen interest in it not just because that this work has special literary power but also because that it reflects several deep conflicts-ethnic conflict and religious conflict. The major plot of this play is related with Antonio and
Premium Judaism The Merchant of Venice Religion
outcome of The Merchant of Venice‚ this conflict is even more important because it provides a setting for the contrast between the rigid law and rules of the Old Testament and the concepts of mercy and forgiveness as taught by Christ in the New Testament. It is in the climactic trial scene that The Duke‚ hoping Shylock will excuse Antonio’s penalty‚ asks him‚ "How shall thou hope for mercy rend’ring none?" He is referring to expectations of judgment in the afterlife. However‚ so is Shylock‚ when
Premium New Testament Christianity Jesus
were dead at my foot‚ and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed at my foot‚ and the ducats in her coffin! “(Act 3‚ Sc 1) According to the stated evidence‚ Shylock would rather have his own daughter dead than she run away with his ducats. He shows no concern whatsoever for his daughter who had run away‚ but instead was more concerned about the jewels and ducats she ran away with. Moreover‚ he had said that “He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million” (Act 3‚ Sc 1) in which he was referring
Premium Discrimination Shylock Interest
the idea of love that appears in the play’s subplots. Examines how love exists in many forms‚ and looks at how Shakespeare clarifies the importance of romantic vows and the nature of the marital relationship. The sentimental storylines in The Merchant of Venice often get lost amid the play’s more prominent themes. Although the idea of love appears only through the play’s subplots‚ Shakespeare does make the theme prevalent enough to warrant attention. The play demonstrates that love exists in many forms
Premium Love The Merchant of Venice Interpersonal relationship
I believe that Bassanio from the play The Merchant of Venice By William Shakespeare is portrayed as a determined‚ loyal and materialistic character throughout the play. Bassanio shows his determined side when he first become accosted with the idea to court Portia‚ he doesn’t let the small problem of not having sufficient funds stand in his way as he uses his determination to drive his convincing argument to Antonio “ but if you please to shoot another arrow that self way…”But part of the reason
Free The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare Portia
sympathizing view of him. At the beginning Shylock was ridiculed for being Jewish‚ which causes most people to connect with him because of the constant disagreeing of religions that still happen today. Shylock also looses his ducats and jewels‚ which mean so much to him it represents all of his hard work and achievement in a world that brought him down and told him he was nothing. Shylock addresses to the reader something that amplifies his feeling‚“To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else‚ it
Premium
direct language is to allow the audience to imagine Antonio as the embodiment of Christianity. Thus‚ letting the Elizabethan audience know that Shylock’s feelings of hatred is actually aimed towards the Christians and hence the Elizabethan audience themselves‚ therefore causing further resent and prejudice towards Shylock’s character. While the use of the word “dog”‚ which is repeated throughout the play‚ not only symbolises that the Christians see Shylock as beneath them and will never be their equal
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock Drama
How does Shakespeare use language differently for Portia and Shylock in the judgement scene and elsewhere? In this essay I will be discussing how characters language changes throughout the play‚ centering on the judgment scene. The Characters I will be focusing on are Shylock and Portia. The first difference in the language is how Portia and Shylocks language portrays them as characters. Shylock is seen as the villain in the play he is manipulative‚ blood thirsty ‘’Nearest his heart’: those are
Premium Shylock The Merchant of Venice Portia
very bad by the Christian people. All the people in the play all said hateful things to him and spat on him. For his "un-Christian" behavior he was called a dog Jew by everyone he doesn’t even know. Shylock was fed up with Christians hating the Jews‚ so he made a bond with Antonio to get revenge. The bond had a slight catch to it‚ if Antonio did not pay him back on time then he would have to give Shylock a pound of his own flesh. He deliberately asks for a pound of flesh because he doesn’t like Antonio
Premium Antisemitism Israel The Merchant of Venice
Project On “The Merchant Of Venice” Contents SR. NO. PARTICULARS 1 Writer 2 Summary 3 Character Analysis 4 Themes 5 Relevance To Modern World 6 Critical Evaluation Writer William Shakespeare born on 26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616)] was an English poet and playwright‚ widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock Portia