MERCHANT OF VENICE ESSAY ------------------------------------------------- Despite its age Shakespeare’s play has some very important things to say about human nature. ------------------------------------------------- Do you agree? Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ explores several important universal themes which are common concerns for all human beings. These concepts include an exploration of Revenge and the importance of mercy combined with justice and what makes a loyal and faithful
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for Portia’s hand‚ in which suitors from various countries choose among a gold‚ a silver‚ and a lead casket‚ resembles the cultural and legal system of Venice in some respects. Like the Venice of the play‚ the casket contest presents the same opportunities and the same rules to men of various nations‚ ethnicities‚ and religions. Also like Venice‚ the hidden bias of the casket test is fundamentally Christian. To win Portia‚ Bassanio must ignore the gold casket‚ which bears the inscription‚ “Who chooseth
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In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice‚ prejudice is a predominant theme and it is displayed in numerous ways. A dominant form of prejudice in the play is prejudice against religion by both the Christian and the Jewish believers. Other minor but important forms of prejudice displayed are against races and against various types of disabilities. Shakespeare demonstrates that during his era‚ in the Elizabethan Era‚ prejudice wasn’t frowned upon like it is today in present society. Shakespeare
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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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Ashley Simpson English 5306 Dr. King 1 March 2012 A Game of Caskets‚ Morals‚ and Men Lessons Learned in The Merchant of Venice Although the play’s title leads readers to believe its contents to surround Antonio‚ rather the play surrounds a hated and despised Shylock the Jew. However‚ as Shakespeare so often does‚ several scenes are placed almost haphazardly within the conflict and turmoil building amongst the main characters. Often readers question the scenes appropriateness and necessity
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Conflicts in "Merchant of Venice" occur as a result of four major life themes: love‚ money‚ prejudice and disguise. Shylock‚ the Jewish moneylender is usually‚ and somewhat unjustly‚ held responsible for many of these conflicts. Though Shylock’s behaviour is‚ in many ways‚ evil‚and should by no means be exonerated‚ the conflicts he does cause are most often merely his vengeful attempt to respond to the prejudices he has experience caused by his religion. In the time of Shakespeare‚ prejudices were
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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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has been looked down upon‚ disrespected and persecuted by other ethnicities. In Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice‚ the character of Shylock reveals to us Shakespeare’s attitude towards the Jewish people and anti-Semitism. Throughout the play Shylock is treated with a continuum of hostility and disrespect from the other characters. Many would argue that Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice condones anti-Semitism‚ but if a closer look is taken‚ Shakespeare’s playwright actually supports an opposing
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and ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Shakespeare and Jane Austen both present strong feeling of love‚ revenge‚ hatred and friendship. They are two different types of stories‚ ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a novel and ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is a play so therefore they both have different ways of presenting strong feelings but they do have some similarities. In ‘Pride and Prejudice’ strong feelings are presented by: 1. The Narrator 2. Letters 3. Dialogue Whereas in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ strong feelings
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TWO MAJOR THEMES IN MERCHANT OF VENICE A major theme in the Merchant of Venice is mercy. Mercy depicts a large part of this play‚ mercy is one of themes that ends it. In the courtroom scene of Act 4‚ scene 1‚ both the Duke and Portia present mercy as a better alternative to the pursuit of either law or revenge. The other characters accept that the law is on Shylock’s side‚ but they all expect him to show mercy‚ which he refuses to do. Portia then tries to persuade him to be merciful
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