he is writing in a predominantly patriarchal time period; how does he manipulate Renaissance gender constructions in order to convey his message; how is the patriarchal attitude explored through the women in the text; and many more. Using The Merchant of Venice as an example‚ this essay will attempt to explore Shakespeare’s representations of the characters of Portia‚ Nerissa and Jessica. It will seek to examine their role in the text‚ as well as explore representations of gender and cross-dressing
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give thee here no jot of blood; the words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh.’ Taken then thy bond‚ take thou thy pound of flesh; but in the cutting it‚ if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood‚ thy lands and goods are by laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice” Observant even though portia has no right to pick the husband‚ she wants to observe those who seek to marry her anyways "I pray thee‚ overname them‚ and as thou namest them I will describe them; and according to my description
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million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” In Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice‚ Shylock is the core of all ripples. He lashed out against the prejudice that was thrust upon him and is considered evil for doing so. The Merchant of Venice brought together different characters of different religions. Shakespeare used characters in this play to reflect sixteenth century views on Christianity and Judaism
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Humanities English II -4 21 February 2011 Dialectical Journals: The Merchant of Venice Source | Quotation | Analysis | Act 1. Sc.1 Pg.17Ln. 147-151‚ 153-159 | “In my school-days‚ when I had lost one shaft‚ I shot his fellow of the self-same flight. The self-same way with more advised watch‚ to find the other forth‚ and by adventuring both‚ I oft found both.” “I owe you much‚ and‚ like a willful youth‚ that which I owe is lost; but if you please to shoot another arrow that self-way which you
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Sentence: Being the antagonist and villain throughout the play Shylock must be the antithesis to the general characteristics of the protagonist and supporting cast. B. Shylock was a Jew‚ a not very admirable quality during the late 16th century in Venice. C. “Shylock‚ albeit I neither lend nor borrow/ by taking nor by giving of excess” (Act 1‚ Scene 3‚ Lines 61-62) D. He is a usurer‚ something that Antonia literally despises and spits upon. E. This shows the hypocrisy of Antonio’s actions
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William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice shows many ideas and values that are still relevant today. Gender inequality‚ one of the main themes throughout the play‚ one of the most talked about topics in the country. Marriage in The Merchant of Venice left women with no freedom in choosing who they wanted to marry‚ while marriage now has given women the choice. Women did not have a say‚ their thoughts were never taken into consideration. Shylock makes a deal with Antonio who doesn’t fulfil his
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throughout the production‚ and thus brings about a different portrayal of medieval Jews‚ previously limited to that of the stage Jew. While most adopted this general theme using it to mock Jews in the hopes of a cheap laugh‚ one play has stood the test of time. This is of course none other then the Shakespearean masterpiece The Merchant of Venice. During the Elizabethan period‚ the concept of a Jew was based on rumour and the occasional public performance‚ for example Christopher Marlow’s infamous play
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Essay Planning Sheet Topic | TRUE LOVE | Thesis(What you wish to say about the topic) | IN THE MERCHANT OF VENICE‚ LOVE IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BETRAYAL AND IS NOT IN ITS TRUE FORM. | First proof of thesis(This would be your topic sentence for body paragraph One‚ thus what you are going to prove in your first body paragraph) | PORTIA AND BASSANIO APPARENTLY “LOVE” EACH OTHER‚ BUT THEY BOTH SHOW THAT LOVE IS NOT THE TOP PRIORITY. | Second proof of thesis(Topic sentence for body paragraph
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Character Name: Portia Character Traits: Loyal “Oh‚ me‚ the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard‚ Nerissa‚ that I cannot choose one nor refuse none? (Act 1 Scene 2 lines 22~25) “In terms of choice I am not solely led by nice direction of a maiden’s eyes. Besides‚ the lott’ry of my destiny bars me the right of voluntary choosing. But if my father had not scanted me
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Conflict is a primary theme within Romeo and Juliet and merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare conveys this theme through the characters to reinforce and emphasis the conflict between the father and daughter. Linking this to the historical/ social context‚ there is a fear of non-acceptance within the community‚ and due to the hierarchy of the Capulet family‚ there is more of a requirement for Juliet to be more dominated from her father than the average Elizabethan family. As the extent of dominance towards
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