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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GRAZIANO )‚ friend of Bassanio‚ with Nerissa LORENZO (LORENSO )‚ friend of Gratziano‚ with Jessica SALARINO | SALANIO -Q1 (SOLANIO -Q1) | friends of Antonio SALERIO ‚ a messenger from Venice | SHYLOCK (SHYLOCKE -Q1) a Jewish money-lender JESSICA ‚ daughter of Shylock‚ with Lorenzo TUBAL (TUBALL-Q1)‚ a Jew‚ friend of Shylock LAUNCELET -Q1 (LANCELET -Q2‚ LAUNCELOT ‚ LANCELOT )‚ a fool‚ servant to Shylock OLD GOBBO (GOBBO )‚ father to Launcelet PORTIA ‚ an heiress of Belmont NERISSA ‚ her
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Desdemona from Othello‚ and Portia and Jessica from The Merchant of Venice. The female leads in each of these stories share many things in common such as their devotion to their mate and gracefulness‚ but the fate each woman ends up with at the conclusion of the story reflects the decisions they made and how those decisions were perceived in England during that time. The death of Desdemona and the happiness found by the newly married Portia and Jessica clearly shows the taste of the English audience
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comment about Antonio’s ships? 9. Why does Shylock refuse to eat with Antonio? 10. What is the purpose of Shylock’s “aside” as Antonio approaches in Scene III? 11. What is ironic about Shylock’s reference in Scene III to feeding his grudge toward Antonio‚ and then greeting Antonio by saying that he was the last man in their mouths? 12. How does Shylock defend his practice of charging interest on loans? 13. Apart from the matter of usury‚ why does Shylock bear such hatred for Antonio? 14. How does
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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 prepared to face Shylock’s fury head on‚ patiently suffering at the hand of Shylock’s rage. Shylock is called into court‚ where the Duke addresses him first. The Duke says that he and the whole world are certain that Shylock has only let things get this
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Act- III Scene- 2 Summary of Act III scene 2: Act III Scene 2 Analysis In Belmont‚ Portia begs Bassanio to delay before making his choice among the caskets. If he chooses incorrectly‚ she will lose the pleasure of his company. Though she refuses to break the terms of her father’s riddle of the caskets‚ she confesses that if it were up to her she would give herself to him entirely. Bassanio‚ though‚ is tortured by the uncertainty of waiting‚ and convinces her to let him try the riddle. Portia
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main character‚ Shylock‚ is central to constant discrimination simply because he is a Jew. This is demonstrated in Act 1‚ Scene 3 when Antonio borrows money from Shylock. This scene is the first time the audience is introduced to Shylock and he quickly speaks of how he has been mistreated by Antonio because of his religion “You call me misbeliever‚ cut-throat dog‚ And spit upon my Jewish gabardine”. Shakespeare then reinforces this when Salarino is attempting to convince Shylock not to take a pound
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Shakespeare holds a very biased view of the Jewish people. Throughout the story‚ Shylock is tormented by shallow Christians whom Shakespeare portrays as protagonists‚ and Shylock himself is made into the picture of the time’s Jewish stereotype. Through his characters‚ Shakespeare deepens and encourages the time’s anti-Jewish sentiment. Throughout the play‚ Shakespeare glorifies the Christians who depersonalize and alienate Shylock by refusing to use his given name. Instead‚ they call him “the Jew”‚ “the
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momentous event in Anti-Semitism which really portrayed the true and utter hatred of the Jewish people by the Nazi party. The character Shylock was a stereotypical Jew of his time‚ and as Jews were generally ostracized from normal society‚ the audience would have been familiar and understanding with Shakespeare’s characterisation‚ actually finding Shylock a comedic figure whereas today he is seen as tragic. In Shakespeare’s time‚ Jews were not treated well at all. This was because they were a
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Themes in ‘The Merchant of Venice.’ 1. The nature of love‚ marriage and friendship. ▪ Shakespeare’s romantic comedies usually lead up to and end with marriages‚ including one noble marriage and this is true in this text. The suitor loves and serves his lady; but after marriage the wife loves and serves the husband. As soon as Bassanio has chosen rightly‚ Portia calls him Lord: ‘her Lord‚ her governor‚ her king‚’ (Act 3‚ scene 2) adding ‘Myself‚ and what is mine‚ to you and yours / Is now
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