Shakespeare was an anti-Semite. Antonio and Shylock‚ two similar businessmen of Venice‚ are viewed differently and are treated oppositely because Shylock is not a Christian but a Jew. One example of this is the way Launcelot treats Shylock in Act 2. In act 2‚ Launcelot is debating with himself whether or not he should seek a new master. Launcelot’s problem is that he works for Shylock‚ who is Jewish. Launcelot persuades himself that‚ "Certainly the Jew [Shylock] is the very devil incarnation." Eventually
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readers have in mind about the previous acts and scenes increases tension because the readers know about the bond which is detained between Antonio and Shylock. “The pound of flesh which I demand of him.”(4.1.100) Fear is heightened after entering into the trial scene because readers can see how determined Shylock is to receive his pound of flesh. Shylock is persisting to retrieve his bond from Antonio. Shylock’s assurance to get the flesh from Antonio makes him seem more evil than readers expected from
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Shylock: Villain or Victim The Merchant Of Venice is the story about a merchant by the name of Antonio who borrows money from a Jewish moneylender by the name of Shylock‚ in order to fund his best friend Bassanio’s romantic ambitions. The majority of the residents of Venice during the time this story was written were Christians‚ just like Antonio. At the same time there was a considerable amount of hatred toward those who were not Christians. Antonio needed money quickly and he had no other choice
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American society today‚ it is wrong to persecute someone for their religious beliefs‚ as we are all created equal. This sentiment was‚ indeed‚ not the case in the 1500’s. Although the events that surround Shylock are interpreted as very tragic in today’s society‚ in the eyes of the audience‚ Shylock is a greedy Jew who has it out for a man who has done nothing wrong. The Merchant of Venice is about a popular rich man who‚ through a turn of unfortunate events‚ finds himself bankrupt and due to lose his
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Shylock : i want three thousands ducats Bassanio: yes please‚ for 3 months i say Shylock: three months? Well.... Bassanio: dont worry‚ Antonio will guarantee the loan. If i fail to do so‚ antonio will do the payment Shylock: hmmm....hmm.... Bassanio: so tell me whats your decision? Shylock: three thousand ducats and 3 months. Final! Antonio will guarantee it Bassanio: your decision please? Shylock: antonio isnt bad‚ i guess Bassanio: so? Now you have it‚ anything to differ? Shylock: i didnt mean
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that injustice is shown in both plays. In The Merchant Of Venice‚ Jews are often mistreated by Christians and this results in Shylock’s mistreatment throughout the play. Shylock is treated like an animal by Antonio. He calls Shylock a throat dog and people never call him by his real name‚ instead they refer to him as the Jew. Shylock also
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another time you called me dog‚ and for these courtesies I ’ll lend you thus much moneys ’? (p.83‚ I.3)This quote shows the strained and hostile relationship between Antonio and Shylock and shows Shylock ’s hesitance and resentment of the idea of helping Antonio. It is evident in this quote that Antonio bears prejudice towards Shylock based on the fact that he is of a different faith. This form of prejudice is a solid theme in ’The Merchant of Venice ’ and is still common today. The major modern example
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and inhuman‚ furthermore Shakespeare’s condemnation of racism is part of a larger critique of Venetian society in both plays. It is hard to discover Elizabethan and Jacobean attitudes to non-whites like Othello and non Christians like Shylock. Robinson (p. 20–25) summarizes the research that has been undertaken to reach the conclusion that sixteenth century Englishmen may have seen themselves as superior to non-Europeans‚ but there is no evidence that they indulged in bigotry. There was
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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‚ and aloof. He has been discriminated against his whole
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We go through many stages in life. "Each stage brings with it bodily changes ranging from continuing growth during childhood through early adulthood‚ slight declines during middle adulthood‚ and often significant loss of functioning in late adulthood" "His best companion‚ innocence and health. And his best riches ignorance and wealth. How happy he who crowns in shades like these. A youth of labour with an age of ease‚ " said Oliver Goldsmith. This sums up what youth is all about. it is indeed sad
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