can be often become a normal part of everyday life‚ and can be difficult to eradicate and extinguish. In William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice‚ the idea of the “normality” of everyday prejudices comes across in interactions and the portrayal of Shylock‚ a Jewish moneylender in Venice. Through Shylock’s character‚ Shakespeare provides a commentary on how his society has viewed Judaism in a dehumanizing way for many generations‚ but also expresses how difficult and not in a playwright’s place to change
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Task: Shylock: Victim or Villain? From the book ’The Merchant of Venice.’ Written by William Shakespeare Shakespeare sets his play within the 16th century. During this time Venice was a powerful city involved in trade and was a strong believer in the religion of Christianity. In the Merchant of Venice‚ Shylock is the only Jewish character‚ he is complicated‚ yet wise‚ and the one who gets tormented‚ mocked and humiliated in front of everyone. The
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Throughout the play‚ The Merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare cultivates the idea of “Shylock the Jew” being both a villain and a victim each depending on the reader’s interpretation of the play. 16th century Venice was largely Roman Catholic and Christian. I think in correctly interpreting the play‚ we have to take a look at what influences Shakespeare may have had in devising Shylock’s character. In 16th century Europe‚ there was a massive revolt called the Reformation led by Saxon Monk named
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that gives and him that takes. Personalities:Wise‚ loyalty to her dead father‚ thoughtful‚ she has a jolly nature (joke with the ring‚ comment towards some of the people came for her)‚she has a care bear stare (give chance to everyone‚ even to shylock) she has a jolly nature (joke with the ring‚ comment towards some of the people came for her) God made him‚ and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth‚ I know it is a sin to be a mocker: but‚... I had it of him: pardon me‚ Bassanio;
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Writing an essay Question: Are Shylock’s reasons for revenge justified? Discuss The purpose of a discussion-style essay is to explore an issue by presenting both sides of the argument. Formal‚ academic voice is still required‚ as is a wide vocabulary and standard English with ambitious vocabulary choices. (Do NOT use first person “I think…”) Introduction (4-6 sentences) Begin with an opening statement addressing the question. Next‚ write supporting sentences to introduce each point
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The Character of Shylock in Merchant of Venice Few characters created by Shakespeare embodies pure evil like the character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Shylock is a usurer and a malevolent‚ blood-thirsty old man consumed with plotting the downfall of his enemies. He is a malignant‚ vengeful character‚ consumed with venomous malice1; a picture of callous‚ unmitigated villainy‚ deaf to every appeal of humanity2. Shylock is the antagonist opposite the naive‚ essentially good Antonio
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Shylock: Victim or Villain? He is a Jewish moneylender who earns his living by charging interest on money he loans (like modern banks). He often speaks prose in the play‚ which marks him out as an outsider. He is persecuted by all the non-Jews he knows: He tells Antonio‚ "suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe". He is verbally abused and bullied by most characters in the play and is called cruel names including "villain with a smiling cheek‚ cut-throat dog‚ bloody creditor‚ damned inexecrable
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Although Shylock is viewed by Christians in the play as a cruel man‚ Shylock is a victim because he is mistreated‚ betrayed and his possessions‚ culture and dignity are taken away from him‚ all because he is a Jew. Shylock is a victim of the play because he is mistreated. Shylock is being abused by Christians but mostly Antonio. Shylock says‚ “You call me misbeliever‚ cut-throat dog‚ / And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine‚ / And all for use of that which is mine own.” (1.3.107-109). Shylock shows through
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hero. There is a heroine. Portia is not expected in the beginning to emerge as a heroine or even as a major character. She is merely a background character from the subplot. As the play begins to wind down‚ the reader will find many examples in which Portia saves major characters from their own dilemmas. The first (and most obvious) character who is helped by Portia is Antonio. She discovered a flaw in what Shylock believed to be a flawless plan. Just when Shylock thought that he had finally
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How Does the Language and Stagecraft in Acts IV.i and V Reveal a sympathetic Portrayal of Shylock? Is this consistent with Elizabethan attitudes towards Jews? The anti Semitic message which plagued Europe throughout the Middle Ages has spawned many thought provoking‚ controversial plays. Its complex main character‚ the unforgettable Shylock expresses true emotions‚ develops throughout the production‚ and thus brings about a different portrayal of medieval Jews‚ previously limited to that of the
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