In William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice‚ gender roles are explored‚ culminating in two distinct scenes of cross-dressing. The men of Elizabethan society enjoy a prominent status based solely on gender‚ to which women are clearly outsiders. This is particularly evident in Jessica’s newfound freedom when dressed as a pageboy in Act 2 and Portia’s and Nerissa’s immediate elevation in social standing when they take on male personas in Act 4. Through these two instances of cross-dressing‚ Shakespeare
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Themes in The Merchant of Venice This resource is designed as a reference guide for teachers. We have listed the major themes and motifs within The Merchant of Venice and provided examples of scenes where you can study them. Themes Prejudice and social injustice Revenge‚ justice and forgiveness Money and love Motifs (Recurring elements and patterns of imagery in The Merchant of Venice which support the play’s themes) Gold/ducats‚ jewels and caskets The law Rings Music Registered charity no. 212481
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throughout history. In "The Merchant of Venice"‚ religion‚ the three caskets‚ and the pound of flesh are the main ideas that can be used with mythological criticism to help show connections with other legends or stories that have a similar meaning. The main connection in the novel portrays to the three caskets that Portia uses to select her future husband. This symbolism can be connected to other myths and legends. Sigmund Freud also connected "The Merchant of Venice" to the ageless tale of Gesta
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The main theme in The Merchant of Venice is the way money and love is viewed by each character. The Christian characters in the play value human relationships over business ones‚ whereas Shylock is only interested in the money. Antonio lends money without interest and puts himself at risk for the people he loves. Shylock destructs over the loss of his money and runs through the streets saying‚ O‚ my ducats! O‚ my daughter!Skylock apparently values his money more than he values his daughter‚ meaning
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After reading The Merchant of Venice‚ one may think that Antonio or even Bassanio is the hero. While that may be true‚ there is a possibility that there is no 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)
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history‚ revolves around the idea of fooling society through the use of misinterpretations with the art of deceptions. In the play The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare‚ as a result of preconceived judgement of worth allows for a disconnect between appearances and reality‚ ultimately highlights how items of lesser value can create powerful results. Set in Venice in the 1500’s with a civilization that possesses a different perspective of standards and beliefs‚ Antonio‚ a Christian‚ borrows 3000
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with the 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
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The Merchant of Venice Questions Act IV Before the trial proper begins‚ what does Antonio say the Duke has already tried to do (4.1.1-12)? Antonio says he knows the duke has done all that he can to lawfully counter Shylock’s malicious intentions‚ and that since nothing else can be done‚ Antonio will respond to Shylock’s rage “with a quietness of spirit”. What does the Duke assume Shylock will do (4.1.15-33)? What is Shylock’s response? Why is Shylock unwilling to show mercy? How does he respond
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English 10 Nazi Propaganda and The Merchant of Venice Shylock and Nazi Propaganda • "Never trust the artist‚ trust the tale.“ • We will never know what was in Shakespeare’s mind when he began writing "The Merchant of Venice." • what he intended and what he accomplished are not necessarily the same thing • Shylock is meant to be a villain. • his motives and his personality are clear • Given the opportunity he attempts to commit legalized murder. • Shylock is a Jewish villain‚ but he didn’t have
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Mercy vs. Justice How can mercy compete with justice to create an ordered and supportive world? King Lear is an excellent example of a world without justice. Justice allows for three things. When there is justice‚ natural laws are created‚ wrongs can be set right‚ and there are chances for mercy. Without justice‚ none of these would be possible. Therefore‚ it is essential for civilized human life. Justice creates natural laws. At the beginning of King Lear‚ there iss justice‚ and certain unspoken
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