The Merchant of Venice is a comedy written by Shakespeare‚ but it is arguable that it can also be called a tragedy. A dictionary meaning of a tragedy is‚ “a drama or similar work‚ in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers the extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character.” Shylock is a main character and succumbs to the tragic flaws he possesses. This play introduces Shylock‚ a Jew fighting against Christian society. Although Shylock is depicted in the
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Question 1.The Merchant of Venice: A Romantic Comedy From Insights‚ 1992 The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies‚ probably written in 1596 and 1597‚ and forms one of a group of such comedies‚ along with The Two Gentlemen of Verona‚ As You Like It‚ andTwelfth Night. Romantic comedy was a popular and much-preferred type in Elizabethan theatre‚ and all the trappings of such are present in The Merchant of Venice. First‚ the romantic involvement is represented not by one couple
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A Discussion Guide for Educators A Publication of the Anti-Defamation League Anti- Semitism and The Merchant of Venice: A Discussion Guide for Educators Barbara Balser‚ National Chair Abraham H. Foxman‚ National Director Kenneth Jacobson‚ Deputy National Director Caryl M. Stern‚ Senior Associate National Director/ Chief Operating Officer Marshall S. Levin‚ Senior Associate National Director/ Director‚ National Development Michael Salberg‚ Associate National Director/ Director‚ International Affairs
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morals. These morals revolved around the superiority of followers of Christianity to followers of other religions‚ particularly Judaism. Works such as the Merchant of Venice may seem to today’s audience as anti-Semitic while extolling Christian virtues‚ or at least the perceived virtues of what it meant to be Christian. In the Merchant of Venice‚ the Christian virtue of mercy as a “divine” quality seems to be upheld for the pleasure of an Elizabethan audience. However‚ it seems that Shakespeare may
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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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ACT 3 SCENE 1 – THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Prejudice – lack of tolerance (Guarantor) Contempt – hate / contemptuous = hateful /despicable Villainised Shylock Shrewd businessman/moneylender – cruel/ruthless Theme of loyalty predominates the scene Feel a sense of sympathy for Shylock due to treatment received Denigrate – to make someone feel inferior Vindictive – Revengeful Camouflage – hide Shylock is cunning and wise – will be able to trick them Sly Shylock is very wise in the way he
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Historical Context The historical context of The Merchant of Venice turns‚ for the most part‚ on one question: the status of Jews in Shakespeare’s England. Jews had lived in England throughout the Middle Ages; they were treated then as property of the King‚ and were permitted to stay in England‚ over the protests of the Church‚ only by his "good graces." In fact‚ English kings allowed the Jews to remain in England largely for financial reasons: practicing trades‚ particularly money-lending‚ that
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Wheadon 1 English 3205 Dr. Lois Sherlow Matthew Wheadon Oct. 23‚ 2012 Justice and Mercy in The Merchant of Venice In the court room scene of The Merchant of Venice‚ justice is handed back and forth between the Christians and Shylock‚ unlike mercy. Shylock is unable to feel any remorse for Antonio and the Christians because of the hate he has for them. Stubbornness and hatred can cause misfortune; the morally superior have a right to justice. As the trial scene begins‚ the Duke speaks
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Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice It is my strong belief that the play‚ "The Merchant of Venice"‚ should be taught in classes. If this play was banned from schools it would most certainly be a form of censorship. While minors rights are somewhat limited when it comes to this right‚ I think that even Minors should not be censored from this writing. The play teaches us about prejudice‚ and why it is wrong. People would see how everyone was hurt at one time or another by a prejudice
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Talley British Literature Theme paper for Merchant of Venice October 29‚ 2014 A theme is an underlying idea the author hopes to communicate in his/her story. Sometimes a theme is also another way an author can leave a message for his or her readers to think about. In the Merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare added themes of prejudice‚ love versus greed‚ and mercy versus revenge and justice. Prejudice was one of the key themes in this story. The Merchant of Venice shows the religious discrimination between
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