previously limited to that of the stage Jew. While most adopted this general theme using it to mock Jews in the hopes of a cheap laugh‚ one play has stood the test of time. This is of course none other then the Shakespearean masterpiece The Merchant of Venice. During the Elizabethan period‚ the concept of a Jew was based on rumour and the occasional public performance‚ for example Christopher Marlow’s infamous play “The Jew of Malta” in which a greedy stage Jew tries to poison‚ murder and generally
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(Lawrence&Lee 51). Society often victimizes individuals who have a value system or a personal sense of morality that does not conform with its own. William Shakespeare‚ Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee expertly articulate this concept within The Merchant of Venice and Inherit the Wind. Bertram Cates and Shylock experience multiple forms of persecution in each of their towns. The fact that both characters undergo a tangible penalty highlights the similarities as well as the differences between the two
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Jasdeep Bains Mrs. Valdez ENG2D1-05 Wednesday May 28‚ 2008 Appearance Vs Reality in Merchant Of Venice This theme of Appearance Vs. Reality is used throughout the play to mislead and confuse so things may not always be what they seem. Shakespeare uses deception to enhance the unfolding drama and involve his audience more fully in the play – the audience are party to deceptions which the characters themselves are unaware of. Prejudice was common and the word “Jew” applied to hardhearted unscrupulous
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Money versus Love/Human Relationships Which is more important to you in life‚ money or love? Both are important and necessary parts of life‚ but which one brings more of the other? In the The Merchant Of Venice it seems that money is the more important thing in several places within the play‚ money is mentioned before a person as well as love itself. This is a consistent pattern throughout the play with the majority of the characters but this is highlighted within the lines of Shylock The Jew
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tells readers a lot about his views on women and their roles. Their personalities vary‚ and their character ranges from strong to weak‚ warm and delightful to cold and scornful. Although Katherine from The Taming of the Shrew and Portia from The Merchant of Venice seem to be polar opposites‚ they both share a few things in common‚ and that is that they are both witty‚ bold‚ and independent. In The Taming of the Shrew‚ Katherine Minola is first introduced as the short-tempered sister of Bianca Minola
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is always varying‚ upwards and downwards" (John Locke). A villain is a cruelly-malicious-person who does bizarre and unlawful things. In William Shakespeare’s‚ The Merchant of Venice‚ Shylock is a Jewish character who is portrayed as a Villain because of the freakish things he does. Shylock is a bad example for the people of Venice: he is a very selfish‚ he is evil‚ he has no mercy for anyone and he will do anything to have Antonio dead. A villain is someone who is selfish and does not care about
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In this scene‚ Bassanio is at Portia’s house‚ and he is trying to choose the casket with Portia’s picture in it. If he chooses the right casket‚ he will get to marry Portia and gain all of her wealth as well. In the beginning of his speech‚ Bassanio is reacting to the song that is being sung by one of Portia’s servants. As he gives his speech‚ we are captivated by his many metaphors and by the suspense of his words. The entire time he is speaking‚ we wonder which casket he will ultimately choose
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Jessica’s Silence Within Shakespeare’s tragic comedy‚ The Merchant of Venice‚ one is exposed to yet another one of his works that has an intensely packed storyline full of different characters with their own complex subplots that contribute to the main plot. One of the main characters‚ Jessica‚ is daughter of Shylock‚ who is a wealthy Jewish moneylender in Venice. Shylock is characterized as a villainous type of character within the play‚ partly because of being a Jew and partly because of his
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In William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venise there were a lot of important scenes. But the ‘Trial scene’ was perceived to be the most important scene in the play. The playwright uses this scene to convey a number of key ideas such as Jews vs Christians‚ Mercy vs Justice and Appearance vs Reality. In addition the ‘Trial scene’ exposes the personalities of main characters. Furthermore‚ this scene is the highlight of the play and provides an excellent climax to the play which the audiences would enjoy
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In Shakespeare’s play‚ The Merchant of Venice‚ the character of Shylock proves‚ ultimately‚ to be a victim of himself. Shylock brings about his own demise through his own deeds and misdeeds. Shylock begins to cause his own misfortune when Antonio approaches him for a loan to aid Bassanio in courting Portia. At first‚ Shylock is wary to lend Antonio the money. "I am debating of my present store...I cannot instantly raise up the gross of full three thousand ducats...Tubal...will furnish me (13)"
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