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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The Merchant of Venice Written task 1 How and why is a social group represented in a particular way? The Merchant of Venice was written by Shakespeare and printed for the first time around the sixteen hundreds‚ just after a revolutionary play that depicted the main character as a great villain and Jew‚ The Jew of Malta‚ by Christopher Marlow. Shakespeare’s inclusion of a Jewish character in his play was not usual‚ and until today it is discussed whether he was trying to show an anti-Semitic opinion
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The Merchant of Venice‚ Act 2 Watch the film version of Act 2 and answer these questions: Scene 1 Morocco is the first suitor to try his luck. What is he told before he is to choose? Scene 2: Lancelot Gobbo‚ the clown‚ wants to leave Shylock’s service‚ why? His father brings a present to his son’s master. Why is prose used? What does Gratiano want form Bassanio? Scene 3: Describe what happens. What does Jessica feel about the situation? Scene 4: A group of masqued men are on their
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a tragicomedy Shakespeare’s ’The Merchant of Venice’ is a comedy with a difference. It was written almost certainly between 1596 & 1598. The play is classed as one of the 16 comedy plays but it is also a ’problem’ play due to the tragic elements woven throughout the intricate plot. The play concludes with a harmonious ending but all through the plot‚ reoccurring themes of sadness and tragedy are included. In terms of dramatic structure‚ "The Merchant of Venice" is undoubtedly a comedy. It follows
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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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The Merchant of Venice: A Tragic Play In my opinion the play The Merchant of Venice is a tragic one which is discised as being comic. Many factors of this play are derived from the current voice of situation. The Merchant of Venice could be looked at as more tragic because of the negative intents from some of the characters in the play. Greed and deception are just a couple of the main features from where many of the decisions are derived. For example‚ revenge was an intent that Sylock had
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William Shakespeare shows how two tradesmen can have completely different lives when others view them differently in the play The Merchant of Venice. In the play‚ Bassanio‚ Antonio’s friend‚ needs money to pursue his love. They seek a loan from Shylock‚ a Jewish moneylender in Antonio’s name. The contract is for three times the value of the bond in three months or else Shylock cuts off a pound of flesh from Antonio. While all this is happening‚ there are love plots going on. One of which is for Shylock’s
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