powerful men and women who were appointed by the monarch. The third highest class were the Gentry‚ which were knights‚ gentleman‚ and gentlewoman who did not have to do labor work to make a living and could build their wealth. Another class were merchants who made their money through selling goods. The middle class was the Yeomanry‚ which could live comfortably‚ but at any moment lose it all. The lowest class was the peasants‚ who had no money‚ food or shelter and because their numbers were so great
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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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Importance of the Elizabethan Music Era The Elizabethan Period of Music was the time of. The uses for music were endless! Music played an important part in displaying mood and tone for transitioning from one scene to the next in the theatre. Music lifted spirits and hearts to contribute the inspiration of people to make something more out of what they had. The definition of music is sound organized in time. This includes all of the dynamic contrast as well as decisions on note length
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Written sometime between 1596 to 1598‚ The Merchant Of Venice is classified as both and early Shakespearean comedy and as one of the Shakespeare’s problem plays. Scene 1 introduces one of the major plot points as well as several key characters. When Antonio‚ Solanio and Salarino enter at the beginning of the play‚ they are in the middle of the discussion about why Antonio is so sad. This “Sadness” of which Antonio claims not to know source of‚ becomes clear when he reveals to Bassanio that all of
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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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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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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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and resistance.” In Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice‚ Shylock is the core of all ripples. He lashed out against the prejudice that was thrust upon him and is considered evil for doing so. The Merchant of Venice brought together different characters of different religions. Shakespeare used characters in this play to reflect sixteenth century views on Christianity and Judaism. The character Shylock wass used to embody the religious conflicts of the Elizabethan era. Throughout the play‚ Shylock’s character
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In the Elizabethan era women were portrayed as less than equals to men. Male seemed to be the dominate gender and women were to be seen-not-heard. They existed within a patriarchal society. As a feminist himself‚ Shakespeare shows through his plays how women are ill treated and powerless; yet possess more intelligence than the male characters. This is why Shakespeare creates overwhelming female characters; which is evident in Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew"‚ where the lead female character
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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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