Ashley Simpson English 5306 Dr. King 1 March 2012 A Game of Caskets‚ Morals‚ and Men Lessons Learned in The Merchant of Venice Although the play’s title leads readers to believe its contents to surround Antonio‚ rather the play surrounds a hated and despised Shylock the Jew. However‚ as Shakespeare so often does‚ several scenes are placed almost haphazardly within the conflict and turmoil building amongst the main characters. Often readers question the scenes appropriateness and necessity
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play‚ “The Merchant of Venice”‚ the character of Shylock may evoke complex feelings within the reader. Shylock is clearly a villain in the sense that he repeatedly takes advantage of people in vulnerable economic situations and makes a handsome living in this way. He is not a likeable character throughout “The Merchant of Venice” by Shakespeare; he avoids friendships‚ he is cranky‚ and he is steadfast in his beliefs to the point of being rigid. Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” shows his tendency
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TWO MAJOR THEMES IN MERCHANT OF VENICE A major theme in the Merchant of Venice is mercy. Mercy depicts a large part of this play‚ mercy is one of themes that ends it. In the courtroom scene of Act 4‚ scene 1‚ both the Duke and Portia present mercy as a better alternative to the pursuit of either law or revenge. The other characters accept that the law is on Shylock’s side‚ but they all expect him to show mercy‚ which he refuses to do. Portia then tries to persuade him to be merciful
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Jessica in The Merchant of Venice In The Merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare introduces his audience to the multi dimensional character of Jessica. Jessica is identified as the daughter of a Jewish Merchant but the audience learns she is much more than that. As the play moves along and Jessica marries a Christian man‚ Jessica’s identity as a Jewish woman is challenged. Although a minor character in the play‚ she is important because she makes the audience question what it means to be Jewish and therefore
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The feminist critical perspective examines the roles that women play in literary works and their true significance to the text. Their roles are usually decided on by the society or time period in which the story is set. In "The Merchant of Venice‚" females were suppressed by the societal ideals of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan era‚ which is portrayed through the characters of Portia and Jessica‚ who could not establish their own powerful identities because they were women. Portia and Jessica are the
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William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice contains many examples that insult Jews because they were the minority in London in Shakespeare’s time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times‚ Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London’s population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there. Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and therefore
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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 ducats
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Imagine being in love with someone so deeply that you want to spend the rest of your life with that person‚ and ask for his or her hand in marriage. But you aren’t able to because you and your lover are of same sex‚ and live in a state like Texas where gay marriage is prohibited. There is a loophole though‚ you do have the option of traveling one thousand miles to the closest state that allows you to wed. Initially‚ some people may think that’s okay‚ it’s just another adventure in your life right
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Why the Merchant of Venice is more tragic than comic * “The tragic feeling is invoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life‚ if need be‚ to secure one thing‚ his sense of personal dignity” – Arthur Miller * Leading up to Shylock’s trial he undergoes a lot of struggle with regards to his bond with Antonio where. Antonio deceives Shylock when he doesn’t pay him and escapes the clause of the bond (pound of flesh). * Shylock At the same time
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Kimberley Williamson “The Merchant of Venice” Analyse how ONE main character’s attempts to solve a problem were important to the text as a whole. In the text‚ “The Merchant of Venice‚” written and performed by Shakespeare‚ Antonio‚ the merchant‚ borrows money from Shylock‚ a Jewish moneylender‚ to send his friend Bassanio overseas to woo and marry Portia. However‚ failing to pay back the money in time‚ Shylock takes Antonio to court demanding a pound of his flesh in payment. Portia‚ one
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