William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is a well-written play that is currently being read in some high schools. The play is about a merchant in Venice taking a loan from a Jewish moneylender so his best friend would be able to court a fair lady in Belmont. When the merchant is not able to repay the loan, he must go through with the consequence of removing a pound of flesh from his body. This play not only revolves around a beautiful plot line, but it also has noteworthy lessons that students should know. Some may say that this play should not be taught in school because it is old material, however, others think differently. The Merchant of Venice needs to be taught in schools because it explains how money can affect one's life, it teaches …show more content…
A consequence of wanting revenge occurs in The Merchant of Venice after Jessica steals ducats, jewelry, and other riches from her father. Instead of feeling sad that his daughter leaves him, he feels as bad, maybe worse, that his riches are gone. This causes Shylock to want revenge on Jessica. “I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear. (3. 1. 87-89)” This quote is said by Shylock and it tells readers that he would rather want his daughter dead with his ducats instead of getting Jessica back. The consequence Shylock faced for wanting revenge on his daughter is that he is forced to give her an inheritance in his will. This is a consequence because Shylock is giving more money to someone who already has taken a lot from him. If Shylock shows mercy to Jessica by accepting the fact that she is marrying a Christian then he would still have his daughter and riches.Another example of revenge backfiring is when Shylock faced consequences for attempting to cut off a pound of flesh from Antonio. Shylock's thirst for revenge on Antonio develops because the merchant insults, spits on, and kicks Shylock. This leads Shylock into creating the bond with Antonio in an attempt to get back on him. This attempt fails causing Shylock to lose more ducats and to convert to a religion he hates and does not believe in. If Shylock shows mercy then he would not have to suffer consequences and he would have gotten ducats. Instead, he would have felt great since mercy “is enthroned in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute of God Himself. (4. 1. 200-201)” On the other hand, Antonio does not face consequences when he shows mercy on Shylock. Instead of wanting revenge on Shylock after he nearly dies from him, he lets him live. The Jewish moneylender nearly faces execution but since Antonio is merciful, Shylock faces smaller
In the Merchant of Venice, Shylock a jewish money lender living in the city of Venice, has a daughter named Jessica. Shylock believes that he had raised Jessica in a manner that was just right for her. He had always thought that Jessica was the type of girl that just listens to what she is told to do and does not question or deny the request. But this was not so, Jessica somewhere growing up picked up the trait and thought that her father was not always correct and that he in fact was sometimes a bad person towards other people. She had as well noticed that being jewish was not the best thing for her. Jessica did not like the attacking of jews or the discriminated yelling by the anti semitic christians. She had decided it was time to leave her father's home, the home where she had been raised by a not so pleasant man. We see in the play that after she had ran away Shylock was very hurt, crying to himself.
Shylock is partial to blame for Jessica's rebellious actions. Jessica is talking to Lancelet Gobbo about how she is planning to run away from her father’s house: “ I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so./Our house is hell and thou, s merry devil,/Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness” (2.3.1-3) With Jessica saying this she is telling Lancelet Gobbo that she wants to leave because living with Shylock is a living hell to her. She is also telling him about her plans to rob her Shylock’s house just because she can and she is using it as a way to get revenge on Shylock for making her life a living hell. After Shylock leaves to go to a party Jessica dresses up a boy, robs Shylock, and runs away with a Christian: “Here, catch this casket; it
Response to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice by a Modern Audience Since the time of Shakespeare, The play “Merchant of Venice” has had a dramatic effect on the modern audience today. In the 16th century, Jews were completely disliked, & Jews were not allowed to live in England unless they had converted to Christianity. = == ==
While engendering the bond in the inciting force of the play, Antonio says to Shylock – the antagonist – “Content in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, / And say there is much kindness in the Jew” (1.3.149-150) which reveals how Antonio sees such positive terms in the deal. Although the terms may seem simples to follow, Antonio will still face the consequences of putting his life on the line for his dear friend, Bassanio. This bond portion of the play establishes relationships through the rivals and also gives background information about characters, which show the elements of dramatic significance. Subsequently, Shylock’s possessions are at stake during their trial after Antonio fails to pay him back because his argosies were abolished. Shylock’s punishment for attempting to
The way that Shylock is portrayed in the play is also a good indication of the feelings towards him. Shylock is portrayed as miserly and selfish. This is shown by his attitude towards his daughter Jessica especially when he finds out that has stolen his money.
In reading Shakespeare, minds of readers are expanded due to his use of Early Modern English and extensive vocabulary. Shakespeare’s works also provide readers with great entertainment whose portrayal of the human condition transcends the generations. The Merchant of Venice contains many witty lines and sub-plots. “Prejudice feeds on ignorance” (Leggatt 215). If teachers do not teach their students the origin of such stereotypes, then they are developing ignorant students who will forever believe that Jews are incarnations of the devil. Considering the Jewish Stereotype that is supported and developed in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the play is, indeed, still useful as a high school reading experience because, due to its sensitive topics, assists in eliminating innocence and creates a more discerning eye for world issues in students.
You have among you many a purchased slave, which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts because you bought them.....You will answer “The slaves are ours!” So do I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought; tis mine and I will have it.” (Act 4 Scene 1, Lines 90-101) Here in this quote, it is clearly stated that Shylock believes Christians are allowed to buy slaves and own them within the law. Justice would mean that by his bond with Antonio, Shylock owns a piece of Antonio’s flesh. Therefore, legally and justly, Shylock technically owns Antonio’s flesh.As for mercy, the character that this comes from is Portia. Portia in defining mercy, says this: The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. Upon the place beneath.....The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread of fear of kings; it is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice.” (Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 190-202) Portia is talking about how even high kings and gods would have mercy deep in their hearts, while Shylock doesn’t. Portia
Mowat, Barbara A., and Paul Werstine. The Merchant of Venice. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. Print.
Shylock also seems to show little or no love towards his daughter, Jessica. Shylock was hurt by his daughter running away with a large amount of his wealth, and for eloping with a Christian lover (Lorenzo); this is a point where Shylock can be viewed as a victim in the story...
This is where Shakespeare evokes our sympathy, by making us realise how Shylock has suffered because of the prejudices of the Christians around him. He explains his motives for revenge in a rational way, showing how his actions are no different from the Christians'. Look carefully at the language he uses, as well as the insulting and mocking language used by the other two. At the end of the scene, Shylock mourns the loss of his daughter, although our feelings towards him are a bit mixed, for he seems to care more about the money. He does give evidence, however, of his love for his wife, which again, creates sympathy.
Scene i. 364-368. See the corresponding section. Consequently, Shylock was found guilty of plotting the death of a Venetian citizen. Portia’s arguments against Shylock depicts her as an intelligent woman because she is the most highly educated in the courtroom as she solely saves Antonio’s life when Gratiano, Bassanio, and even the Duke could not save Antonio from Shylock’s knife. Jessica shows strength and bravery when she leaves home from her father for Lorenzo.
Since Shylock never had power, he struggles with how to manage it. Eventually, this desire for revenge consumes him to the point where he becomes blind, and his power becomes his downfall. When Shylock is asked if he will reconsider his bond he repeats the words “I shall have my bond” not once but several times. He is incredibly focused on getting revenge that he will not take any sum of money in exchange for Antonio’s freedom; he would rather lose all of his wealth just to torture Antonio like he tortures Shylock. Therefore, Shylock loses all of his morals and values, blinding him to where he is unable to see past his anger. Shylock resorts to violence, and his blindness does not allow him to see what he is actually doing; he has become the evil one. He is no longer the victim of dehumanization, he has become a fellow perpetrator of prejudice and dehumanization. He is now truly as evil as everyone makes him to be. And this ignorance is what makes Shylock susceptible to being manipulated by the Christians. All in all, Shylock’s power vanishes because of his blindness when the Christians use his own words against him to rescue Antonio from the bond. Shylock causes his own downfall, and loses everything, including his possessions, wealth, religion, happiness, identity, and any power he still has left.
Shylock is a wealthy Jew who invests money into shipments and trades. When Shylock’s enemy, Antonio, requests a loan of 3000 ducats, “Shylock adopts this Christian model of "kind" lending in his bond with Antonio as a means for lawful revenge.” Shylock’s agreement is that if the ducats are not returned, Antonio must repay his loan in human flesh. This is a way for Shylock to either make money or kill a Christian, either will satisfy him. Lee describes Shylock’s feelings towards Christians, “Indeed, although Shylock will neither "eat," "drink," nor "pray" with the Christians, he is willing to "buy" and "sell" with them.” This is where Shakespeare first introduces the devil inside Shylock. Had Antonio been a Jew, there would not have been a payment of flesh. Shylock’s hatred propels the story from start to finish. His hatred causes him to lose his daughter, drives Portia to use her money and wit to save Antonio, and why he ends up losing
Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice contains many themes and elements that are considered timeless or universal. Samuel Taylor Coleridge defines a timeless or universal element as a “representation of men in all ages and all times.” A universal element is relevant to the life of every human being – it is universal. The first major theme that plays an important role in the play is the Christians’ prejudice against the Jews. A second important theme is the attitude toward money. Perhaps the most important theme of the play is the love between people. This love can occur between the same sex, or the opposite sex, platonic or romantic. In Merchant of Venice, the three timeless elements are prejudice, money, and love.
Shylock also seems to show little or no love towards his daughter, Jessica. He may have been hurt by his daughter running away with a large amount of his wealth and with a Christian lover (Lorenzo); this is a point where Shylock can be viewed as a victim in the story. This still does n...