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Contributions of Portia in the merchant of venice
Contributions of Portia in the merchant of venice
Character analysis in merchant of venice
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Recommended: Contributions of Portia in the merchant of venice
Act 4 Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
In this essay I will be explaining how this scene affects the
personalities of the characters within the scene. I will be using the
book to help me find out about changes in their attitudes towards each
other and in themselves.
The scene I will be focusing on is Act 4 Scene 1. This scene is set in
the courtroom and its four main characters are Shylock, Antonio,
Portia and Bassanio. Shylock is a wealthy Jew who demands a pound of
flesh. Antonio is who Shylock is demanding a pound of flesh from.
Portia is dressed as a Doctor of Laws and is defending Antonio.
Bassanio borrowed money from Shylock so he could marry Portia. Shylock
leant him the money under the condition that Antonio would be bound.
Bassanio borrowed three thousand ducats from the Jew and in the bond
it stated that if it was not paid back within three months he was
entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh from his bosom.
On the day when they are in court Bassanio can actually pay Shylock
back three times what he owes him but Shylock still wants what is
stated in the bond, which is a pound of Antonio's flesh. Shylock
obviously wants Antonio dead.
This scene is a very important part in the play as it builds up
tension as the characters begin to reveal a different side of them.
In this part of the play Shylock seems to be a very evil person. He
seems very selfish at this point as although lending the money was a
good thing to do, the fact that he still wants a pound of Antonio's
flesh even though he can pay him back is cruel. Shylock believes that
he will win the case as Bassanio signed a written bond which states if
the money was not paid back at a certain time then he could have a
pound of Antonio's flesh and Antonio agreed to this.
In this scene Portia plays a very important part.
As part of my coursework, I intend to analyze Act 3 scene 3 of the
Bassanio and all present in court. "Shylock: I take this offer then; pay thrice the bond and let the Christian go. Portia: He shall have nothing but the penalty". Shylock learns the error of his ways by leaving court penniless, homeless and stripped of his religion.
Shylock is one of the main characters in the play. He is a Jew who is
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
with how Shylock treats him since he calls Shylock “a kind of devil” and also
By the end of Act 4 scene 1, my view of Shylock is a man who wishes to
I feel that shylock is both a villain and victim as we can see in the
However, Antonio promises to pay Shylock the money borrowed, or else will allow Shylock to take a pound of his flesh should the loan not be repaid. Antonio disapproves morally of lending money for interest and it is a mark of his affection for his friend Bassanio that he now breaks his own rule. Bassanio has already spent his own fortune and would like to restore this by marrying the woman he claims to love. Shylock justifies Antonio’s decision by reciting the story of Jacob from the Old Testament to him; however in doing this he twists the words of the bible to coincide with his ideas. Antonio replies,
We see that Shylock is a usurer and appears to be a spiteful old man who is a Jew; Jews were the ones who crucified Christ and are considered to be the enemies of Christians. Looking more into his character it may appear that he is an evil, unforgiving character, consumed with extreme hatefulness towards most others especially Christians. Then there is Antonio who appears to be the naive, essentially good guy who is a Christian. Because Antonio is a Christian he must defend himself against the Shylock. But why does Shylock seem so evil; there must be a cause for this something from his past. Shylock was wronged first; that does not give him the right to be evil towards others but he uses this as his excuse. From the job that Shylock has and his religion he was discriminated against from the start. When the discrimination started it caused Shylock to end up hating all Christians; he saw himself as an outsider, who was alienated by the society that surrounded him. Because of the wrongs that were already done to Shylock; he changed and then did many wrongs towards others. One of the gr...
The main scene I have picked to discuss is Act five Scene one. At the
‘In Belmont is a lady richly left, / And she is fair and, fairer than
Antonio and Shylock are both successful entrepreneurs in Venice but they both have different attitudes and experiences. When Antonio is asking Shylock for the loan he says, “Within these two months – that’s a month before this bond expires – I do expect, return of thrice times the value of this bond.” (1.3.169-170). Antonio and Shylock both are well off and successful businessmen. Antonio, being a man who is treats everyone nicely, lends his good name to Bassanio to woo Portia. Shylock on the other hand, could never do that and is a very greedy man who asks for three times the value of the loan. Also, Antonio is a risk taker and thinks things will always go the right way for him and his success will continue, which is shown when he accepts the high interest rate and the bizarre payment if the money isn’t received. Shylock handles his business straightforward and charges interest because it is his job, although being a very high amount and if it isn’t carried out, Shylock gets his payment of one pound of flesh. Shylock is depicted as the greedy businessman while Antonio is the nice man who tries his luck.
She demands to pay twice or even three times the amount owed, for she loves Bassanio and anyone he calls friend. Shakespeare shows here that money doesn’t have the same effect on love as it does with the caskets or with the evil in Shylock and that it can be used for good love in Portia’s donation. In Venice Bassanio brings fourth the 6000 ducats to repay Shylock, but he doesn’t accept it. Once Portia, disguised as the doctor, entered the court, she pleads with Shylock to show mercy, but he refuses. Shylock makes known that he would rather have law than his money and mercy. The doctor approves the pound of flesh to be taken from Antonio under the condition that Shylock must cut exactly one pound while shedding no blood, or he will lose all his lands and goods. Now faced with the impossible, Shylock requests that he take his 6000 ducats and let Antonio go. However, the doctor has already made the call and demands Shylock take the flesh or he will suffer death. Shylock has been so adamant that the law be upheld, but now that it has turned in loves favor, he becomes the victim. Venetian law states that any man who wrongfully attempts to take another man’s life will be subject to lose his own decided by the Duke and will lose all of his possessions. The Duke spares his life, but takes all his goods. Shylock cries out
flesh and blood, hates him so much that she robs him and runs away to
Shylock lends Antonio a sum of money, that Antonio intends to pay back when his merchant ships arrive in Venice, one month before the debt would be forfeited. When Bassarnio arranges the sum of money, Shylock befriends them, only to stand aside and utter to him self, "I hate him for he is a Christian... If I catch him once upon the hip, I will feed my ancient grudge I bear him," Act 1, Scene 3. Shortly after saying, "But ships are but boards, sailors but men... the perils of waters, winds, and rocks...Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond." Shylock is setting his trap here. Shylocks terms of the debt are a pound of Antonios flesh from closets his heart if it be forfeited.