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The plot in merchant of venice
Justice and evil in merchant of venice
The plot in merchant of venice
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One of the earliest idioms taught to students of all ages is “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Oftentimes, a quote like that can easily be disregarded, however, it is applicable to people who aren’t always who they seem to be. Shakespeare’s play the Merchant of Venice is an outstanding work that contains a very strange villain in Shylock, who is hated by all, although he has not wronged them in the past. Thusly, his habits and personality evolved from his interactions with the Venetian populous. By examining the changes Shylock displays in tone, Shylock the villain’s motivations can be seen and ultimately display that no matter how twisted a person is or may seem, the motivations behind their actions indicate that innately they have a shred of humanity and conscience and thusly can be empathized with and pitied.
The passage starts off with Shylock’s simple inquiry into the progress of his kinsman on finding his daughter, presumably because he is concerned for her welfare. Shylock states, “How now Tubal! What news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter?” (3.1.75-76). However, the answer he receives from Tubal seems to irk him and instead of responding rationally, he seems dote upon his money and valuables rather than his own daughter. For instance, he responds, “Why there, there, there, there! A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in Frankford… Two thousand ducats in that, and other, precious, precious jewels. I would rather my daughter dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear” (3.1.79-83). Shylock places great emphasis on the amount stolen from him; his repetition of “two thousand ducats” and “jewels” borders on obsessive insanity. This tone differs greatly from his tone just moments prior, where he enthusiastically ant...
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...even though they explicitly told them that they should keep the rings forever. There is a clear divide drawn between Shylock and the members of Venetian society, what they value, he does not and vice versa.
Shylock is depicted as vilified by many modern readers, however, he is different from other villains because he is not innately evil, but rather his evil nature spewed from his interactions with society. From this, Shylock’s underlying motivations can be seen. Perhaps Shylock overstepped his bounds and perhaps not. This, however, is simply an arbitrary opinion. What is important is that Shylock is not exactly what he is upon first inspection. He is not an irritable Jew who breeds hate and disgust everyone he ventures. Rather, he is simply a man, excluded from society and bullied for being different, seeking vengeance on a society that has wronged him for so long
Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there is a strong theme of prejudice. Portia has to deal with prejudice against her sex, the Prince of Morocco has to deal with prejudice against his race but the character that is most discriminated against is Shylock. He is hated for being a Jew and a money-lender, but Shakespeare has not made Shylock a character easy to sympathise with. He appears to be mean and cruel and it seems as though he loves money above all things. However during the play there are moments when Shakespeare gives Shylock speeches which show his humanity. In these moments, the audience is made to feel sorry for Shylock. Shakespeare has created a character that the audience’s feelings will change for by the minute.
In Act 1 Scene 3, we are first introduced to Shylock, we see him as
mistreated under Shylock’s care to go as so far as to run away from him. It
Everyone who reads The Merchant of Venice must bear in mind that it is, like any other literary work, a creation of a skillful writer, rising a case that can be a subject for many interpretations and not necessarily revealing a specific view of its writer, however it aims to convey a certain moral to the readers. Therefore, the character of shylock, being stereotyped or not, with its controversy is a tool manipulated to convey a moral message: when people live in a society that is open to cultural diversity and that values the contributions of all society members – regardless of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, race, life styles, and beliefs – they will be one step closer to living in a civil society. Works Cited 1) Encyclopaedia Britannica, the definition of "Anti-Semitism". 2) E. E. Stoll, Shylock (an essay in Shakespeare Studies, 1927). 3) John Palmer, Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Shylock. 4) John Palmer, Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Shylock.
William Shakespeare attained literary immortality through his exposition of the many qualities of human nature in his works. One such work, The Merchant of Venice, revolves around the very human trait of deception. Fakes and frauds have been persistent throughout history, even to this day. Evidence of deception is all around us, whether it is in the products we purchase or the sales clerks' false smile as one debates the purchase of the illusory merchandise. We are engulfed by phonies, pretenders, and cheaters. Although most often associated with a heart of malice, imposture varies in its motives as much as it's practitioners, demonstrated in The Merchant of Venice by the obdurate characters of Shylock and Portia.
We are left with the impression that Shylock is highly intelligent and extremely good at his job using all the information he has at his disposal. disposal before agreeing to loan money. He is true to his religion. faith in spite of all the racist abuse he has received. Perhaps Because of this abuse, he is bitter and anxious to avenge himself for past wrongs, real or imagined.
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.
...im the victim instead of Shylock. Antonio is seeking revenge through justice. He asks the Duke to give him the choice between “a halter gratis”(4.1 395) or “presently become a Christian”(4.1 403) knowing Shylock is a coward would choose converting religion over death even if it meant him living his life miserably.
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.
Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is evidenced clearly in Shylock, the Jewish usurer. He is treated with scorn and derision by all the characters. Shylock’s misfortunes stem not from poor attributes or even a poor background; it stems from the fact he is Jewish, and what is more, he is impenitent of that distinction. If he had been more daunted by Christian influence, he might have been forgiven, as Jessica is subjectively exonerated. He is not contrite and it is believed that his appalling birth cannot be absolved (Bonnell).
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.
Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice presents the topic of racism, an issue people face even to this day. I feel readers have difficulty in characterizing the play and Shylock because they are influenced by current society and know that racism should not exist. To comprehend the play’s designation as a comedy, we must view the play through a 16th-century Elizabethan perspective. An audience from this era would have felt justified in the discrimination against Shylock, viewing his downfall as a delight and a happy ending. Despite this, I feel Shakespeare left the story open-ended on purpose. When Shylock was asked why he wanted a pound of flesh, Shylock responded, “I am a Jew. Hath / not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, / dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” (Shakespeare 3.1.60-62). This monologue displays a mind-set and tolerance that may have been rare during the Elizabethan era. Perhaps Shakespeare tried to open up the English people’s way of thinking in his own little
In this essay I will try to discover is Shylock a villain or a victim, in the William Shakespeare play “A Merchant of Venice”
The Christian characters view Shylock as someone who only cares about money and business. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Shylock is a cold-hearted man, who only has one true love: his money. He would sacrifice anything for money. We see Shylock as the greedy moneylender. He charges high interest rates and when he is not repaid, he insists on revenge. In the play, Shylock loans Antonio money, and suggests that should the loan not be repair in time, Shylock may cut off one pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. Soon after, Shylock’s daughter runs away from home with Lorenzo, a Christian, and takes her father’s ducats and jewels with her. Shylock agonizes over the loss of his money and it is reported that ran through the streets crying, “O my ducats! O my daughter!/...And jewels–two stones, two rich and precious stones, /Stolen by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl!” (II.viii.15-21). With these words, he apparently values his money at least as much as his daughter, suggesting that his greed outweighs his love. However, upon closer inspection, this supposed difference between the Christian and Jew breaks down. When we see Shylock in Act III, scene ...
There can be many similarities drawn to both the character Shylock in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, and Barabas in the Jew of Malta. However besides the obvious fact that they were both Jews, and the common stereo-types that were attributed to both of them such as being miserly and conniving, there are gaping differences in the dynamics of the characters themselves. “There are profound differences in Barabas and Shylock. The role assigned to by Shakespeare to his Christian characters is far more extensive, his Jew on the other hand has been scaled down and domesticated. Shylock has none of the insatiable ambition that makes Barabas for all his grotesque acts, a character along the lines of the great Faustus and Tambourlaine.”(Shylock,21) There is a much greater roundness in Barabas then Shylock. Marlowe portrays Barabas the Jew in a dynamic and somewhat curios manner. It is difficult to surmise Marlowe’s intent when portraying the Jew, yet it is certain that there is more than what seems topically apparent. It is very clear that he is an outsider, not only in the obvious aspect that he is a Jew in the less than theologically tolerant and politically correct Elizabethan drama, but he is also an outsider in terms of evil and his mode of thought. He is obviously a villain, lying cheating, poisoning a entire nunnery, even killing those we thought were close to him, including his daughter, yet through his Machiavellan quest for power and riches we somehow become almost endeared to him and he becomes an anti-hero. All these aspects combine to make Barabas a character that we are somehow drawn to in the same way people are drawn to stare at a traffic accident...