The Merchant of Venice is a comedy written by Shakespeare‚ but it is arguable that it can also be called a tragedy. A dictionary meaning of a tragedy is‚ “a drama or similar work‚ in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers the extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character.” Shylock is a main character and succumbs to the tragic flaws he possesses. This play introduces Shylock‚ a Jew fighting against Christian society. Although Shylock is depicted in the
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock Tragic hero
Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. He is a middle-aged bachelor and merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied up in overseas shipments when the play begins. He is kind‚ generous‚ honest and confident‚ and is loved and revered by all the Christians who know him. Even Portia‚ who sees Antonio as a rival for her husband’s affections‚ reveres his character and appreciates — with reservations — his willingness to die for Bassanio. Antonio manifests his
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock
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 daughter to elope
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock Portia
The Merchant of Venice: A Tragic Play In my opinion the play The Merchant of Venice is a tragic one which is discised as being comic. Many factors of this play are derived from the current voice of situation. The Merchant of Venice could be looked at as more tragic because of the negative intents from some of the characters in the play. Greed and deception are just a couple of the main features from where many of the decisions are derived. For example‚ revenge was an intent that Sylock had
Premium William Shakespeare Christopher Marlowe Othello
The Merchant of Venice" by WIlliam Shakespeare. "The Merchant of Venice" is a play about revenge‚ justice‚ deseption and friendship. The story is about‚ Shylock a wealth Jew‚ lending one of his enemies‚ Antonoi‚ three thousand ducats. Although Antonio is a rich merchant all his resources are in his ships‚ trading too distant countries‚ but because he wants to help out his friend‚Bassanio‚ he has no choice but to ask Shylock for a loan ‚ not to know it could lead to his death. In this play there
Free The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare Tragedy
Mr. Harris LA 11 May 9‚ 2013 The Merchant of Venice Tragic or Comedy Anti-Semitic or not In my opinion‚ I think the merchant of Venice is more of a tragic play than a comedy. The merchant of Venice is more of a tragic play because of its negative intents from the characters in the play. Greed‚ deception‚ and hatred are couple of negative intents. Shakespeare gives reasons for Shylock’s actions. Antonio is a friend of Bassanio and a Christian. Antonio spits on Shylock whenever he come in
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock
figure in Shakespeare’s comedy‚ The Merchant of Venice. No consensus has been reached on whether Shylock is a tyrannical villain or a tragic victim. Shylock‚ in my opinion‚ is a bloodthirsty villain. In the following paragraphs‚ it will be shown that Shylock is a villain in every sense of the word. Namely‚ he is vengeful‚ very materialistic and shrewd. Firstly‚ Shylock is extremely vengeful. When Salerio asks Shylock what good would Antonio’s flesh do Shylock if Antonio forfeits the bond‚ he replies‚
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock Portia
Shylock and Antonio resent and dislike one another. Firstly‚ Shylock hates Antonio because he is a Christian; secondly‚ because Antonio is a Christian and therefore not allowed to charge interest‚ Antonio undercuts Shylock’s business by lending money without charging interest. The fact that Shylock does loan money and charges interest is another reason for Antonio not to like him. As a businessman‚ Antonio must resent Shylock’s ability to earn extra money by charging interest. We know that Shylock
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock Debt
From ancient times‚ through to the Renaissance‚ friendship between two men was regarded as the highest form of social relationship‚ even surpassing that between a man and a woman in matrimony. This is portrayed through “The Merchant of Venice”‚ written by William Shakespeare which was written between 1556 and 1558. This platonic natured friendship is still portrayed in modern literature‚ but due to changed opinions because of the society in which it was written it is more subtle in expressions as
Premium The Merchant of Venice Friendship Interpersonal relationship
Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice" Summary: In "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare‚ Shylock is always portrayed as the villain of the play. However‚ a study of his strengths and weaknesses reveals how hard it is to tell whether he is a villain or a victim. ’The Merchant of Venice’ written by William Shakespeare is two stories; the flesh blond tale and the love caskets tale. An important character that portrays these two stories is Shylock‚ an arrogant Jewish merchant. Shylock is
Free The Merchant of Venice Shylock William Shakespeare