In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice‚ prejudice is a predominant theme and it is displayed in numerous ways. A dominant form of prejudice in the play is prejudice against religion by both the Christian and the Jewish believers. Other minor but important forms of prejudice displayed are against races and against various types of disabilities. Shakespeare demonstrates that during his era‚ in the Elizabethan Era‚ prejudice wasn’t frowned upon like it is today in present society. Shakespeare
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English essay In Shakespeare’s play the merchant of Venice the audience learns about love in many forms. Through the characters‚ of Portia and Bassanio‚ Shylock and his love for money over his daughter and Antonio and Bassanio. The audience learns through Portia that true love always triumphs. From shylock we learn that money isn’t everything it seems to be and that you should treasure your family more than money. Through the friendship of Antonio and Bassanio we learn about the love of one friend
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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
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MERCHANT OF VENICE ESSAY ------------------------------------------------- Despite its age Shakespeare’s play has some very important things to say about human nature. ------------------------------------------------- Do you agree? Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ explores several important universal themes which are common concerns for all human beings. These concepts include an exploration of Revenge and the importance of mercy combined with justice and what makes a loyal and faithful
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for Portia’s hand‚ in which suitors from various countries choose among a gold‚ a silver‚ and a lead casket‚ resembles the cultural and legal system of Venice in some respects. Like the Venice of the play‚ the casket contest presents the same opportunities and the same rules to men of various nations‚ ethnicities‚ and religions. Also like Venice‚ the hidden bias of the casket test is fundamentally Christian. To win Portia‚ Bassanio must ignore the gold casket‚ which bears the inscription‚ “Who chooseth
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Conflicts in "Merchant of Venice" occur as a result of four major life themes: love‚ money‚ prejudice and disguise. Shylock‚ the Jewish moneylender is usually‚ and somewhat unjustly‚ held responsible for many of these conflicts. Though Shylock’s behaviour is‚ in many ways‚ evil‚and should by no means be exonerated‚ the conflicts he does cause are most often merely his vengeful attempt to respond to the prejudices he has experience caused by his religion. In the time of Shakespeare‚ prejudices were
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The Merchant of Venice - of Shylock Shylock was mistreated by Christians in particularly Antonio before they entered into their bond. It is understandable that this would be‚ because Jews were mistreated by the Christians and that’s just the way it was during those times. The Jews were segregated and forced to live in a ghetto and were abused by the Christians. It is know wonder that when Shylock was presented with an opportunity to reciprocate‚ he would. However‚ Shylock also did his fair
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English 101-210 Final Draft Battle of the Directors The Merchant of Venice‚ also known as “The Jew of Venice” is a drama play originally written by William Shakespeare in 1598. The major conflict occurs when a man named Antonio (Venetian merchant) fails to pay off a loan to a greedy Jewish money loaner known as Shylock who demands a pound of flesh from Antonio in return. Antonio and his friends take a journey through friendship‚ love‚ and hatred in an attempt to free him of his pound of flesh
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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
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A Discussion Guide for Educators A Publication of the Anti-Defamation League Anti- Semitism and The Merchant of Venice: A Discussion Guide for Educators Barbara Balser‚ National Chair Abraham H. Foxman‚ National Director Kenneth Jacobson‚ Deputy National Director Caryl M. Stern‚ Senior Associate National Director/ Chief Operating Officer Marshall S. Levin‚ Senior Associate National Director/ Director‚ National Development Michael Salberg‚ Associate National Director/ Director‚ International Affairs
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