Written sometime between 1596 to 1598‚ The Merchant Of Venice is classified as both and early Shakespearean comedy and as one of the Shakespeare’s problem plays. Scene 1 introduces one of the major plot points as well as several key characters. When Antonio‚ Solanio and Salarino enter at the beginning of the play‚ they are in the middle of the discussion about why Antonio is so sad. This “Sadness” of which Antonio claims not to know source of‚ becomes clear when he reveals to Bassanio that all of
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The Three Caskets Three caskets; one of gold‚ one of silver‚ and one of lead. Three caskets are set before many suitors who all would like to take Portia of Belmont’s hand in marriage. But Portia’s father’s will states that each suitor who wishes to take Portia’s hand in marriage‚ must choose one of the three caskets and the one who chooses the correct casket may have the fair Portia’s hand in holy matrimony. This trial‚ designed by Portia’s late father‚ allows him to screen through his daughter
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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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throughout history. In "The Merchant of Venice"‚ religion‚ the three caskets‚ and the pound of flesh are the main ideas that can be used with mythological criticism to help show connections with other legends or stories that have a similar meaning. The main connection in the novel portrays to the three caskets that Portia uses to select her future husband. This symbolism can be connected to other myths and legends. Sigmund Freud also connected "The Merchant of Venice" to the ageless tale of Gesta
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The Merchant of Venice‚ Act 2 Watch the film version of Act 2 and answer these questions: Scene 1 Morocco is the first suitor to try his luck. What is he told before he is to choose? Scene 2: Lancelot Gobbo‚ the clown‚ wants to leave Shylock’s service‚ why? His father brings a present to his son’s master. Why is prose used? What does Gratiano want form Bassanio? Scene 3: Describe what happens. What does Jessica feel about the situation? Scene 4: A group of masqued men are on their
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William Shakespeare 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
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Jessica in The Merchant of Venice In The Merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare introduces his audience to the multi dimensional character of Jessica. Jessica is identified as the daughter of a Jewish Merchant but the audience learns she is much more than that. As the play moves along and Jessica marries a Christian man‚ Jessica’s identity as a Jewish woman is challenged. Although a minor character in the play‚ she is important because she makes the audience question what it means to be Jewish and therefore
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Asiya Wallace November 30‚ 2012 English 100 Anti- Semitism & The Merchant of Venice Anti-Semitism is the suspicion of‚ hatred toward‚ or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. In the play The Merchant of Venice‚ there was a very strong anti-Semitic attitude throughout the movie. African Americans also had to deal with hatred‚ enslavement‚ and discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement. Anti-Semitism and The Civil Rights Movement have a lot in common
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In one of his plays‚ titled "The Merchant of Venice"‚ Shakespeare presents to us several views on a form of racism‚ namely anti-Semitism. The main "victim" is the character Shylock‚ a Jewish moneylender‚ who is mistreated by Antonio. Antonio openly hates Jews‚ and makes like hard for Shylock for no other reason than religion. It should be noted though that Shylock himself has also become a racist. This is proven when he makes a comment about Antonio saying "I hate him for he is a Christian." Both
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in a predominantly patriarchal time period; how does he manipulate Renaissance gender constructions in order to convey his message; how is the patriarchal attitude explored through the women in the text; and many more. Using The Merchant of Venice as an example‚ this essay will attempt to explore Shakespeare’s representations of the characters of Portia‚ Nerissa and Jessica. It will seek to examine their role in the text‚ as well as explore representations of gender and cross-dressing. It is important
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