Mercy v. Justice Old Testament v. New Testament While the conflict between justice and mercy plays a key role in determining the outcome of The Merchant of Venice‚ this conflict is even more important because it provides a setting for the contrast between the rigid law and rules of the Old Testament and the concepts of mercy and forgiveness as taught by Christ in the New Testament. It is in the climactic trial scene that The Duke‚ hoping Shylock will excuse Antonio’s penalty‚ asks him‚ "How
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of the idea of love that appears in the play’s subplots. Examines how love exists in many forms‚ and looks at how Shakespeare clarifies the importance of romantic vows and the nature of the marital relationship. The sentimental storylines in The Merchant of Venice often get lost amid the play’s more prominent themes. Although the idea of love appears only through the play’s subplots‚ Shakespeare does make the theme prevalent enough to warrant attention. The play demonstrates that love exists in many
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In this assessment I will analyse Shakespeare’s use of language‚ structure and dramatic techniques to present the relationship between Shylock and the Christians at different points of the play. I will first look at Act 1 Scene 3‚ where we learn that Shylock has suffered mercilessly at the hands of the Christians and now harbors an almost sadistic hatred towards them. This can be evidence by Shylock’s statement to Antonio. “You………gabardine‚”. This statement allows the audience to gain an understanding
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Shylock in the play was treated very bad by the Christian people. All the people in the play all said hateful things to him and spat on him. For his "un-Christian" behavior he was called a dog Jew by everyone he doesn’t even know. Shylock was fed up with Christians hating the Jews‚ so he made a bond with Antonio to get revenge. The bond had a slight catch to it‚ if Antonio did not pay him back on time then he would have to give Shylock a pound of his own flesh. He deliberately asks for a pound of
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negative‚ while Muslims tended to encourage and respect trade and merchants. Over time‚ Muslims became more like early Christians in that they were suspicious of traders whereas the Christians became more like the early Muslims‚ equating merchants (at least honest ones) with doing God’s work‚ reflecting the changed importance of trade in the high Middle Ages in Europe. At their origins‚ Christians and Muslims had different views about merchants and traders. This can be seen in the first two documents which
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Shylock – Money-minded/materialistic To a large extent‚ Shylock is a villain because he is money-minded/materialistic. “I would my daughter were dead at my foot‚ and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed at my foot‚ and the ducats in her coffin! “(Act 3‚ Sc 1) According to the stated evidence‚ Shylock would rather have his own daughter dead than she run away with his ducats. He shows no concern whatsoever for his daughter who had run away‚ but instead was more concerned about the jewels
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William Shakespeare wrote several plays which depict Jews and blacks in a very negative‚ stereotypical fashion. In his play‚ The Merchant of Venice‚ characters are often judged based on their appearances and beliefs. There are many events in this play that led to discriminating and racist outcomes. The Merchant of Venice is portrayed as a racist play through the characters of Portia‚ Solanio‚ and Shylock. Shakespeare’s racist development of Jews and blacks are often seen in his writings. First
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Villain or Victim It is without doubt that William Shakespeare’s suspenseful play of The Merchant of Venice evokes complex feelings within a reader. Throughout the play‚ Shylock is portrayed as the antagonist‚ a miserable‚ cruel and prosaic figure menacing enough to endanger the happiness of Venetian citizens. At the same time‚ one feels a curious compassion for this character. In the 2004 film of The Merchant of Venice adaptation starring Al Pacino‚ Shylock is portrayed as a justifiably angry man:
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Project On “The Merchant Of Venice” Contents SR. NO. PARTICULARS 1 Writer 2 Summary 3 Character Analysis 4 Themes 5 Relevance To Modern World 6 Critical Evaluation Writer William Shakespeare born on 26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616)] was an English poet and playwright‚ widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national
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Racism In The Merchant of Venice In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice he does not just include racism‚ but he also includes prejudice towards religious beliefs. The play consisted of mostly anti-Semitism; however‚ there was one part where Portia was being racist to an African man. Shakespeare uses the conflict between a Jewish man and a Christian man to showcase the distinct theme of anti-Semitism throughout the play. He additionally incorporates the prince of Morocco to show racism. A key reason
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