Comedy is a potential site for social disruption and a medium for a message of dissent. Discuss whether this is true of ‘The Merchant of Venice’. ‘Comedy’ can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation could be simply described as a dramatic performance which pits two societies against each other in an amusing agon or conflict. To define comedy as a basis for societal disruption is to consider the way in which comedy could lead to disorder. ‘The Merchant of Venice’ looks at such ideas‚ the
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and not Antonio while naming the play. However a superficial reading of the play makes it clear that Antonio is the real merchant of Venice. His name is referred repeatedly as the royal merchant and good Antonio and also in the main trail scene Portia asked pointedly "which is the merchant which is the Jew". From the beginning of the play Antonio is presented as a rich merchant and a world trader who sent argosies to various countries. On the other hand Shylock is never referred to as a merchant
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The Character of Shylock in Merchant of Venice Few characters created by Shakespeare embodies pure evil like the character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Shylock is a usurer and a malevolent‚ blood-thirsty old man consumed with plotting the downfall of his enemies. He is a malignant‚ vengeful character‚ consumed with venomous malice1; a picture of callous‚ unmitigated villainy‚ deaf to every appeal of humanity2. Shylock is the antagonist opposite the naive‚ essentially good Antonio
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Aristocrats and noblemen from the four corners of the earth have come to a beautiful island near Venice. Besides the natural charm of the estate‚ they are enthralled by the golden sun that resides there - Portia. Her father‚ famous nobleman Marcus has left behind a huge fortune to his only daughter Portia and many wish to win her heart in order to gain access to it. What lies between her suitors and the fair-haired lady is a game of caskets devised in Marcus’ will. Three caskets of gold‚ silver and lead
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How far is Shylock a character for whom we can feel sympathy? How would a contemporary audience’s response to him differ from that of an audience in Shakespeare’s time? Shylock isn’t a character for whom we can feel much sympathy for because he always seems to be thinking about himself and his money rather than other people around him. Through most of the play he seems selfish‚ and it seems in some parts of the play as though he doesn’t care about his daughter. He also has a very strict religion
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Brian Talley British Literature Theme paper for Merchant of Venice October 29‚ 2014 A theme is an underlying idea the author hopes to communicate in his/her story. Sometimes a theme is also another way an author can leave a message for his or her readers to think about. In the Merchant of Venice‚ Shakespeare added themes of prejudice‚ love versus greed‚ and mercy versus revenge and justice. Prejudice was one of the key themes in this story. The Merchant of Venice shows the religious discrimination
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July 28 1601 Today‚ Antonio and Bassanio borrowed money from me‚ three thousand ducats. The merchant Antonio is so certain that his ships will come back. It’s like nothing will come on his ships way‚ ships are just boards and sailors are just men. Anything could come on his ships way like thieves‚ storms‚ winds and rocks. After a long debate with myself I decided that I’ll lend them money. The merchant‚ Antonio and I decided to make a bond just for fun. He thinks proud and high
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In this play of deceptive appearances‚ is Portia suspect of not being altogether what she appears to be? Critics have debated this question over the centuries-some with greater enthusiasm than others. One such critic is Anna Jameson. Jameson’ allegations are valid concerning Portia’s undoubted wealth‚ beauty‚ and intelligence‚ but she fails to recognize that she is not all that she appears to be (141). Jameson’s review gives much praise to Portia. According to Jameson‚ “Many critics are so dazzled
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scene? 2. Does Shakespeare intend the audience to view Bassanio as a spendthrift and a “gold digger”? 3. Why‚ in Scene II‚ is Portia in such a melancholy mood? 4. Why does Shakespeare use the word “choose” so often in the second scene? 5. How is Portia characterized in Scene II? 6. In Scene II‚ why do Portia and Nerissa review the suitors who have come to court Portia? 7. How do Shylock’s first words in Scene III help to characterize him? 8. What is the point of Shylock’s comment about Antonio’s
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Is Shylock more sinned against than sinning? Many different views can be taken on the Jewish merchant Shylock in the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ written by William Shakespeare. Although when taking into account the many trials and tribulations that Shylock had to endure‚ it is forthcoming to say that Shylock was more sinned against than sinning. There are key and defining moments in this play when it becomes more apparent as to why Shylock is acting out against Antonio. From early on when Antonio
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