More handpicked essays just for you.
Analysis of the merchant of venice
Analysis of the merchant of venice
Critical analysis of the merchants of Venice
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
There are many similarities and differences between Portia and Jessica. For starters, they are both of the same gender. Back during the Shakespearean time, sexism was very common. So they were both treated equally amongst society for being women. Portia and Jessica both struggle with romance in the play. Jessica, a jewish girl, has fallen in love with a Christian. Portia, a Christian woman, has no control over who she will have to marry, and love, for the rest of her life. Jessica hates her father for being so cruel, and not understanding. She eventually runs away from home. Portia does not hate her father, but he has passed away. His decisions in his will contributes to Portia struggles with her romance. Another similarity between Portia and Jessica is that they both only have one man in their mind. Jessica is set on marrying Lorenzo while Portia wants to marry Bassanio. Both, Jessica and Portia, have close friendships in the play as well. Jessica becomes friends with Lancelot, and Portia has Nerissa as her lady-in-waiting. One main difference between both woman is that Jessica is Jewish, and Portia is Christian. Because Jessica is Jewish, she is required to live in the “ghetto”. Jessica lives in Belmont while Portia lives in Venice. Portia comes from a much better financial background than what Jessica does. Portia is incredibly wealthy. Jessica has much more rebbellion than what Portia does. She even gives away her mother’s ring in trade of a monkey. Jesssica esca[es her father’s control by running away, and eloping, with Lorenzo. Portia on the other hand has a much more responsible character than Jessica. Although, her father is dead she still follows her oath that she made based upon her father’s will. Portia follows rule, e...
... middle of paper ...
...ew reacts the same way that a Christian does once it comes to common day life. They are fed with the same food, hurt by the same weapons, killed by the same diseases, and even healed by the same medicine. They react the same, with laughter, if tickled, and both die if poisoned. After Shylock insists on all the similarities of a Jew and a Christian, his monologue takes a different turn. He starts explaining how the villainy that he practices, he simply learned from the Christians themselves. Shylock says that since they are similar in so many ways, he might as well practice the same villainy with the Christians as the Christians do the Jew. This is when his monologue turns into not only a threat, but a promise as well. Shylock promises Solanio and Salarino that he will execute the same villainy he was taught, but his instructions will be far better than a Christian’s.
Portia’s Father had created a law that allowed her only to marry the man that chooses the correct casket. Her father had known what was right for her before he passed. He instituted a law that would guide her to be the person who she was meant to become. As well as to marry the man that she was destined to be with. The father-child relationship between Portia and her father, is one that cannot be beat. Even though her father was not actually with her, he had made it that she would become the best version of
The Christians also labeled Shylock as explicitly equated with the Devil, which in a primarily Christian society left Shylock as the other. For example, in (II, ii, 24-28), Launcelot Gobbo identifies Shylock as "a kind of devil", "the devil himself", and "the very devil incarnation." Shylocks own daughter compared Shylock's house to "hell" (II, iii, 2). Salanio identifies Shylock as "the devil...in the likeness of a Jew" (III, i, 19-21) and Bassanio echoes this sentiment by identifying Shylock as a "cruel devil" (IV, i, 217). Antonio further cements the association between Shylock and the devil by noting how Shylock's arguments remind him how "The devil can cite scripture for his purpose" (I, iii, 97-100).
...ligent, and sometimes vicious character, in her society it is not acceptable for her to be a strong, intelligent, vicious woman. Sadly, Portia's public image must remain that of her speech in Act III. Though she will have ultimate control over herself and her husband, she still must call herself "an unlessoned girl," hiding her true authority under a thin mask of submission. Ironically, it is only when Portia dons a disguise that we see her as she truly is - a shrewd, calculating judge, willing to convict and sentence not only the inadequate suitor or the much-abused Jew, but also her own unsuspecting husband.
Love is everywhere in the world and the majority of the people will do anything for love. People will push the limits to what they do for love and it just makes you wonder of how much crazy people are out there and are willing to take it to that crazy level. Social media blows up everywhere when they hear about a story that the guy or the girl went crazy in the relationship and just did something crazy. Well there are two poems that author Robert Browning wrote about love and they are called “My last Duchess” and “Porphyria's Lover” and there are a couple things that you can compare and contrast about it like both have very jealous people and another is how crazy people can get and one that’s different is how they handle it.
I would love to write a critical essay about the role of Portia in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, hailing her as one of Shakespeare's greatest contributions to the society of the sane; however, I find this impossible after studying the text. At first, I hung on her every word and was amazed at her wit, but later I found her to be just another Shakespearean psycho. Basically, I understood Portia to be nothing less than an obedient daughter obeying the whims of her dead, over-protective father. She speaks in terms of respect about the coffinritual, and the reader believes her to be sincere. Later as her character
For thousands of years, humanity has been ruled mainly by a Patriarchal society. In this society women have often been seen as objects or inferior humans through the eyes of their male counterparts. The Elizabethan era was no exception to these beliefs, and works of literature often supported these misogynistic views. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, however, the author appears to portray the characters of Portia and Calphurnia in a positive light, ignoring the common stereotypes often associated with female characters. Although Portia and Calphurnia have minor parts in the play, their strength is discernible. Both female characters are portrayed as logical voices of reason, whose intellect and intuition are able to foreshadow Caesar's death. Their loyalty and devotion to their husbands, and their ability to manipulate the most powerful men in Rome, demonstrates that Shakespeare intended to portray Portia and Calphurnia as women of great strength and power.
Merchant of Venice: Portia was No Feminist. & nbsp; The question has been proposed whether Portia was her own woman, and if after she married Bassanio would she still be the protector of her fortune. I researched for evidence to the theory that Portia was not her own, her fortune was not her own, and she was bound financially to her husband after marriage. There is nothing out of the ordinary about this particular arrangement, and I don't feel that the relationship should continue to be hailed as a progressive, feminist relationship. & nbsp; The best evidence I could find were the words which were spoken out of & nbsp; One half of me is yours, the other half yours-- Mine own, I would say; & III.ii. 16-18. & nbsp; There you have it. Portia is Bassanio's. This may be idle lover's talk; however, it does signify the beginning of a possessive relationship in which Bassanio is the possessor! & nbsp; Directly after Portia is "won" by Bassanio's correct choice & nbsp; Happiest of all, is Com
In the Elizabethan society, it was expected for women to be obedient and to be in her place.
with how Shylock treats him since he calls Shylock “a kind of devil” and also
With two drastically different relationships with their spouses, analysis of Portia and Calpurnia’s relationships and care for their husbands leads one to see that Portia is the more admirable and redeeming character. Although both couples equally loved each other, the ways in which they reacted and influenced each other differed greatly.
In the 16th century, women and men were defined as having specific and contrasting roles within society. Men were defined as being powerful and dominant while women were defined as being submissive and meek. These ideals can be seen across cultures and throughout time. With these definitions of gender roles in place, the text suggests that gender is a social construct therefore qualities of femininity and masculinity are subjective. This is shown when Portia cross dresses as the lawyer Balthazar (IV) and when the truths of the rings are discovered by the two women (V). The strong female characters in the play exemplify that women are not confined to their social construct as they manipulate the male characters. During the 16th century only
Throughout the play Shakespeare develops Portia’s character from what seems like a subservient woman, who is forced into a marriage, to an independent woman who is considered equal by her husband. The arranged marriage shows that Portia was given no freedom by her. dominant dead father, which may be why Portia seems to be horrible. comments about all the suitors that come to try to complete the life – changing the task of the. At the beginning of the play Portia has no control over her financial.
Shylock is a wealthy Jew who invests money into shipments and trades. When Shylock’s enemy, Antonio, requests a loan of 3000 ducats, “Shylock adopts this Christian model of "kind" lending in his bond with Antonio as a means for lawful revenge.” Shylock’s agreement is that if the ducats are not returned, Antonio must repay his loan in human flesh. This is a way for Shylock to either make money or kill a Christian, either will satisfy him. Lee describes Shylock’s feelings towards Christians, “Indeed, although Shylock will neither "eat," "drink," nor "pray" with the Christians, he is willing to "buy" and "sell" with them.” This is where Shakespeare first introduces the devil inside Shylock. Had Antonio been a Jew, there would not have been a payment of flesh. Shylock’s hatred propels the story from start to finish. His hatred causes him to lose his daughter, drives Portia to use her money and wit to save Antonio, and why he ends up losing
Shakespeare highlights three of Portia’s suitors, the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon and Bassanio. He does this to heighten dramatic tension, as these three men are the most important candidates to win Portia’s hand in marriage. They reveal the contents of the three caskets and their different characters as exposed as being proud, vain and humble. They also emphasise the racial prejudices of Venice a place where many races clash. Their attitudes towards the caskets and their choices indicate what their character is like. This essay will compare and contrast the three suitors and will explore how Shakespeare influences the audience’s attitudes towards the three men.
In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the role of women is quite significant. Although there are only three women throughout the play, Jessica, Nerissa, and Portia, all play a role that affects the outcome of the play. Portia, Jessica, and Nerissa are all very significant characters from this time period. The three women display characteristics of bravery, independence, and intelligence.