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The idea of mercy is important in The Merchant of Venice because it provides a focus for the contrast between Venetian Christian society and the alien invader, represented by Shylock. Mercy occupies a "central" position in the trial scene (IV.i.), where the power struggle between aristocratic Venetian society and the threatening force Shylock comes to a climax. My thesis is that the contrast between (and equation of) mercy and revenge in the trial scene reveals the true nature of Venetian society as insecure , hypocritical and vengeful.
Mercy is clearly of greatest importance to the Christians in this text. It is only mentioned in the trial scene by two characters--the Duke (3 times) and Portia, in her guise as the lawyer Balthazar, (10 times). Mercy is significantly never mentioned by Shylock, implying either that he does not believe in it, or that he sees a hidden motive behind the Christians' insistence that he should be merciful to Antonio. By looking at what mercy means to the Christians and how they use it in the trial scene, I will try to show how it acts as a mirror for their true value system.
Mercy can be defined as "kind and considerate treatment that you show to someone, especially when you forgive them or do not punish them." It is a Christian value associated with the New Testament, thus contrasting with Shylock's Old Testament religion and its image of a more stern and vengeful God. In the first half of the trial mercy and revenge are contrasted. The Duke appeals to Shylock to be merciful as if he shared their Christian values--
Shylock the world thinks, and I think so too,
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
To ...
... middle of paper ...
...is required to become a Christian. Shylock feels he might as well be dead--
Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that,-
You take my house, when you do take the prop
That doth sustain my house: you take my life
When you do take the means whereby I live. IV.i.370-373.
To the Christians, then, mercy has different meanings and uses in this trial scene. It is used to try to tempt Shylock to recognize Christian values as superior to his own, to tempt him with the delusion of power if he accepts them, and when he refuses, to crush him and take away all his economic, religious and racial power. This abuse of mercy also reveals Venetian society to be greedy for power, hypocritical in its use of Christian values for secular aims, and vengeful. Mercy, and its uses and misuses, is revealed as having a power far greater than is at first apparent.
Our last piece, “Seal Lullaby”, could be a wonderful song if we fixed a few elements. To begin, the soprano one’s should be a little quieter in measures 9 and 10; however, altos should sing out more during these two measures. Furthermore, the altos should be more confident in the notes and sing out more in measures 19-26 and 41-43. In measures 1-12 and 53-74 we should practice unifying our vowels. As for rhythms, the altos have to remember to hold out the tied note in measures 56 and 57. Lastly, we have to find an emotional connection to the song such as imaging yourself singing to an infant. In conclusion, I think the choir as a whole needs to be more confident in the notes for this piece.
...and applying many esoteric ideologies and teachings within the 'schools of the sword'. At that time, Japan's education system was primarily based on secular teachings within a (Buddhist) monastery. Many monasteries of that time had schools that taught reading and writing and schools that were dedicated to training warriors, known as 'schools of the sword'. The 'schools of the sword' were often associated with various esoteric philosophies that were adopted from outside cultural influences, mainly Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies regarding martial arts.
Hypertension, known as high blood pressure, affects millions of people, including children, teenagers, and adults. Treatment of hypertension comes in many forms, which includes complete lifestyle and diet modifications (Hypertension: Overview & Facts, n.d.). High blood pressure can damage the heart, brain, and kidneys, without any noticeable symptoms. The effectiveness of case management can control hypertension and prevent the risks for further complications. The case managers can work with patients who have difficulties managing their blood pressure, through the use of medications, as well as self-care management, which includes the modification of lifestyle, and diet, as well as adequate exercise. Research as well as substantial evidence has shown that, individuals can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease by lowering their blood pressure through lifestyle modifications, medications, or both.
Committing deceptive deeds not only hurt others, but also the ones who deceive. The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, is a romantic-comedy play about a Christian merchant named Antonio who agrees to a bond that a Jewish moneylender named Shylock, his enemy, creates to help his best friend Bassanio see Portia, an heiress whom he is in love with. Shylock warns Antonio that if he forfeits the bond, by not repaying him three thousand ducats, he must allow him to remove a pound of his flesh. Throughout the play, deceptive behaviour causes the moral values of individuals to decline. First, this is seen through wealth as it pertains to the desire to have what is valuable. Second, moral values decline when people deceive the family members that they encounter. Finally, deceiving others through love leads to a decline of moral values. In the play, The Merchant of Venice, deception, as seen through wealth, family encounters, and love, causes the moral
“And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?”. Eloquently, Shylock, a notorious Jewish character from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, describes the mindset of many during the Holocaust. Despite the disgusting crimes committed every day during the Holocaust, the world refused to give up. Instead, from the safest corners of the world to the most perilous concentration camps, individuals rose up and opposed history’s most notorious regime.
While engendering the bond in the inciting force of the play, Antonio says to Shylock – the antagonist – “Content in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, / And say there is much kindness in the Jew” (1.3.149-150) which reveals how Antonio sees such positive terms in the deal. Although the terms may seem simples to follow, Antonio will still face the consequences of putting his life on the line for his dear friend, Bassanio. This bond portion of the play establishes relationships through the rivals and also gives background information about characters, which show the elements of dramatic significance. Subsequently, Shylock’s possessions are at stake during their trial after Antonio fails to pay him back because his argosies were abolished. Shylock’s punishment for attempting to
Everyone who reads The Merchant of Venice must bear in mind that it is, like any other literary work, a creation of a skillful writer, rising a case that can be a subject for many interpretations and not necessarily revealing a specific view of its writer, however it aims to convey a certain moral to the readers. Therefore, the character of shylock, being stereotyped or not, with its controversy is a tool manipulated to convey a moral message: when people live in a society that is open to cultural diversity and that values the contributions of all society members – regardless of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, race, life styles, and beliefs – they will be one step closer to living in a civil society. Works Cited 1) Encyclopaedia Britannica, the definition of "Anti-Semitism". 2) E. E. Stoll, Shylock (an essay in Shakespeare Studies, 1927). 3) John Palmer, Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Shylock. 4) John Palmer, Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Shylock.
Hypertension is often called "the silent killer" because it rarely causes symptoms, even as it inflicts serious damage to the body. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to vision problems, as well as to heart attack, stroke, and other potentially fatal conditions, including kidney failure. One in four American adults has high blood pressure. Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure at or above 140 / 90 mm Hg (CDC, n.d.).
What is hypertension? Hypertension is the medical condition, which an individual has elevated blood pressure caused by pressure in the arteries in-between heartbeats (“Hypertension”). Blood pressure is measured by two different analysis’s; systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure. These measurements are generally written in fraction form: 120/76. The first or top number is systolic pressure. It measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting (American). The second or bottom number is diastolic pressure. This measures the pressure of the arteries when the heart is resting and refilling with blood (American). These measurements help gauge healthy pressure levels, and normal blood pressure falls anywhere below 120/80. The more pressure in the arteries, the harder the heart has to work, and higher risks for serious health problems may occur. This can sound like an exaggeration of probable health problems, but considering that one in three American adults has high blood pressure, there are millions of people at...
Hypertension is considered to be a disease in which a constantly raised blood pressure, or higher than what is perceived “normal” blood pressure, causes a halt in organ function such as heart failure, a stroke etc (Opie, L. H.). Most people don’t even know that they have hypertension as a condition because they haven’t had their blood pressure measured at a health care facility. In South Africa Hypertension is usually considered to be a “silent killer” because most people do not even realise that they are suffering from it because of their lack of knowledge on the subject. “Consequently, hypertension is universally underdiagnosed and/or inadequately treated resulting in extensive target-organ damage and premature death. Furthermore, hypertension frequently co-exists with other risk factors for chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL), such as diabetes and obesity” (Steyn, 2005).
Print. The. Weisberg, Richard H. "Antonio's Legalistic Cruelty: Interdisciplinarity And The Merchant Of Venice'." College Literature 25.1 (1998): 12.
Hypertension is defined as “repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90” (MedicineNet.com, 2000). A normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 mm...
The first theme is that religious intolerance and prejudice play destructive roles in the book. Even to this day, there is racism and prejudice in schools about race and religion. Antonio, as a true Christian, has often condemned moneylenders. He knows that since the early twelfth century, Christians are forbidden by the Church to lend money for profit. Shylock, as a Jew, does not consider his money-lending and overwhelming interest to be a sin in any manner. In fact, he considers his earnings through money lending as the gift of God. He appeals to and quotes the Scriptures in defense of his profession. Shylock and the other Jewish moneylenders are essential to the prosperity of the merchant community, but they are also outcasts as human beings and as Jews. Shylock often shows his dislike to the Christians; “I hate him for he is a Christian”, (Act I, Sc. III, L. 38). The Christians ridicule and hate the Jewish moneylende...
Shylock lends Antonio a sum of money, that Antonio intends to pay back when his merchant ships arrive in Venice, one month before the debt would be forfeited. When Bassarnio arranges the sum of money, Shylock befriends them, only to stand aside and utter to him self, "I hate him for he is a Christian... If I catch him once upon the hip, I will feed my ancient grudge I bear him," Act 1, Scene 3. Shortly after saying, "But ships are but boards, sailors but men... the perils of waters, winds, and rocks...Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond." Shylock is setting his trap here. Shylocks terms of the debt are a pound of Antonios flesh from closets his heart if it be forfeited.