Theme Of Otherness In The Merchant Of Venice

871 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Power and society

The Otherness in The Merchant of Venice
In the play The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, there is a concept of otherness throughout the play. Many characters had roles in which they were examples of the outsiders, that occurred during the time the play was written. If not all but in most plays by William Shakespeare, there is always a character who is categorized as the outsider. However, The Merchant of Venice took the concept into a deeper level, instead of depicting differences in social class as otherness, the play included race and religion, instead of social class. These beliefs shaped not only the way the play was written, but how the characters treated certain individuals in the play and how the personality of each character …show more content…

Portia speaks about the prince 's language like together they couldn’t have overcame the their barrier. She speaks as if he has a lack of intelligence because their languages are different. However, most marriages of royalty are made up from the man and the woman from a different country. Another example of Portia 's suitors is the prince of Morocco. The prince of Morocco not only spoke another language but did not resemble Portia in any way. For someone who is highly shamed for being another race, the Prince of Morocco thinks of himself as having just as much worth as someone of the European race. Despite knowing he has very little respect although being wealthy, the prince tries to prove himself with this monologue; " Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadow 'd livery of the burnish 'd sun, To whom I am a neighbour and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born, Where Phoebus ' fire scarce thaws the icicles, And let us make incision for your love, To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath fear 'd the valiant: by my love I swear The best-regarded virgins of our clime Have loved it too: I would not change this hue, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen. (Merchant of Venice II.1.) In this passage the

Show More
Related

  • Merchant Of Venice And Night Comparison Essay

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Theme Of Risk In The Merchant Of Venice

    1151 Words  | 3 Pages

    Risk is the exposure to danger. Taking risks are necessary because risk reveals experience to an individual. Hazard has both malevolent and benevolent outcomes, which can affect the overall atmosphere in a play. The content of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice includes many scenarios of risk-taking among the relationships between characters. The Merchant of Venice consists of four different plots: the bond plot, casket plot, love plot, and ring plot; in which characters are exposed to danger. Risk serves a major responsibility as it divulges many elements of dramatic significance throughout the play. Shakespeare manifests hazard through rival arguments, lovers’ commitments, and father and child agreements.

    Read More

  • The Theme of Deception in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

    375 Words  | 1 Pages

    William Shakespeare attained literary immortality through his exposition of the many qualities of human nature in his works. One such work, The Merchant of Venice, revolves around the very human trait of deception. Fakes and frauds have been persistent throughout history, even to this day. Evidence of deception is all around us, whether it is in the products we purchase or the sales clerks' false smile as one debates the purchase of the illusory merchandise. We are engulfed by phonies, pretenders, and cheaters. Although most often associated with a heart of malice, imposture varies in its motives as much as it's practitioners, demonstrated in The Merchant of Venice by the obdurate characters of Shylock and Portia.

    Read More

  • Essay on Social Hierarchy in The Tempest

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    During Shakespeare's time social classification was much more rigid than today and some members of society were considered superior to other members. Shakespeare provides an example of this rigid social structure through his play, The Tempest. Shakespeare illustrates how superior men differentiated themselves from lesser beings on the basis of race, financial status, and gender. Through the character of Prospero, Shakespeare provides and example of one, who had reason to feel superior, yet treated others equally and with the respect due to them.

    Read More

  • How Shakespeare Makes Us Feel Sympathetic in The Merchant of Venice

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    say, “If I can catch once upon the hip I will feed fat the ancient

    Read More

  • Marginalization In The Merchant Of Venice

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is fairly obvious that marginalization can distort logic action and reason. Even if one is not inherently marginalized, trauma, whether physical or mental, may occur from unfortunate experiences. Case in point, we as a society become more aware of those living with PTSD every day, such as soldiers and victims of sexual assault, and how these people are challenged to continue living a normal life. We see veterans flock to the Artillery Club, victims of assault go to group counselling, trying to find people that share their experiences and understand how they feel. When being seen or seeing oneself as the dirt that Bauman states in The Dream of Purity exists solely to be purified, there will be inevitable damage to the psyche. Two prime examples of this are Shylock of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare and post-war Vladek of MAUS I and II, whose actions due to marginalization are comparable and perhaps make them more enlightened and aware than most people.

    Read More

  • Race In Othello Essay

    1388 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s Othello, race is a concept that is only minimally explored. Characters in the play assume that, since they are English, they are superior and foreign characters (like Othello the Moor) are inferior. This is not questioned much at all, and in fact it is assumed outright that Othello is indeed a lesser man because of his skin color and the ways in which characters like Iago and Roderigo treat him. While an early modern audience would accept this concept without hesitation, an audience of today’s age is left to question whether Othello is actually acting out because of the societal pressures, beliefs, and actions put upon him, or because he is inherently different as a person who is not white. While Shakespeare seems to think the contrary, Othello’s development in his actions and words—from a confident general to a depressed, wife-killing maniac—show clearly that his demise and his reactions were products of his peers (namely, Iago) and that he is not inherently different because of his race. Ultimately, it was all Iago’s fault.

    Read More

  • Discrimination in The Merchant of Venice

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    His lack of education has deprived him of good manners as well as good sense. The scene itself initially seemed inconsistent with the rest of the play. The prejudice the women tolerate is evidenced by their tendency to dress in men’s clothing in order to be heard or considered (Olson). As women, their voices are inhibited or disregarded; they are overshadowed and overlooked by society. Portia, for example, has little choice but to consent to being the prize in her “loving” late father’s lottery.

    Read More

  • Stereotypes and The Merchant of Venice

    1627 Words  | 4 Pages

    Being a mirror of the age, Elizabethan literature was not in isolation from the currents of the era including these stereotypes. All these attitudes of ethnocentrism and xenophobia was skillfully interpreted through literature in general and drama in particular. One example of this is Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice which is about a miser money-lender Jew. Portrayal ...

    Read More

  • Gender Roles In The Merchant Of Venice

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    Everyone is deceived and believes Portia is truly a man therefore showing that she has the capabilities to exert the traits of a man. Portia is described as the “wise young judge” (IV, I, 228) and an “excellent young man” (IV, I, 252) by Shylock showing that he believes in the gender identity of Balthazar. Bassanio, Portia’s husband, is also fooled as he states that Antonio’s life is more valuable to him than Portia. Her credibility in turn gives her power over the men in the scene. She is able to use the balances of justice along with her knowledge in order to save Antonio. The turn in this scene is when she repeats, “A pound of flesh” (IV, I, 315) and states the specific words used in the document as no blood can be dropped from Antonio or else Shylock will be punished and strikes fear into Shylock. This shows that it is possible for a woman to obtain the masculine qualities of being powerful and intellectual. If Portia were to have not dressed as a man, but merely a woman, due to the social constructs of the time she would not have had any power in this situation. Portia tells Bassanio “I pray you, know me when we meet again” (IV, I, 432) which shows her feelings towards Bassanio not knowing her true identity, even through her disguise. Her actions were that of her individual, but due to her altering her appearance of gender it changed the way others viewed her

    Read More

  • Religion in The Merchant of Venice

    1944 Words  | 4 Pages

    Religion was a major factor in a number of Shakespeare’s plays. Religion motivated action and reasoning. In Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” religion was more than a belief in a higher being; it reflected moral standards and ways of living. In the “Merchant of Venice,” “a Christian ethic of generosity, love, and risk-taking friendship is set in pointed contrast with a non-Christian ethic that is seen, from a Christian point of view, as grudging, resentful, and self-calculating.” (Bevington, pg. 74) Although Shakespeare writes this drama from a Christian point of view he illustrates religion by conflicts of the Old Testament and the New Testament in Venetian society and its court of law. These Testaments are tested through the Christians and Jews of Venice.

    Read More

  • How Does Morocco Judge Him Based On His Skin Color?

    1174 Words  | 3 Pages

    And, in lines 22-38, Morocco only expressed his actions that made him appear more fearsome or manly. One reason why this reflects the Elizabethan perception is because this trait was significant enough to not only be valued by a prince of the culture, but to also be used to persuade a lady to marry. Portia’s reaction to Morocco is indifference. An incident conveying this is when

    Read More

  • Merchant of Venice Essay: Universal Elements

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice contains many themes and elements that are considered timeless or universal. Samuel Taylor Coleridge defines a timeless or universal element as a “representation of men in all ages and all times.”  A universal element is relevant to the life of every human being – it is universal. The first major theme that plays an important role in the play is the Christians’ prejudice against the Jews. A second important theme is the attitude toward money.  Perhaps the most important theme of the play is the love between people. This love can occur between the same sex, or the opposite sex, platonic or romantic.  In Merchant of Venice, the three timeless elements are prejudice, money, and love.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Women In Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    From the first time Portia is introduced, she is depicted as a very smart woman. In the beginning, she is searching for a husband that has more in his head than money and beauty. Portia and her companion, Nerissa, talk about the flaws of all her suitors and she makes it very clear that she is looking for an honorable man who will love her for who she is and not for her money. She also finds that “If it be proved against an alien that by direct or indirect attempts, he seek the life of any citizen, the party against the which he doth contrive shall seize one-half his goods” (Act IV.

    Read More

  • Appearance vs. Reality in The Merchant of Venice

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Merchant of Venice explores the theme of Appearance versus Reality. The theme is supported with many examples in the form of characters, events and objects.

    Read More

More about Theme Of Otherness In The Merchant Of Venice

Open Document