William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is a well-written play that is currently being read in some high schools. The play is about a merchant in Venice taking a loan from a Jewish moneylender so his best friend would be able to court a fair lady in Belmont. When the merchant is not able to repay the loan, he must go through with the consequence of removing a pound of flesh from his body. This play not only revolves around a beautiful plot line, but it also has noteworthy lessons that students should know. Some may say that this play should not be taught in school because it is old material, however, others think differently. The Merchant of Venice needs to be taught in schools because it explains how money can affect one's life, it teaches …show more content…
A consequence of wanting revenge occurs in The Merchant of Venice after Jessica steals ducats, jewelry, and other riches from her father. Instead of feeling sad that his daughter leaves him, he feels as bad, maybe worse, that his riches are gone. This causes Shylock to want revenge on Jessica. “I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear. (3. 1. 87-89)” This quote is said by Shylock and it tells readers that he would rather want his daughter dead with his ducats instead of getting Jessica back. The consequence Shylock faced for wanting revenge on his daughter is that he is forced to give her an inheritance in his will. This is a consequence because Shylock is giving more money to someone who already has taken a lot from him. If Shylock shows mercy to Jessica by accepting the fact that she is marrying a Christian then he would still have his daughter and riches.Another example of revenge backfiring is when Shylock faced consequences for attempting to cut off a pound of flesh from Antonio. Shylock's thirst for revenge on Antonio develops because the merchant insults, spits on, and kicks Shylock. This leads Shylock into creating the bond with Antonio in an attempt to get back on him. This attempt fails causing Shylock to lose more ducats and to convert to a religion he hates and does not believe in. If Shylock shows mercy then he would not have to suffer consequences and he would have gotten ducats. Instead, he would have felt great since mercy “is enthroned in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute of God Himself. (4. 1. 200-201)” On the other hand, Antonio does not face consequences when he shows mercy on Shylock. Instead of wanting revenge on Shylock after he nearly dies from him, he lets him live. The Jewish moneylender nearly faces execution but since Antonio is merciful, Shylock faces smaller
In the Merchant of Venice, Shylock a jewish money lender living in the city of Venice, has a daughter named Jessica. Shylock believes that he had raised Jessica in a manner that was just right for her. He had always thought that Jessica was the type of girl that just listens to what she is told to do and does not question or deny the request. But this was not so, Jessica somewhere growing up picked up the trait and thought that her father was not always correct and that he in fact was sometimes a bad person towards other people. She had as well noticed that being jewish was not the best thing for her. Jessica did not like the attacking of jews or the discriminated yelling by the anti semitic christians. She had decided it was time to leave her father's home, the home where she had been raised by a not so pleasant man. We see in the play that after she had ran away Shylock was very hurt, crying to himself.
When Bassino was looking to get a loan from someone he found Shylock they started talking and then Shylock said, “You spurned me such a day; another time/ You called me a ‘dog’; for these courtesies/ I’ll lend you thus much moneys?”(1.3.137-139). With this, he is saying that Antonio and Bassanio have called him a dog and insulted him yet they have the audacity to ask him for a loan.This shows how he was the victim of Antonio and Bassanio because he is a jew. After Shylock agrees to give them the loan they talk about what will happen if they don’t pay the 3,000 ducats in three months: “Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit/ Be nominated for an equal pound/ Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me” (1.3.160-163). This is saying that if they fail to pay him back Shylock gets to take a pound of Antonio's flesh from where ever he wants. This is showing that being treated as a victim made him want revenge of Antonio and that blinded him because, in the end, this will be his downfall. When Shylock and Antonio went to court because Antonio didn’t pay back Shylock back in time Balthazar decide this: “Tarry, Jew./The law hath yet another hold on you./It is enacted in the laws of Venice,/If it be proved against an alien/That by direct or indirect attempts/He seek the life of any citizen,/The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive/Shall seize one half his goods; the
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
In reading Shakespeare, minds of readers are expanded due to his use of Early Modern English and extensive vocabulary. Shakespeare’s works also provide readers with great entertainment whose portrayal of the human condition transcends the generations. The Merchant of Venice contains many witty lines and sub-plots. “Prejudice feeds on ignorance” (Leggatt 215). If teachers do not teach their students the origin of such stereotypes, then they are developing ignorant students who will forever believe that Jews are incarnations of the devil. Considering the Jewish Stereotype that is supported and developed in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the play is, indeed, still useful as a high school reading experience because, due to its sensitive topics, assists in eliminating innocence and creates a more discerning eye for world issues in students.
You have among you many a purchased slave, which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts because you bought them.....You will answer “The slaves are ours!” So do I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought; tis mine and I will have it.” (Act 4 Scene 1, Lines 90-101) Here in this quote, it is clearly stated that Shylock believes Christians are allowed to buy slaves and own them within the law. Justice would mean that by his bond with Antonio, Shylock owns a piece of Antonio’s flesh. Therefore, legally and justly, Shylock technically owns Antonio’s flesh.As for mercy, the character that this comes from is Portia. Portia in defining mercy, says this: The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. Upon the place beneath.....The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread of fear of kings; it is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice.” (Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 190-202) Portia is talking about how even high kings and gods would have mercy deep in their hearts, while Shylock doesn’t. Portia
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.
Response to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice by a Modern Audience Since the time of Shakespeare, The play “Merchant of Venice” has had a dramatic effect on the modern audience today. In the 16th century, Jews were completely disliked, & Jews were not allowed to live in England unless they had converted to Christianity. = == ==
The way that Shylock is portrayed in the play is also a good indication of the feelings towards him. Shylock is portrayed as miserly and selfish. This is shown by his attitude towards his daughter Jessica especially when he finds out that has stolen his money.
Mowat, Barbara A., and Paul Werstine. The Merchant of Venice. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. Print.
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 Bassanio arranges the sum of money, Shylock befriends him, 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 fat the 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 agreement are a pound of Antonios flesh from closets his heart, if it be forfeited.
In Act III scene I Salanio and Salarino confront Shylock, mocking him about his daughter's deception and insulting him. Shylock explains why he will take Antonio's flesh, making his famous speech, 'I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?'
“If a Jew wrongs a Christian, what is his humility? Shakespeare shows here that money doesn’t have the same effect on love as it does with the caskets or with the evil in Shylock, and that it can be used for good love in Portia’s donation. In Venice, Bassanio brings fourth the 6000 ducats to repay Shylock, but he doesn’t accept it. Once Portia, disguised as the doctor, entered the court, she pleads with Shylock to show mercy, but he refuses.
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.
Since Shylock never had power, he struggles with how to manage it. Eventually, this desire for revenge consumes him to the point where he becomes blind, and his power becomes his downfall. When Shylock is asked if he will reconsider his bond he repeats the words “I shall have my bond” not once but several times. He is incredibly focused on getting revenge that he will not take any sum of money in exchange for Antonio’s freedom; he would rather lose all of his wealth just to torture Antonio like he tortures Shylock. Therefore, Shylock loses all of his morals and values, blinding him to where he is unable to see past his anger. Shylock resorts to violence, and his blindness does not allow him to see what he is actually doing; he has become the evil one. He is no longer the victim of dehumanization, he has become a fellow perpetrator of prejudice and dehumanization. He is now truly as evil as everyone makes him to be. And this ignorance is what makes Shylock susceptible to being manipulated by the Christians. All in all, Shylock’s power vanishes because of his blindness when the Christians use his own words against him to rescue Antonio from the bond. Shylock causes his own downfall, and loses everything, including his possessions, wealth, religion, happiness, identity, and any power he still has left.
The play, The Merchant of Venice drastically altered the perception of women during the time as Shakespeare makes women during the Italian Renaissance appear independent and intellectual, such as the beautiful Portia and the young Jessica. This play shows that women are not only beautiful people to look at but also powerful and intelligent individuals. The characteristics of the women in this play show the possibilities of equality between men and