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critical analysis of the merchant of Venice
critical analysis of the merchant of Venice
critical analysis of the merchant of Venice
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Both Shakespeare in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and Marlowe in ‘Dr Faustus’ use the numerous outcomes from the events of trade in their plays to metaphorically depict a variety of different circumstances. The very concept of trade is used in all its forms to stretch the controversial and political themes and morals of each play as far out as possible. From this, we learn that trade isn't just a physical form of business, but a symbolic form of both human and spiritual communication, too.
The plays are set and executed around the time and traditions of the 16th – 17th century; a period of global and national reform and change. It saw the birth of the renaissance in the arts, science and philosophy and the flourish of mercantilist capitalism over feudalism. England broke away from Roman Catholicism and turned Protestant under the Elizabethan Settlement. The protagonists in both plays are examples of the significance of trade in this time period socially, in the age of western classicism, racially, in the discovery, butchery and slavery of the indigenous Americas and the Jewish domination of usury in Christendom Europe and culturally, in the commerce along Silk Road between the dynasties and empires across the plains of Europe, Anatolia, Persia and Asia. Nationally, trade was largely exerted by means of the theatre; messages and morals thought up by two of the world’s greatest Renaissance men- key words in these contextual masterpieces: “venture”, “baiting” and “promising” to contrast that of “credit”, “paying” and “breaking.” The lighter meanings of these words reflect the attitudes of Shakespeare’s play; the darker meanings, Marlowe’s.
‘The Merchant of Venice’ focuses on trade itself and its effects on society and religion. Antoni...
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...elf-interest or gluttony. The direct sources of love are actually left out of both plays for the audience to discover for themselves, with a redivivus view on the livelihood of those in their community and their devotion to their Lord.
Bibliography:
• Cambridge School Shakespeare; Jonathan Morris/Robert Smith/Rex Gibson
• New Mermaids Doctor Faustus Based on the A text; Roma Gill/Ros King
• Redeeming Shylock, 2005 Archives: Boston Review, Alan A. Stone
• Shapiro J, 2005, 1500 – A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare, Faber
• http://nfs.sparknotes.com/
Works Cited
Cambridge School Shakespeare; Jonathan Morris/Robert Smith/Rex Gibson
New Mermaids Doctor Faustus Based on the A text; Roma Gill/Ros King
Redeeming Shylock, 2005 Archives: Boston Review, Alan A. Stone
Shapiro J, 2005, 1500 – A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare, Faber
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/
Francesco Pegolotti was a Florentine merchant and politician. He wrote the The Practice of Commerce in which he expressed the personal qualities he believed that merchants were most needed to survive, which were compliancy and the skill to work with others, and have understanding. Pegolotti’s history was based on the sensitivity to local rules and customs was the key to survival. In this paper it will argue that the personal qualities that was needed to succeed in the Silk Road trade.
Bentley, J., & Ziegler, H. (2008). Trade and encounters a global perspective on the past. (4th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 182-401). New York: McGraw-Hill.
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.
Though many view Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice as anti-Semitic, careful examination shows that the playwright actually develops the opposing point of view. These views can be easily established through a careful reading of the plays dialogue, character comparisons, and more subtly through indirect thematic developments by the playwright showing that on both simple and complex levels, Shakespeare attacks the anti-Semitic attitude that has been prevalent in society for centuries.
In 1500 the attitudes towards trade and more specifically merchants, varied greatly. One’s religion was a major contributor to how individuals viewed merchants. Christians and Islamic people shared many similarities in their views (Documents 1, 4, and 5). For example, they believed that trade leads to unvirtuous lives, also believed that merchants were often corrupt. On the other hand, Muslims and Christians had opposing views in terms of merchants and their objectives (Documents 6 and 7). Some Christians believed that merchants are an important part of economic well being and they benefited the society and many artisans. Opposingly, the Islams believed that merchants only benefited themselves and rid other people of products. Throughout the
Romeo and Juliet is a famous play that was first performed between 1594 and 1595, it was first printed in 1597. Romeo and Juliet is not entirely fictional as it is based on two lovers who lived in Verona. The Montague’s and Capulet’s are also real. Romeo and Juliet is one of the ten tragedies that William Shakespeare wrote. In this essay, I aim to investigate what act 1, scene1 makes you expect about the rest of the play.
...al world of Elizabethan England—essential to an understanding of Shakespeare’s history plays can easily be lost if we regard the characters as existing beyond their origins. We cannot neglect the social, intellectual, and historical context in which the histories derive their meaning. Bloom asserts that the plays’ characters transcend their origins and operate in a universe that is still being created. We can appreciate his thesis as it reverberates through our consciousness. Bloom has successfully helped us secure a new relationship with Shakespeare and his dramatic art. At the same time, we must wonder if we can separate Shakespeare—and his characters—from the plays.
Kastan, David S. “Shakespeare and His England.” Romeo and Juliet . New York: Barnes and
The setting for this novel was a constantly shifting one. Taking place during what seems to be the Late Industrial Revolution and the high of the British Empire, the era is portrayed amongst influential Englishmen, the value of the pound, the presence of steamers, railroads, ferries, and a European globe.
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
Wheeler, Thomas. "The Merchant of Venice: Overview." Reference Guide to English Literature. Ed. D. L. Kirkpatrick. 2nd ed. Chicago: St. James Press, 1991. Literature Resource Center. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
Since middle school, I have believed that all of Shakespeare’s works, similar to A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, were plays that one would read to hear a happy, entertaining story; but, it was not until this year, after reading The Merchant of Venice, that I recognized the darker, more sinister, side of Shakespeare’s plays. The Merchant of Venice supports the Jewish, anti-Semitic stereotype as the wicked character of Shylock is developed. Many individuals fear that it is improper to teach and discuss The Merchant of Venice in high school classrooms because of the negative way it presents Jews; however, I believe that it is important to read this controversial play in high schools because it enables students to learn anti-Semitic history and because reading Shakespeare’s works, due to their complexity, expands the literary mind of those who read it.
The Shakespeare play, “The Merchant of Venice” is reviewed and commonly discussed as a comedic tragedy that fits all of the features of being a comedy play. Due to elements within the play being dark in nature, many others find this to fit within a tragedy category rather than comedic. With the play being reviewed as both a comedy and tragedy, the dark elements within it that would make it a tragedy are possibly not fully understood as they are confusing to some.
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.
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice presents a battle between love and hate, influenced by money. Written during the 16th Century, Shakespeare depicts an anti-Semitic era through the eyes of both Jews and Christians. Each perspective has it’s struggles, but what stays consistent between them is what makes this play so historical. Throughout this play, it becomes clear that culture affected by love and hatred, under the influence of money, can deliver a powerful message that still speaks to readers today.