Essays On Merchant Of Venice

Essay on The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is shows the dynamics of love and to what extent humans will go to show
love, they will use their wealth and even be prepared to give up their life for the people they love.
Both Antonio and Portia love Bassanio differently. Portia perceives Antonio's phileo in competition
with her eros, (both forms of love will be defined later) and throughout the play she is seen trying to
defeat Antonio's phileo and she does this by subjugating Antonio, firstly with her wealth, she offers
to pay of his debt to Shylock three times more the amount he had bound himself, then she saves his
life and finally teaching Bassanio that she can use her womanly powers to refuse him the
consummating power in marriage, through the ring saga....show more content...
The other type of love is known as eros, it is what most people refer to when they announce with a
smile, I'm in love. This type of love covers everything from queasy stomachs and warm fuzzy
feelings to strong sensual passion" (A Short Handbook on Love) or in other words intimate
romantic love. Eros is the love between Portia and Bassanio. The word love in this paper will be
substituted by the words phileo and eros to emphasize the distinctions when addressing Antonio and
Bassanio's love and the love between Portia and Antonio. Even though the love between Antonio and
Bassanio and Bassanio are Portia are completely different, however they are in competition with each
other.
Bassanio is aware of the depth of Antonio's phileo for him, and therefore exploits Antonio's love in
exchange for money. The depth of Antonio's phileo is not superficial, it runs deep, which surface
when he tells Bassanio "...if stand as you yourself still do/Within the eye of honour, be assur'd/My
purse, my person. My extreme means/Lie all unlock'd to your occasion" (I.i.136–39). It is because of
this phileo that Antonio goes into a bond with his Jewish enemy Shylock who return for this favor
Shylock demands a pound of flesh should he default the loan agreement. In Love and Likeness
Walter F Eggers Jr. writes that ..."Antonio has to enlist Shylocks help to make his generosity to
Bassanio possible. For the first time in the play, friendship is seen
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While there are many fundamental themes in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, only one
seems to drive the play to its inevitable conclusion. There is a constant theme of self–interest versus
love. On the surface, this seems to be the dividing factors between the Christians and the Jew.
Shylock is portrayed to only care about money and profits, while the Christians are shown as people
who value human relationships more. Examples of this theme are shown through Shylock's
behaviour, the many weddings of the Christian characters, and the relationship between Antonio and
Bassanio.
The Christian characters view Shylock as someone who only cares about money and business.
Shakespeare's portrayal of Shylock is a cold–hearted man, who...show more content...
This shows that some human relationships do indeed matter to Shylock more that money. However,
Shylock wants revenge for the loss of his daughter through the fulfillment of the bond. In court, he is
defeated because of his selfishness. Moreover, his insistence that he have a pound of flesh rather than
any amount of money shows that this resentment is much stronger than this greed.
The Christian characters also present an inconsistent picture. There are many loving relationships
in this play such as the one between Bassanio and Portia, Jessica and Lorenzo, and Gratiano and
Nerissa. When one looks deeply into these relationships, they would see parallels to the ones of
today. For instance, the three marriages will probably not last. One of the main reasons for this is
because they all got married too fast, leaving no time to realize that they are probably not meant for
each other. This is evident in two – and possibly three – of the relationships. Gratiano and Nerissa
get married after knowing each other for only several hours and Bassanio and Portia get married
before they get to know each other. Jessica and Lorenzo's marriage might split for other reasons,
such as their different religion. These all show true love in The Merchant of Venice.
When we first meet Bassanio, he is with his good friend Antonio asking for money. Antonio has
previously lent money to Bassanio and he has

Merchant of Venice Essay
English essay
In Shakespeare's play the merchant of Venice the audience learns about love in many forms. Through
the characters, of Portia and Bassanio, Shylock and his love for money over his daughter and
Antonio and Bassanio. The audience learns through Portia that true love always triumphs. From
shylock we learn that money isn't everything it seems to be and that you should treasure your family
more than money. Through thefriendship of Antonio and Bassanio we learn about the love of one
friend for another and how they would sacrifice anything for one another. Shakespeare uses many
techniques including: tests, plot incident, passionate dialogue, characterisation and emotive
language to express his idea of love and friendship to the...show more content...
He was more worried about his ducats and he doesn't care that Jessica ran away but the fact that
she ran away with a Christian. He asks for justice and the law to help get his money back, because
he is greedy. Emotive language is used because it emphasises that Shylock was angrier about losing
his money then losing his daughter.
As we have seen Shakespeare gives the audience a number of valuable lessons about love. Plot
incident and passionate dialogue are used when Antonio gives Bassanio money to go visit Portia.
This shows that true friendship can be as strong as true love and they would do anything for each
other and not care about the consequences. Tests are used to show how Portia's father cared about
her, even after he was dead and knew that her true love would choose the right casket and not be
deceived by money and wealth. This fatherly love shows that Portia's father really did love her and
cared so much that even after he had died he wanted her to be happy, with a man that didn't want
her money but wanted her love. Characterisation and emotive language is used to show how shylock
was more interested in money than anything else. Shylock was greedy and this is shown in more
than one occasion. the first is when he gives Antonio the loan to give Bassanio he wants ten percent
interest as well as the money back in three months time. The second is when

The Merchant Of Venice Essay
What's in a Word Paper The Merchant of Venus, is a play written by William Shakespeare and is a
majority of the time remembered for its scene with Shylock and Antonio. As intricate as the play
wove itself, the word that seemed to occur a majority of the time "bonds", had multiple meanings
occurring throughout the play. Oxford English Dictionary (OED) tells us that Bonds can mean the
bondage of a marriage, the ways of which a thing is bound or tied down, agreement or engagement
binding to him of which who makes it, and a deed, by which binds himself, his heirs, executors, or
assigns to pay a certain sum of money. In this play, we see a strong connection between bonds and
goods reoccurring from start to finish. The term "bond", is...show more content...
The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond.
Interestedly, instead of Shakespeare using the word bond as a way to tie Portia and Bassanio and
their undying love and promises. We find Bassanio discovering out about Antonio's situation in a
letter telling Bassanio about his lost ships and Shylocks intentions of taking his pound of flesh.
The news incites a since of guilt from Bassanio which prods Portia to offer and pay twenty times
the original sum. After reading the letter aloud to Portia she suggests Bassanio go to his friends aid
and go back to Venice by his side. (3.2.314)
Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very low, my
bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since in paying it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared
between you and I, if I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding, use your pleasure: if your
love do not persuade you to come, let not my letter. Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond
(3.2.298) This section is an instance were the word bond as the agreement between Shylock is
confronted by another strong character in this play. Portia playing a strong masculine role for her
house hold and new husband Bassanio. She shows her power and authority by wanting to deface the
bond and pay more than the original sum, to free Antonio and help out Bassanio. This shows that
even though the agreement between Antonio and

Analysis of The Merchant of Venice Essay
Analysis of The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" is based on a simple enough plot, but it gives
a more complex view of the characters involved. It portrays each characters attitude, opinions and
actions and shows how they affect the other characters.
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Shylock is perhaps the most noteworthy character. He is centred on most of the play's events.
Throughout the play he is portrayed as both a villain and a victim and is used to emphasise a
number of the play's themes such as greed, revenge, prejudice and racism.
The play begins with Antonio, the merchant of the play's title, being...show more content...
He was once even referred to as "the devil". The fact that all of the play's characters see Shylock as
a villain makes it difficult for the reader to see him as anything else. Though the play does show an
apparent change in Shylock from villain to victim it is still uncertain what he actually is.
There are many aspects that portray Shylock as a villain. The fact that he lives in a Christian
society, yet still he has a deep hatred of Christians and in particular Antonio is the most obvious
aspect:
"How like a fawning publican he looks/ I hate
him for he is a Christian"
His hatred for Antonio is shown at the end of the play when his intent on Antonio's life is shown as
well as his desire for revenge:
"I will have my bond"
At the beginning of the play his devious and cunning side is portrayed when he hides his hatred for
Antonio behind his proposed friendship. His cunning side is again portrayed at the end of the play
when he expects to be shown mercy by the Christians yet he has shown no mercy to them:
"You take my house when you do not take the prop/ they doth sustain my house; you take my life
/ when you do not take the means whereby I live."
Finally the treatment he gives his daughter Jessica portrays him as a villain. He forces his Jewish
religion upon her yet does not

Merchant of Venice Essay: The Role of Jessica
The Role of Jessica in Merchant of Venice
The character of Jessica, in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice serves an important function in
respect to her father, Shylock. By deserting him for a Christian husband, Shylock loses the last
person with whom he has any kind of tie. Shylock's isolation becomes a vital part of his character,
and drives his merciless actions against Antonio.
Throughout the play, everyone who could claim any type of social or familial tie to Shylock leaves
him. Launcelot the Clown, moves to a Christian master, who has the,"grace of God..." (II,ii L.139)
His own daughter Jessica forsakes him, and his entire Jewish culture, to marry Lorenzo, and become
a Christian. Thus Shylock has no one from...show more content...
He can no longer think of people as separate from money. His bond with Antonio is thrown to such
extremes because Antonio does not exist as a person in Shylock's eyes. Instead, Antonio becomes a
symbol for the kind of family Shylock yearns for.
This desire comes out by Shylock's words in the courtroom scene. After his defeat, Shylock tells the
group that no matter the judgement, he is still ruined. He says:
"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 L.372–5)
By removing from him his wealth, the court sentences Shylock to virtual nothingness. Shylock's
words here are loaded with emotion because he has been reduced to nothing. His selfish ways
drive him from his entire house, and now those same feelings cause his money to also disappear.
Shylock's reply to the sentence in the passage above shows his isolation from the world of
"Christian" motives. Money is truly Shylock's only relative at the end of the play. Jessica's
disappearance becomes doubly–damaging with her "theft" of the gemstones, and the three thousand
ducats. By taking money, Jessica not only removes herself from her father, but also steals the object
through which Shylock has attached himself to. Shylock yearns for something to hold on to. His

Essay on merchant of venice
The Merchant of Venice
The play, ВЎВ°The Merchant of VeniceВЎВ± by William Shakespeare has two main settings. One
setting is Venice, a city where many businessmen live, a place, full of unhappy and unkind people.
It a world of commercial and law. Shakespeare has portrayed Venice as the В
ЎВ°realВЎВ± world.
The other setting is Belmont, a city which houses a rich, happy society of beautiful people. Belmont
is a fairy–tale world of music and love. In this play, it is evident that, good things happen in Belmont
and not so pleasant events happen in Venice.
The play begins with Antonio, a rich merchant of Venice is depressed, which shows that money and
wealth did not bring happiness to this man. Shylock, a wealthy businessman who lives in Venice is
...show more content...
Also the people in Venice mock and laugh at Shylock when his daughter ran away with his money
to marry a Christian. Salarino and Salanio make fun of him.They had no sympathy towards the
man who has just lost his only family and his valuable money. Maybe he is greedy, but it was still
his money and one would expect people to feel sorry for him but they were even crueler to him by
laughing at his losses.
Even though one should feel sorry for Shylock, he himself is a very cruel man. He hates Antonio
and all Christians and when he got the opportunity to take revenge he was more than prepared to do
so. He and Antonio had a contract which stated that, if Antonio was not able to pay off the debt of
three thousand ducats he borrowed from Shylock within three months, he would have to pay the
debt by letting Shylock cut a pound of flesh from his body close to the heart. When AntonioВЎВЇs
ships were lost and he was not able to pay off the debt, Shylock was delighted. Shylock likes saying
ВЎВ°I thank God, I thank God. I thank thee good Tubal: good news, good news! ha, ha!ВЎВ±
ВЎВ°IВЎВЇm am very glad of it: IВЎВЇll plague him; IВЎВЇll torture him: IВЎВЇm glad of
itВЎВ± This shows that he was a horrible man. Later when he was offered the money, he refuses
saying that he would rather

Essay about The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays for a variety
of reasons. Written in sixteenth–century England, where anti–Semitism was common and the
presence of Jews was not, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human
difference. The play is especially tricky to examine in today's society, as its anti–Semitic themes and
language can be uncomfortable to face in a world post–Holocaust. Additionally, the depiction of the
relationship between Jews and Christians, which has always been an ambivalent one, adds a very
interesting albeit difficult dimension to this play. Ultimately, through dramatic plot and distinctive
characters, The Merchant of Veniceexplores what it means to be...show more content...
One side of Shylock is preoccupied by money and crazed by revenge, while the other represents an
old man who eventually loses everything near and dear to him, an outsider who is spit on by his
Christian enemies and must put up with being called "misbeliever, cut–throat, [and] dog" (1.3.107).
Unlike other antagonists such as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing or Aaron in Titus
Andronicus, Shylock does not explicitly name himself as a villain nor does he relish in his evil
behaviour. He does indeed display villainous characteristics; very early on he admits in an aside
that he hates Antonio "for he is a Christian" (1.3.37), and his obsession with revenge quickly
grows out of control. But what is complicated about Shylock's "evil" is that it all seems to stem
from the malevolence of the Christians. One cannot really blame him about being bitter for the
times Antonio kicked him and spit "upon [his] beard" (1.3.113), or that his money lending
business is damaged by Antonio's tendency to lend out "money gratis" (1.3.39). Even though the
Christians in the play consider usury an evil practice, it is the only way that Shylock knows how
to make a living, and it is understandable that he would be protective of his business. He shows his
more tender side in scenes with daughter, especially in 2.4 as he leaves home and tells her to shut
the door after her, because something firmly secured will remain safe; "Fast bind, fast find вЋЇ / A
proverb never stale in thrifty mind"

Merchant of Venice: Portia Essay
The Merchant of Venice is a play set in a very male and Christian dominated society where other
religions and women rights weren't very well accepted by the community. However Portia, a rich
woman who had previously been controlled by men, triumphs as she manipulates tricks and saves
the lives of the men.
We see how she is manipulated by men through her father, who though dead, still manages to
control who she marries from his will. He states in his will that from three different caskets the
suitors will have to chose, in each of which will contain either a letter to the suitor or a picture of
Portia. In one of the three caskets, either the lead, silver or gold casket, there will be a picture of
Portia the suitor picking the casket...show more content...
He also says that 'his furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning' so Bellario
is saying that Balthazar has a great knowledge but with the opinions and thoughts of Bellario's
experience he has a greater knowledge than Bellario himself. By writing 'the greatness whereof I
cannot enough commend' this is saying that he is speechless when it comes to the amount of
knowledge that Balthazar seems to have, this could almost in it self make the Duke want to see
Balthazar because to say, for example, that someone was so beautiful that you couldn't put it into
words, you would want to see for yourself just how beautiful this person is. He then repeats flattery
at the end of the speech 'I leave him to your gracious acceptance' this suggests that he doesn't want to
over–do the whole letter because if he had ended it, for example, with 'please, please take him I
promise you that he will be the best and that if you don't there'll be consequences' which possible
makes him think that he's not that good and that Bellario made it up to get out of the court hearing,
but he leaves it in the Dukes hands and lets him make the decision. She adds persuasion at the end
by saying that the trial would be better with Balthazar's presence. Another example of Portia fighting
back is when Portia uses trickery to make Shylock stick exactly to the bond causing him to be
condemned to Christianity and to give half of his belongings to Antonio and the other half to

Merchant Of Venice Essay Outline
The Merchant of Venice Essay Outline
Introduction:
Hook: The theme is the main subject or message of a story. It is used to give depth and enhance the
plot. The themes of The Merchant of Venice are used throughout the story of the play to make the
plot move along and to encourage the characters into action.
Bridge: When you read The Merchant of Veniceby William Shakespeare there are many themes
throughout the play and many lessons to be learned.
Main Ideas: The most important themes are hatred, mercy and friendship. Hatred is important
because it creates rivalry amongst the characters . Friendship motivates the heros and allows for
there to be a logical conclusion as both Shakespeare and his characters work out their prejudices.
...show more content...
If he have the condition of a saint
and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me." (Act 1 scene 2)
Analysis:In this quote, she is saying that even if he were a saint she would never marry him because
he has dark skin.
Paragraph Conclusion: Shakespeare portrays hatred and and prejudice throughout the play to
establish that everyone is flawed, and to show us that these flaws can be overcome by morality and
acceptance.
Body paragraph two:
Topic Sentence: Mercy plays a major role in this play it shows us the importance of human life and
friendship.
Subpoint #1:The whole play leads up to the courtroom scene when Portia was trying to convince
Shylock to be merciful towards Antonio.
Example: "The quality of mercy is not strained:It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.Upon the
place beneath. It is twice blessed:It blessed him that gives, and him that takes."(Act 4 scene 1) portia
Analysis: in this quote Portia is talking to Shylock, she 's asking him to spare Antonio 's life and
she is saying that mercy is more important than revenge and that mercy is a quality of God

Subpoint #2: the duke showed mercy when he prevented Shylock 's execution and let him keep half
of his estate.
Example:"I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it"(Act 4 scene 1)Duke
Analysis: The Duke allowed Shylock to live because he felt sorry for him.
Paragraph

Essay on Merchant of Venice
Mercy v. Justice – Old Testament v. New Testament
While the conflict between justice and mercy plays a key role in determining the outcome of The
Merchant of Venice, this conflict is even more important because it provides a setting for the
contrast between the rigid law and rules of the Old Testament and the concepts of mercy and
forgiveness as taught by Christ in the New Testament. It is in the climactic trial scene that The
Duke, hoping Shylock will excuse Antonio's penalty, asks him, "How shall thou hope for mercy
rend'ring none?" He is referring to expectations of judgment in the afterlife. However, so is Shylock,
when he counters, "What judgment shall I dread doing no wrong?" This exchange perfectly presents
this conflict between...show more content...
Shylock, for his part, has indeed become fierce in his desire to extract vengeance by forcing the
death of Antonio.
The trial scene is constructed from a Christian perspective, and it highlights the dichotomy of Old
Testament legalism as opposed to the New Testament gospel of grace and forgiveness. The Duke,
Bassanio and finally Portia, all plead with Shylock to show mercy, but Shylock's hate has made him
immune to reason, as he is totally absorbed by a passion for revenge.
The Merchant of Venicedraws upon laws and rules of Venice and those stipulated in contracts and
wills. Two things are emphasized when the trial begins. Firstly, it is clear that Shylock will not
show any mercy and relinquish his right to a pound of Antonio's flesh as stipulated in the bond,
and secondly, that Shylock has the rule of law on his side. Antonio himself says, "The Duke cannot
deny the course of law: For the commoditie that strangers have / With us in Venice, if it be denied,
Will much impeach the justice of the State, Since that the trade and profit of the city / Consisteth of
all Nations." Shylock demands the strict interpretation of those laws, and seeks justice in its most
severe and uncompromised form. He demands Antonio's death for forfeiting his bond. "The
pound of flesh which I demand of him / Is dearly bought, 'tis mine and I will have it".
In response to Shylock's Old Testament cry for bloody justice Portia answers with a speech that rivals

Merchant of Venice Essay
Defeating the enemy, light–heartedness, and a happy ending for the lovers are all elements in a
comedic play. William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice shows that love conquers all and that
you can always defeat the enemy. Even if a pound of flesh is the difference between life and death,
or if one wrong person chooses the casket that decides your fate. For example, The Merchant of
Venice, Antonio, not only survives the fate of having a pound of his flesh taken from his body on
account of his friend that could not repay the bond to a man who is seen as the devil, but gets thrice
his money back and the villain is taken down. Not to mention that Antonio's best friend, Bassanio,
not only repays the bond and gets out of his debt to...show more content...
142–147) Antonio agrees to the deal, since he feels that helping his Bassanio is the right thing to do
for a best friend. As time progresses Bassanio and Portia found their way to each other, though
Bassanio still has not the money to pay Shylock, so he tells Portia. She has no problem paying the
bond and says, "Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;/ Double six thousand, and then treble
that," (3.2.298–299). With that, Bassanio has a chance to save his friend's life, and pay back the
Jew. At the time of the trial Antonio feels ready to except his fate, to give in to the villain. Antonio
says his last words to Bassanio, but when Shylock starts to prepare to cut into Antonio the judge
(who is really Portia in disguise) presents a reason why Shylock may not take Antonio's flesh. Portia
states, "Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate / Unto the state of Venice" (3.1.309
–310). Shylock is
denied of the money which was offered at the beginning because he refused it

The Merchant of Venice Essay
In the comedy, The Merchant of Venice, the roles and responsibilities of women is a significant
social issue proposed by Shakespeare. This theme is communicated by the only three female
characters in the play: Nerissa, Portia and Jessica. For example, in Act 4 during the trial between
Antonio and Shylock, Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as Balthasar and Bellario to free their
friend. However, Jessica also plays a minor role in portraying the independence of Jewish women in
a Christian and Elizabethan society, by successfully betraying her father, Shylock. These characters
portray Shakespeare's overall opinion on women, as well as a modern audience's view on
Elizabethan society in many significant ways by accentuating themes, ideas...show more content...
The audience, as well as Bassanio, view Portia as a beautiful, immaculate, aristocratic and "fair"
lady. However after Act 5, Portia is nothing, but prejudicial and bigoted, as she is the cause of
Shylock's demise and claims that she used "my [her] body" to punish Bassanio for abusing her
gift of love: the ring. This is ironic, because Portia infringes her relationship with Bassanio by
inferring she has committed an affair, even though she herself accuses him of abusing her love
and power by losing the ring. This implies that relationships in Elizabethan society were corrupt
and fake, which allowed many women in particular to commit religious crimes against their
husbands. Furthermore, Shakespeare additionally uses the theme of deception to convey that
women are superior to men. This seen when Portia tells Nerissa that "I [she] have work in hand
/ That you yet know of. We'll see our husbands/Before they think of us" (3.4), as she wants to help
Bassanio and Gratiano save Antonio's life by disguising. In general, many Elizabethan playwrights
such as Twelfth Night and The Merry Wives of Windsor, allow the audience to understand the fact
that the position of women was such, so that they could not become "active" (3.4) in society. By
Portia and Nerissa dressing up as Balthasar and Bellario, this would give them temporary masculinity
and so, the ability to do things that normal social codes would not,

Comment On The Merchant Of Venice
Comment on The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a 16th–century play by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in
Venice must default on a large loan provided by an abused Jewish moneylender. It is believed to
have been written between 1596 and 1599. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and
sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most
remembered for its dramatic scenes, and it is best known for Shylock and the famous "Hath not a
Jew eyes?" speech. Also notable is Portia's speech about "the quality of mercy".
The author, William Shakespeare, was born on 26 April 1564 and passed away on 23 April 1616. He
was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest...show more content...
Based on the enlightenment of humanistic spirits and feelings, The Merchant of Venice explains
what the sincere friendship is. Antonio does not hesitate to help his friend to make a proposal to the
beautiful lady–Portia. Though he has no cash in hand, he is willing to make a guarantee for his best
friend, even knowing the cruel requirement of borrowing money from the Jew–Shylock. When it is
time to pay back the money, Antonio can't repay on schedule. Then, Shylock urges Antonio to pay
his money; otherwise, he will ask the court to judge the case. Whereas, when it is time to cut one
pound of flesh in Antonio's chest, he doesn't show regret or complaint to his friend but his
affectionate farewell and best wishes. As the saying goes, a friend is like a foreign body. Friendship
is more precious than jewelry, which brings you warm, relief and happiness. The friendship between
Antonio and Bassanio reflects the glory of

The Merchant of Venice
Comparison and Contrast of Shylock and Claudius
Introduction
This essay looks into the lives of Shylock and Antonio. These are two of Shakespearean
antagonists of all time. They are alike in more ways than one. Shylock in Merchant of Venice is a
Jewish moneylender based in Venice. He has been tormented and repressed mainly by the Christian
population. One finds it easy to sympathize with him mainly because he has his own reasons to be
loathing, greedy, and miserly. This ends up making the entire 'Merchant of Venice' bittersweet. This
was when Shylock was forced to give up all that he owned and further converted it to Christianity.
This meant that that Jewish community would no longer accept him. It also meant that he would be
shunned by...show more content...
The object of affection as seen is Bassanio who goes ahead to take full advantage of this merchant's
feelings for him (Wright 45).
The main principles of Antonio do not support borrowing or lending money for profit. He purely
reflects a medieval attitude for money that needs to be lent for Christian charity. When he lends to
Bassanio, this made him to cast aside his principles and take a loan from Shylock. He then pledges
his flesh as bond. When Antonio's ships are lost at sea, this meant that he could not repay the loan
and therefore he accepts to pay Shylock with a pound of his flesh (Shakespeare 61).
Shylock on the other point is a focal point of the entire play. There is a traditional stereotype of
Jews found in the Elizabethan times. He is comically put out as a greedy minister who wears a
traditional Jewish gabardine. As a middle–aged man, Shylock has a keenness of observation, a
memory of several details as well as a strong energy amount. Unlike Antonio, he is portrayed as
someone with a strong amount of energy who is well versed with the Bible. He often draws
analogies from several Biblical stories and sources. These are relevant to situations whereby he finds
himself in.
When Shylock speaks, he speaks in a manner that reveals authoritativeness. He makes frequent
references to ancient and great names from the scriptures. He then uses these when justifying his
own bad practices. His speech further reveals a

Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is so alike to our financially afflicted world. The rules of
law and commerce are subject to deceptive manipulation, fear of "the other" overwhelms respect for
a common humanity, duplicity is the norm, sexuality is a vehicle for ambition, and money drives
and wraps almost every action. It is a classic tale that includes important details of the financial crisis
in the United States during 2007–2009. Shakespeare's Venice, like the New York of his time– and
the financial capitals of ours – is a city based on borrowing, on market speculation and greed
masquerading as wealth and sophistication. Behind the curtains of the practice of lending and
borrowing money in Shakespeare's play lay the transition to capitalism: the rise of banking system;
the scarcity for credit in developing industrial enterprises; and the growing dispute of default facing
both aristocratic landlords and, above all, small, independent early entrepreneurs on trading ventures.
Even though almost 600 years apart from each other, both Shakespeare's tale and the financial crisis
in the United States during 2007–2009 have a similar financial dilemma, each has its unique
Shylock, Bassanio and Antonio– people who were responsible for causing the meltdown of their
days. We all know from our course that leverage and liquidity risks of financial institutions are
vulnerable to the crisis. The financial crisis that emerged in 2007 had many and varied causes, but
one of its most

Essay on Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
The Rivals Love triangles are complicated and messy scenarios that are caused by the indecision of
the person in the middle or the inability of the others to move on. The same is seen in The Merchant
of Venice, in which Antonio and Portia fight for Bassanio. Throughout the play we see many bonds
or connections between both Antonio and Bassanio as well as Portia and Bassanio. To many, the
main plot may seem to be the conflict between Antonio and Shylock, when in reality it's the love that
Antonio and Portia have for Bassanio that leads to everything. The main plot is moved forward by
the bonds the two have with Bassanio and the rivalry they have with each other. Nearly everything
that happens in the play has to do with their fight for...show more content...
Antonio's first quote in the play brings attention to his sadness: "In sooth I know not why I am so
sad. It wearies me, you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff
'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn and such a want–wit sadness makes of me That I have
much ado to know myself" (1.1.1–7). Portia mentions her fatigue of everything around her, at which
point Bassanio is not around her: "By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great
world" (1.2.1–2). This shows that Bassanio means just as much to both, they are both sad because
of Bassanio. Antonio is sad that he will lose Bassanio, while Portia is sad that she may not even get
him if another man chooses the right casket before him. As Hyman says in "The Rival Lovers in the
Merchant of Venice", it may not necessarily be homoerotic love that is driving Antonio to fight for
Bassanio, it may just be that he feels rejected by his friend who he did so much for. Antonio may
be speaking the truth that he does not know why he is sad. Although he knows that he should be
happy that his friend is getting a wife, he is not ready for someone else to take his place as the most
important person in Bassanio's life (Hyman 3). The two try to one best one another in their attempt
to get Bassanio. Antonio tries to win Bassanio first by offering him his money and then by bonding

The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1596 and finished writing it
in 1598. The play starts off with Bassanio wanting to marry Portia. He confronts Antonio to ask
him for a loan so he can have enough money to marry his soon to be wife. Antonio finds he doesn't
have enough money to give Bassanio the loan so he agrees to be the person to guarantee the loan.
The two of them find Shylock to give him the loan. Portia then welcomes the prince of Morocco,
who has come in an attempt to choose the right casket to marry her, he chooses the wrong casket
and loses her hand in marriage (Spark Notes: Plot Overview). 3 of the most important things in the
play are how people that look nice on the outside may be rotten and mean...show more content...
This proves how people can look nice and friendly on the outside and rotten at heart, Portia is a
perfect example of this. During the dispute between Shylock and the Christian believers mercy
becomes a major part in the arguments. Portia thinks Shylock should give mercy to Antonio and
make less of a punishment then killing him. Portia manages to bend the rules and turn the law
against Shylock and his non–merciful ways (Spark Notes: Themes, Motifs & Symbols, par. 4). I
think that Portia should have given Shylock mercy as she was hard on him since he threatened to
kill Antonio. She always says how mercy is the right thing to do and how it should be considered to
the people that do bad things:
"The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
The thronГЁd monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings,
But mercy is above this sceptered sway.
It is enthronГЁd in the hearts of kings.
It is an attribute to God himself.
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this–
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see

Merchant of Venice Critical Essay
In "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, Shylock is portrayed as an attractive villain.
It is the relationship between Shylock and Antonio, Shylock and his daughter, Jessica, and his
selfishness through his attitude to material possessions that make him an attractive villain, he is
portrayed as an attractive villain, and I am going to look at the extent that this is true in "The
Merchant of Venice."
Shylock is portrayed as a stereotypical Jew which is one of the aspects that makes him an attractive
villain. He hates Christians, and especially hates Antonio because of a grudge he has had from the
past. During the trial scene, he is desperate to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio, and won't even
accept double the amount he is...show more content...
Shylock's hunger for revenge in the trial scene, and his desparation to cut a pound of flesh from
Antonio's body makes him an attractive villain. The Duke of Venice asks Shylock to forgive
Antonio because it is cruel to carry out his bond. "Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more
strange than is thy strange apparent cruelty." Shylock hates Antonio. This is purely the reason he is
so determined to take his pound of flesh. He regards Antonio as being unimportant and inferior. He
only wants his bond out of spite, to hurt Antonio. "To bait fish withal. If I feed nothing else it will
feed my revenge." This shows Shylock's hunger for revenge, and that revenge us more valuable and
important to him than any amount of money. "I rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh than
to receive 3,000 ducats." It is through this that Shylock is portrayed as an attractive villain.
Throughout the play, Shylock is portrayed as an attractive villain by his actions, speech and hunger
for revenge. I have looked at his relationship with the main character, Antonio, and with his daughter,
Jessica. I have also looked at how his character develops throughout the trial scene. The playwright,
William Shakespeare, is successful in

Essay about Merchant of Venice Film Analysis
English 101–210
Final Draft
Battle of the Directors The Merchant of Venice, also known as "The Jew of Venice" is a drama
play originally written by William Shakespeare in 1598. The major conflict occurs when a man
named Antonio (Venetian merchant) fails to pay off a loan to a greedy Jewish money loaner known as
Shylock who demands a pound of flesh from Antonio in return. Antonio and his friends take a
journey through friendship, love, and hatred in an attempt to free him of his pound of flesh fate
induced by Shylock. Imagine yourself sitting in the master minds of directors Michael Radford and
John Sichel while they are directing their adaptations of the play. Imagine experiencing their unique
ideas first hand looking through their...show more content...
By having the prince travel alone it appears that he has more to offer in the sense of bravery and
boldness to Portia compared to when he comes with his friends. The viewers could see that Sichel
uses the prince seeking for love in solitude as a symbol of nobility and heroicness to support the
character's personality. The audience watching Radford's interpretation may give them the opinion
that his choice lowers the prince's independence by bringing in unnecessary characters. This choice
does not present the characters very well when compared to Sichel's.
Analyzing the same scene above but in a different perspective it is apparent to the viewer that in
Sichels's film the setup of the caskets can be seen as symbolic to the prince's actions. The prince is
standing behind the triangle shaped display of caskets and asks Portia how he will know if he
chooses the right one, after her response he says, "some God direct my judgment..." while looking
up at the ceiling (26:42 – 26:45)( " YouTube– The Merchant of Venice(1973). Part 4 of 14."). The
shape of a triangle stands for many beliefs according to many ancient beliefs. This shape is
associated with the number 3 for there are three caskets to choose from. Each corner is said to
symbolize "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit"; while this shape is said to represent God the
prince of Moscow looks up towards the ceiling as

Essays On Merchant Of Venice

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Essays On Merchant Of Venice