Discusses the character of Shylock from "Merchant of Venice" with reference to the anti-Semitic crusade that was taking place during the time Shakespeare wrote his play.
2,650 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 97.95
Abstract This eleven-page graduate paper discusses the character of Shylock in "Merchant of Venice" with reference to anti-Semitic crusade that was going on in England at the time Shakespeare wrote his play. The readers should study the character from all perspectives in order to gain a better understanding of Shakespeare's intentions.
Abstract This is an argumentative paper about the characterization of Shylock in the "Merchant of Venice" and whether Shakespeare should be viewed as a racist for his portrayal of Shylock. The author argues that Shakespeare is not an anti-Semite and merely reflects popular prejudice in his characterization of Shylock.
From the Paper 'Shakespeare is not an anti-Semite. He does not portray Jews with intentional slander but instead utilizes contemporary bias and prejudice to create controversy and commentary delivering social medicine to the public through the very same conduit of their prejudice. Shylock, in the "Merchant of Venice," is a target and conduit for popular prejudice. By first laughing at the realization of social beliefs the audience is then stunned when Shylock forces the realization of his equality. Regarding "The Merchant of Venice," and Shylock, there are two schools of thought. While many call Shakespeare a racist, anti-Semite, bigot and worse, for his many portrayals of minority groups, the portrayal of Shylock has a unique aspect, which necessarily separates it from any other instance of racism within Shakespeare's work."
Abstract This paper looks at Portia's true love for Bassanio in Shakespeare's play, "The Merchant of Venice" and contrasts it with Antonio's self-serving, obsessive love for the same man. Reflections on Shakespeare's insights on true love are offered.
From the Paper "The Merchant of Venice like all of his plays is full of meaning on many levels. One of the predominant themes in this play however is that of love. A number of people in the play either love each other or claim to.."
Abstract This paper analyzes Thomas Mann's novella "Death in Venice" and discusses the plot line and the moral decline of the protagonist. It also looks at major characters, references to ancient Greece and the symbolism of the book.
From the Paper "In Thomas Mann's novella Death in Venice, the aging protagonist Gustav von Aschenbach is symbolic of the pursuit of aesthetic beauty and his ensuing moral decline is symbolic of the decadence and moral decline in turn of the century Europe in what is known a ..."
Abstract This paper states that, in these Shakespeare's plays, women are equal to men and are not excluded when it comes to love and Christianity, but they are lesser than men and are excluded when it comes to politics and power. The author explains that ?The Merchant of Venice? women are portrayed as being equal to men and as having as much power as men; but, in "Julius Caesar", women are portrayed as being lesser than men and as having little power. The paper concludes that, in ?The Merchant of Venice?, masculine activity is limited and does not exist to isolate women; but, in ?Julius Caesar", masculine activity is large and exists to exclude women.
From the Paper "This difference in subject and theme explains why Shakespeare offers two very different views in the two plays. These different views do not represent that Shakespeare has a view of women that is really any different in either play. Instead, it represents that Shakespeare regards women differently depending on the subject and theme to which he is applying his ideas. The differences in the play in regards to women and the sphere of masculine activity will now be described by illustrating the differences and relating them to the themes and subjects of the plays."
Abstract This essay explores the themes of love, and loss, in two of Shakespeare's plays - "King Lear", and "The Merchant of Venice". Here, two characters are examined in order to understand their movements through loss and grief, towards redemption through love. The relation of personal and social identity is regarded as the primary effect of loss, giving way to grief and hatred. Similarly, through love, a sense of self is restored, thus enabling each character a way to redeem themselves, and to re-connect with a sense of identity.
Abstract This paper looks at the character Portia in Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice." This paper will illustrate how this character is portrayed by her words. This paper will also look at her actions and explain what is happening in the play.
Abstract This paper will seek to understand the character Rinault in Thomas Otway's "Venice Preserved" and the character Millwood in Lillo's "History of George Barnwell" (otherwise called "The London Merchant"). By observing these characters we can see how they present villainy in the tragic drama.
Abstract This paper discusses William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". The paper focuses on the character of Antonio, the struggling Christian in play. The paper states that while this play is generally considered to be a comedy, there are many who believe it to be a tragedy. The paper explains that this is due to the anti-Semitic treatments of the character of Shylock. The paper examines the play's conflict between Christianity and Judaism.
From the Paper "It is generally believed that William Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice in either 1596 or 1597, prior to the great tragedies that he penned later in his career. Although The Merchant of Venice is considered a comedy, some modern readers consider it a borderline tragedy. Many critics believe it to be a tragedy that Shakespeare wrote this play at all because of its anti-Semitic treatments of Shylock. Harold Bloom, for instances, pronounces with his usual verve: "it would have been better had Shakespeare never written this play" (Bloom 190). However, with all the attention that modern scholars have poured into the character of Shylock, the title character Antonio seems to remain in the shadows. This is most unfortunate as Shakespeare inextricably bound Antonio and Shylock in order to have each comment, as it were, on the other. On the surface, Antonio, the 'good Christian,' seems the antithesis of Shylock, the 'evil Jew'; together, the two characters embody the conflict between Christianity and Judaism."
This paper compares the three suitors in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" and explores how Shakespeare influences the audience's attitudes towards the three men.
Abstract This paper explains that, in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Portia's three suitors--the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon and Bassanio-- reveal the contents of the three caskets and, by exposing their attitudes towards the caskets, indicate their true character, which heightens the dramatic tension. The author points out that, at the time the play was written England was at war with Spain so Arragon, a rather unflattering stereotype of a typical Spaniard, would have been funny to an Elizabethan audience and his name "Arragon" and "Arrogant" amusing. The paper relates that Morocco is jeered at for his skin color but Bassanio is portrayed more favorably as a Christian and Venetian, who is not proud or arrogant. Many illustrations.
From the Paper "The second suitor is the Prince of Arragon whose entrance unlike Morocco's is not pre-empted by any comments from Portia. His arrogance and pride are shown through his choice of casket and his reaction to choosing the wrong casket. He comments on the inscription of gold casket, "...I will not jump with common spirits/And rank me with barbarous multitudes" (Act II Scene ix). Thinking gold was too common for him he arrogantly discards it. He does not even stop to contemplate the lead casket saying only that it would have to look more attractive for him to hazard anything for it. The silver casket is the one that appeals to him the most because he feels that no one deserving should go unmerited. His arrogance leads him to assume that he is worthy of Portia."
Abstract This paper examines how Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" contains elements of anti-Semitism when depicting Shylock as a stereotypical Jew. Because he is a Jewish usurer, Shylock appears tight-fisted and materialistic. It looks at how Antonio and other characters hold grudges against him because of his trade, leading the audience to shun him as well. Shylock is also degraded because of his faith, as characters consider him dog like and devilish. It also shows how casting an even darker shadow onto Shylock are the Christians, whom Shakespeare constructs as characters of righteousness and courage.
From the Paper "In Merchant of Venice, Christians are shown in a light of goodness as they defend Antonio's life, while Shylock is seen as a bloodthirsty murderer. In the midst of Shylock's excitement over Antonio's death sentence, the Christians beg for Shylock to spare Antonio's life. While Shylock is shown here as the murderous villain, the Christians are seen in more of a heroic light. Instinctively, the audience equates Shylock, the murderer, as the "bad guy" and the Christians, who act in a heroic manner, as the "good guys." Because he is a usurer, it is automatically assumed that Shylock intended to murder Antonio to rid himself of future money discrepancies. "
Abstract This paper examines numerous examples of rhetoric in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". This paper focuses on two characters and their use of language to persuade others to act in a certain way, as well as on Shakespeare's use of those characters to sway the reader. The author first explores Portia's character and her use of rhetoric for control. Next he studies Shakespeare's use of rhetoric for mercy, as seen through the character of Shylock.
From the Paper "Let's evaluate the scene where Portia and Bassanio are before the caskets where Bassanio must make his choice. The dialogue directly proceeding the finding of the casket is basic lover's speech, but wait! Listen carefully to what Portia says: "If you do love me, you will find me out" (III ii 41). Portia leads Bassanio to believe that the choice he makes in the caskets his own. She leads the reader to believe that Bassanio's love for her is the only force which leads to the discovery of the correct casket. However, earlier when Portia is speaking of the preparations for the casket choice, she speaks of music which is to be played while Bassanio makes his choice. Ok, this seems innocent enough; but examine the song -- the first two lines of the song rhyme with lead. It doesn't take long for the subliminal message to be absorbed in Bassanios brain, and the lead casket is chosen. This manipulative device is an indication to me that Portia has a need to make things go her way. She is afraid that Bassanio will make the wrong choice, and therefore assists him."
Abstract The paper examines how the themes of fidelity and financial gain through greed are the main themes of the "ring plot" in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". The writer proposes that, by analyzing the symbolic role of the wedding ring as a valuable financial asset, as well as a symbol for loyalty, one can realize the comedic value of Portia's test of Bassanio.
From the Paper "In this drama study the crucial "ring plot" in "The Merchant of Venice" will be examined. Both Nerissa and Portia both demand their husband's wedding rings due to the extreme monetary nature of love depicted between suitors and marriage in Shakespeare's play. The factors of infidelity, forced marriage, and the availability of wealth for Portia's suitors offers an solution as to why the rings become symbolic of greed and infidelity in marital issues. In essence, the rings come to symbolize the comedic overtones of greed for money and broken vows of marriage through the Venetian institution of marriage and courtship. In Act V, scene I of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare acknowledges a triumphant court battle between Shylock and Antonio for a debt accrued for backing Bassanio's courtship fees for Portia."
Abstract This paper examines how although "The Merchant Of Venice" can be considered comic, Harley Granville-Barker claims that the play is a fairy tale because it has a lack of realism. The paper attempts to develop Granville-Barker's claim and extend it by using Vladimir Propp's theory in his "Morphology of the Folktale". It shows how Shakespeare portrays a very complex social condition of the community he lives in by using the fairy tale genre and how the refusal of the society to accept the other is conveyed through the character of Shylock, whose behavior varies according to the situation he is in. Sometimes he is portrayed as evil and sometimes as good.
From the Paper "In this book Propp discusses the structure of the fairy tale and defines some of features common to all known fairy tales. Propp reveals thirty one functions which pertain to a fairy tale text. Moreover, Propp claims that it is not obligatory for all the thirty one functions to be in each fairy tale, but the order of these functions remains the same in each of them:" As for grouping, it is necessary to say first of all that by no means do all fairy tales give evidence of all functions. But this in no way changes the law of sequence. The absence of certain functions does not change the order of the rest. "(22). The Merchant of Venice has some of the functions that are defined in the Morphology of The Folktale, and it is the order of those functions in the plot that leads to the conclusion that the play is a fairy tale. "
