Choose one scene towards the end of the play. Explain its significance within the play as a whole.

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Choose one scene towards the end of the play. Explain its significance within the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice is a comedy play written by William Shakespeare in Elizabethan times. Antonio who' is a merchant of Venice agrees to lend his friend Bassanio money so he is able to go to Belmont to woo Portia. All Antonio's ship where out at sea so he had to seek money elsewhere which is when he became bound to Shylock. Shylock is a Jewish usurer and made his money by lending it out and charging interest. When Antonio approaches Shylock for a loan, he makes him promise to forfeit a pound of flesh if he is unable to pay back the money within three months. Shylock then finds out that his daughter; Jessica had eloped with Lorenzo who is a Christian. Which doesn't please Shylock, as there's a dispute between Christians and Jew, for Jews were seen as evil in Elizabethan times. Bassanio, accompanied by his friend Gratiano depart for Belmont, once they arrive Bassanio falls in love with Portia and chooses the right casket but their happiness is interrupted by the news of Antonio's ship not arriving so the bond goes to court.

We are first introduced to shylock in Act I Scene 3 where we learn of his usury and a lot about his character and intentions. He is considered an alien in Venice as he dresses differently, comes from a different back ground and culture. We also learn of Shylock's hatred towards Christians and Antonio, before he even says a word to Antonio he lets the audience now of his hatred towards Antonio. 'How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian.' Shylock also shows an element of belligerence in his refusal to ever forgive the Christians. We also see how devious and cunning he is in the way he tells Antonio he wants to be friends with him and saying the bond is just a 'merry sport'. By getting Antonio to agree he has made him indebt, no just with money but his life. Although Antonio is very naive in the way he accepts the bond, knowing that they aren't exactly the best of friends and being so confident in thinking that he will be able to pay him back on time.

Perhaps Shylock feels justified in seeking revenge upon Antonio as he blames him for all his problems and is bitter about the way Antonio has treated him the past. As he has humiliated Shylock in public by spitting on him in public and calling him names such as 'dog' and 'cutthroat Jew'. Shylock tells the audience how he hopes for revenge Antonio for his own humiliation and for the Jews who have suffered for a long time because of Christians. So through the bond he will be able to bring justice to himself and other Jews. When Jessica runs away with a Christian this makes him more revengeful towards Antonio 'I'll plague him, I'll torture him, I'm glad of it'. In the scenes directly before the trial scene, Act 4 Scene 1 we really learn how revengeful Shylock is. In the way he repeats 'I will have my bond' Showing how fixed on what he wants and how he is unwilling to show mercy.
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The trial scene takes place in Venice which has very much been portrayed as the men's world. Where businesses transactions have taken place and all the hatred have taken place. Where as Belmont is seen as the women's world full of love and peace. The main contrast between Venice and Belmont is that one is where money is made and the other is where money is spent. Another contrast is in the way Shakespeare interacts the cities by moving from one to the other in each scene. When we hear of Shylock's hatred and the bond the tension ...

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