Background to the "Merchant of Venice."

Background to the “Merchant of Venice.”

During the 16th Century, William Shakespeare wrote an extraordinary play and called it the “Merchant of Venice.” Elizabethans of this time, were extremely anti-Semitic and because of their anti-Semitism the subject matter of the play alone would have grabbed the audiences’ attention.

Inspirations for the “Merchant of Venice” came from two different places for Shakespeare. Firstly there was a play showing called the “Jew of Malta.” In this play, written by Christopher Marlowe the Jews were portrayed as monsters. Again, prior to Shakespeare’s play Dr Lopez-who was queen Elizabeth’s physician, was accused of attempting to poison the Queen. The events only added to the Elizabethans Semitism and because of these events the Elizabethans were not happy or pleasant towards the Jews.

The “Merchant of Venice” seemed to be a perfect opportunity to express their hate for the Jewish nation. “Lopez” is the Spanish word for wolf. A wolf is a type of dog and throughout the book we read of Shakespeare referring to the Jews as dogs. Once again the Elizabethans would not have seen anything wrong with this, for that was how they referred to the Jews themselves. What we need to realise is that there isn’t only one audience; in fact there are two- the 16th Century audience and the 21st Century audience. Whereas people of the 16th Century agreed with Shakespeare attitude towards Jews, the attitude of the 21st Century has completely changed.

This change in attitude has happened due to the events of World War II, where Adolph Hitler and the Nazis treated the Jews in unimaginable, inhuman and unacceptable ways. Over thirty thousand Jews were sent to concentration camps. Six million Jews were murdered, many were shot, but this method was too slow for the Nazis, so they started to build chambers and in these chambers they would send up to two thousand Jews to be gassed. Within three minutes every Jew inside was dead, the bodies were then burnt. There were many more horrific ways in which Jews were killed; this is only one!

How does Shakespeare engage the audience in the Characters and issues in Act IV scene I of the “Merchant of Venice”

Shakespeare first engages his audience in Act IV scene I by introducing a courtroom scene. Courtroom scenes are stereotyped to be full of suspense and drama. So the audience would be expecting something special from this scene. Audiences would be kept in suspense waiting for the outcome of a series of showdowns between a villain and a hero, mercy and justice and a battle between two faiths-Christianity and Judaism. In the view of the Elizabethans Shylock would have been classed to be the villain simply because he was a Jew and in contrast because Antonio was against Shylock in many ways he was seen as the hero.

Even before the dialogue is introduced there’s an air of expectation for example audiences would be thinking “whose going to win the battle; Antonio or Shylock? “Is justice going to be given and is mercy going to be shown?” the Elizabethans would have been supporting Antonio and waiting to see how he got on. Nowadays the audience would accept who comes out on top-Antonio or Shylock and probably wouldn’t think twice about it.

As we open to scene IV one of the first sentences states:

Enter the DUKE, the Magnificoes Antonio, Bassanio, and GRATIANO, SALERIO and others.

The stage set is done in such a way already that it suggests that this scene is going to be very bold. As the duke would have entered; audience know that the duke is important and he calls upon these people to enter and we see no sign of Shylock. So is this the duke already showing that he’s biased?

As the duke first speaks to Antonio he says:

I am sorry for thee, (line 3)

So already we see that the duke is on Antonio’s side, for if he wasn’t he would not have been prejudice against Shylock. This would not seem right to the 21st Century audience because a judge couldn’t take the side of any defendant before a verdict has been met. In total contrast the 16th Century audience would have sat there agreeing to what the duke was saying and maybe even cheering him along. It doesn’t stop there, next we hear Antonio being told that he’s come up against

A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, (line 4)

All I can think as I read these words is how on earth can such a superior personnel get away with such biased statements, when he should really be hearing two points if view first, but once again this is the view of a 21st Century civilian. People of the 16th Century wouldn’t give this a second thought for this is how they spoke of Jews themselves.

From any dram of mercy. (Line 6)

Mercy is first mentioned here in Act IV scene I. This is the key word and it is carried on through the whole scene as the theme. As mentioned before, audiences would be wondering whether mercy would be given? What the duke is saying in this line is that he cannot see Shylock giving even the smallest drop of mercy to Antonio, so all we have to wait for is the outcome at the end.

We now hear Antonio properly for the first time and he’s armed with quietness and ...

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From any dram of mercy. (Line 6)

We now hear Antonio properly for the first time and he’s armed with quietness and spirit. He answers the duke gracefully and seems to accept what he’s up against. Antonio comes over noble and dignified, by his actions he is setting a good Christian example for that is how Christ went to the cross, he did not go kicking and screaming, he went quietly and accepted his trail.

And by no lawful means can carry me

Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose (Line 9&10)

In these lines we see that Antonio knows that Shylock is within his rights and because of this Antonio is going to try and uphold the law.

Go, one, call the Jew into the court. (Line 14)

This is the first real sign of serious anti-Semitism that we see in this play. The duke doesn’t call Shylock by his name, he simply labels him “Jew.” This suggests that the Jews were hated so much by the Elizabethans that they didn’t even deserve a name. I’m sure most people who witnessed this play in the 16th Century would not have referred to the Jews by their names either, but now in the 21st Century most people disagree with the way they referred to the Jews. In my opinion it shows utter disrespect. Even if oneself doesn’t like one, they should at least show some decency. In this line the duke does not set a good Christian example.

Enter SHYLOCK.

The audience can really get involved here especially the 16th Century audience because they would have been jeering, shouting and especially booing at Shylock as he entered the stage. Adrenaline could really be running and the whole atmosphere would be very pro-active. 16th Century Elizabethans had their own stereotyping for Jews so they may have been expecting a certain personality or certain features from Shylock. I didn’t know what to expect Shylock to be like, if I had been to see the play up on stage I would have liked Shylock to have been much smaller than Antonio, with a hunched walk and sly, old facial features. I would also of liked Shylock to have a slow, cunning voice.

Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,

That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice

To the last hour of act, and then ‘t is thought

Thou’lt show thy mercy and remorse, more strange

Than is thy strange apparent cruelty; ( Lines 17,18,19,20 & 21)

Firstly the duke does call Shylock by his name and he goes on to say that he thinks Shylock will keep them dangling by a thread, at his beck and call and then he will turn around and let him off the bond. It’s funny to think that they hate Shylock so much but still expect him to let Antonio off the bond. If we look at the next couple of lines we see why.

And where thou now exact’st the penalty,

Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh, (Lines 22 & 23)

We can now see that it’s not just a pound of flesh they are talking about- they were talking about Antonio’s life! There isn’t a way Shylock could remove a pound of flesh without killing Antonio. So this is a much more serious case than it first looks to be and the 16th Century audience wouldn’t be happy with the penalty at all.

Anyone would expect Shylock to intimidated by the dukes harsh words- but no not Shylock, Shylock hasn’t even flinched or batted an eyelid in fact Shylocks speech was insolent. But what else could you expect, he has nothing to lose firstly the law is on his side, secondly the duke hates him anyway and thirdly he’s already lost his daughter, his pride, respect, jewels and his ducats. He even goes as far as black mailing the duke.

To have the due and forfeit of my bond.

If you deny it, let the danger light

Upon your charter and your city’s freedom! (Lines 37,38 & 39)

If the duke denied Shylock this he would face a number of consequences including the corruption of Venice’s reputation. So what can the duke do- give him justice!

Also in the play the director included Tubal as Shylocks’ sidekick; I personally don’t think that he should have been there because if the Elizabethans meant to bring Shylock down he should have been brought down alone.

What, are you answered yet? (Line 460

Shylock continues to speak in a angry tone with no respect. We now have a series of one liners and the pace is getting quicker:

SHYLOCK

I am not bond to please thee with my answers!

BASSANIO

Do all men kill the things they do not love?

SHYLOCK

Hates any man the thing he would not kill?

BASSANIO

Every offence is not a hate at first!

(And it goes on…)

A few paragraphs later we come back to Bassanio, and we find him with double the amount of debt owed.

For thy three thousand ducats, here is six! (Line 84

If I was the director I would have Bassanio with several bags full of money, and as he says his line I would have him throw the money at Shylock so it ends up all over the floor. I think this would be a more effective way to express the sum of money involved especially as it would excite the audience to see how Shylock would react to this large sum of money.

I’m sure most audiences from the 16th and 21syt Century audience would expect Shylock to take the money, but, once again, surprises us and isn’t even moved by the money, he continues to insist that all he wants is his bond. At this point Shylock is extremely confident.

DUKE

How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? (Line 88)

To me this is one of the strongest and most relevant lines in the play. The duke is correct- how could anyone ask for mercy if they don’t’ show any themselves. The duke isn’t only talking about everyday life he’s talking about the day we will be judged by Christ.

The audience may have got excited here for they may have been thinking that the duke has Shylock caught in a headlock.

Once again Shylock bites back with an absolutely fantastic answer:

What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong? (Line 89)

Morally this answer would be wrong but it would not be legally wrong. For Shylock to come back with such a great answer, he must still have been full of confidence.

At line 123 we see a pun, which is said by Gratiano.

Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew,

Thou mak’st thy knife keen; (Lines 23 &24)

Gratiano is trying to tell Shylock that he may be using the leather of his shoe but he should really be using his soul for that is the hardest of the two. Once again Shylock is referred to as Jew.

Enter PORTIA, dressed as BALTHAZAR, a doctor of laws.

This portion of the play would be extremely funny to the 16th Century audience because as women were not allowed up on stage during Elizabeth’s time, Portia would have been played by a boy dressed up as man. Here Portia needs to disguise herself from Bassanio, which is the reason they would find it funny because Portia would be a man dressed as a man dressed as a woman. Now in the 21st Century it would be funny to see a woman dressed as man but not to the extent of the 16th Century. There is also an element of dramatic irony here because the husbands up on stage do not know that Portia and Nerissa are there as their representatives whereas the audience does. Therefore this irony would make the audience feel very superior within them.

Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew? (Line 170)

Perhaps Portia is trying to pretend to create a sense of justice by not wanting to show any favourites, but indeed she does actually know whom the Jew and merchant are.

Is your name Shylock? (Line 172)

Surprisingly Portia addresses Shylock first. We know she is there to defend Antonio nut her attitude is surprisingly sympathetic towards Shylock. Then she goes on to tell Shylock that the law is on his side, not that he doesn’t know! Portia remains sympathetic to Shylock so we wonder does she have a plan.

Shylock holds Antonio’s’ life within his danger and Antonio knows this because he has confessed the bond.

Then must the Jew be merciful. (Line 179)

Another confident answer comes from within Shylock.

On what compulsion must I? Tell me that. (Line 180)

I always thought that Shylock should never have asked that question simply because you never know what your answer will be; the answer was much greater than great, in fact it was phenomenal. I will go through sections of the speech in parts.

The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven (Line 181)

I feel this was a great way to start her answer, for Portia is saying that you can not compel anyone to show mercy if they are not merciful, it has to come from the heart. This is still relevant to us today in the 21st Century and it undoubtedly always will be. There are countless issues today were mercy isn’t shown, for example terrorists who kidnap innocent hostages and then murder them in revenge, these people don’t deserve it but there are people begging with them to mercy, but if it doesn’t come from the heart it will never be shown.

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes;

‘T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown. (Lines 183,184 & 185)

Portia is trying to persuade Shylock to give in by saying that they will both benefit from mercy, as it is good for both the giver-Shylock and the receiver- Antonio. From personal experience I can say this is extremely relevant because the feeling of forgiving someone is extraordinary. It makes it makes you feel a much greater person inside and it’s good for the receiver because he has been pardoned. Also this speech has a universal appeal, it will be carried on through the generations because if in the day of judgement we ask for what we deserve we would all be hell if we were given it, for Christ would not be granting us mercy. Portia is also saying that if Shylock does give mercy, people will look up at him because the crown of mercy would be much mightier than the crown of greed and revenge.

As Portia was saying her quality of mercy speech I would like her to not only be talking to Shylock but Antonio and the audience as well; if Portia only spoke to Shylock I think the audience wouldn’t really have thought about the meaning and would not have realised that it applied to them also and wasn’t just a play-script.

Therefore Jew,

Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

That in the course of justice none of us

Should see salvation; (Lines 193,194,195 & 196)

Portia is giving Shylock the chance to back down from the bond and show mercy. After such strong and hard-hitting words how could anyone not take it to heart?

I’m sure the 16th Century audience would be full of adrenaline after Portia had spoken, probably because they are expecting Shylock to give in and obey her plea. Is this the end of all the surprises Shylock has given the audiences? …not at all, not Shylock he just turns around and practically throws it all back in her face and says don’t bother because I’ll worry about that when I get there. So once again he hasn’t been moved! Will he ever give in?

I would really have loved to be in a 16th Century audience simply because they would have been shouting and cursing Shylock from deep within. There are still people in the world today who are unwilling to show mercy. This section of the scene would really have kept the audience engaged especially now it seems that Portia is pushing the event forward.

Portia knows there is thrice the bond on offer but she also knows that Shylock isn’t going to give up easily. On page 187 we see evidence of Portia using delaying tactics while Shylock is trying to hurry it up.

PORTIA

I pray you let me look upon the bond. (Line 221)

SHYLOCK

Here’t is, most reverend doctor, here it is. (Line 222)

PORTIA

Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee. (Line 223)

SHYLOCK

An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven. -

Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

No, not for Venice. (Lines 224,225 & 226)

Poor Antonio must be feeling extremely uptight now, he has been listening to his life being juggled back and forth, he’s seen hope then lost it. I would not blame him if he wanted the trail over and done with. Shylock has made it clear all he wants is his bond and all Portia can really say is- get ready to die. Surely the audiences must be thinking this can’t be happening, especially for the audience of the 16th Century who must be quivering at the thought that a Jew may overcome a Christian. 21st Century citizens must be shocked at the thought of someone taking a life in cold blood.

Therefore lay bare your bosom. (Line 248)

If I were director, I would have Shylock gleaming with joy and rubbing his knife with pleasure, for this is all he has ever wanted. To make it more dramatic I’d have Shylock ripping the clothes off Antonio rather than Antonio slowly delaying his death. Then once the bosom was laid bare I’d put Shylock close with the cold blade resting against Antonio’s skin. This would give a very dramatic but emotional appeal.

The audiences are still engaged to this play firstly because a Jew is about to triumph in Elizabethan times and second because we can’t believe that Shylock still hasn’t shown any sign of producing mercy.

SHYLOCK

Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare! (Line 300)

Shylock is about to take his revenge when Portia steps in.

Tarry a little; there is something else:

This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;

The words expressly are “a pound of flesh”;

Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,

But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed

One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods

Are (by the law of Venice) confiscate

Unto the state of Venice. (Lines 301-308)

This is a major turning point in the whole play. Shylock has just heard that he must not spare one drop of blood. Where did Portia get the idea of “one drop of blood from?”

It may have come from legal books, did she hear Bassanio talking about life earlier (not mentioned) or was it just general knowledge? This would come as a great relief to the 16th Century audience and the people with Antonio. As Shylock heard this I would hope that he would drop his knife in utter disbelief.

The 21st Century audience would probably find this scene very funny because a trial like this could never really be taken seriously because it is so unrealistic. Amongst the 16th Century audience there would undoubtedly be some great celebrations including cheering, clapping, whistling, singing and maybe even crying all in favour of Portia’s wise judgement. By the way the world has changed it would be very uncommon and in some places unhallowed to hold such behaviour or celebration amongst the crowd. Nowadays if we were to throw anything at the stage, shout or cheer we would probably be thrown out or banned from that particular theatre. In review of the crowds reaction and enthusiasm the 16th Century audience would have been more enjoyable to be amongst.

Shylock has been caught and now he’s trying to back track into the law. But can he do that? He’s already made it clear that all he wanted was his bond! Not the money. With no hesitation Portia points this out to him and makes it clear he’ll be leaving with only justice and nothing more. Shylock does eventually give in and says he hasn’t got the body strength to go on any further. So is this finally the end of Shylock?

Tarry, Jew;

The law hath yet another hold in you

Surely this is enough for Shylock, how could he possibly get any lower. Sympathy would be greater than joy in 21st Century for Shylock but the Elizabethans would have no sympathy whatsoever. Portia continues and tells Shylock that the law states that he should now give half his possessions to the life he was going to seek. Poor Shylock has already lost everything to a Christian, his daughter, pride, respect, jewels and his ducats and now he’s going to lose the little he has left.

Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke. (Line 359)

Now Shylocks life lies in the mercy of the duke. The duke showed God like mercy but now it was up to Antonio to show what he was really like.

PORTIA

What mercy can you render him, Antonio? (Line 374)

Io other words can Antonio repay some kindness that Shylock has given him. If it were me and probably most other decent people wouldn’t hesitate in granting Shylock his mercy for it is the right Christian deed but also he has just spared Antonio’s life. Instead Antonio comes up with an ultimation for Shylock to follow. Antonio shows extreme bigotry- he orders Shylock to become a Christian. After all the wonderful work Portia has put into grant mercy for Antonio it seems he hasn’t taken a blind bit of notice, or is it just his pride is too great to overcome.

Here I would like Portia to turn away in utter disgust at Antonio’s ultimation. She must have mixed feelings running through her mind. Portia may have been happy that she succeeded, but on the other hand disappointed because her extraordinary quality of mercy speech had gone to waste. Antonio has not shown Christian behaviour towards Shylock but what’s confusing is that if Antonio wants Shylock to become a Christian; he should be setting a good Christian example.

Shylock is not well and is leaving with nothing not even a dram of dignity.

Exit SHYLOCK

This is where I would have Shylock walk feebly off stage picking his knife up along the way. Once he was out of sight I would like to be a horrific, piercing scream that would indicate the end of Shylock. If I were producer I would end it this way because I feel Shylock had suffered enough and I wouldn’t want him to have to go through the ultimations also.

It’s likely that this would be the feeling of other 21st Century citizens but I can’t imagine the 16th Century feeling the same way.

The “Merchant of Venice” is written in poetic form and throughout the whole book we witness different forms of poetry. In Act IV scene I there is dramatic poetry such as when we have a serious of one-liners between Bassanio and Shylock. There is emotional poetry in the quality of mercy speech.

Without the poetic writing I don’t feel this scene or play would be as effective as it is. The 16th Century audience wouldn’t think about its language as much because that was the way they spoke themselves. Whereas if it were re-written for the 21st Century in our language there would be huge disappointments all over the land.