Given the events in Act 4 Scene 1 how fair is it to describe the Merchant of Venice as a comedy?
Given the events in Act 4 Scene 1 how fair is it to describe the Merchant of Venice as a comedy? C.Sturge It is hard to tell whether the Merchant of Venice was intended to be a comedy or not. Clearly there are parts of the play which are supposed to be taken seriously but there are also many parts which seem to be intended to amuse the audience. There are a selection of characters involved in the plot which are supposed to be serious, these are mostly the major characters, Antonio, Bassanio, Portia and Shylock. The events which happen to these charcters are supposed to be serious and dramatic. However there are many other minor characters who have comic parts. Launcelot Gobbo is probably the best example of this. He is the comic servant of Shylock who leaves him during the play. In almost all the scenes that he is involved with his words and actions are comic. In act 2 scene 2 Launcelot Gobbo plays tricks on and deceives his blind father Old Gobbo. When Portia is criticizing her suitors (act 1 scene 2) she describes them to her maid Nerissa in amusing ways. She uses witty phrases such as,' Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk'. This scene was definitely meant to be amusing and is one of the comic high points of the play. Bassanio's friend Gratiano seems to be a fairly comic character especially when he
Why I do not admire Shylock
Why I do not admire Shylock. Shylock is a very complex character from the Merchant of Venice. He is a Jewish money lender in Venice and is very bitter as he is mistreated by the Christians for being Jewish. Shylock is also very cunning. He launches revenge upon Antonio whom he hates where he lends him money but if Antonio cannot pay him back by a certain date then he must give a pond of his flesh which means that he would probably die. Although you can feel sorry for Shylock for being ill treated for being Jewish you can still dislike him for being a horrible person which he is. For example in the court scene he is offered three times as much money if he will spare Antonio's life but he does not take it. Also he says "I would my daughter were dead at my feet". This is not very nice. This is because his daughter Jessica stole his ducets and his late wifes ring and eloped with a christian. That is another reason to feel sorry for Shylock for the fact that he is a widow. Also when Shylock finds out that Antonio's ships have sunk he is very happy. This is very cruel and as soon as he hears about it he demands the money back knowing that Antonio will not be able to pay it back. Also in the court he is given many persuasive speeches (Portia's being the most persuasive.) to show mercy yet he does not and everything goes wrong for him at the end of the play. Shylock does however
Analysis of Shylock - Act 1 Scene 3
Analysis of Shylock Act 1 Scene 3 Although Shylock is accused of representing much of what the Christians hate, it is through his conflict with Antonio in particular that finds weaknesses in the accusations of Christians upon Jews. Shylock states, "Antonio is a good man." Bassanio takes this statement at face value, but Shylock quickly corrects him saying that he meant that Antonio is financially sound. The seriousness of the Christian misunderstanding can be seen when Shylock makes the bond with Antonio: "Let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound Of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me." Now Antonio repeats the same mistake made by Bassanio, thinking that Shylock is being "kind" when he agrees to loan the money without interest. Antonio states "The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind". Antonio is so convinced that he will be able to repay his debts that Shylock's request for a pound of his flesh as collateral strikes him as a joke, and therefore is not taken at all seriously. Shylock's willingness to waive the interest payment brings to light an entirely new set of conflicts within the play. Shakespeare draws on Francis Bacon's statement, "It is against nature, for money to beget money," when he portrays the Christians as unselfish givers of all they have. Shylock defends his taking of interest by quoting the
Does Shylock come across as a villain or a victim in Act Three, Scene One?
Does Shylock come across as a villain or a victim in Act Three, Scene One? At the beginning of the scene, Shylock comes across as caring and concerned about his daughter as he says to Salarino and Solanio: "You knew none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight", basically saying 'You knew about my daughter taking off'. This quote by Shylock makes it sound like he cares about his daughter and is angry that he's lost her and people who knew she was running off didn't tell him. But Shylock makes it sound as though when he gets his daughter back he's going to be very angry at her and teach her a lesson by saying: "She is damn'd for it." Then Shylock basically says he loves his daughter, as she is his 'flesh and blood' so deep down he does care and love her. Shylock says he wants revenge on Antonio for disgracing and humiliating him. He makes a long speech about how Antonio has laughed at his losses, mocked him and scorned him, as well destroying his relations with people. He sounds very hurt and upset about how Antonio treats him, just because he is a Jew, and so wins some sympathy from the audience. Shylock is explaining how he is just the same as a Christian and reacts to things in the same way. He says that if a Christian's way of getting his own back is revenge then he will seek revenge also, using the superb line: "The villainy you teach me I will
Court case - Antonio the Christian Vs Shylock the Jew.
Court case - Antonio the Christian Vs Shylock the Jew The Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Graitiano and Solanio enter the court. Shylock is asked to enter the court. Solanio goes and gets him. Shylock is ready waiting behind the door. Shylock is asked to show Mercy but he says that he has sworn to himself that he will have his bond. Bassanio agues with Shylock decision. The amount of money that Antonio failed to pay back (3000 ducats) is offered to Shylock but he refuses. He is then offered 6,000 ducats double the sum but still he refuses saying that he wants his bond. He tells the court that if this wish were denied then the laws in Venice will be worthless. Bellario is asked to enter the court to help decide on this case. Instead there is a lawyers clerk with a letter from Bellario standing at the door. The lawyer's clerk is permitted into the court and the letter is read. Shylock, While the duke is reading the letter, is sharpening his knife. There is another argument with Shylock and Graitiano who is trying to insult him. It is announced that a learned doctor has come instead of Bellario the layers clerk is told that the learned doctor Balthazar is permitted to enter the court. Meanwhile the letter is read allowed. Balthazar enters the court. There is a short discussion with the duke and then Balthazar familiarizes himself with the case. Balthazar asks whether
How dose Shakespeare make the characters Antonio and Shylock realistic and build up audience sympathy for them? The Merchant of Venice
ass How dose Shakespeare make the characters Antonio and Shylock realistic and build up audience sympathy for them? Shakespeare builds up sympathy for Antonio by showing his good side and bad side. Antonio's good side is he is generous to his friend Bassanio because he is ready to get a loan from Shylock for Bassanio and puts his life on risks. This is because Shylock will give the three thousands ducats but dose not want the interest back instead he makes a bond which is he will cutoff one pound of Antonio's flesh if he dose not pay the money back in the time that Shylock has given. Then he will cutoff one pound off Antonio's flesh. Shylock says, "this kindness will I show- go with me to a notary, seal me there your single bond, and in a merry sport, if you repay me not on such a day, in such a place, such sum or sums as are expressed in the condition, let forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me". Antonio takes the bond but he thinks Shylock is just doing it for a joke but he isn't Shylock is hoping he can get revenge for what Antonio dose to him and what he calls him. Antonio calls him "cutthroat dog" and spits on him so that's why shylock is hoping he might get revenge. Antonio is a good friend to Bassanio because he is getting him a loan, which will help him get Portia. Antonio has risked the
The play "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare is a tradgi-comedy in that the "Merchant of Venice" concentrates on the happier aspects of life such as love, friendship, marriage as well as the harsher side of life such as death and fatal flaws.
The Merchant of Venice The play "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare is a tradgi-comedy in that the "Merchant of Venice" concentrates on the happier aspects of life such as love, friendship, marriage as well as the harsher side of life such as death and fatal flaws. I found it interesting to focus on the character of shylock as his weaknesses affect all the other characters in the play. Shylock's flaws greatly affect the other characters in the play and shylock's main weakness is his greed for money and jewels. He shows this in the play when he loses his daughter. He is more worried about the money she has stolen from him and not really concerned for her safety "A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats" "she is damned for it" This greed for wealth and money affects other characters in the play and, in my opinion it affects Antonio most as shylock insists "Let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh" Shylock shows how greedy he is for money as he is willing to commit murder for money. The greed Shylock has for money affects his daughter when she runs away with his money, Shylock ostracises her and wishes she were dead saying in an angry tone. "I would my daughter was dead at my foot" Shylocks second weakness is his lack of mercy for his fellow man. He believes he is on the side of the law but discovers that mercy can help you
The "Merchant Of Venice" is a poem I have studied recently and will be going on to describe it's four themes - Love/Hate/Friendship and Money. I will go on to describe contrasting characters in the poem.
Merchant Of Venice The "Merchant Of Venice" is a poem I have studied recently and will be going on to describe it's four themes - Love/Hate/Friendship and Money. I will go on to describe contrasting characters in the poem. The theme Love is mostly shown through Portia & Bassanio, because all she wanted was to have a choice in the man she married and the reason she could not do this was because her fathers will had forbidde. When Portia & Bassanio meet they really feel they want to be with each other but she does not want Bassanio to chose casket straight away because if he picks the wrong casket he must not see Portia again. He feels there is no time like the present. He studies the caskets carefully then chooses the lead casket and asks Portia for the key. He opens the casket & surprisingly he sees a picture of Portia and scroll permitting the man who opens the casket to marry his daughter and tells them what else they will receive. Hate, hatred comes from Shylock and his hatred for Christians so naturally Christians will hate him. As Shylock is Jewish he doesn't feel like he should be 1 of the crowd, he feels above the crowd. He lends money and makes money on the interest. Antonio lends money to people with out using interest so that Shylock will lose money. Antonio feels that Jewish are low and shouldn't be allowed were Christians go, Antonio will spit & kick Shylock as
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Summary for Act 1 Scene 1
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Summary for Act 1 Scene 1 Opens with Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice, discussing his sadness with Salerio and Solanio. The two friends try to guess at his unhappiness, but they can't. Bassanio enters with Lorenzo and Gratiano. All of the characters in this scene are Christians. Bassanio speaks with Antonio privately. Antonio's first question to Bassanio is about a woman Bassanio had mentioned at some prior meeting. Antonio trusts Bassanio, using this trust Bassanio tells Antonio that his intentions are to try and win a woman who has been left riches from her father in Belmont (Portia). He describes her beauty and virtues and riches to Antonio and that he needs the loan to furnish his trip to Belmont. His reasoning is that if he wins her she will have more than enough riches to pay his debts. Antonio agrees to the plan, but all of his money is tied up with his ships which are at sea. He suggests that Bassanio set up a meeting with someone in Venice to try and procure a loan based on Antonio's credit. Summary for Act 1 scene 2 Here we are introduced to Portia and her waiting-woman, Nerissa. The are discussing the terms of her father's will which state that the decision of whom she shall marry will be based on a riddle. Three boxes, one gold, one silver, one lead, and each with a meaning have been set up for each
Is there any excuse of the behaviour of Shylock in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice?
Is there any excuse of the behaviour of Shylock in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice? Shylock, one of the most well-known characters from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, is a Jew and an Usurer, who is generally disliked within the play, and because of this he has his own distinctive way of speaking, and is addressed unusually by others. Shylock is addressed both politely and impolitely by other characters in The Merchant of Venice. Bassanio and Antonio both speak politely to Shylock at the beginning for example 'If it please you to dine with us' but this is because they are asking for money and not because they are particularly sincere. In fact after Shylock speaks angrily towards them, Antonio's feelings start to show through, when he says 'I am as like to call thee so again' showing a more impolite tone. Therefore their feelings are exposed by the way that they address Shylock because they are very courteous and then rude. Shylock is often referred to in a bad way, alot of metaphorical language is used about Shylock like when he gets called a 'misbelieve' and a 'cut-throat dog' he is compared to an unpleasant, violent animal like 'you may well as question with the wolf.' This use of imagery suggests that Shylock behaves without thinking about others. The issue of Shylock being Jewish is mentioned often, for example 'lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in