Theatre Programme - The Merchant of Venice

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Theatre Programme

"The Merchant of Venice" is a play which is made up of many different characters who each have an important role in the storyline. Some are more involved in the main plots than others, but they all provide the play with different effects. Shylock, Antonio, Portia and Bassanio are the main characters of the story and are the ones who make all the plots possible.

Shylock's character is difficult to interpret as earlier in the play he was described as a comic character, but later on could be described as a evil villain. The reason for his change in interpretation is because the whole power of the play would be lost if Shylock is seen throughout the play as a comic character. Shylock is a successful tradesman who lends out money or known as a usurer. In medieval times, this type of job was seen as a sin and therefore making Shylock a sinner. The Christian community in Venice treated him very differently, but despite of their treatment towards him, he makes it clear that his relationship with Christians was strictly business.

"I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you."

This passage tells us that Shylock was willing to offer his profit-making services to Christians but was not prepared to socialise with them. The bond plot begins with Antonio becoming one of Shylock's customers of a loan. Shylock agreed to the three thousand ducats Antonio requested, but instead of charging interest he said if he could not pay him back he would have his bond, which was one pound of flesh from any part of Antonio's body. Antonio agreed to such bond because he was confident of his ships returning with goods which will sell for lots of money, but Shylock had high doubts concerning the security of Antonio's ships. Shylock thought his chances were high on fulfilling his vengeance against Antonio and make his suffer. Shylock said the following about Antonio's ships.

"But ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land rats, and water rats, water thieves and land thieves (I mean pirates), and then there is the peril of waters, the rocks; the man is notwithstanding, sufficient."

Shylock wants this revenge on Antonio so much because Antonio had physically and verbally abused Shylock in the past. Shylock said this about Antonio's treatment towards him:
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"You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gabardine."

But after Shylock explains to Antonio how he treats him, Antonio does not regret abusing Shylock and takes matters further by saying:

"I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too."

This means Antonio feels no sorrow towards Shylock and will treat him as he wants. Even though Antonio is dependant on Shylock at his point, he still shows his disrespect to Shylock's religion which could result in Shylock not lending the money to ...

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