Comment On The Merchant Of Venice

Without a doubt, Shylock of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice has been a subject of much controversy and debate for scholars and critics worldwide. Specifically, an element of his character that has been thoroughly reviewed is the harshness with which he proposes his bond with Antonio. As contemporary readers of the pound of flesh story we are naturally mortified by the fact that Shylock would call for such barbarous terms. What many of us do not realize is that while we might feel horror about the idea of the bond, the same is not necessarily true for an Elizabethan audience. This story has been a major source of misunderstanding for many of its readers, as

William Shakespeare is known for being the greatest British writers. We don't know his exact birthdate but his baptism was at the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, Warwickshire, on April 26, 1564, and his death was on April 23; Shakespeare’s first language was Latin. Shakespeare was the son of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare, he was the third of eight children born.

Topic Sentence: Mercy plays a major role in this play it shows us the importance of human life and friendship.

William Shakespeare was likely born on April 23, 1564. Little is known about Shakespeare’s personal life, but as for the poet and writer, there is a plethora of information. It was in 1594 that Shakespeare published his first known plays were. He created his reputation by 1598—his name became what is today. This led to his success as both an actor on stage and a playwright. He is the most-read play writer in the Western Hemisphere. The English language is filled with phrases that are derived from his works. He is credited with the invention of the iambic pentameter.

Wealth, therefore, has a flimsy grasp on romance that can easily be overcome with genuine affection. The same is true for Jessica, who steals her father’s gold before she elopes with Lorenzo. After discovering this, Shylock cries out, "My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter!" (II.viii.15). By associating the antagonist with twisted ideals, Shakespeare creates a stark contrast between the corruption of wealth and the genuineness of love. This contrast reiterates the superficiality of wealth and suggests that its overemphasis can lead to corruption and decay in a relationship.

In The Merchant of Venice, Grudges and Personal Rivalries in the trial scene has clearly been expressed with Shylock and Antonio. The central part and the twist of this novel are primarily caused by the rivalries between Shylock and Antonio. The “merry bond” that Antonio signed to help his dearest friend, Bassanio, was the main reason of the trial scene. According to Antonio, “Content in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, and say there is much kindness in the Jew” (1.3.163-164) The bond which Antonio had willingly accepted was that if he failed to pay back 3 thousand ducats in 3 months, Shylock had the right to cut a pound of flesh from his body. As Antonio was a rich merchant and had plenty of ships coming in, with 9 times the money of the loan, he found no difficulty in accepting the bond. However, times were unfortunate for

Remember while examining this story that although Merchant of Venice doesn’t seem amusing to audiences today, it was for original audiences (McEvoy). Today people might not consider Antonio to be comical, but back then he displayed an element of anti-comic humor. That’s because Antonio is a melancholy character who constantly announces about how depressed he is (Tiffany). Antonio says in the first

He had a huge impact on the world today, with his many plays that influenced other writers. Without his influence, who knows where other writers would be today and on the type

William Shakespeare, a prosperous Renaissance man, is known as the greatest playwright in English literature. He was born on April 23, 1564 in a small town called Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare (Waller). William started his writing during the time period where individuality and freedom of choice were put emphasis on. This lifestyle greatly influenced a vast majority of his works and his contributions to the English language. Shakespeare has written over thirty-seven plays, his most famous being Romeo and Juliet. He was a master of dramatic language and played with words and their meanings in a way that could rarely be forgotten, once heard or read.

Upon their arrival in Padua, Lucentio with his “trusty servant”, Tranio, declares his desire to “haply institute A course of learning and ingenious studies.” (The Taming of the Shrew I.I.8-9). It is clear that Lucentio aims to impress his father and pursue knowledge in order to be a deserving heir to Vincentio’s wealth. Tranio, however, has a very different agenda for spending his time in Padua. Tranio pulls Lucentio’s attention away from meticulous learning, as he was paid to provide, and offers an extremely unorthodox path to knowledge. In order to sway the mind of his master, Tranio employs complementary rhetoric starting with “Mi perdonato, gentle master mine.” (I.I.25). Tranio methodically butters up Lucentio with reinforcements to Lucentio 's “resolve to suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.” (1.1.27-28). These words of Tranio’s serve to convince Lucentio that Tranio truly does serve his ‘good master’s’ best interest.

Interestedly, instead of Shakespeare using the word bond as a way to tie Portia and Bassanio and their undying love and promises. We find Bassanio discovering out about Antonio’s situation in a letter telling Bassanio about his lost ships and Shylocks intentions of taking his pound of flesh. The news incites a since of guilt from Bassanio which prods Portia to offer and pay twenty times the original sum. After reading the letter aloud to Portia she suggests Bassanio go to his friends aid and go back to Venice by his side. (3.2.314)

This shows how Shylock is shrewd, by playfully suggesting the forfeiture of the bond which is actually a cunning plan to murder Antonio with the law on his side.

In the beginning of this play, we are introduced to a melancholic Antonio, who claims he does not know why he is sad, but his friends Solanio and Salerio suggest that he is worried about whether or whether not his ships will make it back, which can make or break his wealth. At this point in the play, Bassanio, Antonio’s friend reveals that he is not only broke, but in serious debt. Bassanio says he owes Antonio “the

William Shakespeare’s comedy The Merchant of Venice tells the story of Antonio, a merchant, who borrows money from Shylock a Jewish moneylender to help his friend, Bassanio, marry a woman. The play highlights the tension between Jews and Christians in society through the interactions between Shylock and the Christians. In contrast, the play also highlights the positive aspects of both religions. The main point of The Merchant of Venice is to critique society’s treatment of religion.

The Merchant Of Venice is structured partly on the contrast between idealistic and realistic opinions about society and relationships. The play tells us mercy is preferable to revenge. Shylock chose revenge over mercy against Antonio and how his choices affected him. The Court of Venice begging mercy of Shylock. Finally, Portia forgiving Bassanio for giving away his wedding band.