The Rings of Power: Symbolic Exchange in the Merchant of Venice

Erin Morgenstern employs the symbolism of rings to highlight rebellion in The Night Circus. Morgenstern repetitively utilizes rings though Marco and Celia to emphasize the rings’ significance. For instance, Celia and Marco receive “rings [which are] burn into [their]...skin” permanently binding them to their “obligation” (Morgenstern 21 and 35). Morgenstern depicts rings as the materialistic representation of the competitors’ bond of marriage. While marriage, a holy concept, is meant to represent prosperity and happiness, the marriage between Marco and Celia represents abuse and sinistry due to the obligations thrust upon them by the wicked competition. Oppressed by these obligations, Marco and Celia have endured psychological and physical

The amethyst ring is very meaningful to Ha and her family. This is shown on page 103, in the chapter Amethyst Ring: “Mother wants to sell the amethyst ring” … “She wants to buy needles and thread, fabric and sandals” … “Brother Quang says, ‘No! What’s the point of new shirts and sandals if you lose the last tangible remnant of love?’”

This paper attempts to enlighten the Gratitude and courtesy of Antonio in the Merchant of Venice. Bassanio borrowed money from Antonio and he hasn’t paid it back, again he asks money from him. Even though Antonio’s money is tied up in the ships, he helped Bassanio by borrowing money from Shylock. Shylock lends the money to Antonio and insists him to pay at the specified date otherwise he may take a pound of Antonio's flesh. Antonio accepts the condition. With money at hand Bassanio went to Belmont and married Portia. After a while he received a letter that Antonia was unable to pay the loan. So Shylock has brought Antonia before the court. Antonio a man with Gratitude and Courtesy saved him from the evil bond. Portia disguise herself as a lawyer and argued and saved the life of Antonio

In the Saga of the Volsungs there are several supernatural items that correspond to artifacts found in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Throughout the Völsunga Saga the cursed ring of Andvaranaut fuels the death and destruction of the characters. Loki kills Ottr (the brother of Fafnir and Regin), causing them to seek compensation from the Aesir. As compensation, Loki rather than paying himself, tricks the dwarf Andvari into repaying the debt with Andvari’s own hoard of gold. Andvari tries to hold onto a golden ring, but Loki eventually forces him to give it to him, causing Andvari to curse the ring, leading to the destruction of whoever owns it. Fafnir kills his father Hreidmar for the ring, Sigurd kills Fafnir for taking the ring, and then Sigurd gives the ring to Brynhild eventually cursing her and Sigurd’s family. Like Andvari’s cursed ring (which drives the plot of much of the Völsunga Saga), Tolkien’s one ring, is a

The three caskets not only determine the fait of Portia’s hand in marriage but they become a symbol for the suitors who chose them. The men in line all hold different interpretations of the messages on the caskets and each character’s understanding becomes a symbol of their personality.

The most important thing to understand is not jewelry ... The first element to take into account are our Chakra (or each of the seven centers of spiritual power in the human body) and How they endure the world around us

The production does a great job in contrasting Portia’s private life and her public life which shows Portia’s racism. In contrasting the public and private sphere, the production strengthens the contrast between the Portia and The Prince’s inner and outer identities and the way in which these identifications are affected. In the choice of clothing and expression in the scenes mentioned above Portia's racist and selfish nature is in direct contrast to the Prince's humility and earnestness to please

Many different people can be good or bad or might seem good but actually bad or the other way around. In The merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, shylock, the money lending Jew, is seen more like a villain then a victim. Shylock is a villain because he cares more about his money then he cares about his daughter, he is not merciful towards shylock and hewants a pound of flesh from Antonio for hi revenge.

It is hard to read The Merchant of Venice without finding at least one character to sympathize with. The unforgettable villain Shylock as well as Portia, Shakespeare’s first and one of his most famous heroines are arguably some of this plays most beloved characters. But, is Shylock really the villain? Or is he a victim of circumstance? Shylock’s insistence for a pound of flesh has made him one of literatures most memorable villains, but many might be inclined to say he is a compelling and sympathetic figure, rather then a villainous figure. By applying multiculturalism to this play, one might be able to deduce that through the exploitation of Jewish stereotypes common during the time this play was written, as well as language and character development, Shakespeare creates a character for which we not only feel scorn and derision, but also pity and compassion.

For much of the play, The Merchant of Venice appears to be vintage Shakespearean farce. A group of buffoons vie to marry the beautiful and wealthy Portia; women dress up as men and fool their betrothed; servants are willing accomplices in playful deceits. Where Merchant of Venice departs from the pattern of a typical Shakespearean farce is with the appearance of Shylock, the Jew. Shylock transforms this play from a simple comedy to a work of enormous complexity. In The Merchant of Venice, the contrast between the tragedy of Shylock and the comedy of the other characters raises many issues that are left unresolved for the thoughtful reader.

            Let us look at the marriage plot. Already in I,i Bassanio reveals his plans of wooing Portia. He describes his undertaking as a quest; "her sunny locks/ Hang on her temples like a

While the tradition is in fact not that ancient, every woman that wears that ring has a detailed story behind it. Whether the story is something out of a romance novel that has no choice, but to pull out “aws” and tears or like my parents where my father proposed to my mother at the place they met; in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, it’s priceless to people. The similarities between the feelings of proposal and finding a little black box in your partner’s pocked that didn’t end up belonging to you are this: no price that can pay them. But, somehow, people have found a way. A way out of the guilt, but more importantly, out of a divorce by giving in excess. What I knew to be true about giving gifts like these, specifically of the diamond kind, only existed in films, books, and the women my aunt lives near in upper middle class, white picket fence palaces. No one in a million years would want to believe that the one thing we as humans are certain of, that being love, could be bought. The De Beers made it so. They allowed a space for people to think that maybe, it could work. Because after all, when you buy a De Beers diamond, you’re allowed a forever.

Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice has a rich and lengthy stage history, most notable for its portrayal of the controversial Jewish character, Shylock. While the depiction of Shylock is often memorable and center of attention in analyses, he is not the only character important to the play whose representation has changed throughout the centuries. Portia is an independent, clever, and resourceful heroine who is able to save Antonio from Shylock. Bound by a stipulation in her late father’s will, she is unable to obtain her own freedom and choose her own future. Instead, she has to leave her destiny up to a riddle her father devised involving caskets and her picture. To her dismay, this concept brings several suitors vying for her wealth instead of her heart, including the suitors known only as Morocco and Arragon in Shakespeare’s playtext. Directors have taken liberties with the scenes involving these two suitors, such as cutting these scenes in their entirety and modifying later portions of the play in accordance or reinterpreting how they interact with Portia. Studying the stage history of Portia’s unsuccessful suitors shows how directors over the years have interpreted these scenes and the effect these scenes have on the portrayal of Portia.

Using Attachment theory, Portia can be categorized in the Avoidant attachment category, in terms of interpersonal style. In her account she is often derogatory to her mother by blaming her for advising her to hide her sexuality, in order to protect her image. However, she lacks examples or details to support her view. She is defensive about her sexuality and the reasons for keeping it a secret and uses her mother as the main reason for concealing her sexuality. She lacks the ability to consider her own feelings about her sexuality and the reasons behind her mother’s advice to not let others know.

When Bassanio and Gratiano arrive the next day, their wives accuse them of faithlessly giving their rings to other women. Before the deception goes too far, however, Portia reveals that she was, in fact, the law clerk, and both she and Nerissa reconcile with their husbands. Lorenzo and Jessica are pleased to learn of their inheritance from Shylock, and the joyful news arrives that Antonio’s ships have in fact made it back safely. The group celebrates its good fortune.