Antonio Stradivari

Plot Synopsis Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains to his friends of a sadness, perhaps because Bassanio is away. Meanwhile Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Portia, a wealthy lady who lives in the city of Belmont. Bassanio requests Antonio for a loan in order to travel in style to Portia’s estate. Antonio is unable to give the loan himself because his money is all invested in the trade ships that are still at sea. Antonio suggests that Bassanio secure the loan from the moneylender

Portia, The Merchant of Venice Do you agree that Portia is a memorable character in the play The Merchant of Venice? In the play The Merchant of Venice, there are many female characters who face injustice alone in society. Portia as many seemingly paradoxical identities. This makes her a memorable character in the play The Merchant of Venice. She has represented being dutiful towards her father, being an innocent young woman, a ‘mortal-breathing saint’ who posses ‘god-like amity’, a hard headed

Had Bassanio not been in love with Portia, he never would have asked Antonio for the money to woo her and Antonio would not have entered into the bond with Shylock. Similarly, had the laws in the Court of Justice been interpreted by any other lawyer, it I likely that Antonio would have lost his life. At 588 lines, Portia also has more lines than any other character; 233 more than Shylock 's 355 lines and 400 more than Antonio 's 188. Because of this, the scenes surrounding the caskets in Portia

The Rings of Power: Symbolic Exchange in The Merchant of Venice Rings are significant to the narrative of The Merchant of Venice for several reasons. Firstly, as symbols of love, wealth and power. Secondly, as a means through which Portia gives and then regains control of herself, her weath and power and finally, the theft and sale of Leah's turquoise ring acts as a source of sympathy towards Shylock and allows him to parallel the Christian husbands, Bassanio and Graziano. A ring is, in and

way Jews are treated and looked upon by the Christians, Shylock’s refusal to show mercy to Antonio which ultimately leads to his own downfall, and the lack of seriousness when it comes to the relationship of love between the characters. The first example of a tragedy is the way the Christians treat the Jewish people. Shylock recalls the many times Antonio has treated him badly. He states, “Signor Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me about my moneys and my usances. Still

Antonio was a typical narrow minded christian when it came to religion; however, he was so true and passionate about his friends he was willing to risk his life to help his friend in need. Antonio, a christian, strongly abhors and is very abrasive towards Shylock, a jew: “You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, And set upon my Jewish gaberdine,... You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur” (1.3.121-128). Within this quote Shylock is talking to Antonio and

I apologise for interrupting, wise Duke, and honourable members of the Venetian Court. I am Gratiano, a close friend of Antonio's. My relationship with Antonio has allowed me to observe Shylock over the years and never have I seen even a streak of kindness and forgiveness emerge from his blackened heart. He is the most sinister man that I have ever encountered in my life. His thoughts are full of greed for money and plans for revenge against his never ending hatred for Christians. Thus, I believe

humility? Revenge. If a Christina wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.' Bassanio recieves a letter from Antonio which informs Bassanio that he has lost his money and and as a result he has no money to repay Shylock. Therefore he has to forfeit a pound of flesh to Shylock. Bassanio tells Portia what has happenedand she orders him to take six thousand ducats

enter the Duke’s court and help her husband’s friend, Antonio, avoid having a pound of his flesh cut off. In the latter, Viola disguises herself as Cesario so she can enter Duke Orsino’s court and work as a page. This parallel structure is further strengthened by the fact that in both plays, the woman in disguise has to perform some task that (during Shakespeare’s time) was usually performed by a man. Portia has to defend her husband’s friend, Antonio, in court, while Viola has to engage in a sword fight

Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is evidenced clearly in Shylock, the Jewish usurer. He is treated with scorn and derision by all the characters. Shylock’s misfortunes stem not from poor attributes or even a poor background; it stems from the fact he is Jewish, and what is more, he is impenitent of that distinction. If he had been more daunted by Christian influence, he might have been forgiven