iii.55-5). Shakespeare portrays Shylock, driven by his desire to profit from his loans, as the antagonist, fighting against a merciful and kind Christian. Antonio, the paragon of virtue, prepares the stage for that which is to come. In the courtroom, even Portia cum Duke begs Shylock to show mercy as a proper Christian should, hoping "That [Shylock] but leadest this fashion of [his] malic To the last hour of act, and then, 'tis thought, [Shylock shall] show [his] mercy and remorse" (IV.i.19-21). Along with all the courtroom observers, Portia and the Duke hope Shylock will find it in himself to forgive as Antonio would (and will). From the outset of the play, in fact, Antonio dismisses the significance of a legally-binding pledge, scoffing at Shylock's condition that he be able to withdraw a pound of flesh (I.iii.168-71) if the loan is not repaid. Not only do the Christian characters praise mercy, Antonio denounces the law. He despairs of the legal system, lamenting, "The Duke cannot deny the course of the law" (III.iii.29). While recognizing everyone is subject to the law, he criticizes its rigidity given that not even the Duke can override it. .
The Jews are portrayed as polar opposites of the Christians. Shylock, a caricature of the mean and money-grubbing Jewish moneylender, is shown to be incapable of mercy and wholly reliant on the rule of law. Shylock shows not "any dram of mercy" (IV.i.6) nor does he expect to be shown mercy. Defeated by the letter of the law he holds dear, Shylock asks, "Is that the law?" (IV.i.327), and refuses to "beg mercy of the Duke" (IV.i.378), as did the Christians for Antonio. Out of kindness-for, as Portia says, mercy cannot be strained-the Duke spares Shylock's life, saying, "That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit, I pardon thee thy life before though ask it" (IV.i.384-5). Referring to Christians as "our," the Duke is further widening the cultural divide between Jews and Christians, or justice and mercy.
The Merchant of Venice? ... This is whyThe Merchant of Venice? ... A place of great beauty, luxury and extremely artistic, it is the perfect setting forThe Merchant of Venice?. ... I hate him for he is a Christian? ... Although it is not the final scene, it is the finale of theThe Merchant of Venice? ...
By expressing the absolute cruelty of man due to his own prejudice, the Shakespearean play Merchant of Venice acts as a worldwide plea for tolerance. ... A tiny voice in the overwhelming darkness of our own ignorance, the Merchant of Venice speaks out, imploring the world to become more tolerant, to improve conditions for people everywhere. ... Although they claim to hold a secret love for each other, Jessica must buy her way onto the Christian society. ... The Christians do eventually accept her and allow her into their society, but many secretly fear that Lorenzo's love for her ...
Examine and evaluate some different interpretations of the role of Shylock in "the Merchant of Venice". "The Merchant of Venice", one of Shakespeare's comedies, is based around a group of Venetian Christians. ... Antonio is the merchant of Venice he is also a Christian but in my opinion Shylock is the protagonist of the play. ... He views him as a victim of society. ... Throughout his scenes shylock is insulted, betrayed, deserted, punished and humiliated by Christian society and his daughter. ...
The Renaissance was started by many rich Italian cities, such as Florence, Ferrara, Milan, and Venice (Bram 274). Because these cities were very wealthy, many merchants started to spend money on different things, such as painting, learning, new banking techniques, and new systems of government. ... It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. ... The Union also believes their philosophical view on humanism "stands for the building of a 3 more humane society through ethics" based u...
The third of eight children, William Shakespeare was the eldest son of John Shakespeare, a locally prominent glovemaker and wool merchant, and Mary Arden, the daughter of a well-to-do landowner in the nearby village of Wilmcote. ... An unsubstantiated report claims Shakespeare left Stratford after he was caught poaching in the deer park of Sir Thomas Lucy, a local justice of the peace. ...
