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. The real power of the play however lies in the characterization and history of Shylock, a Jewish usurer, who charges high rates of interest on his lendings. Shylock is dedicated to his faith and has a good knowledge of the Torah, which he uses in his general conversation, showing he is a well-educated figure. As John Palmer explains, "The man lives in every word he utters. He has a distinct language of his own and every syllable denotes his quality." Antonio is the merchant of Venice he is also a Christian but in my opinion Shylock is the protagonist of the play. At the time the play was written anti-Semitism was rife due to myth and the infamous trial of the Queen's physician, Roderigo Lopez who was accused of treason. Jews became evil villains of Elizabethan drama. They were portrayed as Machiavellian, greedy or both they were not complex characters more devices. Actor's interpretations changed over time however, as have critics. Kean revolutionised the idea of Jews by presenting Shylock as a persecuted martyr. Gradually the audience have become more sympathetic to the character following historical events such as the Holocaust. .
Shylock is presented as a harsh, strict and over-possessive father who enjoys the power he has over his daughter.
"Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter my sober house."(Act2, Sc2, Line35-6).
This is an example of the effect of his oppression on her, she has little love for him, but as he shows in the trial scene, he truly loves her. .
"I have a daughter, -I would any of the stock of Barabas had been her husband rather than a Christian."(Act4, Sc1, Line294-6).
Jessica leaves shylock a very lonely and isolated figure. The fact that his own daughter despises him adds to the hatred the audience feel for him because we feel that if Jessica doesn't like him then there must be a good reason for it.
Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice, has often been mistaken as a love story. ... The Merchant of Venice cannot be described solely as a love story. Hatred is very evident throughout The Merchant of Venice. ... Deceit is a recurring issue throughout The Merchant of Venice. ... The Merchant of Venice cannot be described as a love story. ...
** The contrast between Belmont and Venice In "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespeare creates an interesting contrast between the mercantile, tumultuous city of Venice and the peaceful, gracious world of Belmont. ... Venice itself was Catholic city and politically independent. ... Belmont in contrast to Shylocks Venice is full of music. ... In Venice, ceremony runs into difficulties. ... Shakespeare is a shrewd dramatic engineer and in words of Joan Holmer he "fashions an artistic unity out of the richly varied and often contradictory elements that constitute The Merchant of Venice". ...
The Merchant of Venice is one of the wonderfully exciting plays showing at Bard on the Beach. ... I feel that Mara Gottler captured and brought to life the atmosphere of The Merchant of Venice. ... It would be a pleasure to see where she goes after The Merchant of Venice. ... The Merchant of Venice is a splendid play to watch for all ages. The Merchant of Venice is a "must see" play. ...
The Merchant of Venice is a play both about love and hate. ... Shakespeare displays the repugnant effects of hatefulness in The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare demonstrates love in The Merchant of Venice amongst the Christians. ... (Jessica- 3,5,18-9) The Merchant of Venice is set in Italy in Venice and Belmont, representing the two worlds of the play. ... (Bassanio- 1,1,161-9) The Merchant of Venice is a play both about love and hate. ...
German merchants were housed in the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, located in the Rialto, the commercial heart of Venice. They provided Venice with necessities such as silver, copper, iron and gold. ... The Greek community was composed of mariners, scholars and merchants. ... Following the commercial and territorial expansion, merchant galleys were built in order to make the longer journeys to new markets and to transport cargo faster and more safely. ... This isolated Venice and greatly reduced trade. ...
(Murry, 189) The Merchant of Venice had the sole purpose of being made into a feel-good story. ... The coherence of The Merchant of Venice is not intellectual or psychological." ... (Murry, 203) "The Merchant of Venice is not, and was never intended to be a, realistic problem-play." ... (Murry, 205) DON"T KNOW WHAT TO PUT There are some critics that agree with what John Middleton Murry said of The Merchant of Venice, but others critics such as Alexander Leggatt view The Merchant of Venice as quite different. ... (Leggatt, 154) The Merchant of Venice never really does get order from al...
In "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespeare uses these elements as well as inspired plot and visual imagery to create a play that is increasing in popularity today. ... "The Merchant of Venice" contains four intertwined plots, which allows Shakespeare to include elements that appeal to all audiences, including revenge, romance and humour. ... It also continues the "something for everyone" aspect of "The Merchant of Venice", which makes it so universal and popular. ... Whilst this language is still present, "The Merchant of Venice" is easier to read and more simply structured than many of Shak...
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?. ... Although it is not the final scene, it is the finale of theThe Merchant of Venice? ... With these thoughts in the audience's heads, it is easy to see why Shylock is doomed from the start of the trial even before it has begun.The Merchant of Venice? ...
Critical Evaluation The Merchant Of Venice Task: Explain fully how Shakespeare intertwines the story of Portia and her fathers wishes with Shylock and the Merchant of Venice. "The Merchant of Venice" written by William Shakespeare concerns two very bizarre circumstances. ... A while afterwards events occur when a Jewish money lender called Shylock to get a forfeit that he should rightfully claim off of a merchant Antonio when the money lent has not been given back. ... Meanwhile in Venice we see Shylock's daughter, Jessica, has fled fro...
In William Shakespeare's THe merchant of Venice, the mains themes are racism, love and friendship. ... Therefore, racism is a main theme in The Merchant Of Venice. ... THus, love is a main theme in the Merchant of Venice. ... Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, is a kind and generous friend to Bassanio and he lends money to Bassanio for th elove of Portia. ... In the Merchant Of Venice, the main themes that are presented are racism, love and friendship. ...
