Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay Example For Students

Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice, written in 1596 deals with themes such as anti-semitism, love, hatred, Christianity, Judaism, mercy and justice all of which were very relevant to an Elizabethan audience. These themes were juxtaposed throughout the play to create contrast and controversy and also to convey this polarity to the viewing audience. The acts and scenes in the Merchant of Venice were also juxtaposed carefully to highlight the individual characters strengths and weaknesses, flaws and virtues to allow the audience to analyse them and decide where our sympathies ought to lie. Throughout the play however, we witnessed a kaleidoscope of different sides to each character through their interaction with other characters. As the play progressed and the characters revealed their true colours, we as the audience reassessed our feelings towards them and subsequently, our sympathies were always changing. The characters themselves were also juxtaposed to allow the audience to compare them with other characters and their behaviour during previous scenes. Shakespeares purpose in structuring his play in such a manner was to help the audience to understand the characters better, this also created an air of suspense, which prevented the audience from becoming bored. If the scenes were arranged badly and the characters were all 2-dimensional, the plot and story would unfold all too soon and the audience would quickly lose interest. The constant changing of sympathy from character to character in The Merchant of Venice gave the viewing audience an opportunity to reassess their own moral thermometer or judging system and how they decided who they felt sympathetic towards in the play. Because the play itself is constantly referring to justice, morality and prejudice, we are constantly reminded and asked to think about the way we as individuals and as a society judge and discriminate. The Elizabethan mentality and the situation of Jews living in England allowed Shakespeare to further analyse and incorporate these themes into his play. Marlowe, another British writer during the 16th century wrote The Jew of Malta, a play full of religious conflict and political intrigue. Like The Merchant of Venice it dealt with anti-semitism and hatred which were themes particularly relevant to the audience in the early 16th century. However, the Jew of Malta was highly stereotypical and discriminatory towards Jews. Many people believe that his play was to blame for the murder of Dr. Roderigo Lopez, the Queens doctor and a Jew. In 1593 at the height of The Jew of Maltas popularity, Dr. Roderigo Lopez was accused of high treason for plotting to poison the Queen. However many people doubted this but in 1594 he was hung, drawn and quartered. The prevailing anti-semitic hysteria fuelled by the stereotypes in his book could have contributed directly or indirectly to this sad event. Shylock is the most interesting and thought provoking character in The Merchant of Venice. His character also allows the most room for dramatic interpretation. It is difficult to decide whether he is the tragic outcome of the circumstances in which he lives or whether he is a villainous usurer who despite being begged for mercy, continues to request for another mans pound of flesh. It is clear to see that despite his many vices, his sense of mercy and justice has been deeply fractured by the persecution he endures. He is the victim of both verbal and physical abuse by the same Christians that demand his mercy later on in the play You call me a disbeliever, cut-throat dog and spit upon my Jewish Gabardine. Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last (I. iii. 108-) so his desire to avenge such treatment is somewhat understandable if not to be condoned. It also seems that Christians zealots and their double standards are to blame for his demise. Throughout the 5 acts in the play, he is punished, deserted, humiliated and looked down upon by Christians. It is also clear to see that the only justification for such treatment was his religion and occupation. Shylocks first appearance in the Merchant of Venice is in Act 1 Scene 3, where Bassanio is talking about Antonio taking out a loan on his behalf. Shylock seems easy-going and trustworthy, before Antonio starts to heap insults upon him. I believe that this scene shows the audience Shylocks true demeanour as an agreeable business man. Up until this point, the audience is entirely sympathetic towards him however, Shylocks calculated attempt to revenge the wrongs done to him, make the audience become silently persuaded to think of him as a cut-throat business man without scruples. This is in direct opposition to his earlier appearance in previous scenes as a misfortunate Jew commanding our undivided sympathies. He even made an oath in the synagogue stating that he would have his bond. The actor playing Shylock would dress him in a traditional Jewish Gabardine and make his movements, gestures and speech look and sound as cunning and sly as possible to allow Shylock to fit a specific Jewish stereotype. In the end, unfortunately, he loses everything that he holds dear to him. He is left without any money, forced to convert to Christianity, made to kneel and bag for mercy to a Christian and he loses his job. William Shakespeare famous quotations EssayThe image the other characters give Portia is a very high status, she is said to be beautiful and goddess like. And she is fair, and-fairer than that word- Of wondrous virtues. When given such a high status, it is possible (although debatable) that Portia is a very arrogant and conceited woman. I think that this interpretation of Portia can only be chosen by the director. If I was the director I would choose to portray Portia as a powerful and modest woman, who does justice to feminism and puts across the moral correctly to the audience. Portia could easily portrayed as the villain of the play, she shows examples of arrogance and of merciless cruelty in the court, she shows acts of racism towards the Moroccan Prince by sarcastically remarking on the colour of his skin (fair) Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair As any comer I have looked on yet For my affection Bassanio lends money from Antonio, which puts Antonios life greatly at risk, so that he can lie about being wealthy to the beautiful Portia. It is questionable that Bassanio was only interested in Portia for her money In Belmont is a lady richly left When speaking of how special Portia is, the first thing Bassanio mentions is her wealth. He takes Antonios money and lies about being wealthy, so that he can profit from Portias riches. I think that love is a trivial part of the merchant of Venice. In all cases of love, romance is exceeded by the importance of money and Religion, or in some cases marriage is just seems something to do. Jessica marries Lorenzo so that she can be accepted by Christians, and to get Lorenzo to love her more she feels it necessary to offer him her fathers wealth of money. I think Nerissa only marries Gratiano because she has just lost her best friend to marriage and is lonely, and Portia sees marriage to Gratiano an escape route from endless choosing. Bassanio is apparently in love with Portia but I believe that he is in love with only the money Portia will bring him. Another trivial part to the play is law. Rules and bonds that structure the law seem to be insignificant, and the biased, racist court room seems to bend the law to suit their pleasing and Christians seem to abuse the quality of mercy. I dont think that justice is done in this scene. I think that justice is an unbiased compromise, represented by a fair, balanced duke. In act four, scene one justice is not done for Shylock; he is entered into a court room full of people that are all against him, even his lawyer figure is out to defeat him. I think the lack of importance of the law in this scene shows that Venice is a very prejudiced town, the minority are frowned upon immorally, and I think that Shakespeare was trying to establish this to his audience; he was, in a way mocking the system in which Venice lived by in his times. In my opinion Shakespeare sympathises with everyone in this scene: Shylock the Jew by giving him some sympathy from the audience, Antonio for giving such a weak character a moment of power and control, and Portia for giving her the chance to shine as a women and outdo her husband. Shakespeare shows us evidence of the Christians lack of mercy towards Shylock, even when he is on his knees and begging for his life, but we also see Shylocks merciless and eagerness for blood and revenge against Antonio. I think Shakespeare is trying to show his audience how vicious people can be no matter what religion, and that we are all equal no matter what religion or sex we are. Racism, feminism, power, religion, justice and mercy. Shakespeare teaches his audience a lesson in all of these years ago, and we can still learn from them today, as the characters direction is left open for development as the years go on.