Merchant of venice
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare is about a Jew called Shylock who tries to kill Antonio, a Christian, by lending him money, but if he fails to pay it back on time, Shylock gets a pound of his flesh. Antonio is portrayed as a 'higher' soul basically because he is a Christian. A higher soul is someone who is poetic, likes music, or in the Medieval speech a Christian. Shylock is presented as a 'lower' soul, a lower soul is not poetic, does not have a good taste for music, or again in medieval context, a Jew. Throughout history Jews have always been persecuted, it dates all the way back to the Ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians used the Jews as a scapegoat for the country's problems, so it was a case of follow the leader for the rest of history. The Christians have been in charge throughout this persecution. This persecution continued throughout the medieval age, Jews were regarded as the killer of Christ, as it was said in the bible. They were very rarely allowed to enter highly paid jobs such as solicitors, and accused of almost every crime. Some countries went to the extreme of forcing the Jews into exile. Antonio is portrayed as a risk taker,
In the Elizabethan era women were treated as property, rather than people, "I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike-so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of thy dead father. rocks Which touching but my gentle vessels sides, Would scatter all her spies on the stream Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks. " This shows that even though Shylock has lent the person he hates so much money, he still hates him. Here Shakespeare shows that we are all the same, "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" This may think the audience think twice before cursing the Jews, because since they were born it was normal to disrespect them, so they have been blinded to the truth in a way. " I think that Shakespeare is trying to show that the Christians treat Shylock as a doormat and then expect him to lend them money. To further back up my last point, Lorenzo again says, ". Shakespeare shows sympathy on Shylock, "Fair Sir, you spit on me Wednesday last- You spurned me such a day- Another time you called me a dog: and for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much moneys. I think, if this play was set now, then there would be no discrimination. Also women were not allowed to enter high places such as the courts, or any place of high honour. From my point of view Shakespeare, unlike most people of the time, held no grudge against the Jews and throughout the play he make the audience feel sorry for Shylock. Antonio is a very loyal friend when he puts his life on the line for Bassanio, and has risked so much for him, "To you, Antonio I owe the most in money and love" Bassanio is very lucky to have a friend who is willing to risk everything for him and he acknowledges this in the above quote. " This shows that he is a risk taker because all his money is tied up in a ship which could be robbed or sink at anytime but he is willing to risk all his money and his life for a friend.
Common topics in this essay:
Egyptians Jews,
Whereas Elizabethan,
Devil Jessica,
Fair Sir,
Antonio Christian,
Mark Bassanio,
Shakespeare Shylock,
Christian Shylock,
Antonio Christians,
Jews Solanio,
'lower' soul,
shylock 'lower' soul,
antonio christian,
risk taker,
antonio portrayed,
music medieval,
shylock 'lower',
willing risk,
allowed enter,
christians hate,
soul poetic,
|
Acceptance Essays
