Merchant Of Venice Analysis

Without a doubt, Shylock of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice has been a subject of much controversy and debate for scholars and critics worldwide. Specifically, an element of his character that has been thoroughly reviewed is the harshness with which he proposes his bond with Antonio. As contemporary readers of the pound of flesh story we are naturally mortified by the fact that Shylock would call for such barbarous terms. What many of us do not realize is that while we might feel horror about the idea of the bond, the same is not necessarily true for an Elizabethan audience. This story has been a major source of misunderstanding for many of its readers, as

In the book 'The gift', Mauss demonstrates how in all societies, individuals should have the rights and freedom to choose whether they want to give gifts, however, he notices that giving gifts are compulsory in most societies. Mauss speaks about a study that explains how giving gifts is done as a whole rather than between individuals. The gifts were not only materialistic such as possessions and prosperity but through festivities and events such as rituals and dances. These type of gifts resemble peace, respect, and honor. Mauss describes this as a 'system of total services' which indicates that the gifts represented are beneficial to the whole society through reciprocation.

When Antonio is talking to his brother, Andrew, he says “sometimes I get the feeling that I will come home, and it will all be changed. It won’t be the same any more” (Anaya 149). Antonio is

Antonio looks towards where Lupito’s soul will be received and hopes that it’ll be absorbed by a place that will use the goodness that was still left in him. It is most commonly noted that in times of question, Antonio would try to reason with himself with organic causes. In this instance, it was his uncle’s orchard. In further chapters ahead the river and Narciso’s garden became answers to his questions. In fact, nature encourages the idea of another god to Antonio.

In the fourth chapter Antonio is once again guided by Ultima. In this chapter Antonio finally realizes that he does not have to choose between his two parents conflicting heritages. Instead, he can incorporate both of them into his life.

My love without retention or restraint, / All in his dedication, for his sake.” (5.1, 76-8). Further, Antonio not only risks his life to follow Sebastian to Illyria, where he is a wanted criminal, but also lends Sebastian his purse and is more than willing to take his place in a duel. Antonio is quite upfront about

In conclusion, based on the book if someone is going to give a gift they should only give currency or its close substitute. However, in today’s society there is a stigma

Antonio states, “I was torn between a fear that made my body tremble, and a desire to help the poor man (Anaya, 20).” While at the scene, Antonio could see that all Lupito wanted was help because he was broken on the inside since he had gone to war and had been deeply affected by it. Antonio was only a kid though, so his fear kept him from moving from his hiding place. After Lupito was shot, Antonio states “...what hurt more was that i had witnessed for the first time the death of a man (Anaya, 24).” Witnessing Lupito get shot makes Antonio feel horrible because he didn’t help Lupito and in the end Lupito was shot by his own dad.

In this quote, Bassanio describes Antonio as his best friend. Though the audience witnessed how close their relationship is in Act I, the quote is another example of Bassanio directly complementing and describing Antonio, this time in order to explain why Antonio’s situation affects him significantly. Through Bassanio’s heartfelt speech, Shakespeare further delineates the close friendship between Bassanio and Antonio. Furthermore, the speech also conveys Bassanio’s respect for Antonio. Not only does Bassanio complement Antonio for being kind and honorable, but Bassanio also claims that Antonio is the most honorable in Italy.

In the big man and chiefdom societies, gift-giving is sometimes used as a means of attack to gain personal prestige. The Kwakiutl are a prime example as well as various groups in New Guinea. According to the lecture notes, the way it works is the citizens of the Big Man societies come and pay their debt to their leader, then are invited to a huge feast in which the leader gives all that he has received away to everyone, rich or poor. He becomes known as a generous leader and gains respect and admiration from his followers.

Reciprocity is a powerful society norm; when a person does you a favour you are now obligated to do a favour for them Before each session. A study conducted on reciprocity showed that when charities sent gifts in the envelope along with a request for a donation people are twice as likely to donate. Chris would give Eliza an expensive gift related to soccer, and then mention how important it is to him that Eliza remains in soccer. The equipment will be a favour, and now Eliza will feel obligated to do stay in soccer in

In Shakespeare’s play the merchant of Venice the audience learns about love in many forms. Through the characters, of Portia and Bassanio, Shylock and his love for money over his daughter and Antonio and Bassanio. The audience learns through Portia that true love always triumphs. From shylock we learn that money isn’t everything it seems to be and that you should treasure your family more than money. Through the friendship of Antonio and Bassanio we learn about the love of one friend for another and how they would sacrifice anything for one another. Shakespeare uses many techniques including: tests, plot incident, passionate dialogue, characterisation and emotive language to express his idea of love and friendship to the

true to his friend Antonio and letting Bassinio make his choice based off of his faith in choosing

When I'm looking for someone to blame because my head hurts from trying to think, Carolyn (a library associate in the C. Burr Artz Public Library's Maryland Room) comes to mind if I'm struggling with something art related. The Emmitsburg Branch's Librarian Sue (a once-upon-a-time teacher of art history) and the Mad One (an artist who claims she ain't) follow close on Carolyn's heels for making my head hurt. (Carolyn tops the list only because she ordered me out of the local library for being disruptive, twice. Coincidentally matching the number of times and reason I've been ordered out of drinking establishments.) Sadly, their combined attempts to enlighten and educate me (beyond my intelligence) occasionally seems to

In the beginning of this play, we are introduced to a melancholic Antonio, who claims he does not know why he is sad, but his friends Solanio and Salerio suggest that he is worried about whether or whether not his ships will make it back, which can make or break his wealth. At this point in the play, Bassanio, Antonio’s friend reveals that he is not only broke, but in serious debt. Bassanio says he owes Antonio “the