The Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare

Read Mrs. Baker, which both gave them shivers. At the end of their discussion Mrs. Baker said “And that's why the play was called a tragedy. ”(48) I think that is a very important Because in the play Shylock wants to be something that he would like, and others won’t let him choose. This message is very eye opening in a way, because it says that people shouldn’t pressure a person to do what they wouldn’t want to do, or be made to be something they're not.

Throughout the education system, there seems to be an unofficial consensus that pieces of literature that are deemed “controversial” should not be taught in school. The Merchant of Venice falls into this category due to the Anti-Semitism which exists within the play making it “controversial” therefore, banned. On the contrary, this play should not be considered controversial and it should not be banned due to the learning experiences and knowledge that can be gained by reading this play. The contrastive style of literature will provide students and teachers alike who read this play the chance to expand their horizons when it comes to their English skills. With this in mind, The Merchant of Venice written by William

This makes Shylock, Jessica’s dad very angry because when Jessica marries Lancelot she becomes a Christian.

Throughout the play Shylock is presented in different ways: a victim who lives in a prejudice and intolerant society, a villain who deserves scorn and rejection and a tragic figure who has admiral traits worthy of respect but destroys himself by giving in to his flaws and weaknesses. This

He declares, "I'm very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him, I am glad of it." (3, 1, 115-116) At the end of Act 3, scene 1, Shylock's true motive is revealed. Shylock says, "I will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will." (3, 1, 125-127) All these comments clearly attempt to paint Shylock as a money-worshipping murderer and not as a person.

Jessica is Shylock’s only daughter. She leaves her father heart broken when she decides to run off with a Christian, Lorenzo, and steals to her father’s ducats and some family treasures. Jessica is ashamed to be Shylock's daughter and she absolutely detests living in her father’s house commenting that, ‘What heinous sin it in me to be ashamed to be my father’s child.’ (II, iv, 16-17). When Jessica gives Lancelot a letter for

Wealth, therefore, has a flimsy grasp on romance that can easily be overcome with genuine affection. The same is true for Jessica, who steals her father’s gold before she elopes with Lorenzo. After discovering this, Shylock cries out, "My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter!" (II.viii.15). By associating the antagonist with twisted ideals, Shakespeare creates a stark contrast between the corruption of wealth and the genuineness of love. This contrast reiterates the superficiality of wealth and suggests that its overemphasis can lead to corruption and decay in a relationship.

In Act 2 Scene 4 Jessica decides to leave her father and her home to elope with a Christian man Lorenzo. This strengthens the concept of Shylock being a heartless villain because his child feels she must leave without a word of her desires. This shows that Jessica knows that her father would not listen to or consider her feelings for Lorenzo so she must steal and run away from him. On the night she leaves she says with little remorse ‘Farewell; and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost.’ This shows that her childhood was not happy and that she was ‘ashamed to be her father’s daughter’. This is further evidence of Shylocks heartlessness.

The cycle of hatred and animosity are evident in The Merchant of Venice most clearly through Jessica’s deplorable treachery of Shylock (Blanchard). The theft of his money and jewels was considered by the Christians a credit to her integrity rather than the consummate maliciousness it truly is. She is absolved from any culpability for her betrayal of Shylock; she is praised for her ability to deceive and defraud her father in a culture that sanctioned paternal piety (Picker). She marries the Christian Lorenzo in hopes of improved egalitarianism; she soon discovers that this will not be the case. Her profound guilt and strict upbringing as a Jewish female are revealed in the conversation between herself and Lorenzo:

Shylock finds joy when roles are reversed, causing people to beg for his mercy. Throughout the play, Christian characters were racist to him, they were constantly disrespecting him due to his Jewish background. However, in Act III Scene III, roles are reversed when their racist antics turn into mercy. The characters want to save Antonio from being harmed, and so they beg Shylock to change his mind:

The Turquoise Ring gives depth to Shylock’s character by providing insight into his relationship with his daughter Jessica. While the merchant of Venice seems to Portray Shylock as a hostile and overprotective father, the Turquoise Ring offers a different perspective on the matter. It gives an understanding as to the reason for the constant contention seen between Shylock and his daughter. Shylock tells his daughter, “an angel were you, that did preserve me”, showing the central role Jessica plays in Shylocks life. After escaping the atrocities of his homeland in Toledo, Spain, Shylock is left with nothing of importance in his life but his daughter Jessica. His concerned for her is what motivates Shylock to try and create a very sheltered life for his daughter, fearing that he would lose the only thing he had left. After all that he had sacrificed, to lead for his family a Jewish lifestyle in spite of the dangerous implications of doing so, Shylock would not allow his daughter fall to the hands of Christianity,

Shylock is proud to be the local Jew. He makes no apologies for fulfilling the stereotypes, and hurls insults after he is insulted, calling Antoio a rat and a serpent (4.1.44, 69). His praise comes from the old testament, as he compares Portia to Daniel in her initial judgements (4.1.221). This later is echoed by Graziano when Portia's justice is no longer in Shylock's favor, who seemingly was unaware of this character

Shylock’s revenge against years of ridicule is what brought about his downfall. In the end, his refusal to accept anything but the bond that was agreed upon caused him to lose his home, his daughter, his fortune and his religion. This is a tragedy indeed.

Shakespeare characterised Shylock in such way that he highlights the inequalities of him, them being ungrateful, vengeful, and religious intolerance. As each is explored Shylock is directed towards a harmful act to deem his vengeance upon his greatest rival, Antonio. Shakespeare’s idea in the play tells us mercy is preferable to revenge. In Act 1, Scene 3

It is ironic that Jessica’s actions should prove to be the catalyst that hardens Shylock’s attitude towards Antonio; she has turned Christian just as Antonio believed that Shylock’s bond turned him Christian.