The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare Critical Approach Lawrence W. Hymann states that the struggle of 'The Merchant of Venice' is friendship v. marriage. Antonio fighting for his life against Shylock is his way of maintaining his good relationship with Bassanio, proving that although Bassanio and Porcia are now married, he will always be his best friend and his better half. http://www.enotes.com/merchant-of-venice/aspects-love Bernard Grebainer states that Shylock's label as a villain doesn't necessarily lie with the fact that he is a Jew, but more for his occupation as a usurer (someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest). http://www.enotes.com/merchant-of-venice/shylock Protagonist Deconstruction The protagonist is rather hard to identify within 'The Merchant of Venice' because it really depends on how the reader views the story. The play revolves around the deal between Shylock, the Jew, and Antonio. Depending on the reader's bias, they could either sympathize for Shylock, due to the amount of animosity he receives from Antonio, or you could sympathize Antonio, who is threatened to death because he cannot pay Shylock in return for his loan. In my opinion, the protagonist is Shylock, for he is treated so harshly by everyone around him, and literally has no one to turn to for support. His own daughter doesn't believe in him or even like him at all. His situation allows the reader to sympathize with him more than Antonio's because Antonio has friends, whom he can fall back on. As soon as they received word that their best friend was in trouble, Bassanio and Gratiano ran to Antonio's rescue. "You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, and spet upon my Jewish gaberdine..." p.34 "I am as like to call thee so again, to spet on thee again, to spurn thee too." p.36 Plot Perspective The plot perspective of 'The Merchant of Venice' is first person, for it is a play and all thoughts and statements are portrayed through each character. "In sooth, i know not why i am so sad." p.2 Theme The most apparent theme represented in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is selfishness. The entire work focuses on Christian values and Shylock's values, which ultimately boils down to what should be portrayed as right and what is wrong. Whether Shylock's strict business ways are righteously justified or if they are simply immoral and selfish. Unlike the Christians, Shylock doesn't make any exceptions for the ones he loves. So the entire work exemplifies the criticism of selfishness and the Christian critiques of it. "Signor Antonio, many a time and oft in the Rialto you have rated me about my moneys and my usances." p.34 Tone Irony is the major tone represented in The Merchant of Venice. All of the characters have ironic qualities, such as Shylock's cruel behavior resulting from his cruel suffering. Or how Antonio is selfless but very self pitying at the same time. The other huge evidence of irony is the fact that Shakespeare represents the play in such as manner as to make his characters the most important factors from the plot, when the real importance lies within their societal constraints. "How shalp thuo hope for mercy, rendering none?" p.168 "What judgement shall i dread, doing no wrong?" p.168 Mood The mood from The Merchant of Venice is quite depressing. It begins with the opressive and racist society. Then carries on with situations such as giving up everything to someone thats betrayed you, being humiliated in front of an archenemy, losing what means the most to you etc. All of which are situations that occur throughout this work and only lend to creating a depressing feeling to the reader. |
 Literary Devices & Figurative Language Similes Shakespeare uses similes more than anything else to depict emotion of each character and where they stand with each other. In scenes between Antonio and Shylock, similes are used to describe their hatred for one another. For scenes between Bassanio and Portia, similes are used to explain the love their share for one another. For scenes involving Antonio and Bassanio, similes are used to illustrate how much they care about each other, and what they would give up to save the life of the other. Metaphors Metaphors were not used as frequently as similes, though the intent of the two are the same. Metaphors depicted the feelings and emotions of every character. Repetition Repetition is used primarily between Antonio and Shylock, for the simple explanation that they do not understand each other and without it, they never really will. Repetition is used to lessen the extreme hatred amongst religion. Soliloquy Soliloquies are used in "The Merchant of Venice" to illustrate the secrecy and rebellion that takes place within Shylock's family. Jessica is ashamed of her father and longs for nothing more then to be Christian and to be with Lorenzo, her Christian lover. Analogy Referring to the proverb stating "The grace of God is enough", the analogy is used to describe the animosity against Jews at the time. Most talk of Shylock is anything but positive and that is how it was for all of the Jews at the time. |
|
 |
||
