Merchant Of Venice Character Analysis - 1119 Words

The play succeeds because of it’s raw realism. By making none of the characters admirable, it is actually a mirror of society itself. Usually people do have qualities that are not admirable and that it why the play succeeds, because it shows the true characteristics of humans in today’s society. It also shows human characteristics, of humans as a generalization. When evaluating the question of the plays merit, it can be tied back to the same idea. Therefore, the play succeeds in staying true to the nature of humankind itself and revealing the faults in society. The problematic and insignificant nature of society can be seen through the characters, particularly Portia, Shylock, Antonio and Bassanio. Each individual character has their own†¦show more content†¦This allows the reader to understand the faults in the character of both Portia and Nerissa, because they do not feel secure in their relationships and feel the need to have justification for them. By the m en giving them the rings they become aware of their relationships and are able to use that as a way to control their husbands thereafter, since they have that evidence of their betrayal. The court scene also shows the faults in the justice that is being served, because of the characters resentment towards Shylock. Shylock’s character is flawed because he is Jewish and wealthy. The characters find him flawed because they don’t agree with his beliefs. Shylock is also flawed, because of his wealth, which makes him a common enemy for those who borrow from him. From evaluating Shylock’s character as a whole we become aware of the idea that his bond becoming revenge was actually the result of him losing his daughter. Therefore, he becomes a much more relatable character, to the audience because his grief becoming revenge is common to seek relief or closure. Therefore, his fault is justified, because he seeks revenge for his daughter running away, but also for her running away with a man he disapproved of. Therefore, Shylock’s faults make him appeal to the audience, because it is most common that they would do the same if put in that situation. H owever, his idea of justice was not served because of the biasShow MoreRelatedMerchant Of Venice Character Analysis1027 Words   |  5 PagesThe characters in The Merchant of Venice teeter between the roles of protagonist and antagonist as Antonio, Shylock, and Portia contend among the unstable lines between that of victim, villain, and hero as the characters reveal their tendencies of schadenfreude behavior which discloses on their true nature -- are they innately evil or are they justly moral? Antonio, the regarded protagonist of the play, and the merchant that is named in the title of The Merchant of Venice is shown as a characterRead MoreMerchant Of Venice Shylock Character Analysis762 Words   |  4 PagesThe Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most widely known and controversial comedies. Written in the late 1590s, its’ controversy stems from the modern mindset between tolerance and prejudice. Shylock, who was â€Å"at once a fabulous monster, the Jew incarnate, and also a troubling human uneasily joined with the monster in an uncanny blend†, is now looked at as a victim in light of the prejudice bestowed upon him now being recognized. Shylock’s character is so stereotypically Jewish that he becomesRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Shylock from The Merchant of Venice469 Words   |  2 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice is a classic play that has also brought about some issues revolving around the antagonist of the story Shylock. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the character of Shylock in the play and also introduce the uses of that name throughout history down to the present day. Shylock in Shakespeares work is a money lending Jew who pursues money with strong vigor and attachment. Shylock is also portrayed as literally bloodthirsty as he demands punishmentRead MoreThe Merchant of Venice939 Words   |  4 PagesThese are two of Shakespearean antagonists of all time. They are alike in more ways than one. Shylock in Merchant of Venice is a Jewish moneylender based in Venice. He has been tormented and repressed mainly by the Christian population. One finds it easy to sympathize with him mainly because he has his own reasons to be loathing, greedy, and miserly. This ends up making the entire ‘Merchant of Venice’ bittersweet. This was when Shylock was forced to give up all that he owned and further converted itRead MoreTaming Of The Shrew And The Merchant Of Venice1612 Words   |  7 PagesThe role of woman in the society has always been really controversial, whether it was 400 years ago or now. Shakespeares two very famous comedy plays, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice challenge a very serious social issue, the role and importance of woman in society. We all know the stereotypical image of woman in the society but Shakespeare questions the society on these thoughts through his plays. While Shakespeare expresses his ideas in a very unique way in each of his playsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice989 Words   |  4 PagesThe Play Analysis of The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare Comedy’s published in the First Folio. (McDonald 212) This analysis will review the written work of the play and the production from the Sweet Tea Shakespeare Theater Group. An overview on a few on the main stories within the play: the animosity in the relationship between Antonio the merchant and Shylock the Jewish moneylender, the courtship of Bassanio and Portia, and the secret eloping of Jessica and LorenzoRead MoreMerchant of Venice - Plot Structure1714 Words   |  7 Pagesof ‘The Merchant of Venice is apparently fanciful but in reality exactingly structured./b/center br brThe Merchant of Venice is a fairy tale. There is no more reality in Shylocks bond and the Lord of Belmonts will than in Jack and the Beanstalk. brH. Granville-Barker, in Prefaces to Shakespeare. br brThis is one way of looking at the play, reading it or enjoying the performance. But it can be a contradiction to our actual feelings about this complex play. ‘The Merchant of VeniceRead MoreRacism And Prejudice By William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagesreligion and what they believe in, however there is racism and prejudice present in the world. William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays. Written in the 16th century England, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human differences due to anti-semitism being very common at the time. The story is set in Venice where a merchant named Antonio lived. His poor friend Bassanio wants to charm and marry a lovely, rich girl of Belmont called PortiaRead MoreMerchant Of Venice Essay Outline956 Words   |  4 Pages The Merchant of Venice Essay Outline Introduction: Hook: The theme is the main subject or message of a story. It is used to give depth and enhance the plot. The themes of The Merchant of Venice are used throughout the story of the play to make the plot move along and to encourage the characters into action. Bridge: When you read The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare there are many themes throughout the play and many lessons to be learned. Main Ideas: The most important themes are hatredRead More Shakespeares Presentation of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice831 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeares Presentation of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice This essay is an analysis of how the character of Shylock, in the play The Merchant of Venice, is presented to the audience, by Shakespeare, in different ways. The riveting play shows the best and worst aspects of human nature and contains one of Shakespeares most reviled, complex and compelling characters. Love and romance end this play, yet before that come bigotry, racism, hatred, death threats and