Ismail Merchant

Dramatic Significance Exposed by Risk in The Merchant of Venice Risk is the exposure to danger. Taking risks are necessary because risk reveals experience to an individual. Hazard has both malevolent and benevolent outcomes, which can affect the overall atmosphere in a play. The content of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice includes many scenarios of risk-taking among the relationships between characters. The Merchant of Venice consists of four different plots: the bond plot, casket…

This passage is imagery because it vividly describes the scene. Throughout the passage, Salarino paints the picture of the fear that would occur if his well-being depended on a ship in a detailed manner. For example, the last four lines of the passage describe a ship being destroyed by rocks and spilling the cargo into the ocean. Using words such as “dangerous rocks” and “roaring waters”, Salarino employs terms that create visual images and sounds within audience’s imagination. By effectively…

held back from doing what men do. In society today women have the same rights as men but are still treated differently. For example, it is still a firm belief that men make more money than women even though they are working the same jobs. In The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, even though the protagonist is a man and it contains mostly male characters, the women in the play such as Portia, Nerissa, and Jessica show how they hold the higher power in the play. Through their…

Throughout history Jews have been outcasted from the rest of society even though they are equal in all aspects of life besides religion. During the time period that Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice, Jews were not welcomed into cities dominated by Christianity. In the play, the main protagonist Shylock is outcasted from the people of Venice for being Jewish. For being outcasted, Shylock hates the Christians and has no friends among the Venetians. To make a living, Shylock must compete…

Originally The Merchant of Venice was placed with other comedies, but since then, critics have been speculating on whether or not it should be classified as a tragedy instead (Fendt). A comedic drama is defined as being humorous and generally having a happy ending, whereas a tragedy involves suffering of the main or several characters and contains darker elements within the story (Conner). Critics often argue over how The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, should be classified. The…

In the period where The Merchant of Venice is set, anti-Semitism was ubiquitous. Shakespeare was probably influenced by this and — although he probably never met a ‘Jew’ — made Shylock a magnet for of anti-Semitism. However, the complex character of Shylock occasionally shows signs of humanity, which suggests that Shylock is a victim but – particularly from the perspective of the other main characters, such as Portia or Antonio - also a villain. We see two controversial sides of Shylock; one is…

throughout a great play, The Merchant of Venice, the characters had shown great abilities throughout the story lines. From the characters performing to be brave, to teaching the readers various lessons, these two art works had shown multiple attributes what everyone should have. In these storylines, the characters had shown their courageous actions through their struggles with society, themselves and their family what surrounds them. To Kill a Mockingbird and The Merchant of Venice, Scout,…

Generational differences are consistent through Moliere's Tartuffe. Yet, the period in which this narrative occurs may not read well to a modern audience who may not be familiar with family dynamics of the time. Staging the play in modern-day Manhattan, New York, highlights the generational differences between characters in Tartuffe, allowing modern audiences to relate to the comedic themes in the play. In the opening scene, Madam Parnell's criticisms resemble criticisms of many Baby Boomers,…

Despite these uncertainties, disagreements, and variabilities, role models can be found anywhere: in life, in fiction, or even in William Shakespeare’s most comedic play, The Merchant of Venice. Portia, the rich and desired heiress who must rely on her father’s ingenious contest for love, is a paragon of virtue. In The Merchant of Venice, Portia is an exceptional inspiration to all because of her heroism, wisdom, and mercy. The first quality of Portia that makes her a positive influence is her…

A Daughter have you Lost The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare. It was written between 1596 and 1598. It takes place in Venice, at a time when Jews were discriminated. The antagonist of the play is a Jewish man named Shylock. He has one child in the play, a daughter named Jessica. Shylock comes into the story because of a loan, made by him, to a merchant named Antonio. Antonio and Shylock do not agree with each other, and Jessica helps develop tension between the two.…