Merchant of Venice Themes
- Created by: Emilykrevision
- Created on: 02-03-18 17:13
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- Merchant of Venice themes
- Love
- Loss
- First of all, Antonio has supposedly lost all of his ships at sea.
- Shylock loses many things throughout the play
- He loses his servant Launcelot who hated Jews and went to work for Bassanio instead.
- Portias two suitors who choose the incorrect casket lose the chance to marry Portia because of their materialistic views.
- Mercy and justice
- A small amount of mercy is shown by Antonio towards Shylock as he lets Shylock keep half of his wealth.
- However, Antonio does say that in doing this Shylock must become a Christian and leave his property to Jessica and Lorenzo. This shows Antonio isn't as merciful as we thought.
- The Duke gives mercy when he allows Shylock his life. The Duke seems to be biased towards Antonio and says to Shylock 'He shall do this, or else I do recant the pardon that I late pronounced here.'
- In the courtroom Portia gives a speech to Shylock persuading him to give mercy to Antonio.
- In this she says ' The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'
- This means that really mercy is not that hard to show and it is a gift given from heaven.
- 'Shall seize one half his goods; the other half comes to privy coffer of the state.' shows that now Portia won't even give Shylock his money and she won't let him back out now.
- She won't even give Shylock any mercy after having asked him to give mercy.
- In this she says ' The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'
- A small amount of mercy is shown by Antonio towards Shylock as he lets Shylock keep half of his wealth.
- Friendship
- Gratanio and Bassanio are willing to help Lorenzo in his plan to elope with Jessica.
- Lorenzo is shown to be a trusted friend as Portia leaves him in charge of her estate whilst she goes away.
- Antonia is willing to show kindness as he lends his money to his friend Bassanio so he can go to marry a woman in Belmont.
- Gratanio and Bassanio are willing to help Lorenzo in his plan to elope with Jessica.
- Marriage
- Portia marries Bassanio after he chooses the correct casket
- Nerissa and Gratanio
- Love
- Lorenzo and Jessica
- Even though they have different backgrounds they are still able to love each other
- Marriage
- Portia marries Bassanio after he chooses the correct casket
- Nerissa and Gratanio
- He is worried as if all of his ships are lost it is very unlikely that he will be able to pay Shylock back his money.
- In the end he is able to be set free from the contract as Portia finds a loop hole in the bond and also we learn that he hasn't lost all of his ships and they bring back lots of money for him.
- First of all, Antonio has supposedly lost all of his ships at sea.
- Gratanio and Bassanio are willing to help Lorenzo in his plan to elope with Jessica.
- Lorenzo is shown to be a trusted friend as Portia leaves him in charge of her estate whilst she goes away.
- Hate/ racial prejudice
- Most of this theme revolves around the hate shown between Christians and Jews.
- Antonio shows hate and racial prejudice towards Shylock because Shylock is a Jew.
- Shylock hates Christians because of the way that they mistreat him.
- Because of this he wants a pound of Antonios flesh to try to kill him and have his revenge.
- He also hates Jews because they lend money free of interest and therefore they take away his business.
- He says to Antonio, ' You call me a misbeliever' and 'spit upon my Jewish gaberdine.'
- This shows the disrespect between the two religions and Antonio seems to show no regret for doing any of these things.
- Merchant of Venice themes
- Loss
- Shylock loses many things throughout the play
- He loses his servant Launcelot who hated Jews and went to work for Bassanio instead.
- Portias two suitors who choose the incorrect casket lose the chance to marry Portia because of their materialistic views.
- Shylock loses many things throughout the play
- Mercy and justice
- A small amount of mercy is shown by Antonio towards Shylock as he lets Shylock keep half of his wealth.
- However, Antonio does say that in doing this Shylock must become a Christian and leave his property to Jessica and Lorenzo. This shows Antonio isn't as merciful as we thought.
- The Duke gives mercy when he allows Shylock his life. The Duke seems to be biased towards Antonio and says to Shylock 'He shall do this, or else I do recant the pardon that I late pronounced here.'
- In the courtroom Portia gives a speech to Shylock persuading him to give mercy to Antonio.
- In this she says ' The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'
- This means that really mercy is not that hard to show and it is a gift given from heaven.
- 'Shall seize one half his goods; the other half comes to privy coffer of the state.' shows that now Portia won't even give Shylock his money and she won't let him back out now.
- She won't even give Shylock any mercy after having asked him to give mercy.
- In this she says ' The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'
- A small amount of mercy is shown by Antonio towards Shylock as he lets Shylock keep half of his wealth.
- Friendship
- Antonia is willing to show kindness as he lends his money to his friend Bassanio so he can go to marry a woman in Belmont.
- Loss
- Most of this theme revolves around the hate shown between Christians and Jews.
- Shylock shows no mercy to Antonio and still demands that he have his pound of flesh.
- Even when he is offered lots of money Shylock shows no sign of giving in to what he is standing for.
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