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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Anti-Semitism in the Climax


In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s choices to have various characters constantly refer to Shylock’s cruelty and inhumanity while persuading him to spare Antonio reveals Shakespeare’s own view of Jews as hard-hearted and merciless. From the very start of the scene, Shakespeare makes Shylock out to be the villain who victimizes Antonio. The Duke refers to Shylock as “A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch/Uncapable of pity, void and empty/From any dram of mercy.” (4.1.3-5). Not only does the Duke imply that Shylock must be “an inhuman wretch” for not freeing Antonio, he also uses the word “uncapable” to insinuate that Shylock’s cruel behavior is an ingrained part of who he is, something that he cannot change about himself. The Duke implies that Shylock’s incapacity for pity is the way he was born, possibly even suggesting that his malice is because he is a Jew. Shakespeare’s implications become clearer later, when Antonio tells Bassanio that “you may as well do anything most hard/As seek to soften that–than which what’s harder?/His Jewish heart.” (4.1.77-79). Antonio reasons that the most difficult task to take on is to try to soften Shylock’s heart. But instead of simply referring to Shylock’s heart as “his heart,” Shakespeare has Antonio specifically say “his Jewish heart” to clarify that Shylock’s unforgiving nature is solely due to the fact that he is Jewish and that all Jews therefore are ruthless and unfeeling. Antonio also tells Bassanio not to try and reason with Shylock and to consider that “you question with the Jew.” (4.1.71). By calling Shylock “the Jew” and not “a Jew” Antonio also indicates that Shylock is a perfect representation of Jewish behavior, only furthering Shakespeare’s argument that Jews are all implacable villains. By calling Shylock cruel and directly associating his cruelty with his Judaism, Shakespeare reveals his disdainful attitude towards Jews despite the apparent sympathy he gave to Shylock earlier in the play.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Shylock yup pain and revenge

Sarah Adler
10/26/14
Portfolio B Option 3

            Shakespeare uses Shylock’s defensiveness in his monologue to convey his internal pain from his abundance of misfortunes, driving him to seek revenge on Antonio. When the Duke pressures Shylock to have mercy on Antonio, he retorts, “You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have/ A weight of carrion flesh than to receive/ Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that, / But say it is my humour”(4.1, 39-42).  Shylock is wary in his answer because he’s eager to enact his revenge on Antonio and obtain his pound of flesh. He says, “it is my humour”, attempting to blame his brutality on one of the four bodily humours believed to control people’s personalities. This uncharacteristic violence is due to Shylock’s despair towards recent events such as losing his daughter and money. Shylock alludes to his vulnerable state when he comments, “…but of force, / Must yield to such inevitable shame/ As to offend, himself being offended;” (4.1, 55-57). Shylock is explaining that when a person does an inexplicable act, such as his burning desire for revenge, they feel ashamed for being looked down upon. Shakespeare conveys the hurt Shylock is wrestling with, which is disguised as desire for harsh punishment for Antonio. Shylock states his contempt for Antonio with conviction, exclaiming, “So can I give no reason, nor I will not, / More than a lodged hate and certain loathing/ I bear Antonio” (4.1,58-60). Shylock refuses to elaborate on his insatiable craving for revenge, but describes his hatred for Antonio. This deep-rooted hatred stems from Antonio’s mistreatment of Shylock, although he did nothing to irk or disrespect Antonio. His disgust of Shylock was solely because Shylock is Jewish, which caused Shylock pain. Shylock exacts his revenge on Antonio because now he has the law on his side. Shylock uses the hurt he’s been feeling and transforms it to anger towards Antonio, which is why he refuses to alleviate the cruelty of Antonio’s punishment for not paying him back; shown through his guarded monologue.

Conditional vs. Unconditional


Shakespeare demonstrates Bassanio’s contrasting wishes of upholding his vow to Portia and pleasing Antonio in a dialogue between the three to convey that the trusting nature of unconditional love is much more influential than the mistrusting tune of conditional love. When Portia, disguised as the doctor, asks for the ring, Bassanio refuses to give it to her and says, “this ring was given me by my wife,/And when she put it on she made me vow/That I should neither sell nor lose it.” (4.1. 437-439). Bassanio wants to keep his promise to Portia, which shows his devotion to her. On a different note, he says that “she made [him] vow[;]” By using the word “made”, Shakespeare highlights that Portia’s love came with a prerequisite, something Bassanio had to do in order to secure her love. Also, by foisting this vow on Bassanio, Portia is exhibiting her mistrust of him. As the doctor, Portia tests Bassanio’s loyalty by claiming, “An if your wife be not a madwomen,/And know how well I deserved this ring,/She would not hold out enemy for ever/For giving it to me.” (4.1. 441-444). Through Portia, Shakespeare illustrates that the doctor “deserves” a prize for his efforts; he saved Antonio’s life. Bassanio knows his debt to this doctor and yet he lets him go without a second thought; his loyalty to Portia trumps any obligation he feels to repay the doctor. However, with only a few words Antonio persuades Bassanio into giving up the ring. Antonio says, “My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring./Let his deservings and my love withal/ be valued ‘gainst your wife’s commandment.” (4.1 445-447). Bassanio not only suggests that the doctors “deservings” are of higher value than Portia’s “commandments”, but also his love, his unconditional love; he has sacrificed so much and put his own life on the line for Bassanio with absolute faith and trust, and without asking for anything in return. In addition, Shakespeare uses the word “commandment” to describe Bassanio’s vow to Portia to exemplify that Portia conditions her love on Bassanio obeying her command. In contrast, Antonio has never ordered Bassanio to do anything for him. In the end, Bassanio chooses Antonio over Portia and thus, Shakespeare that shows unconditional love inspires much more loyalty than and is far superior to conditional love.

Antonio hating on Jews

Devon Pollock
Portfolio B
In the opening scene of act 4, Shakespeare uses examples from nature to display Antonio’s close-minded belief that it is only natural for all Jews to be ruthless, unforgivingpeople, which perpetuates the negative stereotypes placed on Jews in Shakespeare’s eraWhen Bassanio is trying to argue with Shylock to have him forget the bond, Antonio stops Bassanio to say, “I pray you think you question with the Jew/…  You may as well use question with the wolf/ Why he has made the ewe bleat for the lamb” (4.1.70-74). Antonio is saying that there is nothing Bassanio can do because arguing with Shylock is useless since he is a devilish personwho cannot be persuaded into doing the right things. Antonio’s specific choice of comparing arguing with Shylock to questioning the wolf “why he has made the ewe bleat for the lamb”, depicts Shylock as bloody thirsty animal, the wolf, while Christians like Antonio are just innocent, loveable lambs. This carries on the theme of Christianity being the respected religion while no respect is given to any Jewish faithAntonio continues with his nature similes byadding,  “You may as well forbid the mountain pines/ To wag their high tops and to make no noise” (4.1.75-76). This statement continues with Antonio’s idea that it is simply natural for Jews to be evil. It is part of nature for the leaves to respond to the wind and move, and using this example conveys the message that it would be uncharacteristic for Shylock to forgive andspare the Christian. This simile maintains the unfavorable view of Jews that has shadowed the whole play. Antonio ends his dialogue with tell Bassanio, “You may as well do anything most/ As seek to soften that- than which is harder?-/ His Jewish heart.” (4.1.78-80). Antonio claims that there is nothing more impossible than to soften “his Jewish heart”.  Comparing those incredibly hard tasks to the hardness of Shylock’s heart shows the intense hatred Antonio feels for Shylock and his religionIn the end it shows the irony that this Christian exclaims that there is nothing harder than a Jewish heart yet he doesn’t see that the reason Shylocks heart washarden was from the mistreatment Shylock received his whole life from him and Christians.

Yeezus Jesus Shylock Gets Mad at Christians

TJ Ram
Portfolio B
English II
10/25/14


Shakespeare uses persuasion and metaphorical language during Shylock’s angry speech to convey Shylock’s deep frustration with the racism and prejudice against Jewish people. Shakespeare begins with Shylock exclaiming, “He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated my enemies. And what’s his reason? I am a Jew. (3.1.51-55)” Shakespeare implements these powerful analogies to help the reader relate to Shylock’s frustrations. He has lent a large sum of money to Antonio, a man who has insulted him and caused him an inordinate amount of grief just because of his religion. Shakespeare then writes, “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? (3.1.55-60)”After providing a background as to why Shylock is enraged, Shakespeare dazzles the reader with a set of brilliant analogies. He compares common human physical and emotional characteristics that both Christians as Jews share. His argument is that all humans are same on basic level so any discrimination is immoral and unfair. To conclude Shylock’s speech, Shakespeare states, “If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be byChristian example? Why, revenge. (3.1.64-67)Shakespeare’s ending argument is explained best by the Bible quote, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” If one man wrongs another man, justice should be done to avenge that wrongdoing. Shylock has endured a lifelong of suffering under Christian oppression, so he too will have his vengeance.

slavery is bad

Tara Guleri
Portfolio B
         When the Duke questions Shylock about his lack of mercy, Shakespeare shows Shylock using both logical and descriptive language in order to make his argument that demanding a pound of flesh is just as lawful as keeping a slave in Venetian society. During his speech, Shylock compares his bond to slavery in order to justify his actions. He argues that if he were to tell a Christian to free his slave, they would “answer/ ‘The slaves are ours,” therefore, “the pound of flesh which [he demands] of him is dearly bought” and he too will answer “tis’ mine, and I shall have it.” (4.1.97-99) By saying the flesh was “dearly bought,” Shylock equates ownership of a slave with his ownership of a pound of flesh, because it too was purchased lawfully. Shylock builds logically to a compelling argument to point out the hypocrisy in Venetian law and society, in that, when Christians act immorally, their morality is not disputed. However, because Jews are seen as “dogs” or “the devil,” their intentions are always held in question. Shylock also uses descriptive language to further his argument. He questions whether Venetians would “let [their slaves’] beds/ be made as soft as [theirs]” or “let [their slaves’] palates/ be seasoned with such viands.” (4.1.94-96) The images of feeling the “soft” beds and tasting the “season[ed]” viands help to make Shylock’s argument that much more persuasive to the people of the courtroom. Shylock’s use of both sensory language as well as logical and measured language allow him to make his argument that the law has no meaning here. Towards the end of the speech, Shylock concludes that “if [they] deny [him], fie upon [their] law!/ There is no force in the decrees of Venice.” (4.1.100-101) In these last few lines, Shylock’s mention of “no force in decrees” suggests that legal documents have no value in Venice and, in his case, that morality counts more for Christians than for Jews and other minorities. Shakespeare shows that the law is unjust towards  Through the use of Shylock’s reasoned and illustrative language, Shakespeare points out the arbitrary nature of Venetian law, and shows that it doesn't uphold moral standards as much as it upholds the interests of Christians.

Flesh>ducats

Whitner Grange
English

          In Act 4, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare utilizes a monologue of Shylock's to portray his unadulterated hatred of Antonio showing the pent up anger for Christians that Jews held at the time the play was written due to countless acts of anti-Semitism on behalf of the Christian community.  Whether it be forcing them into a Ghetto, Throwing them into canals, spitting on them, or calling them names such as "devil" and "dog",  the viewer witnesses numerous occurrences of hateful acts that Christians do unto Jews throughout the entirety of the play.  When asked why Shylock would "rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh than to receive three thousand ducats" Shylock responds by saying, "I'll not answer that, but say it is my humour" (4.1.39-42).  Shylock is offered many times the agreed upon three thousand ducats, but he turns the money down, and instead wants Antonio's flesh as payment.  At the time of this scene, Shylock is only a shell of the man he once was.  His daughter has left him, and has taken his money to run off with a Christian.  He has nothing left but his faith, and is alone in a world that despises him because of it.  His emasculated and lonely state only adds fuel to his seething fire of hatred for those who have wronged him.  Shylock does not provide any reason for his bestial desire for Antonio's flesh because he thinks he need not explain himself.  Shylock is tired of trying to show that Jews are not animals, that anti-Semitism is unwarranted.  He knows that Christians see him as the incarnation of the devil, so why not give them what they want?  He has been holding back his anger for a lifetime and when faced with the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge for the evils Christians do unto Jews, he takes it.  However, despite the gruesome, barbaric, malicious nature of Shylock's bond, Shakespeare does not use this monologue to support the preconceived notion of the era that Jews are evil.  It may seem as though Shakespeare is using Shylock's brutality as justification for anti-Semitism, but his reasoning is quite the opposite.  Shakespeare uses Shylock's display of vengeance in order to show the byproducts of a society riddled with prejudice and false preconceived notions.  Shakespeare shows the viewer a broken, vengeful man in an attempt to shed light on the dark and unjust society that has molded him into the man he has become.

Shylock the Dog

Alexander Sfakianos
Portfolio B
In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare uses the motif of Jews as relentless and desperate dogs to further dehumanize Jews so that they seem less like men, and more like animals, allowing for them to be easy targets. Bassanio begins the attack on Jews by exaggerating Shylock's reasoning for wanting a pound of human flesh instead of 3000 ducats, "The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all" (4.1.111). Bassanio states that Shylock wishes for "flesh, blood, bones, and all," implying that Shylock wants all of Antonio rather than a clean cut of meat. Shakespeare uses this imagery to produce a stray dog willing to take any scraps. By having Shylock eager to get the "scraps", the Jew's diet is compared to that of a starved dog. The "desperate diet" subverts Jews to dogs that can be spat at by Christian men. Shortly after, Graziano furthers the insult by saying that "Thy [Shylock's] currish spirit / Governed by a wolf who [was] hanged for human slaughter...for thy desires / Are wolvish, bloody, starved, and ravenous" (4.1.133-137). Graziano says Shylock's soul is from another man who wished for bloodshed. He also pairs wolves with the adjectives "bloody, starved, and ravenous". By having Graziano use this language, Shakespeare compares an savage dog, a wolf,  to a wild Jew's lust for blood. The comparison leaves Shylock as an unwanted dog in this act, as well an throughout the entirety of the play. Though Shylock simply wishes to be equal to a Christian, he allows Jews to be ridiculed. Shylock's dog-like actions create an image of savage dogs lurking among the Christian men of Venice.

Shylock Getting Some Revenge on My Boy Antonio

Bryce Huerta
10/25/14
Portfolio B - Option 3: Shylock's Monologue

William Shakespeare uses clever imagery and subtle similes throughout Shylock's soliloquy to convey Shylock's pure hatred of Antonio.  When asked by the Duke whether Antonio's punishment is needed, Shylock responds with a well executed speech.  His first actual response to the Duke's questioning is, "I'll not answer that, / But say it is my houmour?" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 41-42).  Shylock right away indicates that he will not, in fact, be giving, a logical answer for this desire, but instead replies that his state of mind, his "houmour," is encouraged to do so.  Shylock then provides a key image to aid in this explanation, saying; "What if my house be troubled with a rat / And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats / to have it baned? / What, are you not answered yet?" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 43-45).  Here, Shylock begins his animal comparisons, comparing Antonio to "a rat" that he has a certain obsession with destroying.  He then questions the Duke, "have I not answered you," to provide a rhetorical segue into his next set of images, proceeding to say, "Some men there are love not a gaping pig, / Some men are mad if they behold a cat, / And others when the bagpipe sings i'th'nose / Cannot contain their urine" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 46-49).  Shylock introduces these petty distastes for various objects to set a less intense image of hate, even almost being funny with the "bagpipe" joke.  Each object is in its own way random, as some men hate these object simply because they dislike them.  Shylock dehumanizes Antonio by comparing his disdain for him to the unprovoked anger some have for rats, pigs, cats, or bagpipes.  Only the pig seems connect to Shylock, as he cannot eat pork due to his religion.  Later, Shylock concludes, "Now, for your answer: / As there is no firm reason to be rendered..." (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 52-55).  Shylock in this section reiterates his previously established "petty hate" and its lack of a logical motive to ultimately state his final point, when he tells "So can I give no reason, nor will I not, / More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing / I bear Antonio...Are you answered?" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 58-61).  Shylock finally reveals his true motive; he wants to see Antonio suffer.  Shylock before this soliloquy has indicated some reasons for hating Antonio, such as having been spit on by Antonio or facing general anti-Semitism from this merchant, but during this speech, he only cites an arbitrary hatred of Antonio as his reason for wanting the pound of flesh.  Shylock then caps this speech by emphatically asking "are you answered" to reinforce what he has spoken.  Through this very precise and targeted rant from Shylock, Shakespeare reveals Shylock's horrifyingly deep level of disgust for Antonio and his unstoppable motivation to destroy him.    

Shylock Animal Metaphors No Mercy

Alex Laubscher
Merchant of Venice Portfolio B

In order to justify holding up the bond, in which he will take a pound of Antonio’s flesh, Shylock uses metaphors with animals; Shakespeare reveals Shylock’s escalation into a merciless person, rooting from his desire for revenge upon the Christians for mistreating him. After entering, he addresses the Duke of Venice saying, “Is it answered? / What if my house be troubled with a rat / And I pleased to give ten thousand ducats to have it baned?” (4.1.42-45) Shylock compares his decision to go through with his loan with Antonio to paying ten thousand ducats to kill a rat, in order to show that he feels that his decision should not be questioned. By asking, “Is it answered?,” he is saying that he does not need a reason to do as he pleases with his money, and the same goes for his loan. It should not be questioned why he would want to take the flesh of the Christian rat, Antonio, who has caused him great troubles in lieu of receiving a great sum of money, for it is his monetary decision. Shakespeare uses Shylock’s decisiveness to highlight his mercilessness and lack of pity for Antonio because he is set on getting revenge on the Christian. Later on, Shylock continues to try to validate his decision by saying, “You have among you many a purchased slave / … like your asses and your dogs and mules, / …You will answer / ‘The slaves are ours’. So do I answer you / The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought: ‘tis mine, and I will have it” (4.1.89-90, 97-99). Shylock states that “you,” Antonio, Bassanio, and the Duke of Venice, have slaves and dehumanize them by treating them like animals. However, they find justification in the fact that the slaves are theirs because the bought them. Because of Shylock’s bond with Antonio, he owns that pound of flesh which is still on Antonio and says that it would be hypocritical of the Christians to stop him from taking the pound of flesh which he rightfully owns, even if it causes a great deal of pain for Antonio. Shylock is no longer posing questions justify his decision; he is demanding that he gets his pound of flesh from Antonio, showing his now aggressive approach to reasoning his decision. Shakespeare uses Shylock’s intensifying metaphors and dialogue to exhibit Shylock’s escalation into a ruthless man determined to get revenge on Antonio as a release of his anger towards Christian people for taking his daughter and money.

Shakespeare's Exploration of Shylock's Comlicated Emotions


Shakespeare uses Shylock’s resentful speeches to depict Shylock’s complicated desires, motives, and emotions; despite his despair and overwhelming bitterness at Jessica’s betrayal, Shylock treasures her. Shylock is confused by the betrayal, therefore he obscures his legitimate concerns through busying himself with money and revenge. Shylock even seems to forget all of his daughter woes through his exuberance at Antonio’s misfortunes—Shylock says, “I am very glad of [his mishaps]. I’ll plague [Antonio], I’ll torture / him. I am glad of it” (3.1.109-110). Shylock now cherishes his opportunity to exact revenge on Antonio, although originally, Shylock made his offer jokingly. His newfound lust for revenge expresses how all his priorities are muddled; because of his internal turmoil, Shylock’s situation with Antonio suddenly becomes hugely important. Shylock seeks to “torture” and “plague” Antonio in any way Shylock can, distracting him from the more serious problem on hand. Through the debt Antonio must pay, Shakespeare offers Shylock another way to hide his true suffering over his daughter’s flight. His judgment is thrown off, emphasized when he goes as far to state, “I would my daughter were / dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed at my foot and the ducats in her coffin!” (3.1.83-85). Not long ago, Shylock valued Jessica and his stolen money equally, yet now, he seems to have changed enough to wish his “daughter were dead at [his] foot” as long as he reclaims his money. Although now his intentions may look to revolve around his money, his obsession with the money simply conceals his real motives between searching for his daughter. His wisdom is heavily clouded through Jessica’s treachery. Shylock still loves his daughter, but her betrayal causes his resentment to overpower his love; therefore, he is not just the money-obsessed Jew that he seems to be. When Tubal enters the stage, Shylock’s first words are, “How now, Tubal! What new from Genoa? / Hast thou found my daughter?” (3.1.75-76). Shylock repeatedly attempts to hide his affection and concern for his daughter, yet he immediately asks Tubal about status of the search for his daughter. Above all, Shylock desires the return of his daughter, no matter what other motives he seems to have. His misery may create conflict within himself, but he cannot truly hide his priority of finding his daughter. Through the escape of his daughter and his heated dialogue with Solanio, Tubal, and Salarino, Shakespeare emphasizes Shylock’s hidden desires while also revealing his superficial motives.

Shylock monologue




Portfolio B:
Social norms/Monologue 


Shakespeare, through Shylocks monologue is demonstrating Christian hypocrisy throughout this play, by comparing the immorality of owning slaves and a pound of flesh.  Shylock says “you have among you many a purchased slave/ which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, / you use in abject and in slavish parts, / because you bought them”(4.1.192.89- 92).  Shakespeare is persuading the audience by comparing slaves, to “Asses,dogs, and mules” to show the dehumanization of minorities in Europe.  Thus demonstrating that Christians aren’t as kind and gentle, as they like to portray themselves to be.  Then Shylock states “you use in abject and in slavish parts, / because you bought them”.  Shylock is proclaiming that Christians believe ownership allows them the right to treat slaves like animals.  Through this quote Shylock is asking the difference between buying a pound of flesh and treating others like nothing more than a pound of flesh.  Shylock later says, “’the slaves are ours’. So do I answer you. / The pound of flesh which I demand of him/ is dearly bought: ‘tis mine” (4.1.193.97-99).  Shylock is making the point that by law what is bought is owned, and such is how he justifies taking a piece of Antonio’s flesh.  The word “dearly” is used in a mocking tone as to demonstrate the utter pretense of his encounter with the law. Shylockcompares taking Antonio’s flesh to slavery in order to demonstrate the hypocrisy of denying Shylock his winnings.    

Shylock be ranting

Leonardo Vilchez
Mr. Huntoon
Portfolio B

In Scene 3 Act 1 of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare uses Shylock's monologue and his argument of Antonio being cruel to him in order to show the feelings of vengeance and hate that were shared among Christians and Jews in the 1400s (at the time). At the start of the passage, Shylock hints to Salarino that his bond with Antonio "will feed my (his) revenge" (3,1,50) and that by not imposing any threat "if he forfeit (Antonio), thou would wilt not/ take his flesh." (3,1,49) he can gain his trust "To bait fish withal." (3,1,50) and take vengeance upon him. He uses several examples of cruelties in his monologue on how "He (Antonio) hath disgraced me..." (3,1,51) just because "I (Shylock) am a Jew" and tells Salarino how Jews and Christians are very similar but have different beliefs. Shylock argues that "Hath not a Jew hands... fed with the same food... warmed and cooled by the / same winter and summer, as a Christian is?' (3,1,59) and presents to us how small the difference is between Jews and Christians to make us sympathize with him in order to set up for what his true intentions are in the last part of the paragraph. He then states: "If a Jew wrong a / Christian, what is his humility? Revenge." (3,1,64) to mock a Christian's "humility" (which is to be expected of them) in order to show their true actions that are put upon Jews in order to further make Christians look like the real villain. He then says "If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by / Christian example? Why, revenge." (3,1,65) to show how it is the Christians' fault for the Jews' hatred toward Christians and that the Jews are only giving back what was given to them. And finally, he states his true intentions: "The villainy you / teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction." (3,1,67). What Shylock is saying is that he will return the "villainy" "taught" to him by Antonio but in a more terrible or cruel way ("but I will better the instruction.") in revenge. In the end, Shakespeare has Shylock reveal his true intentions toward Antonio through his monologue and the cruelties on Jews made by the Christians to show the tension between Jews and Christians at the time.









Shylock talks a lot about being mad

Michelle Griggi
Merchant of Venice portfolio B
English 10

In The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare uses Shylock’s monologues to express the anguish of Jews in his time period. Shylock has recently found out that his daughter, Jessica, has run off with his money but more importantly a Christian man. Shylock is very distressed when he says that Christians, “laugh at my losses,/ mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my/ bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies./ And what’s his reason” (3.1 52-55)? Shylock questions the “reason” behind Christian’s hatred towards Jews because they criticize “losses” and “gains” and to Christians Jews cannot do anything right. Shylock makes another list, “Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,/ affections, passions,” (3.1 56-57) in his monologue to show the unreasonable loathing that the Jewish people experience even though they are people too. Finally Shylock gives the example of, “If a Chris-/tian wronged a Jew, what should his sufferance be by/ Christian example? Why, revenge,” (3.1 65-67) to prove that there should be the same “sufferance” by both religions. Shylock reveals a dark side of him looking for “revenge” on the man whom Jessica ran away with, which continues to show his anguish and anger towards Christians in his monologue. Therefore Shylock’s monologues help Shakespeare reveal the sufferance of Jewish people and how some of them want revenge on Christians.  

Monday, October 20, 2014

Money & treasure show TMOV sexism

In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare repeatedly associates female characters with items of treasure to emphasize the viewpoint that women are merely possessions. When justifying why he thinks the gold box holds Portia’s portrait, the Prince of Morocco reasons that “never so rich a gem/Was set in worse than gold.” (2.7.54-55). In referring to Portia as a “gem” in this metaphor, he dehumanizes her and makes her simply a piece of property that is good for only money and beauty. While he seems to be complimenting her, his choice of the word “rich” also calls into question his motivations for the marriage, suggesting that he really only wants Portia for her wealth and status. Another suitor, the Prince of Arragon, calls the silver box a “silver treasure-house” when he believes that it is the box with Portia’s portrait inside (2.9.33). By saying that the box contains a “treasure,” the Prince hints that Portia, as a wife, is a “treasure.” Although he is not necessarily interested in her for the money, he still treats her as more of a prize than a person, reinforcing the idea that women are objects and really only valuable as political, bargaining tools. However, Shakespeare shows that it is not only potential wives who are objectified. Solanio recounts how Shylock also relates his daughter Jessica to coins, saying, “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!/Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!” (2.8.15-16). While Shylock is understandably angry about both the loss of his daughter and the loss of his ducats, he has trouble separating the two problems from each other, going back and forth between “daughter” and “ducats” and even transitioning from “Fled with a Christian” to “Christian ducats.” Since Shylock cannot distinguish which situation he is more upset about and uses very similar sentence structure for each outburst, Shakespeare implies that Shylock considers his daughter to be on the same level of value as the money stolen. Just like the stolen money, Shylock considers her to be his property and his possession to use and manipulate as he sees fit. By using the motif of money and treasure, Shakespeare calls attention to the unfair attitude of women as objects, as well as how that type of thinking justifies the lack of female power in Venetian, and by extension, Elizabethan society.

Hierarchy of religion

Devon Pollock
Merchant of Venice

In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare uses precise yet conflicting words in his interactions between Shylock and Antonio in order to portray society's perception of Judaism as inferior to Christianity. In response to Shylock using Holy Scripture to back up his belief that the use of interest in money lending is not sinful, Antonio warns Bassanio that, “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose” (1.3.93). This remark compares Shylock and the Jewish people to the devil. Antonio is trying to point out that charging interest is evil and he believes that Shylock trying to defend sin with scripture doesn't stop him from being unholy. Antonio's view of Jews as "devil[ish] shows the disrespect he and other Christians have for the Jewish faith. This is contrasted to how Antonio treats and refers to Shylock after he agrees to lend “ducats” without interest.  Antonio calls Shylock a “ gentle Jew” (1.3.173). Shakespeare’s specific word choice of “gentle” is a play on words. Antonio is calling him gentle as in the kind, good-hearted meaning of the word because Shylock is being friendly about the business deal. This way of describing Shylock strictly contradicts being seen as the devil. But, also, the word gentile that is very closely related, means a non-Jewish person. This wordplay represents how being gentle, and good is directly related with being non-Jewish and more precisely being Christian  like lending money without interest. This contradiction depicts the strict hierarchy of religion that makes Jews inferior and "justifying" the poor treatment of Jews in Venice. The conflicting nature of those words conveys the conflicting perceptions of favorable Christianity vs. negative view of Judaism.

Shakespeare's use of Dog imagery in Shylock's monolouge

Shakespeare has Shylock demonstrate how Christians equate Jews with dogs to show that Jews were successful and needed members of society despite the fact that they were taken advantage of and treated as less than human. Shylock stresses how Antonio has come to him for a favor even though he “foot[s] Shylock as [he] spurn[s] a stranger cur.”(124). Here, Shakespeare shows how Antonio treats Shylock as a “cur” to convey that Jews were treated as sub-human; In Christian eyes they were less than beggars, they were the dog equivalent to baggers. Also, how Antonio dehumanizes Shylock and then asks for money shows that Antonio expects Shylock to be like a dog in that he would be ready to do anything to please someone who is “dominate,” that Jews should be at the beck and call of Christians. Shylock then emphasizes the problem of the Christian’s dehumanization of and then reliance on the Jews: you cannot ask a “dog” for a human favor, like money, and expect them to pay up and to even have the money n the first place. Shylock says, “What should I say to you? Should I not say/Hath a dog money? Is it possible/A cur can lend three thousand ducats?”(124). When Shylock highlights that dogs cannot lend money but he can, Shakespeare demonstrates that Jews were better than dogs, than how Christians saw them. Jews, even though they were dehumanized, rose above society’s views and restrictions on their community and became successful businessmen. At the end of his speech about Antonio’s mistreatment of him, Shylock gives a sarcastic reply to Antonio’s request for a favor to illustrate how Antonio is undeserving of any favor from him. “You spurned me such a day; another time/You called me dog; and for these courtesies/I’ll lend you thus much money?”(124). Antonio treats Shylock like a dog, worthless and insufficient, and then Shylock is just supposed to fork over the money. This highlights the bigotry that the Jews suffered, how they were taken advantage of and viewed as lesser and thus could be pushed around without penalty. In addition, in this passage, Shylock stands up for himself by pointing out the absurdity of Antonio’s request for a favor, illustrating that he is not like a dog at all; when a dog is kicked it shies away, Shylock, on the other hand, stands up for himself. Through using the imagery of the dog and its incongruity to Jews, Shakespeare conveys how Jews were clever and prosperous in the face of adversity.

Portrayal of Jews through repetition

Tara Guleri
Shakespeare's portrayal of Jews through repetition

Shakespeare uses repetition to suggest that Jews, namely Shylock, are greedy and more interested in business relationships than in personal ones. Christians like Antonio are shown to lend money to loved ones without interest, or hope to gain anything in return, where as Shylock is only interested in his money gain. Usury is one of the only jobs available to Jews, so Shylock is clearly very protective over his money. After Jessica elopes with Lorenzo, Shylock roams the streets looking for her and the wealth she stole from him. Solanio describes Shylock as a “villain Jew” (2.8, 4),  which demonstrates the negative light that is shone upon Jews by Christians, however over the course of the first two acts, Shylock does not make a good impression for Jews. Shylock cries, “O my ducats! O my daughter!” (2.8, 15) , implying that he values his money more than he values his daughter. His greed clearly overrides his family and his love. Shylock is agonized by the fact that Jessica stole his “jewels, two stones.” (2.8 20) The use of “stones” is a double meaning, implying both Shylock’s actual jewels and his testicles, which would describe his feelings of emasculation. Solanio mentions that he has never “heard a passion so confused” (2.8, 12), meaning that Shylock is distressed over the lose of his money. He does not seem express the same concern for his daughter. Shylock is also miserable about he fact that  his daughter “fled with a Christian! O [his] Christian ducats!,” who, also has access to his money. “Christian ducats” refers to ducats now owned by Christians. While Shylock is upset that his daughter fled with a Christian, he is much more upset about losing his money than losing Jessica.

Solanio/Shylock/diction$$$$$

Whitner Grange
English
          In act 2, scene 8 of "The Merchant Of Venice", Shakespeare, through the character Solanio, is able to utilize mocking and repetitive diction in order to portray an image of Shylock that is both vivid, and pokes fun at him for being a Jew.  By speaking through a somewhat unimportant and average character, Shakespeare gives the viewer a clear view of the anti-Semitic nature of the common person.  By having Solanio call Shylock a "villain" and "dog Jew", the viewer immediately recognizes that Solanio's hatred of Shylock is due entirely to the fact that he is Jewish and prepares the viewer for Solanio's upcoming slander of Shylock (2.8.4/.14).  Solanio then goes on the recount a scene that unfolded earlier when Shylock discovered that his daughter not only stole his money, but had also ran off with Lorenzo, a Christian.  By repeating words like "Christian", "daughter", and "ducats", Solanio attempts to mock Shylock for not only losing his daughter to a Christian, but losing his money as well (playing off of the stereotype that Jews are greedy).  Solanio tops off his slander of Shylock by saying that his "jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,/ [were] Stol'n by [his] daughter" (2.8.20-.21).  Solanio's repetition of the word "stones" leads the viewer to believe that Shylock's "stones" are a metaphor for his testicles.  By running away with a Christian, Shylock's daughter has emasculated him.  Shakespeare includes this metaphor to humiliate Shylock for the viewer's entertainment, showing the hatred of Jews at the time the play was written.  By having Solanio utilize repetition and a metaphor to poke fun at Shylock, Shakespeare both depicts Shylock's emasculation and provides a look into the religious prejudice of the time.

Shakespeare's view on Jews through repetition

Through the repetition and use of the word “two” Shakespeare demonstrates his anti-Semitic view on Shylock by emasculating him.  Solanio first uses the word “two” in order to describe Shylocks financial loss by losing his daughter to a Christian “two sealéd bags of ducats/Of double ducats stol’n from me by my daughter” (153.2.8.19).  Solanio interprets this as Jessica not only taking away Shylocks money but also his manhood.  The fact that Shylocks daughter falling for a Christian man is considered emasculatory demonstrates Shakespeare’s demeaning view of Jews.   The word “two” is then used to describe stones “And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones/Stol’n by my daughter” (153.2.8.20).  Solanio is further debilitating Shylock by saying that a woman has the power to take away his machismo.  Shakespeare has Solanio make this erotic pun to further the point that he believes Jews are of lower class.  Shakespeare uses the word “two” to serve as a means to enervate and debilitate Shylock in a bawdy and, humorous manner.  

Religious Ridicule Through Critical Stereotypes

Merchant of Venice Portfolio A

Through the mockery and religious stereotypes Antonio and Shylock have for one another’s religion, Shakespeare reveals that their desire to ridicule the opposing religious group is stronger than their desire to be fully cooperative business partners. In the beginning of the scene, Bassanio is looking to lend money from Shylock, a Jew. Because Bassanio wants to lend the money under Antonio’s credit, Shylock wants to meet with Antonio first. Bassanio offers a meeting over dinner to Shylock, but Shylock responds saying, “Yes, to smell pork” (1.3.31). Shylock responds with sass to Bassanio’s offer, saying that Bassanio and Antonio would serve pork at dinner, obligating him smell the pork throughout dinner. Not only is Shylock expressing Bassanio and Antonio as inconsiderate and insensitive, but he is also stereotyping Christians to all be like this. Shylock is not willing to attend Antonio’s business dinner, since he believes the Christians would disregard his religious, dietary customs. Later, Shylock continues by explaining that “suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe, / You call me misbeliever, cut-throat, dog / … Well then, it now appears you need my help” (1.3.107-108, 110). Shylock says that the suffering is now an identifying label for “[his] tribe,” all Jewish people, who have become inured to the disdain from Christians. When he says “you,” he is not only referring Antonio and his disparagements but all of the Christians’ as well. Shylock says that although the Christians cause him and fellow Jews suffering, he knows that in the end they will come back to him needing financial help, poking fun specifically at Antonio and Bassanio. After Antonio and Shylock have agreed to the loan, Antonio says, “Hie thee, gentle Jew / The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grow kind” (1.3.174-175). Because Shylock was kind enough to loan money to Antonio and Bassanio, Antonio says Shylock is becoming more Christian. Mocking Jewish people, Antonio states that by simply being Jewish a person has room to grow into a better, kinder person by becoming a Christian. Even after the two have agreed to work together, Antonio cannot resist the chance to jab at Shylock and Jewish people in general. Shakespeare uses Shylock and Antonio’s insulting exchange to show that a partnership with mutual respect between is quickly spoiled by any chance to mock the other person or his religion.