Michelle Griggi
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In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare uses Shylock’s descriptive imagery in his monologues to convey conflicts in his job. Antonio and Bassanio have just come to Shylock to borrow three thousand ducats and Shylock is reluctant to give them the money. Shylock recounts that Antonio “spit upon [his] Jewish gaberdine” (109) and now they need his help. Shylock is obviously upset by being mistreated but there is a deeper feeling of conflict Shakespeare conveys. Shakespeare reveals that even though Antonio had “spit” on Shylock’s “gaberdine” and got his “rheum”(114) in his beard it is Shylock’s job to lend out money, even to the people who are rude to him. Antonio calls Shylock “dog,”(108) which Shylock questions again whether he should give the money to them. When he says, “Hath a dog money? Is it possible/ a cur can lend three thousand ducats?” (117-119). Shylock is mocking Antonio for calling him a dog by pondering whether “a cur,” which is a mongrel dog or in this case himself, can lend them money. Shakespeare adds in this sarcasm of questioning Antonio and Bassanio so Shylock can also question himself. His conflict can be exposed because even if he is asking “is it possible/ a cur can lend three thousand ducats” in a mocking tone to Antonio and Bassanio he is asking himself does he really want to lend the money. Therefore, Shakespeare uses Shylock’s tone and dog images to expose his conflicts of being a Jew who can lend money.
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ReplyDeleteI liked your thesis, but I was thinking it might be stronger if you were to specify his job (which I know you do later), or specify or allude to the conflicts of this job. Good job giving context before analyzing your first quote, that's always important! When you say, "but there is a deeper feeling of conflict Shakespeare conveys." if you could expand on why there's a deeper feeling of conflict/ continue your train of thought in your next sentence I think it would make it a stronger analysis. Maybe mention how this mistreatment is actually giving Shylock the upper hand, or how although Shylock is being faced with this conflict of interests, he is able to use his advantage for his benefit and the significance of that. I really liked your mention of the mockery Shylock uses! The "Shakespeare adds in this sarcasm of questioning..." sentence confused me a little, maybe reworking that a little in terms of word order and such might help clarify. Your follow up sentence that says "His conflict can be exposed...." is really good. I enjoyed your summary but maybe by briefly describing the conflicts of being in the usury business and being more specific might help resolve and conclude your ideas. Overall, good work there were some really great and interesting points made, but making more specific claims and continuing your thoughts and pushing significance might help make it that much stronger. Awesome job!! :D
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