The character of Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice'

A typical image of Jewish life in Elizabethan times?

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book The character of Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' by Michael Burger, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Burger ISBN: 9783638048873
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: May 15, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Michael Burger
ISBN: 9783638048873
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: May 15, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Augsburg, course: Proseminar, 9 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice surely can be considered one of the playwright's greatest works. Still today critics are not fully aware of its actual meaning and there are many different opinions of how this play is to be interpreted. As a matter of fact we can say that Shakespeare has created one of the most diverse plays in the history of drama. Containing two equally important plot-lines and several sub-plots it is very difficult to make out even one main character or to be absolutely sure about their variety of intentions. On the one hand there is one of the main characters, the Jew Shylock, 'a comic antagonist far more important than any such figure had been in his [Shakespeare's] earlier comedies' , who plays the role of a non-Christian villain. And opposing him we have the Venetian society with all its flaws and hypocrisies which are pointed out during the conflict with Shylock. On the other hand there is the romantic love story between Portia and Bassanio located in remote Belmont, which is the actual trigger for the conflict between Antonio and Shylock and also brings a solution to it. This solution is due to Portia's cunning and liberation as a woman, which can be seen in her disguising as the judge in order to be able to save Antonio's life; there are only two qualities which are supposed to be quite unusual for a female character of that time. But at the same time she has to fulfil her typical role as 'a faithful daughter whatever the consequence' , yielding to fate by obeying her father's will. And Portia is not the only ambigous and exceptional figure of the play.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Augsburg, course: Proseminar, 9 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice surely can be considered one of the playwright's greatest works. Still today critics are not fully aware of its actual meaning and there are many different opinions of how this play is to be interpreted. As a matter of fact we can say that Shakespeare has created one of the most diverse plays in the history of drama. Containing two equally important plot-lines and several sub-plots it is very difficult to make out even one main character or to be absolutely sure about their variety of intentions. On the one hand there is one of the main characters, the Jew Shylock, 'a comic antagonist far more important than any such figure had been in his [Shakespeare's] earlier comedies' , who plays the role of a non-Christian villain. And opposing him we have the Venetian society with all its flaws and hypocrisies which are pointed out during the conflict with Shylock. On the other hand there is the romantic love story between Portia and Bassanio located in remote Belmont, which is the actual trigger for the conflict between Antonio and Shylock and also brings a solution to it. This solution is due to Portia's cunning and liberation as a woman, which can be seen in her disguising as the judge in order to be able to save Antonio's life; there are only two qualities which are supposed to be quite unusual for a female character of that time. But at the same time she has to fulfil her typical role as 'a faithful daughter whatever the consequence' , yielding to fate by obeying her father's will. And Portia is not the only ambigous and exceptional figure of the play.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book Thomas Hobbes: philosophy's bad boy reassessed by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Technological Innovation and Emission Right Trading by Michael Burger
Cover of the book The role of art in the struggle for a national identity in Lebanon by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Distance-Learning Strategies in Campus-Based Translator Education by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Which role does South Africa play in Africa? by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Die deutsche Chemieindustrie by Michael Burger
Cover of the book NBC terrorism since the end of the Cold War - myths and realities by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Why Labor is not to put to work like Capital by Michael Burger
Cover of the book International Finance and Risk Management by Michael Burger
Cover of the book The United States' involvement in the Bosnian war by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Linguistic and discourse analysis of a dinner-conversation by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Global Corporate Strategy - A Critical Analysis and Evaluation of Amazon.com by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Politeness in the Foreign Language-Classroom by Michael Burger
Cover of the book Sound Recording in Low Budget Productions by Michael Burger
Cover of the book 'Freie Bahn dem Marshallplan'? by Michael Burger
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy