Well when I first look at the title, I'm thinking, this is going to be a story about a man living as a merchant, in Venice Italy. Ha shocker. Which there is a man in the story who is a Merchant in Venice, but I don't think the story is necessarily going to be about him, in the first scenes he seems like a passive character. Also after looking around, I found that the full title is "Merchant of Venice, otherwise called the Jew of Venice". Is that right?
I see I see satire in the first act during Portia's scene, talking about the gentleman. But I haven't seen too much comedy..
Antonio, the merchant of Venice, is introduced he seems incredibly melancholy, though he seems he could have passive humor throughout the play. Gratiano is quite clearly fool, the audience knows he will be the comedic relief when he states this in Act one. "Let me play the fool! With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come and let my liver rather heat with wine than my heart cool with mortifying groans" (1.1.79-82) We are having confusion about the "Jew of Venice" title as stated by Bekah. We know that Shylock is a Jew, but is Antonio as well. Now for forshadowing, the title is can play off a number of things. In the dramatis persona, he is listed as the merchant of venice, leading us to believe that the story is going to be about him. But honestly, we both know nothing but what we've read in the first act about this play.
Disregard the post about the "Jew of Venice" for it must be Shylock. Shylock says in scene three that he hates Antonio "for he is a christian" (1.3.39)) Look at that, we answered our own question!
I think it's interesting that many of Shakespeare's plays, while titled for one person (Henry IV, for example), that's not necessarily who the play really focuses on. Thinking about that, I feel led to believe that the 'Merchant of Venice', or Shylock as it would appear, is not actually who this play focuses on. But then, I could be wrong. Act 1 is suggesting my theory is right though. As for comedic devices, I'm in agreement with Bekah. I haven't seen too much comedy here yet. Satire, yes. But comedy, no.
Isn't this only called a comedy becuase it ends well? I think Fergy mentioned that there is little or no humor in this play. So I agree with you guys when you say you have not seen any comedic action. As for the Title it sounds like it is going to be a play about a Merchant.... in Venice. The opening act introduces us to many characters and we find out that there are ships at sea, love that is lost, and money that needs to be barrowed. I like what Sara said about how the title only covers one portion of this play. I am interested to read more.
By simply reading the title, you immediately assume that the play is going to be the story of a merchant who lives in Venice.The first question that came to my mind was, hmm merchant? merchant of what? what does this man sell? When I began reading, I found that,though the play is named after the merchant Antonio, he does not seem to play that big or role..yet. Antonio seems to be a very melancholy character, almost in a state of depression. We fin out very early in the play that Antonio and the jew Shylock are at odds with eachother, though we do not know the reasoning behind it. I am interested to read more as well..
So far I haven't really noticed any comedic devices either..
Okay, how about this. How do other people influence Bassanio and Portias relationship? What other relationships are being affected by an outside force?
Good conversation folks. When this was produced, after Shakespeare's time, it was titled "The Jew of Venice" - but that title has all but disappeared. Choose an image that you trace through the play and ask yourself what its significance is.
Lauren I think it is just like any relationship weather we like it or not the people around us effect our relationships and I think in Bassanio and Portias case the people around them are what help them get together. Antonio gets him the loan to get him to Portias which causes Antonio to put his life on the line if the money is not paid in full.
So my Question is why does Antonio take that chance and make that deal with Shylock?
Taylor, I think he is confident in the fact that everything will work out. Yet, I think we have focused on Shylock being a victim and never looked at it all from the other side. Shylock lends money that isn't returned and also has his daughter torn away from him. As a father he is broken between it all and feels as though his daughter has betrayed him.
As far as an image in the play, I don't know if we mean a literary image or an actual object.
Also, if we focused on Shylock being the victim, how would that change our view of the other characters?
It would make the rest of them kinda a lot anti-semistic. Everyone is constantly making degrading comments towards Shylock, simply because he's a Jew. However, what if we were to actually take the time to view him form the other side; as the one actually causing the problems? Would he deserve the way he's treated then? As for the relationships part, Lorenzo and Jessica's relationship is affected greatly by everyone. In order to be together, Jessica has vowed to become a Christian to marry Lorenzo, and the two have run away together, with her dressed as a man. And about Bassanio and Portia, well... Portia's father has a great deal of impact on the outcome of their future. Bassanio could very well be sent away forever if he chooses wrongly at the test Portia's father has set up. A lot of people actually have an effect on their relationship, like Antonio, who we've discussed.
As far as act 4, we feel as though Shylock is the victim. He deserves his bond payment and is made a fool of by Portia saying that he can not shed one drop of christian blood in taking his pound of flesh, and then he is forced to become a christian. That is wrong, regardless of religious views or not. Shylock seemed devastated when everything happened and we felt really bad for him. Antonio seemed too expecting of the reversed sentence and used his privilege cruelly. So why is it that Shylock is named one of Shakespeare's best villians, under that of Iago?
Act FIVE:::::::::::::: So Shylock gets screwed Portia and Nerissa pull a fast one on their husbands Bassanio and Gratiano think their wives are cheaters Jessica and Lorenzo live all happy ever after And the Girls resolve the problems... And they all live happily ever after.... Except Antonio, because we don't think he ever discovered why he was sad, and Shylock because everyone who was a Christian ruined his life. THE END
Ok I just have to say Act three is freaking awesome just because I love Portia and Bassanio so much. Their love is pure and honestly Portia is a strong and beautiful young woman she reminds me a lot of Rosiland. Her strong willed spirit is just a breath of fresh air after the first two acts which I personally thought was kind of slow. I would really like to see this live on stage and I think it would be something fun for Newberg to do but I'm not sure for next year..... What do you guys think do think we have Portia among us?
Act four!!! Like I said before Portia kicks butt. And yes Shylock gets screwed. Oh my goodness I just love how she speaks and with such athority! She willing lets her soon to be husband go and save his friend and is so supportive and then to be sure that everything works out with her love and his friend she follows after them, dresses up like a man and stops Shylock from doing this horrible thing on a technicality. She rocks and like I said she reminds me so much of Rosiland, in that she dresses up like a man to get what she wants, and rocks it the whole. Sorry to keep talking about Portia but she is just my favorite.
back to the act two discussion about Bassanio and Portia... well in any relationship it can difficult if there is opposition to the relationship, and it tends to flourish if praised and admired by others. So in Merchant of Venice, we see Antonio despite how he may feel about Bassanio and Portia being together, supporting his friend and his happiness. Also in act two, I've been thinking about the theme of race in merchant of venice, and how Antonio could be seen as racist. He chastises the practices of Shylock and other Jews.Antonio confuses me, he has very extreme emotions. He dearly loves his friends especially Bassanio, and hates Shylock. Was there a reason introduced, for his hatred of Shylock other than judging his cultural actions background?
In act three... I have thought a lot about if Shylock were the victim in the story.Its considered to be a question of racism by many people. When Shakespeare uses "Jew" he is more reffering to the culture and socioeconomic status people practicing Judaism had. In a way he is a victim, he is constantly judged by Antonio because of his culture from the beginning to end. all the characters would be seen differently. Antonio and the all the characters that are his friends would be seen as darker characters, the "bad guys" in the story. Shylock would be the helpless "good guy". The friends of Antonio, like Sara said, would take on an antisemistic persona and be more critical of Shylock and possibly other Jews.
I loved reading act four of Merchant of Venice. There was so much going on and the characters really showed what they were made of. So far the exciting happenings throughout the story have been, Jessica runs away with Lorenzo dressed as a page and they elope, Portia has been pursed by princes but none have passed the test of the caskets, until Bassanio comes along. I love that scene, it kind of makes me laugh. They declare their love and Bassanio picks the right casket (another theme of MofV: CHOICES). I think Portia is so noble when she tells Bassanio to go and save his friend. She is trusting and selfless in the end of the scene, and values the friendships of Bassanio. I appreciate the strong bond of Antonio and Bassanio, but I've heard the opinion that ANtonio loves Bassanio romantically... Is this a probable idea?
Honestly, in Acts 4 and 5... I kinda feel like Shylock possibly deserves what he is given. (I'm working backwards here, and have 3 acts in one post). He is rude and is as every bit critical of Antonio for being a Catholic as Antonio is about him being a Jew. However, if Shylock has been treated this way all his life, I suppose that gives more meaning behind his cynicism towards the other men. But I LOVE that Jessica runs away with Lorenzo. Even as a Jewess, she can still see the good in every one. She hasn't allowed her father's views to affect anything she thinks or believes. And that, I think, makes her love for Lorenzo so much stronger. I was so happy when they ran away together :) Bassanio and Portia are so lovely together. I ADORE them. I feel that the task that them suitors all had to go through for Portia was fair, actually. I know a lot of people may disagree with me, but think about it. By choosing gold, they're saying that the worth of a person is determined my monetary value. Silver is elegant, and if you're smart enough to know that money isn't everything, you'd pick the silver one, saying that you know she's worth a lot, and she looks nice as well. However, only a true, pure hearted person would choose the lead casket, due to their ability to see beauty and worth in everything. And by doing this, you'd win the fairest prize of all. Of course, we all knew Bassanio was going to choose correctly; his heart is pure and his love for Portia matched her love for him. And we all know how Shakespeare works his magic.... This entire play makes me so happy. I just can't get a grasp of how much I love it. Basically, the powerful bonds that are formed and shown between friends and lovers, and heck, even enemies, are so intensely strong, and it draws you in. So even though you may know that Bassanio will choose correctly, you can't help but panic and worry along with Portia as she begs him to think about every detail that could affect his choice. And when Antonio is on the block to pay his pound of flesh, you worry the whole time for him, and cheer for the bravery and dedication of Portia and Nerissa. Gosh dangit! I LOVE THIS PLAY!
Well when I first look at the title, I'm thinking, this is going to be a story about a man living as a merchant, in Venice Italy. Ha shocker. Which there is a man in the story who is a Merchant in Venice, but I don't think the story is necessarily going to be about him, in the first scenes he seems like a passive character. Also after looking around, I found that the full title is "Merchant of Venice, otherwise called the Jew of Venice". Is that right?
ReplyDeleteI see I see satire in the first act during Portia's scene, talking about the gentleman. But I haven't seen too much comedy..
Antonio, the merchant of Venice, is introduced he seems incredibly melancholy, though he seems he could have passive humor throughout the play. Gratiano is quite clearly fool, the audience knows he will be the comedic relief when he states this in Act one. "Let me play the fool! With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come and let my liver rather heat with wine than my heart cool with mortifying groans" (1.1.79-82) We are having confusion about the "Jew of Venice" title as stated by Bekah. We know that Shylock is a Jew, but is Antonio as well.
ReplyDeleteNow for forshadowing, the title is can play off a number of things. In the dramatis persona, he is listed as the merchant of venice, leading us to believe that the story is going to be about him. But honestly, we both know nothing but what we've read in the first act about this play.
Disregard the post about the "Jew of Venice" for it must be Shylock. Shylock says in scene three that he hates Antonio "for he is a christian" (1.3.39)) Look at that, we answered our own question!
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that many of Shakespeare's plays, while titled for one person (Henry IV, for example), that's not necessarily who the play really focuses on. Thinking about that, I feel led to believe that the 'Merchant of Venice', or Shylock as it would appear, is not actually who this play focuses on. But then, I could be wrong. Act 1 is suggesting my theory is right though. As for comedic devices, I'm in agreement with Bekah. I haven't seen too much comedy here yet. Satire, yes. But comedy, no.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this only called a comedy becuase it ends well? I think Fergy mentioned that there is little or no humor in this play. So I agree with you guys when you say you have not seen any comedic action. As for the Title it sounds like it is going to be a play about a Merchant.... in Venice. The opening act introduces us to many characters and we find out that there are ships at sea, love that is lost, and money that needs to be barrowed. I like what Sara said about how the title only covers one portion of this play. I am interested to read more.
ReplyDeleteBy simply reading the title, you immediately assume that the play is going to be the story of a merchant who lives in Venice.The first question that came to my mind was, hmm merchant? merchant of what? what does this man sell? When I began reading, I found that,though the play is named after the merchant Antonio, he does not seem to play that big or role..yet. Antonio seems to be a very melancholy character, almost in a state of depression. We fin out very early in the play that Antonio and the jew Shylock are at odds with eachother, though we do not know the reasoning behind it. I am interested to read more as well..
ReplyDeleteSo far I haven't really noticed any comedic devices either..
Okay, how about this. How do other people influence Bassanio and Portias relationship? What other relationships are being affected by an outside force?
ReplyDeleteGood conversation folks. When this was produced, after Shakespeare's time, it was titled "The Jew of Venice" - but that title has all but disappeared. Choose an image that you trace through the play and ask yourself what its significance is.
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER EVERYONE - AT LEAST ONE BLOG PER ACT:)
ReplyDeleteLauren I think it is just like any relationship weather we like it or not the people around us effect our relationships and I think in Bassanio and Portias case the people around them are what help them get together. Antonio gets him the loan to get him to Portias which causes Antonio to put his life on the line if the money is not paid in full.
ReplyDeleteSo my Question is why does Antonio take that chance and make that deal with Shylock?
Taylor, I think he is confident in the fact that everything will work out. Yet, I think we have focused on Shylock being a victim and never looked at it all from the other side. Shylock lends money that isn't returned and also has his daughter torn away from him. As a father he is broken between it all and feels as though his daughter has betrayed him.
ReplyDeleteAs far as an image in the play, I don't know if we mean a literary image or an actual object.
Also, if we focused on Shylock being the victim, how would that change our view of the other characters?
It would make the rest of them kinda a lot anti-semistic. Everyone is constantly making degrading comments towards Shylock, simply because he's a Jew. However, what if we were to actually take the time to view him form the other side; as the one actually causing the problems? Would he deserve the way he's treated then?
ReplyDeleteAs for the relationships part, Lorenzo and Jessica's relationship is affected greatly by everyone. In order to be together, Jessica has vowed to become a Christian to marry Lorenzo, and the two have run away together, with her dressed as a man. And about Bassanio and Portia, well... Portia's father has a great deal of impact on the outcome of their future. Bassanio could very well be sent away forever if he chooses wrongly at the test Portia's father has set up. A lot of people actually have an effect on their relationship, like Antonio, who we've discussed.
As far as act 4, we feel as though Shylock is the victim. He deserves his bond payment and is made a fool of by Portia saying that he can not shed one drop of christian blood in taking his pound of flesh, and then he is forced to become a christian. That is wrong, regardless of religious views or not. Shylock seemed devastated when everything happened and we felt really bad for him. Antonio seemed too expecting of the reversed sentence and used his privilege cruelly.
ReplyDeleteSo why is it that Shylock is named one of Shakespeare's best villians, under that of Iago?
Act FIVE::::::::::::::
ReplyDeleteSo Shylock gets screwed
Portia and Nerissa pull a fast one on their husbands
Bassanio and Gratiano think their wives are cheaters
Jessica and Lorenzo live all happy ever after
And the Girls resolve the problems...
And they all live happily ever after....
Except Antonio, because we don't think he ever discovered why he was sad, and Shylock because everyone who was a Christian ruined his life.
THE END
If Antonio didn't live happily ever after, then he deserved that. However, I think he did, sadly.
DeleteOk I just have to say Act three is freaking awesome just because I love Portia and Bassanio so much. Their love is pure and honestly Portia is a strong and beautiful young woman she reminds me a lot of Rosiland. Her strong willed spirit is just a breath of fresh air after the first two acts which I personally thought was kind of slow. I would really like to see this live on stage and I think it would be something fun for Newberg to do but I'm not sure for next year..... What do you guys think do think we have Portia among us?
ReplyDeleteAct four!!! Like I said before Portia kicks butt. And yes Shylock gets screwed. Oh my goodness I just love how she speaks and with such athority! She willing lets her soon to be husband go and save his friend and is so supportive and then to be sure that everything works out with her love and his friend she follows after them, dresses up like a man and stops Shylock from doing this horrible thing on a technicality. She rocks and like I said she reminds me so much of Rosiland, in that she dresses up like a man to get what she wants, and rocks it the whole. Sorry to keep talking about Portia but she is just my favorite.
ReplyDeleteback to the act two discussion about Bassanio and Portia... well in any relationship it can difficult if there is opposition to the relationship, and it tends to flourish if praised and admired by others. So in Merchant of Venice, we see Antonio despite how he may feel about Bassanio and Portia being together, supporting his friend and his happiness. Also in act two, I've been thinking about the theme of race in merchant of venice, and how Antonio could be seen as racist. He chastises the practices of Shylock and other Jews.Antonio confuses me, he has very extreme emotions. He dearly loves his friends especially Bassanio, and hates Shylock. Was there a reason introduced, for his hatred of Shylock other than judging his cultural actions background?
ReplyDeleteIn act three... I have thought a lot about if Shylock were the victim in the story.Its considered to be a question of racism by many people. When Shakespeare uses "Jew" he is more reffering to the culture and socioeconomic status people practicing Judaism had. In a way he is a victim, he is constantly judged by Antonio because of his culture from the beginning to end. all the characters would be seen differently. Antonio and the all the characters that are his friends would be seen as darker characters, the "bad guys" in the story. Shylock would be the helpless "good guy". The friends of Antonio, like Sara said, would take on an antisemistic persona and be more critical of Shylock and possibly other Jews.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading act four of Merchant of Venice. There was so much going on and the characters really showed what they were made of. So far the exciting happenings throughout the story have been, Jessica runs away with Lorenzo dressed as a page and they elope, Portia has been pursed by princes but none have passed the test of the caskets, until Bassanio comes along. I love that scene, it kind of makes me laugh. They declare their love and Bassanio picks the right casket (another theme of MofV: CHOICES). I think Portia is so noble when she tells Bassanio to go and save his friend. She is trusting and selfless in the end of the scene, and values the friendships of Bassanio. I appreciate the strong bond of Antonio and Bassanio, but I've heard the opinion that ANtonio loves Bassanio romantically... Is this a probable idea?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, in Acts 4 and 5... I kinda feel like Shylock possibly deserves what he is given. (I'm working backwards here, and have 3 acts in one post). He is rude and is as every bit critical of Antonio for being a Catholic as Antonio is about him being a Jew. However, if Shylock has been treated this way all his life, I suppose that gives more meaning behind his cynicism towards the other men.
ReplyDeleteBut I LOVE that Jessica runs away with Lorenzo. Even as a Jewess, she can still see the good in every one. She hasn't allowed her father's views to affect anything she thinks or believes. And that, I think, makes her love for Lorenzo so much stronger. I was so happy when they ran away together :)
Bassanio and Portia are so lovely together. I ADORE them. I feel that the task that them suitors all had to go through for Portia was fair, actually. I know a lot of people may disagree with me, but think about it. By choosing gold, they're saying that the worth of a person is determined my monetary value. Silver is elegant, and if you're smart enough to know that money isn't everything, you'd pick the silver one, saying that you know she's worth a lot, and she looks nice as well. However, only a true, pure hearted person would choose the lead casket, due to their ability to see beauty and worth in everything. And by doing this, you'd win the fairest prize of all. Of course, we all knew Bassanio was going to choose correctly; his heart is pure and his love for Portia matched her love for him. And we all know how Shakespeare works his magic....
This entire play makes me so happy. I just can't get a grasp of how much I love it. Basically, the powerful bonds that are formed and shown between friends and lovers, and heck, even enemies, are so intensely strong, and it draws you in. So even though you may know that Bassanio will choose correctly, you can't help but panic and worry along with Portia as she begs him to think about every detail that could affect his choice. And when Antonio is on the block to pay his pound of flesh, you worry the whole time for him, and cheer for the bravery and dedication of Portia and Nerissa. Gosh dangit! I LOVE THIS PLAY!
OK folks, every post after this is worth half points
ReplyDelete