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Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” in Comparison to the Modern Experiences
Introduction
William Shakespeare wrote the tragic comedy named “Merchant of Venice” in the years between 1596 and 1598. The book talks about a few characters in Italy and their lifestyles in the 14th century. The city of Italy was one of the richest in the world and among the richest merchants was Bassanio, who travelled to Belmont to woo a wealthy lady named Portia. In addition, there was a Shylock, who was a Jewish moneylender and was very greedy. The drama unfolds with Bassanio facing financial difficulties and approaching the Shylock for a loan, naming Antonio, the Shylock’s rival as the guarantor. The condition set by the Shylock incase he refuses to pay the loan is to extract a pound of his flesh. The money borrowed was to compete for a hand in marriage for Portia, which ends up successful. However, the loan was not paid in three months as expected and the case is taken to the Duke of Venice where the Shylock ends up losing (Hutchinson 35). The story consists of a series of events taking place. It evolves around stereotypes, marriage into royalty and court proceedings.
Stereotype
In the drama story “Merchant of Venice”, the Shylock expressed his stereotype because he hates Christians. He is very vengeful and greedy; he would go to any limit just to punish them. When Antonio refuses to pay the 3000 ducats, he shows no sympathy to him and instead goes to court. He refuses the 6000 ducats offered by Bassanio and instead demands for a pound of Antonio’s flesh (Shakespeare 184). His main reason for punishing Antonio was that his friend, who was a Christian, had eloped with his Jewish daughter. The Jews were not allowed to intermingle with Christians. In our today’s society, some religions still restrict their members to their religion, and are considered as outcasts if they convert to other religions. An example is the Hindu religion. Antonio is a stereotype because he spats at Shylock for being a Jew and for lending money at a zero interest.
Royalty
Marrying into royalty exists in the story. Bassanio borrows money to go and woo the wealthy Portia. There are other wealthy suitors also seeking her hand in marriage like the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon. Bassanio ends up with Portia as the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon lose the chance of marrying Portia due to making wrong casket choices (Norman 78). This can be compared to the modern society where royal families are also marrying into other wealthy families, just like Prince Charles marrying Kate Middleton.
Real life event: Court case
Antonio is taken to the court of the Duke of Venice when he failed to pay the loan he had guaranteed. The court listened to both parties and made their judgment. The Shylock hesitated to show mercy when asked by Balthazar as quoted, “the quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as a gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: it blesseth him that gives and takes.” (Shakespeare 185) The Shylock completely declined but was let go. The modern society has courts where lawbreakers are charged. Justice is served to the innocent in law courts and the guilty pay for their crimes.
Conclusion
The story “Merchant of Venice” has several themes that imply in our today’s life. The people in the story engaged in activities practiced nowadays. They engage in merchant businesses that can be compared to today’s trade, which is an essential act up to now. They had a social status just like the people of today. An example can be seen when Bassanio marries Portia, for both are wealthy while Gratiano marries Portia’s handmaid Nerissa, with the latter not being wealthy. Secondly, the Jewish Shylock takes Antonio to court because he is a Christian; today there are people who criticize other religions and courts that belong to different religions. Thirdly, the literature used in the story is used in some countries though it has changed a little.
Works Cited
Hutchinson, Emily. The Merchant of Venice: timeless classics. Seattle, WA: Saddleback Educational Publishers, 2010. Print.
Norman, Henry. Merchant of Venice. New York, NY: Ginn & company, 2007. Print.
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. New York, NY: OxfordUniversity, 1750. Print.
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