Monday, January 6, 2014

Today, we discussed the themes present in Merchant of Venice. There are six themes presented and then, as a class, we located main points/evidence to support that they were themes. We only got through two of them today. The notes are posted below:

Merchant of Venice

Themes

 

The Theme is the message or idea the author is trying to present us with. In larger works, such as novels and plays, there are more than one. In The Merchant of Venice, there were a number of plots which we spoke about at the beginning. Now, we will address the themes in preparation for your upcoming essay.

 

1.      Prejudice and Intolerance

2.      Human and Animal (the idea of humanity)

3.      Law, Mercy and Revenge

4.      Greed vs. Generosity

5.      Reading and Interpretation

6.      Love and Friendship

 

 

1.      Prejudice and Intolerance

Antonio’s treatment of Shylock (Jew)

·         Spits on him

·         Calls him “dog”

·         Kicks him

·         Accuses him of usury (which is the case), but yells about it in the Rialto

 

The way Jewish people are treated generally

·         Had to wear different clothing (red hat)

·         Forced to live in a ghetto

·         Had to practice their trade in allocated areas

·         Were not citizens

·         Curfews imposed on them

 

The way Shylock treats Launcelot

·         Not enough food

·         Rude to him

·         Improperly clothed

·         Overworked

 

The way Launcelot treats Jessica

·         She WILL go to hell!

·         Raising the prices of pork!!!

·         Basically implies that she is still a person of lesser status because of who her father is (unless she’s illegitimate!)

 

The way Portia talks about the prince of Morocco

·         Black skin is seen as bad

·         Would rather be dead than be married to him

·         Personality doesn’t matter if he is black

 

2.      The idea of humanity (man or animal)

When we talk about humanity – or inhumanity – we are talking about treating some as equal and others as not. If we can find a way to convince ourselves that others are, in essence, animals, then we find an easy way to justify our mistreatment of them.

 

·         Shylock tries to dehumanize Antonio

o   “Buys” Antonio’s flesh in the bond itself

o   Keep in mind that, at this time and right up to TODAY in some countries, people are STILL bought or held as slaves!!!

o   Ready to cut off the flesh in the courtroom scene (shows no remorse or hesitation)

o   Shylock, in frustration, attempts to explain that all people, at least on a biological level, are the same.