ESSAY CEMETERY

"Let me play the Fool. With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."  (Gratiano, 1.1.79-80) In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice , different powers are at play, directing the fate of the characters. While many readers have focused on the thematic tension between Christianity and Judaism, the play's secondary plots involving Lancelot, Gratiano and Nerissa contain elements of the Elizabethan theological debates over Calvinist predestination. Lancelot's consultation with his conscience and "the devil" holds many parallels to Marlowe's Doctor Faustus , a play whose theological content was in Shakespeare's time and still is much debated. A secularized account of the Elizabethan discourse on free will and predestination, randomness, and fate is evident in the text: Antonio feels doomed to sadness, Portia feels tied to her father's will, and Lancelot feels bound to his master, but in fact, the three are able to assert control over their futures...

The 1973 National Theater film production of The Merchant of Venice packs several surprises, particularly in terms of the heated controversy over Shylock's character. Although sympathetic interpretations of the villain aren't uncommon, director John Sichel manages to keep the play fresh with a few clever cinematic manipulations of Shakespeare's text. The movie occasionally becomes overly sentimental to create pathos for Shylock; however, Sichel's portrayal of Antonio's character, Bassanio's character, and Shylock's relationship with Jessica results in an unusual and generally convincing take on the Shakespearean play. To invoke sympathy for Shylock, Sichel makes Antonio and Shylock into ostensible doppelgangers. In the courtroom scene, Portia cannot tell them apart, implying that the two are similar not only in appearance but in essence too. The two are of similar height, both well into middle age, and in some scenes identically garbed in black suits and a t...

This summary is partial. Bloom thinks The Merchant of Venice is very anti-semitic, though he is aware that many disagree. Shylock is more villainous than necessary for a comedy. Shakespeare certainly intended him to be a comic villain, both funny and scary. At the time Shakespeare wrote the play, Jews weren't a very big problem in England, as there weren't many of them. There was anti-semitism however and Jews were an interesting issue. The comedy is in Portia's story, and not Shylock's. Making Shylock a sympathetic character renders the play utterly incomprehensible. His personality is so vivid that he is made to be sympathetic instead of evil because we do not find his particular brand of evil amusing. Shakespeare intended for Shylock to be a stereotype of a Jew, much like in Marlowe's Jew of Malta (except in Marlow the Jew is overtly evil and kills people). Marlowe's stereotype is exclusively evil, a stock character, whereas Shylock has more depth. Shylock...

Summary Lorenzo and Jessica are at Belmont, telling a love story together, beginning with that of Troilus and Criseyde and ending with their own. Nerissa enters as Stephano and announces that Portia will be back during the night. Lancelot enters and announces that Bassanio will also arrive during the night. Portia and Nerissa arrive, and then Bassanio, Antonio and Gratiano arrive. Nerissa admonishes Gratiano for parting with her ring. Bassanio hears this and shrinks. Portia confronts him and promises to never bed him until she sees the ring. Portia gives him hell about the ring and he tries to defend himself. Antonio whines that he is the cause of the quarrels. Nerissa and Portia present their rings to their husbands and say that they got them when they slept with the doctor and his clerk the night before. Gratiano grows angry and Portia reveals the trick. Portia also brings Antonio the news of three of his ships having made it safely and richly to harbor. She tells Lorenzo and Jessica...

Summary Portia and Nerissa plan to return home straightaway before their husbands return. Gratiano however catches up with them and invites them to dinner. Portia accepts the ring, turns down the invitation and asks Gratiano to show Nerissa to Shylock's house. Finally, Nerissa plans to make Gratiano give her his ring too as a sign of gratitude. Main events Portia accepts Bassanio's ring from Gratiano Nerissa plans to get Gratiano's ring Gratiano will show Nerissa to Shylock's house Participating Characters Nerissa Portia Gratiano Response/ discussion The copycat ring. A metaliterary comment perhaps about repetitiveness of art or lack of imagination? Table of Contents: The Merchant of Venice -- Summary and Analysis Act 1 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 ,  Scene 3 Act 2 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 ,  Scene 3 ,  Scene 4 ,  Scene 5 ,  Scene 6 ,  Scene 7 ,  Scene 8 ,  Scene 9 Act 3 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 ,  Scene 3 ,  Scene 4 ,  Scene 5 Act 4 Scene...

Summary They are in court. The Duke expresses pity for Antonio because he is up against Shylock who is monstrous. The Duke has tried to convince Shylock not to take the bond but he insisted. Shylock enters. The Duke tells him they all hope that he will remove the bond at the last minute in a show of mercy. Shylock replies that he intends to exact the bond, and that if the duke cancels it, it collides with freedom of trade. He says that the reason is no more than hatred for Antonio. Antonio says arguing with Shylock is futile because cruelty is in his nature. He asks the duke to hasten his sentence. Bassanio offers more money and Shylock refuses. Shylock points out that he has a right to Antonio's flesh just as they have a right to retain their slaves – both are property. Antonio expresses love for Bassanio. Nerissa enters with a letter from Doctor Bellario. More Shylock bashing ensues. The Duke reads the letter, in which Bellario recommends Balthazar as a doctor. Portia enters, dis...

Summary Lancelot tells Jessica that as children are punished for the sins of their children, her one hope is to be her father's bastard. Jessica points out that if this indeed is the case then she will be punished for her mother's adultery, so she is doomed either way. She says she will be saved by her husband who has made her a Christian. Lancelot is cheeky to Lorenzo and frustrates him. Lorenzo asks Jessica how she likes Portia. Jessica replies that a lot. Lorenzo fishes for compliments a little and they go to dinner. Main events Lancelot and Jessica conclude that Jessica is doomed to be punished for her parents' sins Jessica says she will be saved by marrying Lorenzo Participating Characters Lancelot Jessica Lorenzo Analysis and Discussion Faulty logical connector in the sentence LAUNCELOT Yes, truly; for, look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I promise ye, I fear you. I was always plain with you, and so now I speak my agitation of...