Question

literature question

In the Merchant of Venice

.How is Christianity represented?

How are women depicted?

How are men portrayed?

How important is class and wealth in the play?

Answer 1

• Religion was a major factor in a number of Shakespeare’s plays. Religion motivated action and reasoning. In Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” religion was more than a belief in a higher being; it reflected moral standards and ways of living. In the “Merchant of Venice,” a Christian ethic of generosity, love, and risk-taking friendship is set in pointed contrast with a non-Christian ethic that is seen, from a Christian point of view, as grudging, resentful, and self-calculating.
• Venice was primarily and dominantly a Christian society with Jews as it’s unfairly treated minority. Stereotypes classified Jews as immoral, evil, and foolish people while the Christians were graceful, merciful, and loving. Representing the Christian belief is Antonio who is summoned to court by a Jew who goes by the name Shylock.
• In his relatively short play, "The Merchant of Venice", Shakespear introduces very new and bright ideas such as women's rights and their equality with men which were totally unacceptable for the people of the Elizabethan time.
• In that male dominated world women were considered no better than cattle or land and to talk directly about their rights and needs was useless and even impossible.
• The women in The Merchant of Venice all appear to be foils to their somewhat troubled partners. They are intelligent, strong, outspoken, and willing to take risks. Their partners, on the other hand, seem to be ruled more by the fickle vagaries of fate and desire than by common sense.
• In ‘The Merchant Of Venice’ Shakespeare portrays the character of Portia as a subservient woman but as the play progresses he develops the character and Portia becomes the most dominant character in the play, overcoming the stereotype that restrains women in the society at that time.
• Throughout the play Shakespeare develops Portia’s character from what seems like a subservient woman, who is forced into a marriage, to an independent woman who is considered an equal by her husband.
• The arranged marriage shows that Portia was given no freedom by her dominant dead father, which may be why Portia seems to make horrible comments about all the suitors that come to try to complete the life – changing task.
• Jessica shows this strength when she leaves home from her father with Lorenzo. Some may consider this to be running away, but it is a brave act none the less. She is also willing to convert religions upon marrying Lorenzo so she may be a respected Christian.
• For a woman to do this was rare. A woman was meant to please her father; Jessica leaves him and takes his fortune with her. Jessica has sense of self interest and maybe ambition. Jessica see’s a better future with the chances Lorenzo offers her and takes them.
• Portia and Nerissa both dress up as men to save the lives of their husbands friends. Both women are clever enough to get Antonio off the hook with Shylock. These women are strong influences, Portia is quick tongued when around Nerissa and Nerissa is a loyal companion. Portia and Nerissa are key parts of the story because the are the heroes of the story. Regardless of gender.
• It is rare to see woman from the era be portrayed with way because they were not thought of this way. This play shows that woman can be not only beautiful things to look at, but powerful and intelligent.
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