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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help
Shylock is ruled through his attempts to get money. He uses money as a weapon against Antonio, whom he hates. In context during Shakespeare's lifetime, Shylock would have been really, really mean and evil. The society was extremely prejudiced against Jews. Shylock is an outgrowth of the popular opinion of the day that Jews were ruled by money, and would try to kill a Christian any thime they had the chance. The other group, Bassanio, Portia, etc. seem to live, albiet somewhat self-righteously, by the credo that friendship and sticking together, and loyalty is a more important cause to follow. There is also the message "All that glisters is not gold" from the first? casket, fooling the foolish suiter who is concerned with money and appearance. They carry the message that it is what's on the inside that matters, not the outside garnishings.
Of course, Portia is rich anyway, and they all have been ridiculing and abusing Shylock from long before the play begins. Although this is considered a comedy (the bad guy gets it in the end, the lovers get married to the right people) but there seems to be a message inside it advocating tolerance, and it is quite arguable that Shylock is a tragic hero, and this play has an Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the bad people win ending, but this is an interpretation. The themes concerning the value of money are present throughout the play.
I hope that helps :)Posted by Trace Crawford on March 29, 1997 at 09:29:31
In Reply to "MERCHANT OF VENICE!!!:WHAT 2 VIEWS ARE THERE IN THIS PLAY CONCERNING MONEY???" posted by TARELLE on March 25, 1997 at 20:35:43
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help