Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Merchant of Venice Assesment Essay Example for Free

Merchant of Venice Assesment EssayIn this assessment I will analyse Shakespeares use of language, structure and dramatic techniques to present the relationship between usurer and the Christians at different points of the play. I will first look at Act 1 Scene 3, where we learn that shylock has suffered remorselessly at the hands of the Christians and now harbors an almost sadistic wickedness towards them. This can be evidence by Shylocks statement to Antonio. Yougabardine,. This statement allows the audience to gain an understanding of Shylocks feelings and hatred towards Antonio. However, what is fascinating about this quote is Shakespeares use of the words you and dog. This is because, although Shylock and Antonio have neer met before, Shylocks use of the word you suggests otherwise.The reason behind Shakespeares use of personal and send off language is to allow the audience to imagine Antonio as the embodiment of Christianity. Thus, letting the Elizabethan audience dea l that Shylocks feelings of hatred is actually aimed towards the Christians and hence the Elizabethan audience themselves, therefore causing that resent and disfavour towards Shylocks character. While the use of the word dog, which is repeated passim the play, not only symbolises that the Christians see Shylock as beneath them and will never be their equal. yet also reinforces, through the use of repetition, that Shylock is seen as an infestation to the Elizabethan society, which in turn hang ons to Shylocks humiliation and determination for revenge.However, due(p) to his social ranking Shylock must consciously discern his position of inferiority and must also treat the Christians with a, one sided, respect, despite his affluent position. Shakespeare manages to show this goaded respect from Shylock to Antonio by structuring the dialog between these two main characters in poetry. Furthermore the aim of hatred that Shylocks possesses towards the Christians can be evidence fro m Shylocks aside run-in to the audience. Ifbear him. The ancient grudge in this case being that Antonio is a Christian. This aside statement not only strengthens the idea that the mutual freeze off between Shylock and the Christian is religious in nature, but also Shylocks obsessional need for revenge, a revenge he hopes to achieve through Antonios bond.Because of this aside speech, most upstart day audiences would be able to sympathise with Shylocks need for retribution. However, for an Elizabethan audience, Shylocks aside speech will have no sympathetic effect. Instead it was a dramatic techniques used by Shakespeare to add further prejudice towards Shylocks character and to add comedic value to the play. In Act 3 Scene 1, we see the seriousness of Shylocks sadistic nature when he discovers that Antonio cannot fulfil his bond. competition that his obsession for revenge is just and he is entitled to revenge, in the same way that any Christian would. hath..?, If..revengeThis ico nic speech uses a number of persuasive techniques to justify Shylocks feelings and need for retribution. First notice Shakespeares use of rhetorical questions in quick succession. This technique causes the audience to think, agree and actually sympathise with Shylock argument to some extent. This agreement is then reinforced, through the use of imagery, allowing the audience to gain a break off understanding of Shylocks feeling and emotions. Thus cause the audience to realise some of the prejudice that is currently present towards the Jewish community.In conclusion Shakespeare has used a variety of techniques and forms of languages to effectively highlighting the prejudice towards the Jewish community during the Elizabethan period. In the two act that I mentioned it is clear that Shylocks feels he deserve justice through personal revenge and that he is not respected in the society, due to the Christians arrogant and prejudice vies towards his people. Although most of use might not morally agree with Shylocks approach in seeking retribution, there is no denying that the language used by Shakespeare is a significant reminder of what persecution can have on an individual.

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