Essay about Love and Hate Depicted in Shakespeares...

Love and Hate Depicted in Shakespeares Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice is a play both about love and hate. Shakespeare illustrates the theme of hate most prominently through the prejudices of both Christians and Jews and their behaviour towards one another. The theme of love is shown amongst the Christians, in the love of friendship and marital love. The themes are emphasised in the settings of the play, Belmont symbolising love and Venice symbolising hate. As well as this the immorality of various characters can be seen in their motives for love and hate. The entire play is centred around racial prejudices between Christians and Jews and their hate for one another. In The Merchant of Venice Shylock, the Jew, is†¦show more content†¦He shows no remorse or regret for any past wrongs he has done to Shylock or any other Jew: I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on the again, to spurn thee too. (Antonio- 1,3,126-7) Antonio is the symbol of racism in society and he openly exhibits it. He is not phased in the least after Shylocks downfall. Shakespeare displays the repugnant effects of hatefulness in The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare demonstrates love in The Merchant of Venice amongst the Christians. He also distinguishes between the love of friendship and marital love. In Act 4, Shakespeare implies that Bassanio and Gratianos love for their friend Antonio is greater than that for their wives. Both men broke vows that they had with their wives because of Antonio: Antonio, I am married to a wife which is as dear to me as life itself; but life itself, my wife, and all the world, are not with me esteemd above thy life: I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all, here to this devil, to deliver you. (Bassanio- 4,1,280-5) True love seems to be demonstrated in Jessica and Lorenzos relationship. Jessica is willing to give up her previous life, even if she wasnt altogether happy, to marry Lorenzo: I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian. (Jessica- 3,5,18-9) The Merchant of Venice is set in Italy in Venice and Belmont, representing the two worlds of the play. Shakespeare uses these two settings to emphasise the themes ofShow MoreRelatedThe Character of Shylock as a Victim or Villain in The Merchant of Venice1527 Words   |  7 PagesVictim or Villain in The Merchant of Venice Do you consider the character of shylock to be a victim or villain in the play The Merchant of Venice? Shylock is one of the most interesting, memorable and debated characters in the play â€Å"The Merchant of Venice†. In many ways this is because he is both a victim and a villain. Shylock was made a laughing stock of and is ridiculed by the Christians because he was Jewish. The Jewish community in Venice was treated veryRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice Anti-Semite Essay2020 Words   |  9 PagesNowadays, many people consider the play â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† is one of the most problematic dramas written by Shakespeare because it promotes the prejudice against Jews or the ideology of anti-Semitism. In fact, the play depicts the villain as a devil, a usurer and a Jew who attempts to murder the good and godlike Christians for they have performed good will and mercy toward other people and ruined the Jew’s business. Whether it is his intention or not, Shakespeare chooses to create the imageRead MoreThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay example2165 Words   |  9 Pagesrenaissance that inspired the nation and brought uplift. Therefore, this age holds great significance. Under Queen Elizabeth guidance and rule, the prosperity of the nation rose and patriotism brought romantic spirit, youthful freshness and themes of love to the field of literature so it is considered as one of the splendid ages of English literature. Elizabeth herself was a great writer and she used to write poetry and speeches and similarly there was a great flourishing in the field of literatureRead MoreEssay about The Merchant of Venice2939 Words   |  12 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays for a variety of reasons. Written in sixteenth-century England, where anti-Semitism was common and the presence of Jews was not, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human difference. The play is especially tricky to examine in today’s society, as its anti-Semitic themes and language can be uncomfortable to face in a world post-Holocaust. Additionally, the depiction of the relationship between