Give an introduction to the play "The merchant of Venice".(min 1.5 pages)
Asked by Abm123736 | 3rd Jan, 2016, 04:19: PM
It is not possible to provide model answers for literature texts, as students are expected to read the text and write answers based on their extensive reading and analysis of the text. However, the following points will help you to frame your answer.
The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare about a 16th century merchant of Venice (Antonio) who takes a large loan from a Jewish money lender (Shylock). The loan is taken by Antonio to help his best friend Bassanio who seeks financial help from Antonio to woo his lady love, Portia. Antonio, therefore, takes the money from Shylock. Antonio and Shylock have a great contempt for each other. Shylock agrees to lend him money on a condition that Shylock will have the right to take a pound of flesh from Antonio if he is unable to pay the loan. Antonio's suffers a huge loss in business due to which he is unable to repay the debt. This gives Shylock the opportunity to claim his pou8nd of flesh from Antonio. The play includes a famous courtroom scene where Portia, Bassanio's wife, saves Antonio's life disguised as a man and a lawyer. The play has strong elements of antisemitism, that is, a strong prejudice against Jews. The courtroom scene, the judgement against Shylock, and the conditions that grant him pardon are influenced by antisemitism.
Answered by Snehal Naik | 4th Jan, 2016, 12:32: PM
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