Jews in Shakespeare’s England would have been familiar with portrayals of Jews as villains and main source of mockery. The comedy plot which allows the audience pity and compassion rather than concern. In Macbeth tells a story of a brave Scottish general who receives a prophecy from the witches that he will one day become the king the Scotland. Macbeth was most likely written in 1606 in the reign of James 1. James was a patron of Shakespeare acting company and he wrote under James reign.
‘Comedy involves men of middling estate; its perils are small scale, its outcomes peaceful’. To what extent do you agree with this definition of comedy in relation to Much Ado about Nothing*? Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing is one of the most popular comedies in history, selling out Shakespearean theatres until their closure in 1642. The comedy is thought to be written in 1598 and is often described as a ‘problem play’ meaning it shares tendencies with that of a tragedy. Of course MAAN follows Shakespeare’s traditional comedy structure but modern critics have their own agenda that a comedy, being such a complex genre, should conform to.
The two novels, Christopher Marlowe’s ‘The Jew of Malta’ and William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’, the main characters are Jews, a characteristic that makes the comparison of the books easier. However, the way the characters are presented has made the two stories have deep and active anti-Semitic notions and messages. Right from the beginning of the play, we can see some clear negative stereotypes towards Jews. Barabbas is undoubtedly portrayed as a man who loves money to an extent that he seems addicted to them. In the opening, we see a merchant, counting his money with passion, and later on complaining about not having made enough by his recent business activities.
William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616), was an English poet and play writer, he wrote many plays, and still to this day, his writing is highly regarded and studied throughout the world. ‘Merchant of Venice’ was considered a comedy when it was written, but in modern times it comes off as more of a tragedy. It’s a love story, and a story of good triumphing over evil, but there are themes hidden in the story, which become apparent when it is properly studied. At a glance, the play appears to support racism towards Jews, but delving deeper into the meaning of the text, the opposite view comes about, and the readers can see that Shakespeare intended the play to condemn prejudice and anti-Semitism; he shows this through the Characters, their dialogue and the storyline. The characters in the play are mostly Christians, who are all prejudice against Jews.
Some of the more fascinating aspects of Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice are its reoccurring ideas of racism and anti-Semitism. The characters Shylock and Portia particularly evoke these ideas. Shylock is a creditor in Venice, and as the only Jew in the play which stands strongly for his race he indeed represents the Jew religion on which the theme of anti-Semitism is inflicted upon. Shylock’s obsession in monetary profit is a stereotype which Shakespeare uses as a symbol of Shylock’s Jewishness. Throughout the play, Shylock remains consistent in his unconditional adherence towards profit, the law, and his hatred for Antonio and the Christian race.
Amleth versus Hamlet Hamlet is a classic story written by one of the biggest authors in history, William Shakespeare. But it is interesting to know that Hamlet is based off a story written by Saxo Grammaticus titled Historia Danica. Even though both stories have a number of comparisons, there are also many differences. However, when choosing which storyline is better, the latter one wins. Hamlet has moments which catapult it to extraordinary drama, making readers, like myself, more eager to read along.
Every individual has his or her personal likes and dislikes in literature. For some, William Shakespeare is a godsend to the literary world and the Adam of the modern-day English language. For others, he is no more than the devil in Elizabethan dress. One thing that cannot be disputed about him, however, was his was his ability to develop round, multidimensional characters within his plays. It doesn’t matter if we have in mind the villainous Iago, the love struck Romeo, or the treacherous wife of Macbeth.
Could Shakespeare’s dishonest characters represent Shakespeare? Was Shakespeare conveying guilt for his dishonesty? Did Shakespeare think that he could influence people by writing consequences for lies? Shakespeare did answer all these questions in his plays. We see the answers in Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and Twelfth Night.
Individual Oral Commentary – Merchant of Venice Act Scene 1 – Lines 8-45 This extract is from the play “ The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare and is placed in Act 1 Scene 1 of the play which can also be called the expository scene of the play. Right before the extract we as readers have been introduced to the confused character of Antonio, a rich Jewish merchant by the author who doesn’t even know the source of his extreme sadness and depression. Through the extract from lines 8-45 the author has tried to expose the intricate character of Antonio and has tried to set a melancholic mood at the opening of his play . Then the characters of Solario and Solanio reveal a lot about Venice and Elizabethan era, which is the place and time the play was set in. Venice was known in the Elizabethan era as centre of trade and business serving as a financial hub for business transactions worldwide.
Over the years the extent at which the Merchant of Venice has been classified as a comedy has changed, as Shakespeare was writing at a time of anti-Semitism and discrimination amongst various groups of people, especially the Jewish nation. However, now reading the play from a twenty first century perspective some people may believe that the comic aspects of this play outweigh the tragedy for various reasons. An element that standardizes the quality of a comedy is illogicality or fancy, and as seen through the play it is clear that there are many illogical events that take place, for example the equivocal relationship between Antonio and Bassanio that leads to further complications. Many questions are raised about their feelings towards each other as the two male protagonists, perhaps share a love for each other that root deeper than friendship. Antonio quotes; “Well; tell me now what lady is the same To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage, That you to-day promis'd to tell me of?” Here we see Bassanio's love life is the first thing Antonio brings up with Bassanio when they're alone together in the play.