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The law of Venice was not good because they are not showing any mercy towards the culprit and so they permit Shylock to a pound of flesh from Antonio's body.And i think its quite merciless to take a pound of flesh.

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What is Portia's surname in the Merchant of Venice?

Portia's lady-in-waiting or maid is Nerissa. Portia doesn't see Nerissa as her maid as they are good friends and have been for many years.


Why did Shakespeare set his plays in Italy?

History suggests that the Merchant of Venice was set in Venice probably because Venice was a very popular city at the time the play was made. It could also do with the fact that the words Merchant and Venice sound good together. When looking at Shakespeare's motives for setting the play in Venice, it may help to look at why 'Othello' was also set in Venice... You may notice in Merchant of Venice how Shakespeare shows Venice as a state divided against itself - for example Christians resent the practice of usury, despite the fact that it is essential to their booming economy. Antonio spits on Shylock one minute, yet is asking for his help the next - Christian society at the time is shown to be ignorant of it's foundations, to the point of resenting them, and is therefore shown to be unstable. Going back to the question - one reason the play could be set in Venice is so that Shakespeare could present his critical view of the Christian/Monarch situation in England at the time, without attracting censorship of his work by the English government. Venice may also have been used as it has an element of mystery about it - bear in mind that few had been to exotic places such as Venice at the time, so it would've added an additional layer of mystery to the play.


Why The Merchant of Venice a comedy?

It is considered a comedy because in Shakespeare's time, "comedy" did not mean what it does today; it meant a situation which ends well for the main characters (i.e., nobody good dies). In addition, it usually ends with marriage between the characters, and the tone may be lighter overall. So while there may not be outright "funny" lines or plots, the play is a "feel good" play for the day.


What meter does shakespeare use in The Merchant of Venice?

As always, Shakespeare makes use of a good deal of blank verse, which is to say unrhymed iambic pentameter. The verses in the caskets and the comments of Morocco and Aragon thereon are in trochaic tetrameter, without the weak beat of the last trochee, as Dum-da Dum-da Dum-da Dum. The rhythm of "Tell me where is fancy bred" is similar: it may be scanned as iambic tetrameter as well as trochaic.


Anti-Semitism in Elizabeth era?

Consider the title character of (the Merchant of Venice) the dishonest businessman Shylock. He is a stereotyped ( I am the Loan Shark) character and seems to have six points to the star- he is cast as a Jewish man. One mignt add the villainous bad-guy Fagin created by Charles Dickens- centuries after Shakespeare. o- it"s on the stage... not a good excuse.

Related Questions

Merchant of Venice seven pounds of flesh?

The Merchant of Venice involves a debt of a pound of flesh. The recent movie 7 Pounds is a reference to The Merchant of Venice. There are 7 debts in total for the 7 people who were killed. So there is a figurative reference to The Merchant of Venice, 7 debts means 7 pounds of flesh is owed. There is also a literal reference that he donates 7 of his organs to 7 different people. Actually the there were not 7 organs the following was representative of the 7 pounds Lung Liver Kidney Bone Marrow His Beach House Heart Cornea's 7 People died in the auto accident he cased...debt paid!


What is Portia's surname in the Merchant of Venice?

Portia's lady-in-waiting or maid is Nerissa. Portia doesn't see Nerissa as her maid as they are good friends and have been for many years.


Explain the theme of love in The Merchant of Venice?

There is no novel called The Merchant of Venice. It doesn't exist.Themes in the play The Merchant of Venice (which does exist) include Justice, Mercy, Prejudice, Revenge, Love, Chance and Fidelity.


Why did Shakespeare set his plays in Italy?

History suggests that the Merchant of Venice was set in Venice probably because Venice was a very popular city at the time the play was made. It could also do with the fact that the words Merchant and Venice sound good together. When looking at Shakespeare's motives for setting the play in Venice, it may help to look at why 'Othello' was also set in Venice... You may notice in Merchant of Venice how Shakespeare shows Venice as a state divided against itself - for example Christians resent the practice of usury, despite the fact that it is essential to their booming economy. Antonio spits on Shylock one minute, yet is asking for his help the next - Christian society at the time is shown to be ignorant of it's foundations, to the point of resenting them, and is therefore shown to be unstable. Going back to the question - one reason the play could be set in Venice is so that Shakespeare could present his critical view of the Christian/Monarch situation in England at the time, without attracting censorship of his work by the English government. Venice may also have been used as it has an element of mystery about it - bear in mind that few had been to exotic places such as Venice at the time, so it would've added an additional layer of mystery to the play.


What is a sentence with mockery in it?

I used to work with a guy who used to say that imitation is highest form of mockery. I think he had it wrong, somehow. Your case makes a mockery of my court!


Why The Merchant of Venice a comedy?

It is considered a comedy because in Shakespeare's time, "comedy" did not mean what it does today; it meant a situation which ends well for the main characters (i.e., nobody good dies). In addition, it usually ends with marriage between the characters, and the tone may be lighter overall. So while there may not be outright "funny" lines or plots, the play is a "feel good" play for the day.


What meter does shakespeare use in The Merchant of Venice?

As always, Shakespeare makes use of a good deal of blank verse, which is to say unrhymed iambic pentameter. The verses in the caskets and the comments of Morocco and Aragon thereon are in trochaic tetrameter, without the weak beat of the last trochee, as Dum-da Dum-da Dum-da Dum. The rhythm of "Tell me where is fancy bred" is similar: it may be scanned as iambic tetrameter as well as trochaic.


Who was antonio?

antonio was the hero of the play,he lend money for bassanio from the jew shylok who was the villan of merchant of venice,antonio was a good person with some bad quality,overall he was the person who play the character from act1 to full last so, he was the main character of the merchand of venice.


Anti-Semitism in Elizabeth era?

Consider the title character of (the Merchant of Venice) the dishonest businessman Shylock. He is a stereotyped ( I am the Loan Shark) character and seems to have six points to the star- he is cast as a Jewish man. One mignt add the villainous bad-guy Fagin created by Charles Dickens- centuries after Shakespeare. o- it"s on the stage... not a good excuse.


What is a good slogan for Venice Italy?

In Venice we go with the flow!


What is the major industry in Venice?

Venice is good at several things


Which saying is closest in meaning to Shakespeare's saying All that glitters is not gold?

It means that just because something looks brand new and shiny and looks like it'd be fun doesnt mean that it can bring you true happiness. Or at least that's what I got from it. Generally, just because it looks good on the outside doesn't mean that it is actually any good; appearances can be deceiving. The saying is a misquotation of Shakespeare's "all that glisters is not gold", the message given to the Prince of Morocco in The Merchant of Venice, when he is sure that the gold casket is the right one to choose to get to marry Portia.