Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
last shakespeare of the semester.
to be honest, it may have received a lower review if i hadn’t been presenting on it. i read it very closely and gave it more attention than i would have otherwise.
all that aside though, it was interesting? it was very sad. i think in general, because this play is so caught up in controversy it was hard to interact with the story of it instead of with whatever shakespeare’s intentions were/previous productions have done. shylock’s “if you prick us” monologue is super beautiful and heartbreaking.
knew everyone considers Bassanio and Antonio as lovers, but i did not expect the degree to which they are lovers lol. i am not a Portia lover.
the ending is unsatisfying? i don’t know. i had fun, but i am tired of shakespeare.
to be honest, it may have received a lower review if i hadn’t been presenting on it. i read it very closely and gave it more attention than i would have otherwise.
all that aside though, it was interesting? it was very sad. i think in general, because this play is so caught up in controversy it was hard to interact with the story of it instead of with whatever shakespeare’s intentions were/previous productions have done. shylock’s “if you prick us” monologue is super beautiful and heartbreaking.
knew everyone considers Bassanio and Antonio as lovers, but i did not expect the degree to which they are lovers lol. i am not a Portia lover.
the ending is unsatisfying? i don’t know. i had fun, but i am tired of shakespeare.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a terrible let-down. I had no expectations for it and yet it proved to disappoint me further and further. It took us a whole month to get through it. Even when we were halfway through, nothing was happening in it.
I only liked Portia but even that wasn't enough to keep me going. I had no attachment at all to this play and even when things picked up, I was so over it, I was unimpressed. The whole play felt so bland. Now, it wasn't as anger-inducing as The Taming of The Shrew, but it was quite close. Thus, this is my second lowest ranking of Shakespeare's plays.
I only liked Portia but even that wasn't enough to keep me going. I had no attachment at all to this play and even when things picked up, I was so over it, I was unimpressed. The whole play felt so bland. Now, it wasn't as anger-inducing as The Taming of The Shrew, but it was quite close. Thus, this is my second lowest ranking of Shakespeare's plays.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2023 Shakespeare Complete works challenge
#14 - [b:The Merchant of Venice|24128|The Merchant of Venice|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871054l/24128._SY75_.jpg|2682703]
Read - 5/8/23 - 5/10/23
Rating: 4.5 stars
————————————————————-
[b:The Merchant of Venice|24128|The Merchant of Venice|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871054l/24128._SY75_.jpg|2682703] is a quick but good play. The strong characterization of Portia will be the main thing I take away from this one.
The Jewish moneylender Shylock as the villain will also be memorable. There’s lots of debate on whether there’s antisemitism in the play for how negative a portrayal Shylock gets or if it is to bring to light and sympathize with how poorly Jews were treated during Shakespeare’s time. I don’t know what the intent was (maybe it was just a play to entertain!) but what a great villain!
Next up in my Shakespeare Challenge will be [b:Henry V|37526|Henry V|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331563646l/37526._SY75_.jpg|1493394].
#14 - [b:The Merchant of Venice|24128|The Merchant of Venice|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871054l/24128._SY75_.jpg|2682703]
Read - 5/8/23 - 5/10/23
Rating: 4.5 stars
————————————————————-
[b:The Merchant of Venice|24128|The Merchant of Venice|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871054l/24128._SY75_.jpg|2682703] is a quick but good play. The strong characterization of Portia will be the main thing I take away from this one.
The Jewish moneylender Shylock as the villain will also be memorable. There’s lots of debate on whether there’s antisemitism in the play for how negative a portrayal Shylock gets or if it is to bring to light and sympathize with how poorly Jews were treated during Shakespeare’s time. I don’t know what the intent was (maybe it was just a play to entertain!) but what a great villain!
Next up in my Shakespeare Challenge will be [b:Henry V|37526|Henry V|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331563646l/37526._SY75_.jpg|1493394].
the gossip, the drama, the gay vibes. Didn't like the ending tho. Still, my favorite Shakespearean play so far