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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
i spent this play actively rooting against every “protagonist,” and their happy ending left a really bad taste in my mouth
The supposed antisemitism in this play (by the characters, I believe there is none by Shakespeare) can only be understood in reference to Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta, which Shakespeare would have read. Shylock ultimately loses the most in the play: his daughter, his fortune, and his religion. But he is, to me, the most sympathetic character.
Also, the mercy speech by Portia: I’m reading this in a law school context, which is why I think this speech is beautiful but ironically, bad law. The law should function as a system of justice that doesn’t require mercy. An equitable system doesn’t have to appeal to the emotions of the parties.
Also, the mercy speech by Portia: I’m reading this in a law school context, which is why I think this speech is beautiful but ironically, bad law. The law should function as a system of justice that doesn’t require mercy. An equitable system doesn’t have to appeal to the emotions of the parties.
fast-paced
Tough one to talk about, but also maybe one of the most important ones to talk about and discuss. The Merchant of Venice is extremely anti semitic in its portrayal of Shylock, is prejudiced in other ways too… but also talks movingly about male friendships/love, it shows depression (or maybe a sadness of spirit) from the outset and Portia is one very strong clued up woman given the time this was written.
Too much to unpick it all on IG (where brevity is a virtue) but leynes on GoodReads does an absolutely brilliant overview of you are interested.
I studied this at school in 1977 and the experience put me off Shakespeare for decades.. not the play, more the way we were taught it. But to this day I still know the ‘quality of mercy’ speech given by Portia by heart and have thought of those words all my life, so something stuck all those years ago.
I highly recommend reading this. Not to damn it or judge but to think about and keep conversations flowing about the many topics in this play.
Too much to unpick it all on IG (where brevity is a virtue) but leynes on GoodReads does an absolutely brilliant overview of you are interested.
I studied this at school in 1977 and the experience put me off Shakespeare for decades.. not the play, more the way we were taught it. But to this day I still know the ‘quality of mercy’ speech given by Portia by heart and have thought of those words all my life, so something stuck all those years ago.
I highly recommend reading this. Not to damn it or judge but to think about and keep conversations flowing about the many topics in this play.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
very generic shakespeare structure: baddie women and their gay husbands doing things
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is definitely my favourite of Shakespeare's, but I still feel too stupid to fully grasp all the subtexts of it.