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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
This book is so wrong in so many ways (to my 20th century sensitivity...). Xenophobic, misogynist... Still, I can understand it's literary value especially in it's 16th century context. The plot is interesting and the plot twists, while "silly" by today's standards are funny (since I guess it's supposed to be a comedy).
Still, a classic worth reading also because of the insight it brings to the historical context of when it was written.
Still, a classic worth reading also because of the insight it brings to the historical context of when it was written.
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Shakespeare comedies and I'm glad that over the years I've become adept at understanding the language so I can simply enjoy the plot! The Merchant of Venice was very good though by no means by favorites of the Shakespeare comedies I've read. I like the whole marriage plot with the choosing of the caskets in order to win Portia's hand in marriage. It lended a fairy tale aspect to the book with certainly appeals to me. I also loved the relationships between the characters, they were all very believable and I found myself rooting for them all. And as always the language is magnificent!
funny
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
Honestly, I don't have enough to say about this. Just a little run-of-the-mill play, and Shylock is an outstanding issue of Jewish representation. Interesting speech he gave though.
It's a problem play. It's a comedy, so things technically work out, but you can't help but feel sorry for Shylock.
boooooooo anti semiticism boooooooooo
portia was cool and there was some great writing, but it’s hard to look past some of the anti-semiticism and racism that’s very key to the plot.
portia was cool and there was some great writing, but it’s hard to look past some of the anti-semiticism and racism that’s very key to the plot.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
It feels like Shakespeare slammed two plays together. Who gives a rat's tail about the little romance in the background when Shylock is taking a dude to court and asking, unironically, to carve out a pound of flesh?
Although the play was written obviously to make Shylock a villain and make it funny when bad things happen to him...it's hard for me to not sympathize with him. He's treated like dirt (and for little good reason besides being a Jew), and when he finally has his day in court and his chance for a comeuppance, he's made a fool of and everyone finds it hilarious.
All in all, pretty entertaining if you can swallow antisemitism undercurrents and accept a 16th century play for what it is.
Although the play was written obviously to make Shylock a villain and make it funny when bad things happen to him...it's hard for me to not sympathize with him. He's treated like dirt (and for little good reason besides being a Jew), and when he finally has his day in court and his chance for a comeuppance, he's made a fool of and everyone finds it hilarious.
All in all, pretty entertaining if you can swallow antisemitism undercurrents and accept a 16th century play for what it is.