Reviews

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

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mariagilbert's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

3.0

sidharthvardhan's review against another edition

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5.0

‘The Merchant of Venice’ is Shakespeare’s most controversial play. It is also my personal favorite – first, because of the ‘Two eyes’ speech and, second, because of the way it has come to be read in such different than was originally done. The reason is probably because it so perfectly displays stereotype of Victorian age towards Jews that one’s reactions towards the play have changed according to one’s attitudes towards this stereotype itself.

Shakespeare and Shylock

The play definitely deals with anti-Jew stereotypes – however the question is whether it is fighting a stereotype or merely using it to produce a comedy. Shakespeare seems neither openly supporting nor denying the perception but that is not because he is vague but rather because his characters are too real life like (in their attitude on question) and not entirely painted into black and white – to show artist’s personal opinion.

The forced conversion of Shylock was Shakespeare’s own addition to the original story and play’s most controversial part – something that suddenly makes all major characters many times more complex. There is too much of humor in there for it to be a very serious thing, but that could be a cover used by author. The celebrated ‘Hath not a Jew two eyes’ is best argument in defense of author but it was a late addition – to make Shylock more human (today, the play revolves around this speech, you take it out and all you are left with is a useless comedy.) Then, it is called ‘Merchant of Venice’ – not ‘Money lender of Venice’; Antonio the title character is full of so called ‘Christian values’ and hatred for Shylock.

Did then or did author not carry this prejudice? IMO, Shakespeare is too much of an artist to carry such prejudice. He was definitely aware of stereotype and also probably believed that if some Jews (like Shylock) acted in such manner, it was at least partially due to Christian attitude towards them. We create the masks we wear but the society does give a helping hand. Shakespeare, being the genius, is able to see the humans under the monstrous mask that those few usurper Jews, who feed this stereotype, were made to wear.

The Sad Merchant

Antony, the title character, is a rather sad person –

“I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,
A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one”

The only other things we learn about him is that he likes helping christian people and that he hates Shylock. Why exactly does Antonio hate Shylock? Because he lends money and if debtor is unable to pay, charges a heavy penalty. This would simply mean that Shylock is harsh and lack mercy – but that alone doesn't necessarily make him immoral. In no way would it justified Antonio’s acts of hatred, such as spitting in the face. Yet, Antonio goes on believing that he is somehow justified in insulting Shylock even when he is asking later for a loan.

Though there is nothing to show that Antonio’s hatred is extended to all Jews – he doesn't, for example, seem to carry this same hatred towards Jessica but then she is already converting to Christianity; except that he seems to believe that Shylock’s conversion to Christianity is something desirable. He (and later Portia too) gives Shylock title of Jew (and not of 'moneylender' or 'usurper') when insulting him. Antonio seem to believe only a Jew (and not a Christian) can be a usurper though not all Jews are usurpers.

He is almost saintly and wants to be merciful towards everyone else but he goes on to climb that step which stand next to every virtue – that of arrogance. As a result he sees anyone who is not merciful (Shylock) as enemy. His mercy also extends to Shylock when latter is in need or later becomes Christian – whichever way you wish to see it.

The Revenging Jew

Almost all the Shakespeare’s villains (whether it is Iago, Cassio or here Shylock) feel compelled to justify their actions – knowing they are in wrong, but believing that their wrong is somehow justified – and Shylock’s speech does him justice. In Antonio’s hatred, the very stereotype that he has to deal with all the time and Jessica’s fleeing, he has more than enough reason, for his behavior to be understood, if not be justified. Like Frankenstein’s monster, Shylock is made into a monster by a society:

"The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I
will better the instruction.”

You replace the word ‘sad’ with ‘monstrous’ in that quote in previous section about Antony and you got it right for Shylock.

Most of the time, Shylock is indifferent towards comments made by others on his being Jew - perhaps too used to them. He is in fact friendlier towards Bassaino (whose only virtue is that he doesn't carry the stereotype) and accepts invitation to latter’s feast. Yet, when he gave the loan on condition of taking flesh, Shylock had no reason to believe that Antonio’s venture will fail but still he is willing to lose the potential interest. Why? Because of disgust that he had just developed because of Antonio’s unedifying hatred towards him. Such disgust is only born out of very heavy disappointment. The act - where he stands a loss on himself for such an improbable opportunity of harming Antony is one of most symbolic acts that I know. He seems to be saying so much I wish for an opportunity to kill you.

Yet he continues to struggle internally with the act that he has dared himself to do – and it is fleeing of his daughter that pushes him over the edge.

And The Good ‘Looking’ Ones

The word stereotype is written all over the play. Bassanio is hero because of his good looks and Portia a heroine because, well, she is princess. The two even have side-kicks who get married.

The play is full of scenes with them pretending to be something they are not – First Bassanio pretends to be sure of claiming Portia to have a loan from Antonio. Then, he pretends to be rich in eyes of Portia so as to be able to claim her. Three women dress as men – Jessica to flee with her lover, and Portia and Nerissa in the court. Both Portia’s father's vow (in Bassanio’s claiming her) and Justice (in Portia’s destruction of Shylock) are mocked - and at that, by the supposed heroes and heroines. Bassanio’s test is all drama – and he is bad even in acting, choosing not to even read the words written on chests if only for a show.

Bassiano, portrayed as a hero, has almost no virtue (except his being free of stereotype). He cheats both his friend Antonio (by lying about chances of marriage) and Portia. Portia accepts his lie too easily and has no problem taking him as husband – just because, well, lets face it, he is good lookings. He is made hero not by his own virtue but because of appearances, just the way Shylock is made into a villain.

Portia’s acceptance also puts into question the reason she gave for not liking other suitors. Later, she gives a big speech on benefits of mercy and after that goes out of her way to crush Shylock' but let us not get started with the way she mocks justice.

Despite all the wrongs in their behaviour, we see Portia and Bassiano thinking so highly of themselves. No one has any remorse for the way they have acted or any feeling to spare for Shylock. Perhaps this is trouble with stereotyping - You don’t know when you are in wrong. I have a fan theory here - Shakespeare added the forced conversation to make sure that his audience will be able to see through their good looks.

Whether it was so intentional or not, the play is now read as a statement against stereotypes rather than a mere comedy.

bougainvillaya's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.25

this made me fee disgusting honestly. like i knew it was the jew hating shakespeare but i didnt realise that was quite literally the plot. dara horn's son is right - shylock's 'do we not bleed' speech is just the villain speech, the "we're not so different, you and i" speech. i am actually floored by how uncomfortable i was listening to this. everything from jessica deciding to convert for a guy to shylock's blood libel bullshit makes me feel icky. it's one thing Knowing an author hates you and it's another to see it in action. sigh. the 1.25 stars is here just bc like there were some good semantic conversations that seem on par for judaism lol. and also the portia doctor lawyer thing i liked that theoretically. i AM upset about the bbc using a melody from hatikva in this. fuck off

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