characterization of portia Merchant of Venice in essay on 700 words
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The Character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice
Victim or villain. These two words are the total opposites of each other. A victim is someone that 'we' in general should, or may, feel sorry for and attempt to sympathise or empathise with. But a villain is the one person that people love to hate. The best example of this I feel is pantomime. The victims or heroes are clear-cut and the audience willingly cheers them. But as soon as the villain walks on stage he is hissed and booed, unfortunately it is not as simple as this in 'The Merchant of Venice' and how the audience react to the characters is all important in making the distinction between victim or villain.
In contrast to this however, modern attitudes to racism, in particular anti-Semitism, are different. All throughout history Jews have been persecuted, most recently in the Holocaust in Germany. I would think that many people today would be affected by this, that such persecution could happen just because people stood up for their faith. It is this view that makes 'The Merchant of Venice', and particularly Shylock, so complex and still extremely relevant to modern society
In his Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare wants the reader to admire Portia, arguably the most powerful character in the play. However, it is easy to mistake the word ‘admiration’ to mean simply a liking of someone’s positive virtues. Rather, we should like Portia because of those things that make her a multi-faceted character. Though she can appear to be an “unlessoned girl,” she is also conniving, manipulative, and powerful. Three examples that effectively show her prowess and as a result win our admiration of her occur during the casket, the trial, and the ring scenes.
One reason why Shakespeare wants us to appreciate Portia is because of the respect that radiates from her during …show more content…
(III.2.1-3)
It is very clear that Portia wants Bassanio to be her soul mate, though she is powerless to make that possibility a reality. This is one of the very few times in the play that Portia finds herself not in control, fate having the upper hand. ‘I lose you company’ brings out Portia’s compassionate side, as she yearns for the perfect mate and wants to make sure she does not loose Bassanio forever. As Bassanio picks a casket, Portia orders music to play - perhaps to soothe Bassanio’s mind while he chooses, as well as to put her own rattled mind temporarily at ease.
When Bassanio choose the correct casket, Portia is elated and gives him a ring, which she is sure will seal their fate together forever:
I give them with this ring,
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let is presage the ruin of your love
And be my vantage to exclaim on you. (III.2.171-74)
(The ‘them’ in the above passage refers to her house, servants, and self.) With the passing of the ring to Bassanio, Portia exemplifies the very notion of respect by relinquishing her power (in this case her house, servants, and self) and puts it in the hands of her new lord. Bassanio appears more than willing to accept the challenge:
But when this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts all life from hence,
O then be bold to say Bassanio’s
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