Theme of appearance vs reality in merchant of Venice.I have this project.I NEED MORE THAN 20 PAGES INFORMATION.if it is more than 20 pages I will give 75 points.
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Appearance vs. Reality in The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice explores the theme of Appearance versus Reality. The theme is supported with many examples in the form of characters, events and objects.
During the discussion of the bond, Shylock says to Antonio “ I would be friends with you and have your love” and “this kindness will I show”. He pretends to be Antonio’s friend, but he has an ulterior motive, which is to take a pound of Antonio’s flesh from whatever part of his body he pleases. The underlying meaning is to kill him, and thus, although Shylock seems good-hearted, he is in truth, harbouring deceit. Shylock is manipulative and crafty as he tries to put up a show to deceive Antonio. He sounds generous about offering the three thousand ducats without “usance for my moneys”, thus winning Antonio’s trust. This was done to divert Antonio’s attention from his actual intentions. However, Shylock proposes a flesh bond as a “merry sport”, in substitution for not charging interest. The bond, although an unusual forfeit, is a serious matter, because Antonio may be killed from accepting its terms and conditions. Shylock is a brilliant strategist, and even the perceptive businessman, Antonio, has fallen for it. Shylock is a vindictive and unforgiving man, whose hatred for Christians has driven him to want to kill Antonio. We know that Shylock has suffered emotionally and physically because of how Antonio has kicked, spat and rated him many a times. Thus he deserves some of our pity, as taking revenge on your enemy is only natural.
Launcelot is a Christian and should hate Jews, but instead he is a trustworthy friend and confidante to a Jewish girl, Jessica. He is not religiously prejudiced against Jessica becaus...
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...d yet for my affection.” Although the suitors have an equal chance in winning Portia, they are neither brave nor wise enough to be able to get through the choosing of the caskets. The caskets gold and silver looked attractive compared to lead. However, because lead had many more uses than gold and silver, it is considered more valuable. Prince of Morocco chose the gold casket because he is superficial, greedy and materialistic. Prince of Arragon chose the silver casket and thus it reveals that he too is superficial, trying to be someone he is not. As for those who choose the lead casket, it shows that they are intellectual, and not easily deceived by false values.
The theme of Appearance versus Reality comes in the form of lies, deception and disguise. From this essay, I realised that people’s characters are affected by events that appear in a way that is untrue.
Shylock appears to be willing to loan money to Antonio even though he "hates him for he is a... In The Merchant of Venice, the theme of appearance and reality is prominent because many of the characters are not what they seem and their actions are sometimes contradictory to their seemingly honest motives.
I would add to the excellent answer above that Portia's decision to disguise herself as a man in act IV of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice can illuminate even more about the theme of appearance vs. reality in the text. Portia's donning of the disguise is an expression of this theme made physical: she is not what she appears.
Portia takes on this disguise so that she will be able to defend Antonio, her husband's dear friend, in a court of law. That she must pretend to be a man to do so is symptomatic of society at the time. Portia is just as intelligent and capable as "Balthazar" (her alter ego), yet only Balthazar is taken seriously.
Portia uses her necessary deception to her advantage by testing her husband's loyalty to her while interacting with him as someone else. Act V of the play, after all of the Shylock drama has concluded, deals largely with the aftermath of Portia and Nerissa's deception. Both women use their knowledge of their husband's actions while in Venice—which their husbands don't know they know—to their advantage. The comedy in the scene stems from dramatic irony. The audience, Portia, and Nerissa all know that things are not as they appear.
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