In The Merchant of Venice, Portia, Jessica, and Shylock are all characters who use deception to carry out their own motives. Shylock, the hated Jew, makes his living through the practice of usury and uses deception when Antonio asks to borrow money from him.
Who lies in The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock.
How does Portia use deception?
Portia, the new wife of Antonio’s friend, dresses as a lawyer in order to deceive the court. However, unlike Shylock’s motive, Portia’s intent is far more noble and selfless. She manipulates the law in such a way to save Antonio from certain death by the hand of Shylock.
Who is the villain in Merchant of Venice?
In early productions of The Merchant of Venice, actors played Shylock as either a monster or an evil clown, enforcing the idea that he is the villain of the play.
What does Portia find Shylock guilty of?
She urges Shylock to continue collecting his pound of flesh, but reminds him that if a drop of blood is spilled, then he will be guilty of conspiring against the life of a Venetian citizen and all his lands and goods will be confiscated by the state. … Portia orders Shylock to beg for the duke’s mercy.
Is Shylock a villain or a victim?
Shylock is a combination of both victim and villain in The Merchant of Venice. He is a victim of discrimination and mistreated by Antonio and his daughter, Jessica. Shylock’s greedy, vengeful nature is what makes him a villain, which helps drive the plot of the play.
What is the main message of the Merchant of Venice?
The main theme of The Merchant of Venice is the conflict between self interest and love. On the surface level, the major difference between Shylock the Jew and the Christian characters of the play is their level of compassion.
What is the main problem that Portia has to deal with?
Portia is usually very self-controlled, but she reveals her anxiety concerning Bassanio a little later when he has arrived at her mansion and is about to choose one of the caskets. She has fallen in love with him, and her anxiety and confusion undo her.
What does Portia instruct Balthazar do?
When Jessica and Lorenzo exit, Portia sends Balthazar off with some instructions: he’s to take some letters to Padua and deliver them to Portia’s cousin, a Doctor Bellario.
Why does Shylock hate the Christians?
Why does Shylock hate Antonio and Christians in general in The Merchant of Venice? Shylock hates Christians because, as a Jewish man, he is heavily discriminated against in Venetian society.
Why did Shylock call Portia a Daniel?
Because Portia seems to be ruling for Shylock, he calls her a Daniel to praise her mercy and wisdom. (It also reminds audiences that he’s Jewish, since Daniel’s story is found in the portion of the Bible that Jews and Christians share.)
Who was Shylock Why was he hated in Venice?
He is hated in Venice because of his usurious ending practices (charging high interest on loans) and for his cold-blooded acts of revenge against those who have wronged him, as when he draws up the ‘pound of flesh’ agreement that will allow him to murder Antonio.
What does Shylock nose mean?
The Jew’s nose is a part of the character’s body, but not the actor’s, just like the hump propped up on the shoulder of Shakespeare’s Richard III. … For example, if Shylock wears an artificial nose, his moral character is absolute, coded in his body and his race: he could never not be Jewish.
What did Portia say about mercy?
Portia says that mercy is like the rain from heaven. It is so gentle and nice. She also mentions that mercy cannot be forced. She says that “Mercy is twice blessed”.
How does Portia trick Shylock?
Expert Answers
Portia then gives Shylock a knife to retrieve the pound of flesh but mentions that the law will not allow a drop of blood. She tells Shylock that if Antonio bleeds during the operation, the Venetian court is entitled to confiscate his land and property.
How did Portia defeated Shylock?
Portia, dressed as a man and impersonating a lawyer, manages to save Antonio’s life and to disgrace and thwart Shylock by providing a close reading and interpretation of Shylock’s written agreement with Antonio.