Research Proposal on "Merchant of Venice"
Research Proposal 4 pages (1292 words) Sources: 2 Style: MLA
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Shylock in the Merchant of VeniceOne of William Shakespeare's most realistic characters is Shylock from the play, the Merchant of Venice. Shylock is a man that we come to despise because of his cruelty but what we do not like admitting is the fact that he is far too human. Shylock is intelligent but also very angry and bitter. These components operate together to produce a cunning individual that might just have an argument but loses it because he cannot control his emotions. In the passage right before Portia enters the court, Shylock is offered twice as much for the loan he gave but his hatred prevents him from taking the offer because he has appoint to make and Antonio is just the victim he needs to help him prove that point. Shylock's passage demonstrates the man's ability to reason, almost with perfection, his case. Here we see a man trying to plead his case, using elements from society as his grounds for cause. With Shylock, we see how intense passions can be and how dangerous they become when we allow them to cloud our judgment.
Shylock's passage is significant because of the many attitudes it presents. Shylock has no mercy and while this is something he truly feels, it is not the primary cause of his speech. His mission is to construct an argument to collect what is rightfully his.
When he declares that he is "doing nothing wrong" (Shakespeare IV.i.89), he is correct. While this speech might appear at first to be about slavery, it is not. Shylock is merely using the act of slavery to his own advantage. Because he does exist within a community that practices slavery, he knows he use the owning of an individual to make his case. He is surrounded
download full paper ⤓
Another interesting aspect of this passage is how the Jew is emulating the Christian. Shylock knows the law and he is determined to not only make it work for him but make his opponents squirm, if at all possible. Shylock wants more than anything to win with rationale. His first step in winning any debate or argument is to call into question Christian behaviors and attitudes that seem quite like his own. If he can use their own actions and beliefs against them, he has practically won the argument. This is the angle Shylock decides to take into the court. Shylock is not asking an ethical question but rather he is asking a question about property. He is correct in assuming that he will be answered with the statement that the slaves belong to them. He knows he can win this argument. This is how he means to win the argument that the pound of flesh is his. Shylock is smart in that he exposes the duplicity of individuals that claim to be merciful. Their mercy does not prevent them from owning slaves and keeping other people around as pieces… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Merchant of Venice" Assignment:
A four page paper on The Merchant of Venice Act 4 scene 1, 85-103. A careful close reading of the passage with a clear and creative argument about it's significance. Let me know if you need anything further. *****
How to Reference "Merchant of Venice" Research Proposal in a Bibliography
“Merchant of Venice.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2009, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/shylock-merchant/16996. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.
Related Research Proposals:
Merchant of Venice if the Text Essay
Merchant of Venice
If the text had been written in a different time or place or language or for a different audience, how and why might it differ?
William Shakespeare… read more
Essay 3 pages (995 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Literature / Poetry
Merchant of Venice Friendship and Honor Term Paper
Merchant of Venice
The strongest manifestation of friendship in Shakespeare's the Merchant of Venice is between Antonio and Bassanio. The former risks his life to loan Bassanio money, and Bassanio… read more
Term Paper 2 pages (657 words) Sources: 2 Style: APA Topic: Religion / God / Theology
Merchant of Venice: Is Shylock the Jew Term Paper
Merchant of Venice": Is Shylock the Jew the most money-hungry character in the play?
William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" is a play primarily concerned about the importance of money,… read more
Term Paper 2 pages (785 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking
Merchant of Venice Is a Framework Term Paper
Merchant of Venice is a framework for expressing Shakespeare's anti-slavery sentiments in a most vivid and gruesome way. It has been argued that it is too obvious, for Shakespeare to… read more
Term Paper 7 pages (2514 words) Sources: 2 Style: MLA Topic: Religion / God / Theology
Merchant of Venice Frye the Argument of Comedy Essay
Merchant Parents
Child/Parent Models in the Merchant of Venice
The parent/child relationship is very complex, and given the combined factors of biological and social imperatives, a nearly universal example fo… read more
Essay 5 pages (1658 words) Sources: 2 Style: MLA Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens
Sat, Oct 5, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!