1.- Introduction
2.- Summary
3.- Christians and Jews, how was the context?
4.- The importance of women virginity for Christians
5.- Opinion and Conclusion of the film review. Why would be comedy and drama?
I would like to start saying that in this Merchant of Venice’s review I will try to describe and make a comparison with today’s world and the world presented in the film, in terms of believes, thoughts or ways of think. In both kinds of “times” we can see discrimination, roles, and things like these but anyway this contains differences.
First of all we should know the main idea of this story. Shylock was a Jewish rich man that lived in Venice with his daughter, he practiced usury and was criticized because of that. We also have two friends, Antonio who was a merchant in Venice was always helping his friend called Bassanio. Porthia was a kind of princess waiting for his future husband. The story started when Bassanio arrived to Venice and visited Antonio’s house because he wanted to ask him a favor. This favor was basically that Bassanio wanted money to go and get to the princess Porthia and he needed money to do it. Antonio decided to help his friend Bassanio and he went to this Jewish rich man called Shylock because he practiced usury and had enough money for Bassanio’s pretensions, so Antonio asked Shylock for the money but the Jew was discriminated and abused bye Antonio anyway he lend the money with the condition that if Antonio did not give back the money on three months Shylock will cut one pound of Antonio’s skin.
Even though Venice was one of the most powerful city-states of Europe, discrimination was there too. Jews were affected for intolerance and abuses by Christians, in fact Jews had to live in ghettos that were guarded or patrolled for Christians. At the same time Jewish people had to wear a red hat during the day in order to be recognized. The other thing that needs to be mentioned is that because of laws Jewish citizens were not able to have belongings, and for that reason they were practicing usury. Usury was hard criticized by fanatic Christians because this practice involved interests to the requested amount of money. I would say that this kind of discrimination is among us today and in some ways Jews were obligated to take this determination or decisions because laws were unfair.
Another important element that really called my attention is the fact that a woman when is virgin is considered a treasure. I think for Christians is something very important and more in those times. From my point of view the idea of making love when you are married and not before shows an old fashioned way to think today. Anyway I think that being virgin or chaste till marriage it is good but today is not very common see guys asking for virginity as an essential requirement what it is totally in my opinion justifiable.
First of all we should know the main idea of this story. Shylock was a Jewish rich man that lived in Venice with his daughter, he practiced usury and was criticized because of that. We also have two friends, Antonio who was a merchant in Venice was always helping his friend called Bassanio. Porthia was a kind of princess waiting for his future husband. The story started when Bassanio arrived to Venice and visited Antonio’s house because he wanted to ask him a favor. This favor was basically that Bassanio wanted money to go and get to the princess Porthia and he needed money to do it. Antonio decided to help his friend Bassanio and he went to this Jewish rich man called Shylock because he practiced usury and had enough money for Bassanio’s pretensions, so Antonio asked Shylock for the money but the Jew was discriminated and abused bye Antonio anyway he lend the money with the condition that if Antonio did not give back the money on three months Shylock will cut one pound of Antonio’s skin.
Even though Venice was one of the most powerful city-states of Europe, discrimination was there too. Jews were affected for intolerance and abuses by Christians, in fact Jews had to live in ghettos that were guarded or patrolled for Christians. At the same time Jewish people had to wear a red hat during the day in order to be recognized. The other thing that needs to be mentioned is that because of laws Jewish citizens were not able to have belongings, and for that reason they were practicing usury. Usury was hard criticized by fanatic Christians because this practice involved interests to the requested amount of money. I would say that this kind of discrimination is among us today and in some ways Jews were obligated to take this determination or decisions because laws were unfair.
Another important element that really called my attention is the fact that a woman when is virgin is considered a treasure. I think for Christians is something very important and more in those times. From my point of view the idea of making love when you are married and not before shows an old fashioned way to think today. Anyway I think that being virgin or chaste till marriage it is good but today is not very common see guys asking for virginity as an essential requirement what it is totally in my opinion justifiable.
I would like to finish this review saying that this is a very good movie to realize how was treated Jews in the past. In the film we can find very good actors and actresses so that make a better performance. Having seen this movie I just could say that discrimination, segregation and abuses with Jews was not fair and make me really get upset but I think that Shylock also acted in a non appropriated way looking for revenge and for that reason he was kind of punished. When the purpose is dark and bad the results in our lives will be the same. Another action that I disagree was when Porthia as the doctor that had saved Antonia, asked for Bassanio’s ring because that is not a legal way to play, that is why I did not like it. Finally if I have to choose between comedy or drama I would say that the Merchant of Venice has components of both, for example Porthia dressed as a man would be considered comedy, and all the Shylock's story would be drama.
