Merchant of Venice Assesment Essay

In this assessment I willing analyse Shakespeares spend of language, structure and dramatic techniques to model the relationship between loan shark and the Christians at different points of the play. I will first look at Act 1 Scene 3, where we demand that Shylock has suffered mercilessly at the hands of the Christians and now harbors an al near sadistic hatred towards them. This can be register by Shylocks statement to Antonio. Yougabardine,. This statement allows the audience to gain an understanding of Shylocks feelings and hatred towards Antonio. However, what is fascinating about this quote is Shakespeares usage of the manner of speaking you and drop back. This is because, although Shylock and Antonio have never met before, Shylocks use of the word you suggests otherwise.The reason behind Shakespeares use of personal and grade language is to allow the audience to imagine Antonio as the embodiment of Christianity. Thus, let the Elizabethan audience know that Shylocks fe elings of hatred is actually aimed towards the Christians and hence the Elizabethan audience themselves, therefore causing further resent and harm towards Shylocks character. While the use of the word dog, which is repeated finishedout the play, not only symbolises that the Christians see Shylock as beneath them and will never be their equal. But also reinforces, through the use of repetition, that Shylock is seen as an infestation to the Elizabethan society, which in pull comes to Shylocks humiliation and determination for revenge.However, due to his social be Shylock essential consciously recognise his position of inferiority and must also treat the Christians with a, one sided, respect, despite his affluent position. Shakespeare manages to show this spontaneous respect from Shylock to Antonio by structuring the dialog between these two master(prenominal) characters in poetry. Furthermore the level of hatred that Shylocks possesses towards the Christians can be evidence from Shylocks aside speech to the audience. Ifbear him. The ancient grudge in this moorage being that Antonio is a Christian. This aside statement not only strengthens the report that the mutual disdain between Shylock and the Christian is religious in nature, but also Shylocks obsessive need for revenge, a revenge he hopes to achieve through Antonios bond.Because of this aside speech, most modern day audiences would be able to commiserate with Shylocks need for retribution. However, for an Elizabethan audience, Shylocks aside speech will have no sympathetic effect. Instead it was a dramatic techniques used by Shakespeare to add further prejudice towards Shylocks character and to add comedic grade to the play. In Act 3 Scene 1, we see the seriousness of Shylocks sadistic nature when he discovers that Antonio cannot fulfil his bond. Arguing that his fixation for revenge is just and he is entitled to revenge, in the same behavior that any Christian would. hath..?, If..revengeThi s iconic speech uses a number of smooth-tongued techniques to justify Shylocks feelings and need for retribution. First notice Shakespeares use of rhetorical questions in quick succession. This technique causes the audience to think, agree and actually sympathise with Shylock argument to some extent. This agreement is then reinforced, through the use of imagery, allowing the audience to gain a better understanding of Shylocks feeling and emotions. Thus cause the audience to realise some of the prejudice that is currently present towards the Jewish community.In conclusion Shakespeare has used a variety of techniques and forms of languages to effectively highlight the prejudice towards the Jewish community during the Elizabethan period. In the two act that I mentioned it is clear that Shylocks feels he be justice through personal revenge and that he is not consider in the society, due to the Christians arrogant and prejudice vies towards his people. Although most of use aptitude n ot morally agree with Shylocks approach in seeking retribution, there is no denying that the language used by Shakespeare is a strong reminder of what persecution can have on an individual.