Preview

What fairytale elements can be discerned in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice?'

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1777 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What fairytale elements can be discerned in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice?'
There are many fairytale elements in 'The Merchant of Venice'. For example, there is the idea of being three different items such as the three caskets, three thousand ducats in the bond and the three marriages. There is also the idea of deception, which is featured in many fairy tales. An example of this idea is when Jessica betrays her father to elope with Lorenzo. There is also disguise, when Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as male layers to save Antonio from the bond. The idea of Shylock taking a pound of flesh from Antonio's body is a gory image, which makes Shylock a typical villain from a fairytale. The element of a princess who is imprisoned in a tower is added when Portia is not able to choose her own suitor due to her deceased father's wishes, as the suitor must choose from one of three caskets, and if he chooses the correct one he will be able to marry Portia. However, Portia's ideal suitor, Bassanio, choosing the correct casket, completes this element and they are able to fall in love and live 'happily ever after'. Although 'The Merchant of Venice' displays a few characteristics from fairytales, there are very obvious elements missing such as magic and a moral to all that has happened. There is normally an obvious villain as well; although Shylock is the 'villain' in this play, there are parts where we do feel sorry for him.

The main characteristic that 'The Merchant of Venice' contains is that of the number three being used throughout the duration of the play. This characteristic occurs several times and plays a significant part in the storyline. A very popular fairytale that contains this element of the three is 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. Throughout this story, the number three is used many times; the three bears, the three bowls of porridge and the three beds. There are a lot of examples of '"three" in the Merchant of Venice, similar to that of the aforementioned fairytale. There are the three caskets containing either gold, silver or
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Explore the Three Portrayals of Shylock You Have Seen in Act 4 Scene 1. in What Ways Are Each Effective and Why?
    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Explore the Three Portrayals of Shylock You Have Seen in Act 4 Scene 1. in What Ways Are Each Effective and Why?

    The character of Shylock plays an important part in The Merchant of Venice. He is a money lender who charges interest (commonly known as usurer) and agreed to a bond with one of his customers called Antonio. Antonio agreed that if he wasn’t able to repay him, then Shylock could receive a pound of his flesh. Unsurprisingly Antonio couldn’t repay him, and so the bond was taken to court. We watched three different portrayals and examined the three different roles of Shylock. The first version we watched was Al pachino’s version. Al pachino is a well known Italian/American actor. This was directed by Michael Radford, and was created for cinema viewing. To follow this we watched Henry Goodman’s version of the scene. This wasn’t intently created for a large audience. It was made by the Royal Shakespeare Company, and seems to appear as more of a stage play. It was set in a dull set, and so was more theatrical. As it was created by the RSC, I think that they were quite dependant on the text, and wanted to stick to what was written, rather than adding their own little twists. The final version we watched was produced by the BBC, and made for TV purposes. This obviously would have had more of a budget than Goodman’s, but both were just as impressive. From just reading the book, I had anticipated Shylock to be a selfish, greedy, and all over quite an unpleasant man, but I think that his true colours shone through him. When reading the book you didn’t seem to get the sense of sadness towards the end of the scene which was projected through the all three film version.…

    • 1217 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To What Extent Does Shakespeare Present Shylock As A Victim?
    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To What Extent Does Shakespeare Present Shylock As A Victim?

    In the ‘Merchant of Venice’ Shakespeare makes it very difficult for us to define who is the victim and who is the villain as certain characters, such as Shylock reveal many personalities and therefore portray elements of both the victim and the villain.…

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Uncompleted- the Merchant of Venice Text Response Essay
    • 3954 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Uncompleted- the Merchant of Venice Text Response Essay

    Shylock cannot be considered the most villainous character in this play, for he shoulders much undeserved ridicule for his religion. Nearly every character in Shakespeare’s famous play behaves in malevolent or unjust ways at one point in the story, whether it is predominantly as selfishness, cruelty, or vindictiveness. But does this pronounce them villains? Whilst Shylock is portrayed as a villain in more than one aspect, does this not warrant that Portia, being unjustly biased and unlawful, also be given the title of villain? Should not Shylock’s daughter Jessica be labelled a villain for her deceptive and larcenist actions and Antonio for his bigotry and obstinacy? And what of Bassanio; does he not selfishly and irresponsibly borrow money from Antonio, unable to afford to repay him, in order to further his personal wants? Each of these characters exhibits wanton villainous behaviour, with some performing more acts than others. They execute deceptive and vengeful acts in different forms, with most also being prejudiced in one way or another. Shylock could well be the ‘supposed’ villain of Shakespeare’s play, for he is Antonio’s enemy, and Antonio, being quite obviously the plays most prominent and most famous character, is quite possibly made out to be the main character of the play, rather than Bassanio, or even Shylock himself. The title page of the first quarto of ‘The Merchant of Venice’; ‘the moſt excellent Hiſtorie of the…

    • 3954 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Merchant of Venice Shylock Analysis
    • 1034 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Merchant of Venice Shylock Analysis

    Shylock’s villainy began in the early stages of the play. In the first act, one aspect of Shylock's nature was clearly revealed. In act one scene three Shylock exclaims, “I hate him for he is a Christian;/ But more for that in low simplicity/ He lends out money gratis, and brings down/ The rate of usance here with us in Venice.” In this quote he complains that Antonio, by lending out money for free, brings down the interest rate at which he can lend money. Shylock's greed was especially apparent towards the beginning of the play, and statements like these help illustrate of what Shakespeare’s audience would recognize as the stereotypical Jew. Shylock’s tendency for unreasonable and selfish behavior was demonstrated once again in act one scene three when he states, “Be nominated for an equal pound/ Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me.” This quote shows the epitome of Shylock’s evilness. It can be assumed that Shylock intends to seize Antonio’s life from his addition of “In what part of your body pleaseth me.” The only true victory to…

    • 1034 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Merchant of Venice Shylock Villain or Victim
    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Merchant of Venice Shylock Villain or Victim

    In the play The Merchant of Venice Shylock is supposed to be the protagonist, the definition of protagonist is; the leading character or a major character in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text. But the way Shylock is portrayed is more along the lines of being both victim and villain. Shylock is out for one pound of Antonio’s flesh which will in the end kill Antonio and the flesh will do him no good anyway. But he also gets called cruel names and is pushed around and spit on in the public by Christians, Antonio and all of Antonio’s friends. And farther on into the play Shylock is betrayed by his own daughter who stole from her father and became a Christian. But as victimised as Shylock is, he is also out for revenge on all Christians and is willing to kill to get what he thinks everyone deserves. This makes him appear to be a villain.…

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Crucible Comparative Analysis
    • 429 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Crucible Comparative Analysis

    The main conflicts among the characters in the stories were between Antonio and Shylock, and Abigail and the Proctors. In The Merchant of Venice characters that were impacted by lies, gossip, rumours were Antonio and Shylock. Antonio owes Shylock 3000 ducats by a certain time, or Shylock will be able to cut a pound of Antonio's flesh. In the play Salerio and Solanio discuss about how Antonio’s ships have rumoured to sink at sea.”Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas” .With that rumour Shylock is now able to get the revenge he was destined to receive, which made his and Antonio’s relationship even worse.…

    • 429 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Merchant of Venice - Shylock
    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Merchant of Venice - Shylock

    In William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice," there are many themes, symbols and words alike which take on a complex and dual nature. Not only can lines in the play be interpreted by the audience in multiple ways, they are meant to have multiple meanings. This duality can be seen in the characters as well. Shylock is portrayed as both a victim and a villain and our sense of him evolves as his character is revealed to us as “The Merchant of Venice.”…

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The life of shakespeare
    • 1980 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The life of shakespeare

    The drama of The Merchant of Venice is a legendary comedy, whose main action is so nearly tragical that the play barely escapes becoming a tragedy. It may be further classified as external, since its conflict lies in the realm of reality and is developed by natural rather than supernatural means. Its time relation falls in the palmy days of Venetian greatness, before the enterprise of Da…

    • 1980 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Disguise in Shakespearean Come
    • 804 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Disguise in Shakespearean Come

    A second play that uses disguises as part of its plot is The Merchant of Venice, a "confusion" comedy. This play's climax involves the use of disguises, making the scene crucial to the outcome of the play. The mentioned scene involves the fulfillment of the bond between Shylock and Antonio. The judge and his clerk who arrive to stop Shylock from killing…

    • 804 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Merchant of Venice
    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Merchant of Venice

    After reading The Merchant of Venice, we should ask ourselves if Shylock, who many people perceive as tragedy stricken and victimized, is in fact so hard done by after all. When it comes to family matters, I believe that Shylock is the ultimate cause behind his awful relationship with Jessica. In this play, Shakespeare portrays an old fashioned child-parent relationship in which the child feels inferior to the parent. Shylock and Jessica lack trustworthiness, care, love, and consideration for one another. Their horrible relationship, which is a huge attribute to the play, is not due to conflicting personalities as commonly believed, but rather to the fact that Shylock is a terrible father.…

    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Pessimistic View
    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A Pessimistic View

    Firstly, The Merchant of Venice was believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598 during the renaissance in Italy. It explores the treatment of Jews, by making a character Shylock a very stereotypical version of a Jew. The portrayal from this book and time period of all Jews was that they were concerned with money (ducats), blood-thirsty, greedy, and physically ugly. Jews at the time during the renaissance were treated differently, by being placed in ghettos and told to make a living. Most Jews placed interest rates on their lending of money, making the Christians look down on them and calling them filthy. The treatment and events throughout the novel, for example when Antonio spits on Shylock, show the ways in which the Jews in that time period were actually discriminated against. The same intolerant behaviour is evident in today’s society, as people still have stereotypical views to Jews as "cheap" and "greedy" ,and as we view Jews to contain a certain look. Just as we view Jews to contain a certain…

    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Fairy Tale Analysis
    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Fairy Tale Analysis

    The Fairy Tale of Sleeping Beauty shows that women are very disobedient and curious when it comes to finding their sexuality and inner women hood by exploring a dark hidden room on top of the tower. A lot of fairy tales have numerous symbols that represent sex or sexuality and Sleeping Beauty is one great example. The curse that the thirteenth fairy gave her could represent menstruation when turning 15 years of age. The dark room on top of the tower could represent the curiosity of women hood and sexuality. The spindle when she pricks her finger could also relate to menstruation and losing her virginity. Lastly the hedge of thorns that only turn to flowers when the right guy comes along to marry could represent that sex should only be explored when in marriage with the right guy. All of these are sexual references or symbols made in the fairy tale the Sleeping Beauty.…

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Merchant of Venice Essay and Outline
    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Merchant of Venice Essay and Outline

    In the play The Merchant of Venice Shylock, a rich Jewish moneylender in Venice agrees to loan Bassanio three thousand ducats on Antonio’s guarantee. Shylock is made to be the villain in the Merchant of Venice because of some of the things he does. But even though he may not have been the only one in the wrong, he is still guilty of the deadly sins of, avarice, envy, and wrath.…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Merchant of Venice
    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Merchant of Venice

    Through the development of Shylock and Portia, Shakespeare has been able to address the main issues of The Merchant Of Venice such as mercy, law and revenge but he also questions their principles of trust. Also through Shylock, there are other issues such as racism and money that have been portrayed considerably and the role of women has also been developed by Portia. It’s not only these characters that demonstrate other major issues, as the concept of love and loyalty shown by Bassanio and Antonio, to their wives is also questionable.…

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Merchant of Venice
    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Merchant of Venice

    In the play “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare the settings could not be more adverse, they are set in the most opposite atmospheres. One of the settings is named “Belmont”, this is Portia’s house…. the hero of the play. Whilst the other setting is “Venice” where Shylock… The evil character lives. Portia is a witty and clever character that endears herself to the audience by saving Antonio from Shylock’s clutches; Whilst Shylock is evil and bitter. I agree with the book, “The times of Great Shakespeare” which says that Shylock is “fighting a loosing battle against his persecutors”. The play is about when good and evil clash.…

    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics