Merchant of Venice explanation
Act 1 to 5 merchant of Venice explanation with. Here we read all explanations of Merchant of Venice there was a total of 5 Act and 20 scenes.
And since, in paying it, it is impossible, I should live, all debts are cleared between you and me, If I might but see you at my death. Notwithstanding use your pleasure, if your love does not persuade you to come, let not my letter
ExplanationMerchant of Venice explanation In these lines which are an extract of the letter written by Antonio to Bassanio, we have a very noble expression of Antonio’s firmness of mind It was hinted earlier in the play that Antonio suffered occasionally from fits of melancholy.
That could have mean indifference to life, depression and lack of spirit for action. But throughout the play, Antonio displays cheerfulness, a feeling of calm and firmness that is evident even in the worst crisis.
At a time when a man would have felt utterly helpless and would have blamed his fate, Antonio faces his fate Antonio faces his predicament courageously.
Aware of losing his life in case of the orders of the execution of the bond, Antonio sent a brief message to Bassamio who was in Belmont. In this portion of the said message, he plainly informs his friends of the shadow of death that looms over him.
He then expresses his wish of seeing him in the court where he would be facing his death. But then he adds that he does not want Bassanio to return to Venice if he feels any want of feeling in him.
This appears a little harsh on the part of Antonio, but it can be excused in a person who is thinking merely of déath. The wonderful thing is that even at such a -moment he could be selfless and detached.
Merchant of Venice explained
The character of Antonio (click)
The character of Bassanio (click)
But since he stands obdurate
And that no lawful means can carry me
Out of his enemy’s reach, I do oppose my
My patience to his fury, and am armed
To suffer from a quietness of spirit
The very tyranny and rage of his
Explanation In these lines spoken by Antonio in the court of Venice, we see how he can remain composed even in the face of death. Antonio’s case has generated great sympathy among the citizens of Venice.
Sensitive to his predicament and the public opinion, the duke also tries to persuade shylock to accept monetary payment and spare his life of Antonio. But these appeals do not affect shylock.
He thinks that this is the only opportunity to finish Antonio, but, appealingly, he merely justifies the legal basis of his bond and wants its execution purely as a matter of the legal transaction.
To Antonio, this persuasion in his favour become quite annoying, particularly, in the light of stubbornness of Shylock.
In sheer disgust, he, therefore, asks all his sympathizers to make no further plea and to allow him to suffer his fate with a sense of calm. Like a dedicate stoic Autonio wants to face death calmly and courageously The firmness of mind that he shows elevates his character.
Act 1 to 5 explanation in Merchant of Venice
Character of Shylok (click)
Character of Bassanio (click)
Therefore Thon gaudy gold
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common damage
Tween man and man, but tho, thou meagre lead
Which rather threatens than dost promise night
Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence And here choose I.
Explanation These lines are spoken by Bassanio at the time of making his final choice of the leaden casket. Already Portia had referred to as a scholar from Venice, that is, not mere by as a student but also as an intelligent person. This intelligence is shown here by Bassanio in course of a crucial test.
Everybody knows the appeal of gold and silver. But by using a rare logic Bassanio dismisses then gold became the unpalatable food for Midas because of his greed; silver is merely a means of exchange they cannot have any association with so lovely and precious a person as Portia.
Bassanio, after thus rejecting both the precious metals, opts for the lead which appeals to him by its sheer plainness and ordinariness.
We all know the happy consequences of Bassanio’s choice. But Shakespeare has given very memorable words to the exercise of Bassanio’s choice.
The choice is made not on impulse or intuition but sound reasoning. The Merchant of Venice is otherwise also a triumph of Portia’s intellect; Bassamio’s rationality is quite a match for the cleverness of mind which helps a man win his victory in any trial.
Character of Portia (click)
The quality of mercy is not strained
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest.
Explanation These lines from part of Portia’s eloquent appeal to Shylock to show mercy to Antonio. That is, she accepts the lawfulness of his bond and the guilt of Antonio. And yet she tries to present the human angle of the case by linking it to the functioning of divinity.
It is suggested quite rightly that the good man has come from the divine source. The nobility of man is essentially a device. Mercy is quite a selfless act in which an offender is given minimum punishment and a poor man is provided with the things he needs.
This mercy is therefore essentially a divine attribute God shows mercy to even the mighty persons on the earth. He forgives all and it is by the exercise of mercy that he sustains the universe.
Portia selects very fine examples to illustrate the divinity, naturalness and spontaneity of mercy. There is no use of force in the feeling of mercy.
The plight of another person immediately evokes out pity. It is therefore like the rain that falls on the famished earth and restores its fertility. One who shows mercy to another enjoys the blessings of God. God has put up kings on the earth to maintain law and order and to make justice prevailing their territories.
But only those kings enjoy the grace of God, who tempers justice with mercy. God has not given the power to kings to instil fear in subjects or criminals. He expects them to be merciful in then exercise of powers. This lofty idea of justice is rooted in the Bible which has guided lawmakers all over Europe in formulating laws.
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A Daniel come to judgement? Yea a Daniel o wise young
judge, how do Thonour thee?
Expl. These lines are spoken by shylock when Portia declares in the court that there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established.
It should be remembered that hitherto Portia had only been trying to soften the heart of shylock by an appeal for mercy. There was nothing legal in this appeal. Shylock thought that it was a mere waste of time and that it was for the sake of formality that Portia was talking about the quality of mercy.
Shylock inwardly felt exasperated over all this nonsense and virtually doubted the concupiscence of the young lawyer.
But the reference to the Venetian law by Portia restored his confidence. Now shylock understands that he has reached his goal and Antonio’s life is in his hands.
Elased over this perception, Shylock openly lands the forensic skill of Portia and says that she is another Daniel a judge whose knowledge and impartiality are a thing of legend.
In fact, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony for Graziano will be simply repeating the words of shylock after Portia has finally pointed the technical flour in the bond and said that shylock has conspired to take the life of a citizen of Venice.
I pray you, give me leave to go from hence I am not well, send
the deed after me AndI will sifu it
Explanation These are almost the last words spoken by Shylock after the case has been decided entirely in favour of Antonio. Shylock now understands that he has been completely defeated by law, and there is no appeal.
To his shock and the amusement of the audience, everybody concerned does him a favour. Instead of dealing cruelly with him, the Duke and Antonio both display a rare human concern.
Antonio refuses to have any share in the property of shylock. But he insists again in the interest of shylock’s daughter that his daughter will inherit his property.
Left to himself, shylock would have been unfair to his daughter also, But Antonio’s devices have a legal sanction he cannot ignore.
In a tired tone therefore Shylock humbly requests the court to permit him to go home and send the deed of gift to him for his signature.
Shylock’s brush with the law of Venice is over and he has tasted its power in the wise pronouncements of Portia whom he had just a moment ago hailed as a Daniel. Now he has no course left except to obey the orders of the court. wiki
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Merchant of Venice explanation
The Merchant of venice explanation with PDF, In these lines which are an extract of the letter written by Antonio to Bassanio, we have a very noble expression of Antonio's firm.
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