...maritime competition. With the discovery of new maritime routes such as that around the Cape of Good Hope, Venice lost its monopoly of the lucrative spice trade and greatly reduced the large profits which Venetian traders had earned for centuries. The Portuguese could now buy their spices directly from India and this led to competition with the Venetians. (Example)Therefore, maritime competition meant that Venice’s revenue declined drastically as it was no longer the only source of supplies from the East. (Explanation) Thus the eventual decline of Venice is due to this external challenge as the decline in revenue from maritime competition meant that Venice could not finance it defence against the new military rivals it faced.(Link) Another external challenge that led to the fall of Veniceis the emergence of new military rivals.(Point) As the Ottoman Empire expanded, the Venetians had to fight hard for their control of the Adriatic Sea. The Ottomans had acquired territories along the coast of the Adriatic Sea and launched attacks at Venetian territories from there.(Example) Venice had to use its galleys to fight off these attacks, thus disrupting the use of galleys for trading purposes. Therefore the war with the Ottoman drained and weakened Venice’s resources. (Explanation) This incident showed that another external challenge eventually led to the decline of Venice as Venice has to use it resources to fight with the Ottomans.(Link) However, the eventual decline of Veniceis also...
Words: 530 - Pages: 3
...about is Venice. This city was built with a country populated with over millions of people, so why is it populated with a little over 200,000 people today. There are many countries that we can tour today, but today, I’m going to take you to Italy - specifically Venice. I will talk about the History of Venice, it's population, architecture and my most favorite experience at Venice. Before I talk about the population, architecture, and my experience, lets go back to the beginning, the history of Venice. In 450 A.D Venice was discovered, quickly becoming a spot for Italians, though Venice was once apart of the mainland of Italy. On March 25th 421 A.D Venice was discovered. However, it was not until 450 A.D before men started to move to Venice. These mean where men from the main lands of Italy. The man...
Words: 701 - Pages: 3
...Rise of Venice Leadership, Reforms in government, Trade developments and expansion, Industrial development & Innovative practices Leadership: Venice had capable leaders that contributed to the rise of Venice. An example is the three doges, Pietro II Orselo, Enrico Dandolo and Pietro Ziani. Together they subdued piracy in the region, captured the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and established important trade routes for Venice. All these led to the rise of Venice as it helped the trade industry flourish and also gained recognition from major powers. Reforms in government: The Venetians adapted their system of government to meet the demands of the people and the growing city-state. An example is the creation of the Great Council. The Great Council consisted of nobles and was able to elect members to all councils in the government. It also settled disputes between members of different councils. This ensured the efficient running of the Venetian government as capable people were allowed a say on Venice’s policies. Another example is preventing the concentration of power in the government. The Nominating Committee was added to the election process to nominate capable candidates for positions. Nobles were not allowed to campaign for support in the election. This ensured that all positions of responsibility were filled up by capable who could run Venice properly. These led to the rise of Venice. Trade developments: Venice generated most of its income and fame...
Words: 2856 - Pages: 12
...Merchent of venice The Merchant of Venice opens on a street in Venice, where Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains of a sadness he can't quite explain. His friends suggest they'd be sad too if they had as much merchandise to worry about as Antonio. Apparently all of his money is tied up in various sea ventures to exotic locales. But Antonio is certain it's not money that's bothering him. Antonio's friend Bassanio enters the scene, and we learn that Bassanio has been at the forefront of Antonio's mind. Apparently Bassanio just got back from a secret trip to see an heiress named Portia in Belmont. Bassanio financed his trip by borrowing tons of money from Antonio. Portia is beautiful, intelligent, and, most important, rich. If Bassanio could only get together the appearance of some wealth, he would be in a good position to compete with all the other guys vying for Portia's attention. If they marry, he's all set financially. Antonio would be happy to lend Bassanio the money he needs to woo Portia, except, as we know, all of Antonio's money is at sea. The two friends part ways, agreeing that they'll try to raise the funds on Antonio's credit around town. Meanwhile, Portia is plagued by suitors from the four corners of the earth but isn't allowed to choose the one she wants. Instead, her father, before his death, devised an unusual test. Three caskets – one gold, one silver, and one lead – are laid out before each suitor, and whoever picks the right one gets the girl. Portia...
Words: 1487 - Pages: 6
...Name College Course Instructor Date Law in The Merchant of Venice The works of William Shakespeare have always been the most favorite of the readers. His works are not just written in beautiful and poetic language, but touches different problems, actual in every period. Shakespeare’s works are full of sense and poetry; they are able to evoke deep feelings and make consider our life from different perspectives. The present paper is devoted to the discussion of The Merchant of Venice and the problem of law and justice that Shakespeare discusses in it. The Merchant of Venice is one the most famous Shakespearian works, where the theme of law is carefully discussed and it seen through the whole play, either implicitly oк openly. The merchant of Venice is of course, clearly “legal” in content. Virtually this play is tangentially concerned with certain aspect of the law and in the play; Shakespeare uses complex legal jargon and vocabulary to elicit a laugh. This play is closely connected with the theme of law, and it is not surprising that the interdisciplinary learning of law and Shakespeare has grown into a completely recognized field, with main law schools offering the advanced degrees. The Merchant of Venice “ is the first play that evoked so lively discussions among the lawyers more than any other Shakespeare play. It is possible to find a discussion of each legal concept discussed in the play, a detailed legal analysis of the trial scene, presented...
Words: 878 - Pages: 4
...The Merchant of Venice Summary of the Book The Merchant of Venice is an interesting novel focusing on the Merchant, Shylock, who lends money to the poor in Venice and expects high interest that is over the amount borrowed. The story starts with a former generous Merchant, Antonio, talking to his friend Salarino and Solanio. He is sad, but he claims it is not about his wealth. He says, “In sooth, I know not…” He has shipped a number of goods that are still stuck in the ocean. When Bassanio approaches him for money he does not have any, he refers him to Shylock, but he tells him to secure it with his own (Antonio’s) credit. We are then taken to Belmont, where we meet Portia, the woman who make Antonio borrow money because of his intention to woe her. Portia has a lot of suitors who are after her father’s wealth. 3 caskets are made, one made of Lead, Gold and Silver. Any suitor who chooses a casket that has Portia’s portrait will have the opportunity to marry her and take all her late father’s wealth. The two Princes come and choose the wrong caskets. When Basanio goes, he chooses the right casket and this makes Portia happy. Shylock, who is a Jew, is also continuing with his business. He notes that the contract period has expired. He insists on taking Antonio to the court and that he has to get a pound of flesh as agreed in their contract. Antonio pleads for mercy, he says would pay double the price, but Shylock insists that all he needs is the pound of flesh. Meanwhile, Portia...
Words: 1725 - Pages: 7
...The Merchant of Venice, a play by William Shakespeare written from 1596 to 1598 is most remembered for its dramatic scenes inspired by its main character Shylock. However, merchant Antonio, instead of the Jewish moneylender Shylock, is the play’s most famous character. Although frequently staged today, the play presents a great deal of controversy due to its central anti-Semitic themes. In actual fact, the play holds a strong stance on anti-Semitism. Over the Elizabethan era English society had been regarded as anti-Semitic until the rule of Oliver Cromwell. Jews, often depicted as avaricious usurers, were hideously caricaturized with bright red wigs and hooked noses, and so were mainly associated with evil, greed and deception. In the 1600s in Venice Jews were required to put on red hats as a symbol of their identity. Failure to adhere to this requirement resulted in the death penalty. The then Jews lived in a ghetto which was protected by Christians for their own safety. For such protection Jews should have paid their guards, and Shakespeare’s is regarded as a vivid example of such anti-Semitic tradition. More than that, critics argue that Shakespeare intended to contrast the vengefulness of a Jew lacking religious grace to comprehend mercy with the mercy of the main Christian characters. At that Shakespeare showed Shylock’s forced conversion to Christianity as it redeemed Shylock both from his unbelief and his willingness to kill Antonio. Therefore, the anti-Semitic...
Words: 610 - Pages: 3
...An Analysis of Shylock's Speech in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice By Hamada Shehdeh Abid Dawood Discourse Analysis English Department Faculty of Arts Hebron University 2010/2011 Abstract This paper aims at examining, analyzing and revealing Shylock's utterances in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, by relating his words to the power, ideology, value, and etc. in the play. What is found in this study is that Shylock, the Jew merchant, lacks power and ideology, but when he seeks to find these elements, he loses all of them. In addition, Shylock's language varies from both situations. When he is the weaker, he is the source where Christians used to evacuate their insults. Introduction William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and was the son of a glove maker. When he was 18, he married Anne Hathaway, and had three children. At the age of 20, he left Stratford and went to London where he became an actor and playwright. William Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice around 1596. It is regarded by some scholars as the strongest and most successful of Shakespeare's early comedies (Encarta Encyclopedia, 2002). Shakespeare’s portrayal of Shylock has long been fodder for debate among scholars. By Shakespeare’s time, Jews had been officially banned from England for centuries. Because of this, they had come to represent to many citizens of the time a sinister unknown. Shylock’s inability to grant mercy to Antonio and his tendency to value...
Words: 4115 - Pages: 17
...Patricia Rosales Mrs. Popowich ENG 2D1-06 29 April, 2015 Pre-Writing Variables Purpose: Audience: Level of Language: Tone: Small Step In Power, Giant Step For Women Women everywhere around the world struggle with the idea of obtaining power as they are found to be inferior against men. Women were not able to vote and they even lacked the ability to obtain stable jobs. Women are symbolized as powerless, weak, but loyal servants to their male figures. They are shown to be dependent towards any male character or partner in their lives. Nowadays, we are surrounded by feminists that support women and their rights closely associated with the balance of equality with men. In the play, The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, the main female character, Portia displays that as a woman, she possesses power. Female power was unspoken of and was rarely sought out for women to find. Through Portia, many women find the desire to be powerful especially in their relationship with men. Shakespeare challenges the social norms of this inequality of women and men as he creates Portia to be smart, manipulative, and dominant. These characteristics are predominantly associated with men, yet Shakespeare turns the tables by giving Portia a leading and important role in his play. Portia’s character empowers women, and in her own way, is Shakespeare’s own feminist. Many men discriminate women to be inferior to men and essentially dumb; however, Portia’s character displays great intelligence...
Words: 1101 - Pages: 5
...The Merchant of Venice ACT I SCENE I. Venice. A street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO ANTONIO In sooth, I know not why I am so sad: It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn; And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself. SALARINO Your mind is tossing on the ocean; There, where your argosies with portly sail, Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea, Do overpeer the petty traffickers, That curtsy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings. SALANIO Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Plucking the grass, to know where sits the wind, Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads; And every object that might make me fear Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt Would make me sad. SALARINO My wind cooling my broth Would blow me to an ague, when I thought What harm a wind too great at sea might do. I should not see the sandy hour-glass run, But I should think of shallows and of flats, And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand, Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs To kiss her burial. Should I go to church And see the holy edifice of stone, And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, Which touching but my gentle vessel's side, Would scatter...
Words: 22174 - Pages: 89
...Shylock, Victim or Villain? Shakespears Merchant of Venice is about a merchant, named Antonio, who is approached by his best friend, Bassanio. Bassanio then asks Antonio to borrow 3000 ducats to fit in with the rich and luxorious, as he plans to marry the woman he loves, Portia. But, Antonio has put all his money into over seas voyages. So instead of lending him the 3000 ducuts, Antonio approaches Shylock, the Jewish money lender and asks him for 3000 ducats. Shylock agrees to the deal but only on the terms that if Antonio should forfeit the bond or not pay back within 3 months, then Shylock can cut a fair pound of Antonois body, where ever he wishes. Antonio agrees to Shylock’s term. Shylock, the antagonist of the play, is oftan potrayed as a villain or a victim. This next quote is said by Shylock when Bassanio and Antonio are sorting out the terms of the bond with Shylock. "How like a fawning publican he looks, I hate him for he is a Christian." This quote shows that Shylock has a hatred for Antonio because he is a christian. Although this could be due to the fact that Antonio treats Shylock badly by spitting on his 'gaberdine' and calling him names. Shylock could be thinking that all Christians are like that and that is why he hates them. In this part of the play Shylock is a villain. This next quote is said when Shylock is conversing with Salanio and Salarino. "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not...
Words: 723 - Pages: 3
...Shylock was a victim of vengeance throughout the whole book of “The Merchant of Venice”. Shylock was treated badly every single day by Christians and was even referred to as “the Jew” for most of the book. The racism towards Shylock, although very common back then, was very derogatory. Then again, it is possible that the reason Shylock was treated so terribly was because of his all-out bitterness towards everyday life. One could say that Shylock was hated only because of his Jewishness, but he was also not the nicest man. Jewish people were treated very unfairly back in those times, and because Shylock was jewish, he was treated unfairly. In the book, Shylock said, "I hate him for he is a Christian," and “him” being Antonio. Shylock hated Antonio because Antonio lended money without charging any interest, while Shylock charged very high rates of interest. Consequently, this cut into Shylock's profit margins and additionally earned him a bad reputation. The hatred for Antonio was absolutely understandable. Antonio ruined Shylock’s business and basically spit on everything that he represented. One night, Shylock went to a party, and when he came home he found that his daughter and his ducats were gone. Shylock lost all that he had loved. Shylock was an outcast to society, and one could even say that he was an underdog. When Antonio and Bassanio confronted Shylock for the loan of ducats, Shylock saw that he had an opportunity. He finally got the opportunity to end the...
Words: 417 - Pages: 2
...Anti-Semitism and the desecration of the Jewish population have been in existence for nearly five thousand years. In William Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice”, we find that one of the characters is the subject and expression of anti-Semitic attitude that is persistent in Elizabethan society. William Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice” contains many examples that insult Jewish heritage because they were the minority in London in Shakespearean time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London's population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there. Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice” supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and therefore proves that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite. Antonio and Shylock, two similar businessmen of Venice, are viewed differently and are treated oppositely because Shylock is not a Christian but a Jew. One example of this is the way Launcelot treats Shylock in Act 2. In act 2, Launcelot is debating with himself whether or not he should seek a new master. Launcelot's problem is that he works for Shylock, who is Jewish. Launcelot persuades himself that, "Certainly the Jew [Shylock] is the very devil incarnation." Eventually, Launcelot convinces himself that he would much rather run away than be ruled by a Jew. Launcelot presents this argument to his father: "I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer."...
Words: 1259 - Pages: 6
...In The Merchant of Venice and Pygmalion, Portia and Eliza on the surface seem to be typical women of their time, sold to men and told who to marry. Although more than 300 years separate these two plays, the role of females is very similar in that they are portrayed by society as objects of desire. Women typically got their identity from that of their husband’s power and status. Portia and Eliza both illustrate how women can have great influence and which is unheard of from women in the renaissance and early 20th century. Shakespeare and Shaw use female characters to convey the true definition of feminism by creating heroic and independent characteristics in Portia and Eliza. As seen in both the Merchant of Venice and Pygmalion, Eliza and Portia were both given arranged marriages and told who they belong to. This was the common thing that was done in renaissance time (Merchant of Venice) and also in the early 1900’s (Pygmalion). In Pygmalion, Higgins says “Very well, then, what on earth is all this fuss about? The girl doesn't belong to anybody—is no use to anybody but me”, Higgins is implying that Eliza doesn’t belong to anyone at the moment, meaning that a girl should belong to someone. In Merchant of Venice, Nerissa is quoted “Your father was ever virtuous; and holy men at their death have good inspirations: therefore the lottery, that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will, no doubt, never be chosen...
Words: 1055 - Pages: 5
...Merchant of Venice The play that was read is The Merchant of Venice. The author is William Shakespeare. This is a very good play with many lessons in it. Loyalty is a big part of the play, it is a big part of life. Loyalty is an important part of any relationship with friends, parents, and lovers. Loyalty is an important part of friendship. Loyalty seems to be a big part in this play. There were many examples of loyalty. One of them was when Bassanio was loyal to his best friend Antonio. Bassanio left his wife Portia to go help save Antonio from dying. That is a very loyal friendship. Parents are the people that deserve the most loyalty. Not being loyal to parents can make them lose respect for their child. In the play, Jessica was not loyal to her father. She stole his jewels, money, and ran away with Lorenzo. When she did this, her father resented her. Parents deserve to be treated loyally. Loyalty is especially important between lovers. In the play, Portia was loyal to Bassanio. When his friend Antonio was in trouble, she pretended to be a lawyer to go help him. She also gave Bassanio money for Antonio. Lovers should always be loyal to each other. Loyalty is an important part of any relationship with parents, friends, and lovers. Loyalty is an important part of any friendship. Parents are the people that deserve the most loyalty. People should be loyal to their lover. Everyone deserves to be treated with loyalty. Bibliography The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare...
Words: 268 - Pages: 2
