Please respond to the prompts below. Use quotes when stipulated.
1. We've talked of antithesis and dramatic irony, how does this scene possibly act as "Dramatic Antithesis" when compared to the previous scene?
2. Gratiano immediately turns in Bassanio when he is caught giving away his ring. What does this say about his character? Would a friend really do this to a friend? Are they really friends? Think back to when they first met Antonio.
3. What is up with the ring thing? Is it just meant to be playful or comical? Is it a critical representation of women? Or is there something larger at play? How does this portray Nerissa and Portia?
4. What good piece of news does Antonio get at the end of the play? Use a quote as support.
5. The Merchant of Venice is a Comedy because of the happy ending. This makes me ill when I think of Shylock. What do you reckon? How would you label this play?
Due: Thursday, 11.17
1. We've talked of antithesis and dramatic irony, how does this scene possibly act as "Dramatic Antithesis" when compared to the previous scene?
2. Gratiano immediately turns in Bassanio when he is caught giving away his ring. What does this say about his character? Would a friend really do this to a friend? Are they really friends? Think back to when they first met Antonio.
3. What is up with the ring thing? Is it just meant to be playful or comical? Is it a critical representation of women? Or is there something larger at play? How does this portray Nerissa and Portia?
4. What good piece of news does Antonio get at the end of the play? Use a quote as support.
5. The Merchant of Venice is a Comedy because of the happy ending. This makes me ill when I think of Shylock. What do you reckon? How would you label this play?
Due: Thursday, 11.17
1)The scene act as a dramatic anti-thesis because the scene is ironic. When Bassanio was asked by Portia about the ring, he was confused, while Portia had it, and knew about the whole situation. In the previous scene, there weren’t any ironic parts, and in fact, it was a serious scene.
ReplyDelete2)We can know that Gratiano is a person who betrays someone else quite easily, when he is in a situation where he is challenged. I think a true friend won’t do this, because by doing that, they lose trust. And true friends should help each other, or be in the state of the same situation. I think we can’t rely this kind of person as a friend, because it is hard to trust them. Gratiano seems like a person who is optimistic, which is good, but not in this situation. When they first met, he said that he recommends laughter over misery. So maybe he thinks everything happening as a joke.
3)I think the representation of the ring is very important. Ring is likely to represent love, and it is like a symbol. This is a representation for women, but I think it plays a huge role of trust. As it happened in the story, by losing a ring, the trust between the couple will decrease. This portrays Nerissa and Portia because they were testing their husband for the sign of love.
4)The good news that Antonio receives is that his three ships was being saved. “Unseal this letter soon; There you shall find three of your argosies Are richly come to harbor suddenly” (Shakespeare 161).
5)I think the ending of the play is comical, because it ended as Portia and Nerissa mocking (testing) their husband. But for Shylock, it is depressing because he lost his house, his goods, and his daughter. I think Shylock is not a villain, but people make him one. I would label this play as a tragedy for Shylock, but a comical one for the other characters.
1)This scene is mainly about Portia and Bassanio and Gratiano and Nerissa with their rings. It is an example of "Dramatic Antithesis" or dramatic irony, since the audience know that they were disguised as a lawyer and the clerk, while the characters didn’t. It is the irony the reader feels because the person demanding for the ring is the person who gave it to them.
ReplyDelete2)This proves Gratiano’s untrustworthy, selfish personality. As soon as he was about to look bad, he brought up his friend too, which is a proof that the friendship is fake. Real friends would stand up for each other and have each other’s back. I believe they were not close friends from the first place. From the beginning he was admitting about his false seriousness, and how he doesn’t care much of other people.
3)In my opinion, the ring thing seems as if it underlies a deeper symbolic theme of the female population. It does serve some comic relief, probably because the scene before was serious, but I feel like there is something more to it. Women often want to feel secure and relieved when they marry, because it is like settling your life. The action of them testing their men to see how loyal they are seemed like a typical behavior of a women. It proves their wise side as well as their doubtful feelings toward men.
4)Antonio is told that his merchant ships were safe. “And I have better news in store for you than you respect/ There you shall find three of your argosies are richly come to harbor suddenly (Shakespeare 161)”.
5)I believe this is a total tragedy, since I have sympathy for Shylock. If this book had Shylock as the protagonist, it would have been classified a tragedy. Just because it ends with a happy ending does not mean throughout the entire book was a comedy. The grotesque hatred of Antonio Shylock has, and Bassanio’s ignorance, Portia’s wisdom, all does not contribute to comedic aspects.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. This scene, otherwise classified as a "Dramatic Antithesis", shows how the men are caught redhanded with the fact that they are missing their rings that Portia had given to Bassanio, and Nerissa to Gratiano. It is a good example because the audience is fully aware of the fact that in reality, Portia and Nerissa have the rings, but Bassanio and Gratiano have no idea that they do. This whole ironic situation can only be understood by the reader, Portia and Nerissa, but not the men.
ReplyDelete2. To be very blunt and honest, I think many of us would have done what Gratiano did anyway; how fair would it be if you got caught lying, and your friend didn't? And even if you didn't turn them in anyway, you would be lying again by concealing your friend's lie with another lie. In short, I don't necessarily think that what Gratiano did was the "wrong thing", although it should have been Bassanio who should have taken the initiative to tell Portia the truth. I'm not sure how this classifies Gratiano as a person though, probably just another person who doesn't want unfair treatment, like the rest of us. Friendshipwise, it could have done some damage; but true friends don't let each other get away with lying, if that's considered an accurate definition for friendship. I do believe they are friends though, because Gratiano supported Bassanio through thick and thin.
3. The whole notion about the ring was a pretty witty thing that Shakespeare included, but it was more than just a conflict starter with the two couples. When both Portia and Nerissa gave Bassanio and Gratiano the ring, it was not only a gesture for getting married, but a sign of trust that was given to the men, from Portia and Nerissa. Rather than it being a representation of women, it could have easily worked the other way with the men giving the rings to the women instead. The entire state of giving and losing rings was how Portia and Nerissa measured their trust in Bassanio and Gratiano.
4. The good news that Antonio gets near the end of the play is when he is told that his ships were safe. "Unseal this letter soon; / There you shall find three of your argosies / Are richly come to harbor suddenly." (Shakespeare 161).
5. Since I am entirely Pro-Shylock, I would say that The Merchant of Venice is an utter tragedy, and I think many would agree. It is indeed sickening how Shylock is treated as the so-called antagonist of the whole play, although he most definitely classified as the victim in my opinion. I detest the fact that the ending which was deemed as "happy" is the whole reason that the play is considered to be a comedy. Although I fully believe that this play should be thought of as a tragedy, I also have the impression that Shakespeare might have done this on purpose to publicly state what prejudice could do to people in many ways. The Merchant of Venice made me have second thoughts about how people see others through their own eyes.
I think this scene acts as an antithesis or dramatic irony because Portia blames Bassanio for giving the lawyer the ring when the lawyer was actually her. We as an audience knows that Portia has the ring, yet she asks for it just to torment Bassanio, who does not even suspect anything.
ReplyDeleteGratiano is not a dependable friend at all. He does not want to get all the blame for giving away his ring so he turns Bassanio in as well so they could share the blame. This is not what a good friend would do. I think the audience can compare Gratiano with Antonio and see the acute difference between them. I do not think Gratiano and Bassanio are true friends because when they first met Antonio in the play, Bassanio says that Gratiano speaks only rubbish and is very foolish. He also hesitates to bring him to Porta’s house because he was afraid Gratiano will make a fool of him. This shows that both Gratiano and Bassanio do not think of each other as friends.
I think the ring serves as both a object of playfulness and comedy, however also represents the quickness of mind of a woman in punishing her husband. Women seem to always hold grudges and never forget something their husbands did years ago. When Bassanio and Gratiano angered Portia and Nerrisa, they thought of a way to have revenge and that was by taking the ring. Therefore, I think the ring represents the anger and grudge of women when it comes to their husbands doing something wrong. I think it is saying never upset your wife!!!!
Antonio receives news that his ships have returned from their voyage and that his profits and his money have all come back to him. “There you shall find three of your argosies/ Are richly come to harbor suddenly” (Shakespeare 161). This means that he will not have to face the life of poverty, nor ask for his friends’ help.
I personally think the play treated Shylock very ill. I would not have ended the story in that way. However, maybe Shakespeare wanted to show the wrong of Anti-semitism by showing the people of Venice what they were really like. By causing irritation and frustration on the reader’s side, he is able to make us realize how wrong Anti-semitism really is. However, this is just my guess. I would probably not read this book for a long time and only if I do not have anything else to read because the comedy in this book actually makes me feel irritated and angry.
B3 Literature
1. I am not so sure which scene I am supposed to write about, but I believe the Act 4 scene 2 and Act 5 scene 1 are dramatic antithesis of Act 4 scene 1 in that these scene play out completely different emotions. In the scene 1 of Act 4, the characters are in grievance before the trial. However, in the scene 2 and act 5 scene 1, the protagonists are in joy over their victory in the trial. Those scenes therefore contradict each other, showing completely different, comical atmosphere.
ReplyDelete2. Gratiano is a frank, but unrefined and hasty man. I believe Gratiano and Bossanio are true friends, despite Gratiano's impertinence. However, Gratiano may not be so trustworthy, for he doesn't keep a secret and cannot say a tactful words which will comfor one in a peril.
3. The ring is symbolic of relationship between men and women. Giving a ring and making a husband swear an oath means to entrust him in a marriage. Nerissa and Portia are wise, for they have won their husbands' fidelity through a comical means. The ring and how men lose them so quickly may represent the fragile relationship between men and women at the Shakespearean era.
4. Antonio learns of his all three argosies coming back safely with a lot of cargoes. Antonio is not only saved in literal sense, but also in financial means. Antonio marks, "Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;/For here I read for certain that my ships/ Are safely come to road" (Shakespeare 161).
5. I believe this play is a comedy, despite the ill fate of Shylock. Shylock is not really a protagonist, but rather an antagonist, although he certainly has his own situation to earn sympathy from the readers. The play ends with happy quarreling of the protagonists, who are once again united. Therefore, I believe this play is a comedy, rather than a tragedy.
1)This scene acts as antitheses or dramatic irony because Portia’s ring was given by Basanio to Portia disguised as a lawyer. The audience knows Portia is tormenting Bassanio for the ring which she has in her possession, belittled and confused by the situation Bassanio doesn’t suspect anything.
ReplyDelete2)Gratiano, is a immature and unreliable friend, he instinctively tries to put the blame onto someone else to better his situation. A good friend would not do this. As a member of the audience I can compare Gratiano with Antonio to see great differences between the levels of loyalty and overall decency. During Antonio’s first encounter with Bassanio at the beginning of the play, Bassanio mocks Gratiano and speaks only of his foolery. This shows a lack of trust between Gratanio and Bassanio.
3)I believe that the ring represents how women cannot fully trust there lovers. Though Bassanio and Gratanio show and proclaim their love to Portia and Nerissa, both the women do not trust them and put them in a difficult situation where by they have to choose over protecting the ring or giving away it to a deserving person. This just shows a stereotypical side to overly suspicious wives.
4)Antonio receives a letter which tells him news of his ships, claiming that they have returned from their voyage and that his profits have all come back to him. “There you shall find three of your argosies/Are richly come to harbor suddenly.” (Shakespeare 161). This means that Antonio’s Ships have returned, and that he will return to his life of royalty.
5)I think that Shylock was treated horribly in this play. I also think this play ended too quickly, it felt rushed. I could not enjoy the comedy in this play; I was so overwhelmed by the fact that Bassanio and Gratanio couldn’t recognize their own wives dressed in men’s clothing.
1. I believe that this scene acts as a Dramatic Antithesis because of the situation that occurred. In her lawyer disguise, Portia was given a ring, as a token of thanks, that she, her actual self, gave to Bassanio and the same for Nerissa. It is ironic because the men were caught red handed unknowingly, and no one was aware that Portia and Nerissa were the clerk and lawyer, expect themselves and the audience.
ReplyDelete2. I believe what Gratiano did can't really define him as a person. I believe if any one of us were in his shoes, some of us would bring up the other friend, not out of selfishness or guilt, but just because it would be the "right" thing to do. Bassanio's actions would be revealed eventually, so in my opinion, Gratiano was doing him a sort of favor, in a sense as it is better to know sooner than later. Friendship wise, I was unaware of their relationship, but at this point, I believe they can be considered somewhere in between friends and good friends, and as time went on, they got slightly closer.
3. The ring situation was, at the end, played out to be comical, while there is a deeper meaning to it. I believe the rings were a solid form of trust; a symbol of their love. By putting the men in this situation, they were putting their marriage on the line in order to see our faithful their husbands really were, as their mariages meant a lot to both of them. It is, in a sense, a critical representation of women as most women tend to build their relationships around trust, because if gives them a sense of comfort, in knowing that there is nothing to worry about.
4. At the end of the play, Antonio gets news in the form of a document, stating that his ships had returned with a lot of wealth. "And I have better news in store for you / Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon; / There you shall find three of your argosies / Are richly come to harbour suddenly " (Shakespeare 161).
5. Instead of labeling this play as pure comedy, I would combine it with tragedy as is contains equal, if not more scenes of tragedy than comic. I also felt that his play came to an unexpected pace towards the end. I feel as if it completely unacknowledged the plot it was building upon, and ended with a comical banter that seemed misplaced within the story. I think if they focused more on the lot they were building on, with Shylock, it would have been better to categorize it as a tragedy, but in the state that it's in, I would call it a comedic tragedy.
1. It is dramatic antithesis because Portia and Nerissa both disguised as men to go help their husbands and Antonio, which no one knew about other than the readers. At the same time they also tested - in a way even tricked - Bassanio and Gratiano for their rings and later blamed them for it. However in the end everything was revealed and the ring was given back, instead of a saddening ending that one might have imagined everything turned out great.
ReplyDelete2. Gratiano is definitely not a good friend and is a rather selfish fellow. He only worries about his well being and would drag his friend into any bad situation if it means that it will be advantageous for him. He is also not very faithful considering how he viewed marriage when Lorenzo was courting Jessica, saying how short-lived it will be since human tend to get tired of things easily.
3. The ring, in my opinion is just an unnecessary addition to the story, because it didn’t change anything and the result and ending of the story was ultimately the same. I think the ring only made Portia and Nerissa appear more cunning. It did prove, however, what Portia wanted to prove which was probably that all men couldn’t be trusted, aren’t reliable and will eventually break their promise that they once made. Therefore, I didn’t quite get why Portia would do something like that to the person she swear she loves. Although it might have made Bassanio even more cautious about the ring, it just made me lose some respect for Portia and Nerissa because it meant that the two of them did not trust their husbands from the beginning.
4. The good piece of news for Antonio was that three of his ships were found and arrived safely on shore with a great amount of his wealth. “…three of your argosies/ Are richly come to harbor suddenly” (Shakespeare Act 5 Scene 1. Line 282-283).
5. Although the Merchant of Venice was supposed to be a happy ending, I think it all depends on who you view as the protagonist and who the antagonist. Clearly Shylock was meant to be the antagonist, but when I was reading it, I actually liked him more and felt bad for him. I think this play didn’t quite give a fair ending to him. It’s more of a tragedy than a comedy if I were to label it because I’m on Shylock’s side.
1. This is a example of dramatic antithesis, because the audience knew Portia and Nerrisa were dressed as the lawyers but then Bassanio, Gratiano, and Antonio didn’t know that the lawyers were Portia and Nerrisa.
ReplyDelete2. I say he is not so much a true friend but still a friend of Bassanio but a very childish one. He sounds like a kid who tells him mom that his brother also did the same thing when he is in trouble. And I think Bassanio would of told Portia sooner or later anyways because he is feeling very responsible about their relationship. I also think that Bassanio doesn’t really care so much about Gratiano because he is so childlish.
3. I think how Portia and Nerrisa did a prank on Bassanio and Gratiano are really funny and clever. In some degree I do think their bitchy, because I won’t be happy if someone did that to me. I do think it’s a critical representation, because it seems like Shakespeare is trying say that women can and will play with men in a good or bad way through what Portia and Nerrisa did. I can also think about promises, royalty, haunesty and all sorts of theme behind this event.
4. Antonio hears that his ship returned to the port safely with full of goods. Portia gives hima letter that says “There you shall find three of your argosies are richly come to harbor suddenly” (Shakespeare 161).
5. Since the play was written 400 years ago, the genre might be considered as something like a historical spectacle comedy. But if I think about how people back then thought about the play, I would say socially aware drama. The play reflects on relationships between men and women, and Christians and Jews. For the unfortunate Shylock, I really feel bad for him, but what Portia says during the trial also make sense. Shylock did ask for the flesh and he refused the money, so he brought the situation to himself.
1) Well, it really depends on which scene you’re talking about, but let’s say it’s for the last scene. In this last scene, the thief, Jessica, learns that her father will leave everything to her. This acts as a Dramatic Antithesis because throughout the play, we see that justice is supposedly served, however, Jessica does not get punished for her theft.
ReplyDelete2) Gratiano’s character is not one that others can depend on, this becomes clear when he turns Bassanio in after he is caught losing his ring. Compared to Antonio, Gratiano’s actions prove that he is clearly not a loyal or close friend of Bassanio; he is even considered to be ‘too wild, too rude, and bold of voice’ by Bassanio (Shakespeare 43). Gratiano obviously does not understand that friends don’t turn each other in.
3) Stereotypes tend to be funny, and married women tend to hold grudges on their husbands; therefore the ring-business mostly serves as a comedy rather than playfulness. Shakespeare highlights married women, stereotypically, as naggers rather than teasers (because they are emotional). Therefore, Portia and Nerissa are both portrayed as heroic women with the hearts of typical wives.
4) Antonio’s great piece of news was that three of his ships were saved. ‘I have better news in store for you […] three of your argosies/Are richly come to harbor suddenly’ (Shakespeare 161).
5) Shylock lost his daughter, his wealth and his religion; these were the things that shaped him, therefore, he pretty much lost his humanity. What’s worse is that everything he had was taken by those who ostracized him. Shylock’s fate was just too upsetting; therefore, I think that Shakespeare wrote this play to emphasize the anti-Semitic issues of his time. There is no way that anyone can feel fine about his poor luck with society.
1. It is dramatic antithesis because the previous scenes were not only the climax of the play, but also the saddest parts. We see Shylock take quite a beating from the law, so I see Act 4 scene 2 and Act 5 scene 1 as being the falling action of the play.
ReplyDelete2. Gratiano was never really Bassanio friend from the beginning. Even when he begged Bassanio to bring him to Belmont, I got the feeling he only wanted to go for the excitement of the city and had no intreats in Bassanio's mission to get Portia. For him to give away Bassanio so quickly shows he's more interested in his own benefits from such acts rather than taking one for his friend. However, i think he was also trying to justify himself as to why he gave away his own ring that he and Nerissa had.
3. I think Portia was testing Bassanio to see if he would really give his ring away. In the end, it didn't really matter since the person he gave the ring to was in fact Portia, however I do think this gives off a slightly misogynistic perspective, as it IS common for women to play mind games and using the stereotype that women are sneaky in his play only perpetuates it.
4. Antonio finds out his ships have been loaded with wealth and have sailed safely to the harbor. "There you shall find three of your argosies/ Are richly come to harbor suddenly./You shall not know by what strange accident/ I chanced on this letter" (Shakespeare 161).
5. I do find the ending to be a bit crude and lacking regard for Shylock. More than anything, it doesn't tie all the loose ends together. It's like a Stephen King novel-great story, but the ending is terrible. What ever happened to Shylock? We never hear from him after the court scene, so we assume he's gone back to become a good Christian without his daughter or his money. I do find it kind of uncomfortable.
1. This scene would be a "Dramatic Antithesis" because the men do not know anything while both the women and the audience are perfectly aware of what is happening.
ReplyDelete2. This shows how he cares about himself more than other people or friends such as Bassanio. I don't think that they are close from the beginning for he shows lack of interest and trust in other people.
3. The ring probably represents the women themselves and their trust in their husbands and also illustrates the wittiness of the women and the difference in importance of a concrete proves rather than abstract words. I think, that women usually want unchangeable things given to prove their love instead of words that can wither.
4. Antonio finds out that his merchandise are safe. “And I have better news in store for you than you respect/ There you shall find three of your argosies are richly come to harbor suddenly (Shakespeare 161)
5. I would still label this as a comedy because of the entertaining scenes and witty ironies and I think that this works because they had Shylok playing the antagonist. Although I so find it a little contrived for Shylok for he loses his money, daughter and faith. He pretty much lost everything he had to motivate his life. So, from the audience perspective, this is a play to laugh however, looking from Shylok's perspective, it would be a tragedy.