Portia is Definitely a Man s Name
Why must we label some women s jobs while men s aren t? A basketball team needs to be changed to the women s basketball team when women participate. Women operate as the other in society, many being unacknowledged and treated as such. Judging by some of Shakespeare s works, it seems this same social placement existed in his time. Through examination of Jessica s escape from her father and Portia s conceding to her royalty in Shakespeare s Merchant of Venice, social construction and biological determinism for females can be acknowledged in their time.
Jessica faces a relationship with her father that is far from being pleasurable and plans to leave the old man s house when she can. Not only does her sex trouble her in placing her in the powerless position under her father, but her Jewish background burdens her as well. Jews were the normative unappreciated ones, just as the female population. She feels humiliated to be Shylock s daughter as these encumbrances are laid on her to put her near the bottom of the constructed society. Our house is hell Alack, what heinous sin it is in me/To be ashamed to be my father s child! (45-47). When Jessica explains the situation of her house, she is not only expressing her sorrow for Lancelot s departure as their servant, but she gives an idea about her relationship with her father and her desire to leave. She calls it a sin to be in her position because she not only needs to live in her father s patriarchy, but she has to deal with being mistreated as a female and a Jew. Jews and females were the normative other , cutting her off from any credit as a woman or a person. Being Shylock s daughter, she is a subject in the system of the power that is in her father s hands. Her issues are more deep-rooted with being Shylock s offspring. the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children (107). Jessica agrees with Lancelot she was molded from the same clay as Shylock, although she refuses be the same. She is led to believe her life has been biologically determined as the child of this money lending Jew. To her, becoming a Christian with marrying Lorenzo would perhaps save her soul, but she fears her father s sin is too perplexed to be cleansed from her. Not only can she not escape her place as a woman, but she also feels that her father s sins cannot flee her. There is but one hope in it that can do you any good, and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither That were a kind of bastard hope indeed (107-109). Jessica and Lorenzo use the word bastard in a sense that can have two meanings. She can either literally become a bastard with the death of her father, or her escape from her father will free her from her entrapment. Her elopement with Lorenzo sparks a new love within her, washing away her family-bound guilt. As opposed to escape from her struggle, Portia gives into the system of power and finds happiness within it.
Portia feels trapped in her royalty, so she finds a way to work out her sadness with the suitors. Portia is also a subject of her family s power, especially her father s reign as king. Because Portia cannot escape her body as a female, she is subservient to the fact. I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father (13). Instead of taking a stand as a strong-willed woman, she falls under her dead father s command that helplessly floats in the air, yet controls her. Her father would forever bend her every decision and would control her entire life. The patriarchy in her family was so strong it existed after the power of the father died with him. And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought Beshrew your eyes! They have o erlooked me and divided me: One half of me is yours, the other half yours Mine own, I would say: but if mine then yours, And so all yours (81). When trying to persuade Bassanio to select the right casket, Portia spills not only her obvious love for him, but also how she is a slave to the male s power. As a maiden, she has no say in anything over a man; she only thinks to herself with the mouth that is sewn shut by man s speech. As she has already accepted this, she wants the one man she loves who will speak well for her. She speaks of Bassanio overlooking her that symbolizes all males putting themselves in front of females and not giving them credit for their work. Portia continues to give Bassanio full possession over her. She subsided to the whole propriety of royalty, and now she puts all her soul in his ownership.
Portia and Jessica exemplify the position of women in Shakespeare s time, whether it is trouble with the social construction or their biological place in their lives. Their actions that either submitted to or escaped from the system of power over females are the basis of many females who still partake in the refusal to stop the system and find freedom. So will this man power prevail forever? If a female reads this, thou shalt decide.
Другие работы по теме:
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born on the 23rd of April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Father of William Shakespeare, John Shakespeare, was a merchant. He sold leather gloves and was rather successful. He was even going to be become the Head of Stratford-upon-Avon.
BiographyWilliam Shakespeare Essay Research Paper Biography William
Biography:William Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper Biography: William Shakespeare William Shakespeare, playwright, whose work stands to be the most translated non-religious literature ever was born on April 23rd, 1564 and was baptized the day after in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He was the third of eight children born into the family of John Shakespeare-a well known merchant, and Mary Arden.
ShylockMerchant Of Venice Essay Research Paper Merchant
Shylock-Merchant Of Venice Essay, Research Paper Merchant of Venice Essay Many people are villainous in the way they act, and their villainousacts may be rooted in the desire to destroy others, or in the hopes of elevatingthemselves. Many people may only act “villainous” in reaction to the way theyhave been treated in the past.
The Merchant Of Venice 3 Essay Research
Paper The Merchant of Venice I believe that S. T. Coleridge’s phrase “representation of men in all ages and all times” applies to this play because I feel that the characters in this play, even the female ones, portray universal elements of the nature of man. One of these elements is honor, which Antonio displays bravely.
Merchant Of Venice Essay Research Paper In
Merchant Of Venice Essay, Research Paper In this play two characters have a bigger role than one might imagine. Salerio and Solanio are the storytellers in The Merchant of Venice. They fill in
The Merchant Of Venice A Tragic Play
Essay, Research Paper The Merchant of Venice: A Tragic Play In my opinion the play The Merchant of Venice is a tragic one which is discised as being comic. Many factors of this play are derived from the current
The Caskets In The Merchant Of Venice
Essay, Research Paper In Shakespeare?s play The Merchant of Venice, the nature of man is shown on the inscriptions of the caskets. The gold casket represents what men desire, the silver casket
Shakespeare Essay Research Paper Shakespeare
Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper Shakespeare’s Portrayal of Jews In Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there are, as is typical of Shakespeare, several different themes. One that emerges at the beginning and is
The Merchant Of Venice 2 Essay Research
Paper The Merchant of Venice Many people are villainous in the way they act, and their villainous acts may be rooted in the desire to destroy others, or in the hopes of elevating themselves. Many people may only act “villainous” in reaction to the way they have been treated in the past. Shylock the Jew is the villain or antagonist in the play “The Merchant of Venice”.
Analysis Of Shylock In Shakespeare
’s Merchant Of Venice Essay, Research Paper In Shakespeare?s Merchant of Venice the antagonist of the play is Shylock. Shylock is a wealthy Jewish moneylender.
The Concepts Of Peace And Justice In
Shakespeare?S Merchant Of Venice Essay, Research Paper The Concepts of Peace and Justice in Shakespeare?s Merchant of Venice ?If you want peace, work for justice.? Unknown
Merchant Of Venice 2
Merchant Of Venice – Antonio And Shylock Essay, Research Paper Antonio and Shylock are two of the main characters in the Merchant of Venice. One of the main plots is to do with the conflict between these two. The main thing that causes these two to argue is their religion, Antonio is a Christian, and Shylock is a Jew.
Anti-Semitism In 2
Anti-Semitism In “The Merchant Of Venice” Essay, Research Paper Anti-Semitism in”The Merchant of Venice” Anti-Semitism in “The Merchant of Venice” Throughout the play, “The Merchant of Venice” William Shakespeare portrays anti-Semitism through many of his characters. Audiences today may interpret the play to be offensive, where as people of Shakespeare’s time would have accepted the play as part of everyday life.
Is The Merchant Of Venice Anti Semitic
? Essay, Research Paper In Shakespeare’s The merchant of Venice there is a clear clash of opinions between Antonio and Shylock. Most of the characters in the play are definitely against Shylock because he is Jewish. But is the message that Shakespeare is putting across saying that all people should hate Jewish people? I think that it could well be for these reasons.
The Merchant Of Venic 2 Essay Research
Paper THE MERCHANT OF VENICE During The Merchant of Venice, the theme of loss is constantly brought up and just about every character encounters it. This play provides a look at some tragedy with a small amount of “old” humour. When you talk about tragedy ,loss is always included. In the opening scene, Antonio supposedly loses his ships.
Disguise In Shakespearean Comedy Essay Research Paper
William Shakespeare was a jack of all trades. He could do it all histories, tragedies, comedies, romances. While some people may say that Shakespeare s tragedies are the most popular, his comedies are as popular as the tragedies, if not more. However, comedies of Shakespeare s time are not what people of the twentieth century perceive to be comedy.
Shakespeare Essay Research Paper The authors achievement
Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper The author?s achievement is when he is able to leave an everlasting imprint on his Audience. William Shakespeare?s fictional characters, in The Merchant of Venice greatly influenced the way I view the world and myself. So, how is one of Shakespeare?s characters related to me?
The Sly Side Of Portia Essay Research
Paper The Sly Side of Portia In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare presents the theme; looks can be deceiving. This is seen in the character of Portia. She portrays herself as a pleasant person when it comes to Bassanio, but is deceitful and mean when it comes to her suitors. She also disguises herself as Balthazar, a young doctor who is to judge in the courtroom of Shylock and Antonio.
Shylock Essay Research Paper
“I find it impossible to think of Shylock as a really nice chap; he is just better quality stuff than any of the Christians in the play. They are truly vile, heartless, money-grabbing monsters, and when Shylock makes his final exit, destroyed by defeat, one should sense that our Christian brothers are at last thouroughly ashamed of them-selves.
Shylock The Jew Essay Research Paper SHYLOCK 2
Shylock: The Jew Essay, Research Paper SHYLOCK: The Jew An in-depth character analysis Often, The character Shylock, in Shakespeare s The Merchant of Venice, is portrayed as a beastly monstrosity, with a lust for Antonio s life. Through a more careful examination it can be determined that Shylock was an upstanding member of his community, who endured abuse, forgave easily, and upheld the customs and law.
Merchant Of Venice Essay Research Paper When
Merchant Of Venice Essay, Research Paper When William Shakespeare wrote, The Merchant of Venice, he included a female character that influences the play dramatically. In most of Shakespeare’s plays,
Merchant Of Venice Essay Research Paper Does
Merchant Of Venice Essay, Research Paper Does Shakespeare present anti-Semitism in the play, The Merchant Of Venice? At the time when Shakespeare wrote the play, The Merchant Of Venice, people s feelings and views towards other races and societies would have been very different to the views in the world we live in today.
The Merchant Of Venice Essay Essay Research
Paper William Shakespeare s The Merchant of Venice contains many examples that insult Jews because they were the minority in London in Shakespeare s 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.
The Merchant Of Venice The Relationship Between
Antonio And Bassanio Essay, Research Paper The Merchant of Venice: The Relationship between Antonio and Bassanio Antonio, the protagonist of the story, is extremely good friends with Bassanio.
The Greed Of Shylock Essay Research Paper
The Greed of Shylock In the play The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, the character Shylock is mean, greedy, money-loving Jew. He shows these characteristics in the way that he acts through his daily life. His character traits are evident in the way he loans money to Antonio, the way he acts after his daughter runs away, and the way he craves revenge after Antonio s ships do not return.
Merchant Of Venice Portia Essay Research Paper
Portia: Is she the best female Shakespearean part? Portia is one of Shakespeare?s best parts for an actress and within this play she displays great wit and intelligence. Those are traits that no other female character has ever established. Shakespeare wrote The Merchant Of Venice, between 1595 and 1598 and some of the main characters in the play include: Antonio, Portia, Shylock, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Jessica, Gratiano, Nerissa, Launcelot Gobbo and County Palatine.
Portia The Ideal Woman Essay Research Paper
Portia, The Ideal Woman. When one thinks of something ideal one may think of things in their ideal form rather than as they really are. In Shakespeare?s play, The Merchant Of Venice, one of the major themes is appearance verses reality. In the play Portia is portrayed as the ideal woman. In the opening scene, Bassanio describes her as the Golden Fleece.
Portia The Control Freak Essay Research Paper
Portia the Control Freak (The-Merchant-of-Venice) I would love to write a critical essay about the role of Portia in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” hailing her as one of Shakespeare’s