The Merchant of Venic莎翁著名喜剧《威尼斯商人》简介.ppt

T h e M e r c h a n t o f V e n i c eT h e M e r c h a n t o f V e n i c e By Zhang Xuan Icy The Merchant of Venice Background Characteristic and the relationship Brief introduction Analysis of the main characters My opinions The Background Theatrical Traditions of Jews Roots of Shakespearean drama begin with mystery and miracle plays of the Middle Ages, which were performed by the church for a largely illiterate audience about Old and New Testament （新旧约 全书）stories. Jews were often viewed as responsible for Christs crucifixion(苦难). Jews became the evil villains(反面角色) of Elizabethan drama. They were one-dimensional(肤浅 的，单面的) stereotypical characters. Given the anti-Jewish climate in Elizabethan England and Shakespeares Portrayal of Shylock as a negative stereotype, it would be reasonable to assume Shakespeare was an Anti-Semite. After reading the whole play, you may find that it may be wrong. Characteristic and the relationship Antonio Shylock PortiaBassanio hate help love punish Shylock: hates Antonio very much. Antonio often lent money to others without charging the interest Shylock demanded. Bassinio as well as his friends, Antonio and Lorenzo planned a feast and a masque to invited Shylock to be his guest; helped Lorenzo run off with Shylocks daughter, Jessica and take part of the Jews fortune. Antonio didnt respect Shylock at all. (lines) Bassinio: a handsome man, wanted to marry Portia. But he had no money, so he went to his best friend, Antonio for help. Luckily, he chose the right casket and married Portia. Portia: a wealthy young lady, who was famous for her beauty. Many people wanted to marry her. But according to her fathers will, she had to marry the person who chose the correct one from the gold, silver and the lead caskets. Other relationships The Moor The Prince of Arragon Bassanio Lorenzo Jessica GratianoNerissa Brief Introduction Four contrasts in the play: Jew against Christian Love against hate Usury against venture trading Mercy against justice Bassanio Portia AntonioShylock Wants to marry Wants to borrow money from Doesnt have enough money; borrow from Hates him very much; make a contract The ships on which his fortune depended has been wrecked at the sea Choose the right casket and win Portia Knows that Antonio would die and decides to punish Finally, Shylock is punished Analysis of the main characters Antonio: is quite kind-hearted, generous to his friends, and never hesitates to do what is righteous. Bassanio: handsome, romantic Portia: beautiful, clever, active, capable and sympathy. Shes the new women of the capitalistic class in Shakespeares ideal. Shylock: a miser, mean, cruel, selfish but poor. Hes not poor materially but mentally. The ending of him is sad. He loses all his money, and has to become a Christian. Many people think that Shylock is cruel, mean and chary(吝啬的). But I think hes pathetic. He just uses his own money to earn money. If this is to blame. how about todays commercial banks? And because hes a Jew, he is disgraced by Christians. And how about his daughter? He works hard to earn money, while his daughter, Jessica runs off with Lorenzo, taking away much money, and lives luxuriously. He is told to be merciful, but who sympathize with him? My opinions Intolerance of the Jews was a fact of 16th Century life even in Venice, the most powerful and liberal city state in Europe. By law the Jews were forced to live in the old walled foundary or “Geto” area of the City. After sundown the gate was locked and guarded by the Christians. In the daytime any man leaving the ghetto had to wear a red hat to mark him as a Jew The Jews were forbidden to own property. So they practiced usury, the lending of Money at interest. This was against Christian law. The sophisticated Venetians would turn a blind eye to it but for the religious fanatics who hated the Jews, it was another matter. My opinions Many people say that they have learnt from the play that money is not the most important thing i