9PR+Merchant+essays

Describe an important place or period of time in the text. Explain why it was important.

In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, an important setting is Belmont, the land of fairytales and dreams. Belmont is important for three main reasons, it portrays unrealism; in its society structure and in certain characters, and it also contrasts Venice, giving the audience insight to the commercial and realistic Venetian societal structure.

Belmont is important to the text because of the unrealism it portrays. The first account of unrealism is its carnival-like societal structure and acceptance on which the city operates on. In Belmont, abnormal and mythical things and acts are accepted there, acts that were not considered as part of a ‘normal status’, in the other places in the play. The most evident example of this is the casket plot that takes place in Belmont. Portia, a wealthy heiress in Belmont, is bound to the wishes of her deceased father. There are three caskets, one golden, one silver and one made of lead. One of these three caskets contains Portia’s counterfeit (portrait). Her father’s will is that the man that chooses the casket with her portrait in it, will marry her and all her fortune and estate will then belong to him. This will takes away Portia’s right of voluntary choosing and this quote describes her current circumstances: “By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is a-weary of this great world. I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike, such is the will of a living daughter, curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?”

This casket scenario is rather far-fetched and an odd, if not crude method of marriage, but in 16th century Belmont, this is all perfectly acceptable. A quote from Nerissa, Portia’s lady-in-waiting, supports this idea of Belmontian acceptance: “… The lottery [your father] hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will, no doubt, never be chosen by any rightly by one you shall rightly love”. Nerissa (also from Belmont), is suggesting that Portia’s fathers’ method of choosing the caskets is the best/right way of choosing who is fitting to marry Portia, guaranteeing that the fortunate suitor will be the ‘right’ one. This is an idea that would only be accepted and practiced in Belmont, but is actually unrealistic.

Belmont is also important in the text because of the second account of unrealism it portrays; within the characters. Shakespeare uses Portia to portray the unrealistic traits of Belmont. Portia is native to Belmont and therefore has the traits of a typical, headstrong Belmontian, including an unrealistic acceptance. This makes her belief system (to an extent) somewhat different to the other characters. She is very courageous and independent, able to think for herself and take on anything. This is evident when she finds that Antonio will die through Bassanio’s fault and takes action herself, which is abnormal in common society. She disguises herself as a man to go to court as a lawyer in Venice. She has the mindset to do this because of the dreamy, unrestrained atmosphere of Belmont, as if the people there are not bound by the same law that others are. A quote from a conversation with Nerissa on the topic advances on Portia’s mindset: “… I’ll hold thee any wager, when we are both accoutered like young men, I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two, and wear my dagger with the braver grace, and speak between the change of man and boy with a reed voice, and turn mincing steps into a manly stride, and speak of frays and tell quaint lies.” Basically what Portia is saying is that she thinks she will be a better man than most of the men themselves, which is a very unrealistic expectation.

In the ring plot, both Portia and Nerissa show unrealistic and unfair qualities, qualities that fit with the carnival atmosphere that Belmont sets. After the court scene, Portia (still in disguise) manipulates and eventually persuades Bassanio to give her his wedding ring and for Gratiano to give his to Nerissa. This quote from Portia states what she had in mind once they were back in Belmont: “Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old swearing. That they did give the rings away to men, but we’ll outface them, and outswear them too…” Once their husbands had arrived back in Belmont, Portia and Nerissa having already beaten them home and now out of disguise, interrogate them about the whereabouts of their rings and begin to accuse them of false deeds. The men try to explain but the two women will not listen, this quote from Portia gives insight to the accusations and hostility in their voices “If you had known the virtue of the ring, or half her worthiness that gave the ring, or your own honour to contain the ring, you would not have parted with the ring. Nerissa teaches me to believe: I’ll die for’t but some woman had the ring!” After causing grief on their husbands’ part, Portia and Nerissa reveal and explain that it was them at court in Venice and more importantly, they reveal the rings. This whole charade on Portia and Nerissa’s part was completely pointless and unnecessary. It demonstrates the very unrealistic attitude that Belmont sets and influences on its people.

The third reason why Belmont is important to the text is because of the contrast it provides, giving the audience a deep insight into the formality and serious traits of Venice. Belmont, the land of the fairies and magic contrasts the bustling, commercial city of Venice. Throughout the play, the differences of the two cities are evident; in what takes place there, the characters, etc. For example, the bond plot and the court case scenes, both serious matters of the play, take place in Venice, whereas the casket plot and the majority of the ring plot, both unrealistic matters of the play, take place in Belmont. This shows a contrast in seriousness and playfulness. The following passage (quoted by Portia) from the Venetian law is an example of the seriousness within the city: “It is enacted in the laws of Venice: if it be proved against an alien that by direct of indirect attempts he seek the life of any citizen, the party `gainst the which he doth contrive, shall seize one half of his goods. The other half comes to the privy coffer of the state, and the offenders’ life lies in the mercy of the Duke [of Venice] only, `gainst all other voice”. One particular part of this passage that adds to the effect of serious Venetian living is the phrase “proven against an alien”. Now in 16th century, Jews were outcasts, but Venice was one of the few rich cities that tolerated them. And if the passage was referring to a Jew as being the alien, the passage also supports Venice’s serious predicament because of the imperative need for control over the Jews. The passage also raises question to, considering the antics that take place there, whether Belmont would respond to law and Jewish communities with the same seriousness and detail that Venice responds with.

Another interesting point to take into account when regarding the importance of Belmont’s contrasting role, is the fact that Portia was the one who fought for Antonio’s life in court, stating the words “… in this strict court of Venice…” As Portia is native to Belmont, when she refers to the court of Venice as being strict, it is a possibility that she is making a comparison between Belmont and Venice. This statement implies that the societal structure is not as harsh or defined as that of Venice. Portia’s performance within the courtroom actually gives the audience insight into the depth of Venetian structure. Belmont, represented by Portia, plays the important part in this scene, because it shows the contrasting differences of Venice to itself, allowing the audience to recognise the contrast and gain insight into Venice, through the representation and personification of Belmont.

In the play The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, Belmont; the land of dreams, is an important setting. It is important because the city, along with its carnival-like atmosphere, portrays unrealism on two accounts; within society and within the characters and, through contrasting Venice, Belmont plays the imperative role of providing the audience with detailed insight into the bigger picture of the varying 16th century lifestyles.

By Giuliana Sewell

Teacher’s Comment: Crikey! This is a bit of an epic…you obviously put in a huge effort. A few things to consider throughout but a stunning piece of writing overall!

Grade: Excellence

Question: Describe an important place or period (time) in the text. Explain why it was important.

One setting in __The Merchant of Venice__ By William Shakespeare, is Belmont. I think that this was a very important setting in this play because it is evident in the text that nearly all of the good and happy things happen in Belmont.

Belmont is a fairy-tale world of music and love. It's a city which houses rich, happy and sophisticated society of beautiful people. The young people there play tricks on eachother - wittiness and humour is part of their daily life style in Belmont. Portia, a beautiful, rich, young woman who lives in Belmont, plays a trick on her own husband, Bassanio, by taking away the ring she gave him when they got married. She pretends to be offended by his lack of love, faith and honour towards her by saying: "If you had known the virtues of the ring, or half the worthiness that gave the ring, you would not have parted with the ring." (V,1) But after the truth is revealed, all that were present at the scene were amused and they all enjoyed the light-hearted trick. This shows that people are a lot happier in Belmont.

People who live in Belmont are kind and helpful. Without hesitation, Portia gives double the sum he needs when she learns Antonio has to risk his own pound of flesh. She says: "You shall have gold to pay the petty debt 20 times over." (III,2) She alson postpones her honeymoon and urges Bassanio to return at once to save Antonio's life. These kind attitudes are practiced in Belmont because it's a calm and quiet place which houses happy and sincere people.

The final act opens in Belmont. Music sounds and we know all is well with the world again. The act ends happily with lovers united. There is no place for Shylock in Belmont. He is a man who hates music and festivals. "The man that hath no music in himself, is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; the motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Erebus: let no such man be trusted." (V,1) Even Antonio, who is a Venetian, seems rather silent and not at ease in the magical world of Belmont.

At times, Belmont seems like a fairy-tale come true: a poor young nobleman comes to the city of Belmont, in hope of marrying a beautiful woman. He has to choose between three caskets set by Portia's dead father. Also, in the traditional fairy-tale, those who foolishly identify themselves with wealth or riches, are taught a bitter lesson. So at the end, those who deserve happiness, find it. That's what makes it an important place in this play.

Teachers comment: Some very good points here that are supported with well chosen quotations. Further development needed for a higher grade.

Grade: Merit.

Topic: Describe an important event in the text. Explain how this event helped you understand an important idea (or ideas) in the text.

In Shakespeare’s play __The Merchant of Venice__, an important event is the choosing of the caskets. This event, set in Belmont, helps the audience understand the key ideas of greed, love and appearance versus reality.

The choosing of the caskets introduces the idea of greed. In Act 2, Scene 7, The Prince of Morocco chooses the gold casket, associating Portia with this casket because of her wealth and good looks. He says that it would be stupid to “... hazard for lead? A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross”, and that silver is undervalued - “Never so rich a gem was set in worse than gold.” The idea of greed within the play us developed by the event of casket choosing as all of Portia’s suitors are primarily attracted to her because of her wealth. This remains valuable in today’s society as it lets us reflect on our own values regarding wealth and happiness.

The key idea of love is established through the event of the choosing of the caskets. The characters that demonstrate this theme are Portia and Bassanio. Bassanio is the third suitor to try and marry Portia; and in Act 3, Scene 2, he chooses the lead casket: “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.” Bassanio’s choice of this casket shows that he loves Portia beyond her wealth and is willing to risk everything for her love and hand in marriage. The idea of love is represented by the result of this event; Bassanio’s choice of the lead casket over the more expensive caskets led him to have his desired hand in marriage and a life full of love. Through this result, the audience can relate The Merchant of Venice to their lives today as it portrays that money does not equal happiness, rather love does.

The choosing of the caskets also develops in the minds of the audience an idea that is in the heart of the play’s storyline; appearance versus reality. The saying of a wise man, “Never judge a book by its cover” is echoed through the character of Bassanio when he states “the outward shows be least themselves.” All is not what it seems in life, and by possessing the wisdom to look deeper than appearance - and choose the lead casket instead of the gold - Bassanio reaps the benefits of his decision. He is rewarded with what he believes to be the most valuable reward ever, a place in his Portia’s heart, and her hand in marriage. The idea of appearance versus reality is very reluctant in today’s society where materialism is often considered a necessary outcome.

The choosing of the caskets is an event vital to the storyline because it gives the audience an insight into a classic 16th century Shakespearian life. Shakespeare wrote for his contemporaries, yet he wrote on controversial topics that are still around today. Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice presents the ideas of greed, love and appearance versus reality in a way that allows people of all ages to question not only their views of these ideas, but also the views society holds.

Grade: E

Teacher's Comment: You have made some excellent points throughout this essay. To cement this mark, ensure you explore all your ideas in depth.