People will often do whatever it takes to get their hands on money. It can be dangerous, risky, or even illegal, and people will still do it. A person needs money to live the lifestyle that meets their expectations, and to manage life's necessities. In the Shakespeare play, "The Merchant of Venice, two merchants Antonio and Shylock, who hate each other (due to religious conflicts), make a deal involving a lot of money. If their bond failed, Shylock could cut out a pound of Antonio's flesh. When Antonio fails to pay Shylock back, both characters learn important lessons about money and greed. In the end, Shylock ends up not gaining anything from the trial. Money causes people to make selfish decisions, and tends to worsen situations. This play demonstrates how being greedy and never content with what you are offered can actually break and ruin and person. The play, "The Merchant of Venice", portrays that money is the root of all problems and often directs a person towards the pathway of evil.
People that have problems with money lack compassion for others and quite often have a hard time showing emotions towards other people. "I'll have my bond! Don't speak against my bond! I've sworn an oath that I will have my bond!" Shylock decided that he would rather have a piece of Antonio's flesh than to have three times more money than the original bond. This cruel decision was made in an effort to harm Antonio because of their religious differences. But,the original reason why they are in this situation began with the problem of money. "You might as well stand on the seashore and bid the tide not to reach its usual height, or as the wolf why he has made the ewe cry for its lamb. Anything equally hard you might as well attempt to do, as try to soften the hardest thing of all - his Jewish heart." Antonio believes that Shylock is a cold hearted person and the hardest thing that you can possibly think of is probably easier than trying to soften his heart. Shylock has no mercy at all for Antonio, because he wanted to see Antonio suffer. However, if Antonio and Shylock had not made such an outrageous deal in the first place, they wouldn't be having this problem. Money was the start of this conflict, and lead Shylock to become an even crueler person than he was before.
When people have lots of money, they start fulfilling their wants intead of their needs. "Give me my money back and let me go." Once Shylock learns that he can't shed any blood when he cuts of a pound of Antonio's flesh, he decides to take the money instead. However, the judge says that its too late because he already denied the money. Since Shylock was already rich from being a successful merchant, he wanted to watch Antonio suffer, because he didn't necessarily need the money. "Well, then, may the devil give him joy of it! I'll tolerate no more of this." In the end, Shylock ended up with no money, no piece of Antonio's flesh, a signed will that gave all of his possessions to his daughter (who hated and stole from him), and had to convert to Christianity. This shows that money and greed causes people to make evil choices and does no good. People with lots of money are never content with the offers that they are presented with, which leads to problems in the long run.
The majority of this play revolves around a singular theme; money. Money was the main cause of the character's problems, and made them make improper choices and decisions. In the end, Shylock was the most unhappy man because he had to give up things that truly mattered to him. Antonio was the one who broke the bond, yet Shylock was the one who had to pay for it because of his greediness. There is nothing wrong with money itself, but once it starts controlling a person and their decisions is when the real problems begin to happen. Ones desire for money causes them to become selfish and ruthless and does more harm than it does good.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
The Merchant of Venice Rough Draft
People will often do whatever it takes to get their hands on money. It can be dangerous, risky, or even illegal, and people will still do it. A person needs money to live the lifestyle that meets their expectations, and to manage life's necessities. In the play, "The Merchant of Venice"by Shakespeare, two of the characters Antonio and Shylock, who hate each other, make a deal involving a lot of money. If their bond failed, the Shylock could cut out a piece of Antonio's flesh. When Antonio fails to pay Shylock back, both characters learn important lessons about money and greed. This play portrays that money is the root of all problems and often directs a person towards the pathway of evil.
People that have problems with money lack compassion for others and show no emotions towards others. "I'll have my bond! Don't speak against my bond! I've sworn an oath that I will have my bond!" Shylock decided that he would rather have a piece of Antonio's flesh than to have three times more money than the original bond. He doesn't care that Antonio could possibly die, and only cares about himself. "You might as well stand on the seashore and bid the tide not to reach its usual height, or as the wolf why he has made the ewe cry for its lamb. Anything equally hard you might as well attempt to do, as try to soften the hardest thing of all - his Jewish heart." Antonio believes that Shylock is a cold hearted person and the hardest thing that you can possibly think of is probably easier than trying to soften his heart. Shylock has no mercy at all for Antonio, because he wanted to see Antonio suffer. However, if Antonio and Shylock had not made such an outrageous deal in the first place, they wouldn't be having this problem. Money was the start of this problem, and lead Shylock to become an even crueler person than he was before.
When people have lots of money, they start fulfilling their wants intead of their needs. "Give me my money back and let me go." Once Shylock learns that he can't shed any blood when he cuts of a piece of Antonio's flesh, he decides to take the money instead. However, the judge says that its too late because he already denied the money. Since Shylock already has money, he wanted to watch Antonio suffer, because he didn't necessarily need the money. "Well,then, may the devil give him joy of it! I'll tolerate no more of this." In the end, Shylock ended up with no money, no piece of Antonio's flesh, a signed will that gave all of his possessions to his daughter (who hated and stole from him), and had to convert to Christianity. This shows that money and greed causes people to make evil choices and does no good. People with lots of money are never content with the offers they have, which leads to problems in the long run.
The majority of this play revolves around a singular object; money. Money was the main cause of the character's problems, and made them make improper choices and decisions. In the end, Shylock was the most unhappy man because he had to give up things that truly mattered to him. Antonio was the one who broke the bond, yet Shylock was the one who had to pay for it because of his greediness. There is nothing wrong with money itself, but once it starts controlling a person and their decisions is when the real problems begin to happen. Ones desire for money causes them to become selfish and ruthless and does more harm than it does good.
People that have problems with money lack compassion for others and show no emotions towards others. "I'll have my bond! Don't speak against my bond! I've sworn an oath that I will have my bond!" Shylock decided that he would rather have a piece of Antonio's flesh than to have three times more money than the original bond. He doesn't care that Antonio could possibly die, and only cares about himself. "You might as well stand on the seashore and bid the tide not to reach its usual height, or as the wolf why he has made the ewe cry for its lamb. Anything equally hard you might as well attempt to do, as try to soften the hardest thing of all - his Jewish heart." Antonio believes that Shylock is a cold hearted person and the hardest thing that you can possibly think of is probably easier than trying to soften his heart. Shylock has no mercy at all for Antonio, because he wanted to see Antonio suffer. However, if Antonio and Shylock had not made such an outrageous deal in the first place, they wouldn't be having this problem. Money was the start of this problem, and lead Shylock to become an even crueler person than he was before.
When people have lots of money, they start fulfilling their wants intead of their needs. "Give me my money back and let me go." Once Shylock learns that he can't shed any blood when he cuts of a piece of Antonio's flesh, he decides to take the money instead. However, the judge says that its too late because he already denied the money. Since Shylock already has money, he wanted to watch Antonio suffer, because he didn't necessarily need the money. "Well,then, may the devil give him joy of it! I'll tolerate no more of this." In the end, Shylock ended up with no money, no piece of Antonio's flesh, a signed will that gave all of his possessions to his daughter (who hated and stole from him), and had to convert to Christianity. This shows that money and greed causes people to make evil choices and does no good. People with lots of money are never content with the offers they have, which leads to problems in the long run.
The majority of this play revolves around a singular object; money. Money was the main cause of the character's problems, and made them make improper choices and decisions. In the end, Shylock was the most unhappy man because he had to give up things that truly mattered to him. Antonio was the one who broke the bond, yet Shylock was the one who had to pay for it because of his greediness. There is nothing wrong with money itself, but once it starts controlling a person and their decisions is when the real problems begin to happen. Ones desire for money causes them to become selfish and ruthless and does more harm than it does good.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Merchant of Venice Act 1
Scene 1-2
1) The setting of this story is in Venice, in the 16th century. The people are rather noble and appear to be rich.
2) Antonio is a sad person, who is sad for an unknown reason. Since he's a merchant, he might be worried about the investments that he made on the ships that were at sea. If they return safely, then he could be rich, but if they don't then he could be in trouble.
3) Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan, so he could appear rich and live up to Portia's expectations.
4) Portia thinks that Bassanio is a good option to be her husband, because he seems like he has the right characteristics. She only saw him once, but Nerissa thinks that he was the most deserving of a pretty person like Portia.
Scene 3
1) Portia can't control who she marries because the people that she is able to marry is in her father's will. Therefore, she cannot choose a man suitable for her.
2) Shylock is a Jewish merchant who hates Antonio for being Christian and for lending out money free of interest. He is important to the story because he's the one that lends the money to Antonio and Bassanio.
3) The deal between Antonio and Shylock was that if Antonio didn't pay him back his money in time, then he can have "a pound of his flesh" from wherever part of his body that he chooses.
4) Shylock is hesistant of this agreement because they have a bad history with each other. They hate each other for their beliefs, and Antonio treats Shylock as a dog and spat on his beard. He doesn't know if Antonio can be trusted with his money, so he makes an extreme deal with him.
5) I would trust Antonio because if he is willing to make a big deal, like a pound of flesh if he fails to pay him back, then he must be pretty confident. Plus, he also said that he feels like he can get the money in 2 months rather than 3.
Reflection Question:
I think it is smart that Antonio and Shylock are doing buisness together because they aren't friends. If they were friends then they would feel like they have to give the other person more time, if they couldn't pay them back. If you are dealing with a lot of money, then you have to be very strict on the rules and contract if you want to get your money back. Friends try to be nice to each oher, and that's why they would make bad buisness partners.
1) The setting of this story is in Venice, in the 16th century. The people are rather noble and appear to be rich.
2) Antonio is a sad person, who is sad for an unknown reason. Since he's a merchant, he might be worried about the investments that he made on the ships that were at sea. If they return safely, then he could be rich, but if they don't then he could be in trouble.
3) Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan, so he could appear rich and live up to Portia's expectations.
4) Portia thinks that Bassanio is a good option to be her husband, because he seems like he has the right characteristics. She only saw him once, but Nerissa thinks that he was the most deserving of a pretty person like Portia.
Scene 3
1) Portia can't control who she marries because the people that she is able to marry is in her father's will. Therefore, she cannot choose a man suitable for her.
2) Shylock is a Jewish merchant who hates Antonio for being Christian and for lending out money free of interest. He is important to the story because he's the one that lends the money to Antonio and Bassanio.
3) The deal between Antonio and Shylock was that if Antonio didn't pay him back his money in time, then he can have "a pound of his flesh" from wherever part of his body that he chooses.
4) Shylock is hesistant of this agreement because they have a bad history with each other. They hate each other for their beliefs, and Antonio treats Shylock as a dog and spat on his beard. He doesn't know if Antonio can be trusted with his money, so he makes an extreme deal with him.
5) I would trust Antonio because if he is willing to make a big deal, like a pound of flesh if he fails to pay him back, then he must be pretty confident. Plus, he also said that he feels like he can get the money in 2 months rather than 3.
Reflection Question:
I think it is smart that Antonio and Shylock are doing buisness together because they aren't friends. If they were friends then they would feel like they have to give the other person more time, if they couldn't pay them back. If you are dealing with a lot of money, then you have to be very strict on the rules and contract if you want to get your money back. Friends try to be nice to each oher, and that's why they would make bad buisness partners.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Merchant of Venice Anticipation Guide
People should never judge a person just because of the way they look. For example, on the show One Tree Hill, people judged the main character, Brooke Davis to just be dumb, pretty, and boy-crazy. However, in the end, she proved to be very smart, independent, and strong. The only thing that should matter about a person comes from the inside, and what their personality is like.
Justice is always blind. (Agree)
Justice is not based on the color, gender, race, or age of a person. Justice does not see those things, therefore is equal to all people. That's why in the greek statue of Lady Justice, she is blindfolded. It is impartial and not influenced by a person's characteristics when considering the outcome of a situation.
A brotherly love between two friends can be just as strong as an intimate love between a man and a woman. (Agree)Justice is not based on the color, gender, race, or age of a person. Justice does not see those things, therefore is equal to all people. That's why in the greek statue of Lady Justice, she is blindfolded. It is impartial and not influenced by a person's characteristics when considering the outcome of a situation.
A true friend is one who stays by your side no matter what. It can be as strong or maybe even stronger than intimate love between a man and a woman because most relationships don't last for your whole life. On the other hand, two friends can be friends for forever. My best friend and I have been best friends since kindergarten, and that hasn't changed. Our relationships have ended, but we stuck together and stayed friends through everything.
You can break a promise as long as you have a good excuse. (Disagree)
Promises are meant to be kept. If someone knew that they couldn't keep a promise, then they shouldn't have made it in the first place. On the show One Tree Hill, Brooke's father ,who she never saw for years, made her a promise that he would be there on her wedding day. But just like the other times, he broke his promise and wasn't there to walk her down the aisle or dance with her. When a promise is made to someone, they'll hold it to you, and expect you to keep it. Love is blind. (Agree)
Love is blind because it oversees people's imperfections, because the only thing that matters is the love that they feel for the other person. On the show Gossip Girl, Blair loved Chuck for the man that she saw him as, not the man that everyone else saw him as. She saw the best in him, despite how cruel and selfish he was. True love can be so overwhelming that you can't see the real world around you.Stereotypes are often right. (Disagree)
Stereotypes are not accurate, and only apply to certain people. One stereotype I hear a lot is that all asians are smart. One time, I got bad grade on my test, and my friend told me,"You're asian, you're supposed to be smart." However, this isn't true because everyone needs to work hard and study hard if they want to be smart.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is a good motto to live by. (Disagree)
Promises are meant to be kept. If someone knew that they couldn't keep a promise, then they shouldn't have made it in the first place. On the show One Tree Hill, Brooke's father ,who she never saw for years, made her a promise that he would be there on her wedding day. But just like the other times, he broke his promise and wasn't there to walk her down the aisle or dance with her. When a promise is made to someone, they'll hold it to you, and expect you to keep it. Love is blind. (Agree)
Love is blind because it oversees people's imperfections, because the only thing that matters is the love that they feel for the other person. On the show Gossip Girl, Blair loved Chuck for the man that she saw him as, not the man that everyone else saw him as. She saw the best in him, despite how cruel and selfish he was. True love can be so overwhelming that you can't see the real world around you.Stereotypes are often right. (Disagree)
Stereotypes are not accurate, and only apply to certain people. One stereotype I hear a lot is that all asians are smart. One time, I got bad grade on my test, and my friend told me,"You're asian, you're supposed to be smart." However, this isn't true because everyone needs to work hard and study hard if they want to be smart.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is a good motto to live by. (Disagree)
People should always take the high road, and choose to be the better person. If someone pushes you, and you push them back, then both people are going to get in trouble. In the end, it doesn't matter who started it and why. Both people would face consequences. People should just do the right thing, no matter what others have to say about it.
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