Merchant of Venice

[ficwize]

I just saw the Merchant of Venice for the first time. (Yes, I am also shocked by the lack of education here.) I have a mix of reactions. All I knew of the play before was the "Has not a Jew..." speech which seems to be quite progressive for Shakespeare's time. Then I saw it in context and I... don't know anymore. Was it a mockery? Was it intended to be sympathetic? Or was Shylock supposed to be a simple villian, which he does not come across as.

Also, is it my slash glasses, or were Antonio and Bassanio supposed to read like a romantic couple?

Finally, I cried in the court scene. I also got heart palpitations and freaked out a bit when I though it might go badly...

I will be adding this to my Yuletide list this year.

Comments

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

were Antonio and Bassanio supposed to read like a romantic couple?

My professor back in college certainly thought so. He went on for a while about how homoerotic relationships were kind of an open and accepted secret in Venice of the time period. Though I have no idea if he was talking out of his hat or not, not being an Italian history buff....

[ficwize.livejournal.com]

He went on for a while about how homoerotic relationships were kind of an open and accepted secret in Venice of the time period.

Really? That is fascinating. I may have to read more about this...