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

[hungrytiger11.livejournal.com]

I think people have trying to figure out what Shylock was suppose to read as since Shakespeare wrote him.

i thought that Antonio and Bassanio read that way too...and their ladies did too (and were more badass about it too.)

[ficwize.livejournal.com]

I think you're right about Shylock. I just... don't know what I think of the text. I may have to actually read it now...

i thought that Antonio and Bassanio read that way too...and their ladies did too (and were more badass about it too.)

Yeah, I read a review talking about Portia's jealousy over Antonio, and I can totally see that shining through in hindsight. It explains that whole ring fiasco thing at the end, which kind of annoyed me initially.

[hungrytiger11.livejournal.com]

Merchant of Venice (much like Measure for Measure) feels very uneven as a comedy. It is like half of the story is meant to be a serious drama and the other half is strange screwball comedy. Very weird.

[ficwize.livejournal.com]

I am unfamiliar with Measure for Measure. I'll have to look it up. I've read two reviews by other LJ members that talk about how the play is not the same now as it was when it was first produced, because the audience is not the same now as it was when the play was first produced.

It's very interesting.