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

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

Oh yes Antonio and Bassanio *nods*. Even my high school teacher (a nun) allowed that they may have had "an unusual" relationship :)

I'm never sure about Shylock. Of course Shakespeare was writing for his (then) audience, and Jews were often portrayed as morally ambiguous. I've always thought the speech was his way of softening that. But, I think, like in all literature, people can interpret his speech anyway they wish and do so :D

[ficwize.livejournal.com]

Even my high school teacher (a nun) allowed that they may have had "an unusual" relationship :)

That is awesome. *LOL*

I've always thought the speech was his way of softening that.

I know. Given that was *all* I knew of the play on the way into the film, I was very surprised at how antisemitic it was.