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Title: The Merchant of Venice (Cambridge School Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare, Robert Smith, Rex Gibson, Jonathan Morris ISBN: 0-521-42504-2 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 1993 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.87 (30 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Ouch!
Comment: This play can be read as anti-semitic. In fact, it's pretty hard to defend it from such charges. Shylock is a pretty rotten character and the fact that he is jewish is difficult to overlook (particularly since the other characters mention it on pretty much EVERY page). However, I think it is important to mention that the "heroes" of this play do not necessarily have to be interpreted as heroes. They are by no means perfect and there are many subtle (and some not-so-subtle) instances within the text in which their biases against ANYONE unlike them is illustrated. If one reads the play this way, then Shylock becomes more of a tragic figure rather than an absolutely heartless villain. I don't know. My feelings about this are mixed. There are a few funny parts of this play and the language is, as always, beautiful. The theme of putting a price on human beings is one which has been explored numerous times since. Overall, it is enjoyable, but perhaps not so much so as some of the other comedies. Do not read this play without having read a few others by Shakespeare first. It is an excellent play, but not his best and not his most enjoyable either.
Rating: 5
Summary: Warm, Witty, Morality Play
Comment: This is a wonderful play - and unless you have seen it or read it you don't know it at all. That's because everything the popular culture tells us about this play is false (for example; how many of you think this play is about a merchant named Shylock? ;-)
The Merchant of Venice is a lively and happy morality tale. Good triumphs over bad - charity over greed - love over hate.
There is fine comedy. Portia is one of Shakespeare's greatest women (and he ennobled women more than any playwright in history). There are moments of empathy and pain with all the major characters. There is great humanity and earthiness in this play. These things are what elevate Shakespeare over any other playwright in English history.
Plays should be seen - not read. I recommend you see this play (if you can find a theater with the courage and skill to do it). But if it is not playing in your area this season - buy the book and read it.
Rating: 4
Summary: Katherine's book review ( MOV anti semitic? NO WAY!)
Comment: How can people say that The Merchant of Venice is an anti semitic book???? Have the people that said this ever actually read the book? How can people call this anti semitic when it contains one of the greatest anti- racist speeches of all time?
'To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else,
it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and
hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,
mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my
bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine
enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath
not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as
a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison
us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not
revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian,
what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian
wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by
Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you
teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I
will better the instruction.'
Think about it. That speech is a masterpiece. One of Shakespeare's best plays.
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Title: The TEMPEST by William Shakespeare, Barbara A. Mowat, Paul Werstine ISBN: 0671722905 Publisher: Washington Square Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 1994 List Price(USD): $3.99 |
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Title: RICHARD III by William Shakespeare, Barbara A. Mowat, Paul Werstine ISBN: 0671722840 Publisher: Washington Square Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 1996 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: The Merchant of Venice (Cliffs Notes) by Waldo F. McNeir ISBN: 0822000520 Publisher: Cliffs Notes Pub. Date: 01 February, 1961 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare ISBN: 0671722573 Publisher: Washington Square Press Pub. Date: 01 September, 1996 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: RICHARD II by William Shakespeare, Paul Werstine, Barbara Mowat, Paul Werstein ISBN: 0671722832 Publisher: Washington Square Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 1996 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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