Merchant of Venice Essay Universal Elements - 853 Words

The Universal Elements of Merchant of Venicenbsp;nbsp; nbsp; Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice contains many themes and elements that are considered timeless or universal. Samuel Taylor Coleridge defines a timeless or universal element as a â€Å"representation of men in all ages and all times.†nbsp; A universal element is relevant to the life of every human being – it is universal. The first major theme that plays an important role in the play is the Christians’ prejudice against the Jews. A second important theme is the attitude toward money.nbsp; Perhaps the most important theme of the play is the love between people. This love can occur between the same sex, or the opposite sex, platonic or romantic.nbsp; In Merchant of Venice,†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond†,nbsp; (Act IV, Sc. I, L. 211). This quote of Shylock shows how much he wants his revenge, the penalty being Antonio’s flesh. nbsp; Money is not condemned in the play, for Antonio and Portia are wealthy characters with virtues that are praised. Instead, peoples attitude about money is what matters. Many families today are very wealthy but they aren’t condemned because they don’t gloat about it. Shylock is condemned because he loves money for moneys sake and tries to grab more money from people by charging exorbitant interest rates on his loans. Shylock sees that Bassanio really needs this money so he uses it as a chance for revenge. He made his interest be paid not with money, but with a pound of flesh. â€Å"Let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me†, (Act I, Sc. III, L. 150-153). He is so obsessed by his wealth that he is as sad over losing it as he is over losing his daughter. In contrast, Antonio and Portia are generous with their money. Antonio lends to the poor without charging any interest and is al ways willing to financially aid a friend in need. In a like manner, Portia freely offers money to save the life of Antonio, when she has not even met the gentleman. The Christians in theShow MoreRelatedSymbolism in English Literature2444 Words   |  10 Pagesfigures present in Chaucer’s â€Å"The Miller’s Tale† By Josà © Luis Guerrero Cervantes According to Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, an archetype is a symbolic formula that begins to work wherever there are no conscious ideas present. They are innate universal psychic dispositions that form the substrate from which the basic themes of human life emerge[1]. The archetype is experienced in projections, powerful affect images, symbols, moods, and behavior patterns such as rituals, ceremonials and love. Read MoreThe Ottoman Empire ( 1299 ) Essay6958 Words   |  28 Pagescivilization. Accordingly, members of different Christian and Jewish denominations were invited to set up their religious centers as millets (literally nation, defined by religious affiliations) under the auspices of the sultan. This became a fundamental element in the Ottoman system of administration in which each millet took charge of the religious and educational needs, as well as the personal laws, of its members. Mehmed II also codified for the first time the criminal and civil laws of the Empire intoRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words   |  209 PagesItalian version of the Key of Solomon (British Library, Sloane manuscript 1307). Misled by some comments by Mathers and others, Dr. Butler incorrectly concluded that the Picatrix was â€Å"an Italian edition of the Clavicle, strongly impregnated with black elements† (Ritual Magic, 1949, p. 135.) Recent editions include: Arabic Pseudo-Magriti, Das Ziel des Weisen, Herausgegeben von Hellmut Ritter, B.G. Teubner / Liepzig / Berlin 1933. Studien der Bibliothek Warburg Herausgegeben von Fritz Saxl. XII. Picatrix