Written between the 1596 and 1598, The Merchant of Venice is both an early Shakespearean ... more
comedy and one of the Bard's problem plays; a work in which good triumphs over evil, yet the dramatic tension often remains unresolved and the world is not as put ...
In the CliffsComplete guides the novel's "complete" text and a glossary appear ... more
side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature. "CliffsComplete The Merchant of Venice" offers insight and information into a work that's rich both dramatically and thematically. Every generation since Shakespeare's time has been able to identify with some thematic aspect of the play. Discover what happens to a young merchant who cannot repay a debt to a vindictive money lender; meet the menacing Shylock one of the most vivid and memorable characters in Shakespeare's works -- and save valuable studying time -- all at once. Enhance your reading of "The Merchant of Venice" with these additional features: A summary and insightful commentary for each act Bibliography and historical background on the author William Shakespeare A look at Early Modern English intellect religion politics and society Coverage of Shakespeare's source and the play's performance history A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Review questions a quiz discussion guide and activity ideas A Resource Center full of books articles films and Web sites Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides
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York Notes Advanced offer a fresh and accessible approach to English Literature. This ... more
market-leading series has been completely updated to meet the needs of today's A-level and undergraduate students. Written by established literature experts York Notes Advanced intorduce students to more sophisticated analysis a range of critical perspectives and wider contexts.
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Take Note for Exam Success! York Notes offer an exciting approach to English literature. ... more
This market leading series fully reflects student needs. They are packed with summaries commentaries exam advice margin and textual features to offer a wider context to the text and encourage a critical analysis. York Notes The Ultimate Literature Guides.
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Starring Oscar winners Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, with BAFTA nominee Joseph Fiennes, ... more
comes this enthralling tale of greed, corruption, love and betrayal.Set in beautiful 16th century Venice, one of Shakespeare's finest plays is brought magically to life in this 'sumptuous production' which is guaranteed to capture your imagination from beginning to end.
The Merchant of Venice is one of the ten most popular titles from the best-selling ... more
Cambridge School Shakespeare series now available in a new edition. The new edition includes new and revised activities throughout new black and white photos from the widest selection of stage and film interpretations of the plays and a larger glossary providing extra support with the language of Shakespeare. In addition expanded sections on characters language and performance history offer the best support for the KS3 SATs and GCSE coursework. The new edition also includes exciting new features to bring the play to life such as a visually stunning eight-page section packed with full-colour production photographs and a striking new cover design. The new edition remains faithful to the Cambridge School Shakespeare active approach which treats the play as theatre and the text as a script to be acted explored and enjoyed.
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Michael Radford's adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant Of Venice'. 16th ... more
Century Venice: Young nobleman Bassanio (Fiennes) has asked his friend Antonio (Irons) to lend him money in order that he might sail to Belmont and try for the hand of the fair Portia (Collins). However Antonio's money is all tied up in his business with his ships all away at various ports. There is nothing they can do but seek out the Jewish moneylender Shylock (Pacino). Shylock is resentful towards Antonio and has a particular dislike for Christians. However what Antonio is proposing is a business transaction nothing more. Shylock is persuaded but not before he enacts a condition of his own: If Antonio defaults on the loan then Shylock will take a pound of his flesh as payment. It is a harsh bargain but Antonio is certain he will have no trouble paying him the money and so agrees...
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Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Great story; fine acting from main characters Disadvantages: Modern viewers may find Anti-Semitism disturbing
***This opinion reveals major details about the film's plot, but they can be avoided.***
The time
Mid to late 16th century. There is tension between the Jews and the Christians. The Jews can lend money and demand interest; the Christians cannot.
The place
Venice, place of barges, canals and far more water than modern viewers will be used to; also home to a gaggle of bare-breasted prostitutes who appear occasionally
The players
Antonio, the merchant after whom the play and film are named: Jeremy Irons
His protégé, Bassanio: Joseph Fiennes
Bassanio's friend Gratiano: Kris Marshall
Lorenzo, another member of Bassanio's retinue: Charlie Cox
Shylock, a Jewish moneylender: played magnificently by Al Pacino
Portia, Bassanio's love interest: Lynn Collins
Nerissa, Portia's maid: Heather Goldenhersh
Jessica, Shylock's daughter ...
Advantages: Shakespeare's timeless genius. Disadvantages: A difficult read for some.
King Lear claims to be a man 'more sinned against than sinning' and in 'The Merchant of Venice' we meet Shylock the Jewish money lender who fits that description perfectly.
The decadent adventurer, Bassanio, has lost the money his friend, Antonio has lent him and has the cheek to borrow more. Antonio is forced to borrow off Shylock in order to make the loan. The condition Shylock stipulates is a pound of flesh should the loan not be repaid when agreed. It's an odd choice but the Christians are pretty nasty to him so he is very bitter.
Off Bassanio goes in search of a rich wife again and does very well.
He meets Portia who is loaded and all he has to do is pass a guess-the-casket test to win her heart. She fancies him so she cheats the test with a poem in which all the rhymes end in 'ed' and therefore point him to the lead ...
Advantages: great characters, interesting plot, a story that invites your interpretation Disadvantages: none, although one may struggle with language initially
It's customary for students to hate the books forced upon them but, whether it be me, this book or something else entirely, it is simply not so with the Merchant of Venice. I had never read Shakespeare prior to this book, except a quick, heavily simplified teaching of The Tempest at the beginning of secondary school; and yet, even so, I was captured from the first page: "In sooth, I know not why I am so sad". There's so many glorious quotes throughout and following this one that I am having to fully restrain myself not to blurt them out haphazardly.
The pulling feature of this book is, of course, Shylock. He's a character of pure duality and this is perhaps why we, as a modern society, have been able to twist and turn him into a character of sympathy rather than the comic villain that was arguably intended by Shakespeare. We simply ...
An adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant Of Venice'.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
METRODOME DISTRIBUTION; DELUXE VIDEO SERVICE - METRODOME
Release date
20/10/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
MTD 5123
Barcode
5055002551239
Writer
William Shakespeare
Author
William Shakespeare
Languages
Main Language
English
DVD Description
Like many Shakespeare comedies, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE features a complicated web of characters who distract themselves with inventive ways to capture their heart's desire, and their exuberance usually results in some delightful trouble. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE finds Antonio, a merchant, trying to help his friend Bassanio to come up with the money to visit and court Portia, a wealthy heiress. They borrow money from the vengeful Shylock (Henry Goodman), who agrees to lend the money with no interest. The catch is, if the debt is not re-paid, he will have instead a pound of Antonio's flesh. Things go fine with the romance between Bassanio and Portia, but disaster with Antonio's business means he cannot repay the debt. This version of the film promises to be superior, as director Trevor Nunn was a longtime director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
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