The Merchant of Venice

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...

FlameDruid 12.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of The Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare

'Merchant' shows Will power

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...

rappinhood 05.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of The Merchant Of Venice (DVD)

A Merchants Tale

Advantages: Lovely surroundings and great food
Disadvantages: The location of the toilets

...I think that you could eat out for a year in Lancaster and be able to find somewhere new to eat everyday. One place that you must not miss out on if visiting the city is the wonderful little pub that has recently changed it's name from The Merchants to Merchants 1668. Built in 1688 ( hence the name!!) the building was originally used as a wine cellar for Lancaster Castle and is part of the same building as the tourist information office. This tiny little pub is in Market Street just a stone throw away from the railway station in the road to the Castle and Priory. Set in Castle Hill opposite the main post office in Lancaster it is lovely little pub full of character and old world charm. Recently taken over by new management the Merchant offers an incredible menu of locally produced food - and fits into the Gastropub bracket...

oldchem 07.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of The Merchants, Lancaster

The Merchant Adventurers' Hall, York

Advantages: Lots of history
Disadvantages: Admission charges

...I have been to York many times but prior to my most recent visit I had never been to The Merchant Adventurers Hall. I had seen the signs for it but I was never too sure what it was and since its tucked away out of sight from the main thoroughfares it's a place I always forget to check out. A friend recently told me that this is a 14th century timber framed building that is the largest building of its type and age in Britain so I figured that this time around I ought to check it out. Built as a medieval guildhall in 1368 this is probably the oldest surviving building in York, although in an historical city like York there are several other places that also stake this claim. It is not to be confused with the nearby Merchant Taylor's Hall, which was a mistake that I initially made. The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is tucked away down...

micksheff 09.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Merchant Adventurers' Hall, York

Themes from "The Merchant of Venice"

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Disadvantages: /

...This is the first review I have written on Ciao so I hope you find it helpful and informative, I appreciate and welcome all feedback! Thank-you for giving up your time to read and comment on my review! Lynne. ---------------------Themes from the Merchant of Venice----------------- Symbolic Represent and Motifs Self Interest vs Love Throughout Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" there are a lot of themes reoccuring that can represent other parts of the play. Many of these themes throughout Shakespeare's work are linked with the use of symbols and motifs. Shakespeare has incorporated these skills into the play which can make it more challenging to understand, although it can define a certain point which is hard to understand on its own. In the play...

xxxlynnexxx 02.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Essays

A Song Fit For Bassanio

Advantages: The score reflects Portia's radiance
Disadvantages: For the more classically inclined only

...The shame it is that not many people seem to be familiar with the lesser-known Shakespearian work 'The Merchant of Venice' is only surpassed by the fact that even fewer will have seen this version, and more importantly, heard the soundtrack. I'll admit I'm a sucker for a good medieval-themed soundtrack but they only catch my attention and keep it when they have something a little more special about them, and I believe that this one is a prime example of such a score. It captures the Shakespearian mystery and romance of the film and to the best of my recollection reflects the radiance and beauty of the shooting and the characters, without becoming the sole focus or detracting away from the acting. The plucking of strings is extremely apt for the Venitian setting and the operatically inclined vocals are qieutly mournful, echoing...

huntressofthenight 14.12.2008 (17.12.2008) · Read review
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Review of Merchant Of Venice, The - Various Artists

Bard But Excellent!

Advantages: Excellent acting and beautifully shot
Disadvantages: Can't speak Shakespearese?

...Shakespearean commentators have sometimes argued that ?The Merchant of Venice? is really ?The Tragedy of Shylock?. In Michael Radford?s new film a powerhouse performance from Al Pacino comes very close to vindicating this view, eventually only given the lie by Shylock?s vindictive bloodthirstiness in insisting on his ?bond? ? a pound of flesh from the defaulter?s guarantor which he wishes to cut (conveniently) from the heart. But that is the denouement, why make this film in the first place? Well, as any student of the theatre knows Shakespeare is there to be interpreted. His plays say different things at different times to different people. This version of ?The Merchant of Venice? is not saying anything new or speaking to our times in particular. It is just a convenient excuse to make the best film yet of this play and that, to me...

JoePoirot 11.01.2005 · Read review
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Review of Merchant of Venice, The (2004)

Humorous, captivating and brilliant

Advantages: Extremely well written, funny.
Disadvantages: Anti-semetic elements

...The Merchant of Venice is probably Shakespeares most controversial play, this is principally because of the usurious money-lender Shylock. Shylock, a Jew, is depicted as bloodthirsty, unmerciful and murderous. Many therefore regard this play as anti-semitic. This view has been countered by a sympathetic reading of the play, which regards Shylock as simply of product of his environment, who is clearly treated with disdain in the early part of the play by many of his Chrisitan friends. Whichever side of the argument you fall on, one fact is almost undeniable and that is the brilliance of Shakespeares wit and wondrous creativity. The Merchant of Venice revolves around the story of Bassanio, suitor to Portia, a lady of Belmont. Bassanio wishes to make a vist to her, however first he must find a merchant fleet in order to do so. Because...

hijameswilhelm 19.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of The Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare

Venice the city of Sighs!

Advantages: Absolutely breath taking views around every corner.
Disadvantages: Very expensive packed during the day with day trippers.

...Venice. I was under strict instructions to make sure I was off duty for my birthday but unfortunately I was unable to arrange to have the time off until the following week for what was supposed to be a special birthday surprise. Unfortunately due to a couple of circumstances beyond our control I actually found out that my birthday treat was to be a trip to Venice. I couldn?t believe it as I have always wanted to go there but never imagined it would happen this way. I would have probably gone into heart failure had I found out about it at the airport so it was probably for the best I found out about it anyway. Unable to cancel the trip we decided to go ahead with the visit and boy was I surprised and excited. The night before the trip to Venice we had gone to London to see a show and to have dinner and due to an oversight...

garymarsh86 24.09.2009 (26.10.2009) · Read review
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Review of Venice (Italy)

Venus in Venice.

Advantages: Lively, interesting and different.
Disadvantages: A bit expensive

...There is so much written about Venice so I thought I would write about the practical things which I thought about or affected me rather than an in depth history of any place or building I visited. If you are interested in visiting Venice I am sure you will have your favourite attractions. The guide books say there are about 400 bridges; they are not as tiring on the legs as you might imagine. There was a lack of children walking and in pushchairs and I had to resist the urge to help the workmen dragging, single handed, large boxes and allsorts on barrows up and down the stairs; that is part of their everyday life. In England it would be hard to imagine how people go about their daily life without cars, in Venice everything is moved by boat, the postal services, parcels, logs for building in fact all kinds of building materials...

teacherofhooch 18.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Venice (Italy)