Merchant of Venice: Act II

Act Two of Merchant of Venice reveal many new developments in the plot. The one that most intrigued me was the casket test involving Morrocan prince. In 2.7, we get the strong sense of the desire that many feel for Portia. It is known in Act one that she has several suitors and that she is wealthy as well as beautiful but the Morrocan prince’s analogy of her in his decision making revealed just how much she is coveted throughout many cities. In 2.7.38-40, he states, “All the world desires her. From the four corners of the earth they come to kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint.” This scene also demonstrates the vast significance that people placed on wealth and riches, which is important when thinking about Merchant of Venice. The prince’s entire reasoning for choosing the golden casket is because it is the most lavish and surely a creature such as Portia would deserve nothing less. He says, “Is’t like that lead contains her? “Twere damnation to think so base a thought. It were too gross to rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Or shall I think in sliver she’s immured, being ten times undervalued to tried gold?” 2.7.49-53. This is not the first time we see value placed in gold, or wealth. It is an underlying theme all throughout the entire play. We then discover that the gold casket is in fact the incorrect casket. Portia’s father encloses a clever inscription starting with, “All that glisters is not gold;” 2.7.65 and telling the suitor, “Had you been as wise as bold, young in limbs, in judgment old, your answer had not been enscrolled.” In lines 2.7.70-3. We see here that Portia’s father has left quite the riddle for her suitors and intends to choose someone for his daughter who places more significance on wisdom than material objects.  The other obvious devlopment is the relationship between Shylock and his daughter. Ironically the very man who is a proud Jew and is at conflict with Christians has a daughter who condemns him and herself for their Jewish heritage, wishing to marry and convert to Christianity. Jessica’s character brings up several issues. It is not revealed exactly why she has contempt for her own religion and father, but the fact that Shakespeare put a daughter against her own father is odd in itself. It could be a sign of rebellion that is common amongst young women but it appears that like Antonio and Bassanio, Jessica feels that Jews themselves have shameful qualities, which she mentions. She acknowledges that it is wrongful to be against her father, “What heinous sin is it in me to be ashamed to be my father’s child!” but then assures that, “But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners.” 2.3.15-8. Jessica’s character and her relationship with her father introduce the theme of blood and/or family in the play. So far we have seen emphasis on material things but their relationship forces the audience to tackle the question of the blood shared amongst people and how family factors into the issue of religion and identification.

Merchant of Venice: Act 1

When first reading The Merchant of Venice, it is somewhat difficult to believe that this is in fact, considered a comedy. In the first act, even the first line, we encounter a character who claims to be sad, yet for an unknown reason. Antonio states, “I know not why I am so sad”. (1.1.1) His friends assure him that this feeling must be caused by anxiety of his ships being at sea. Salerio says to him, “Your mind is tossing on the ocean.”(1.1.8) while Solanio agrees, saying that, “Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth the better part of my affections would be with my hopes abroad.”(1.1.14-17) There are several things, such as bad weather and pirates that can affect a merchant’s merchandise. Antonio assures them that all of his fortunes are not dependent on this one venture and he also tells them that he is not in love. He insists that his sadness has no cause, “I hold the world but as the world, a stage where every man must play a part and man a sad one.”(1.1.77-79) So in the first act of this “comedy”, we are introduced to a character that has a sad disposition for essentially no reason. This seems to be an odd way to start off a comedy. That is not to say that there are not any comedic elements in this act. The banter between Antonio’s friends in particular is humorous, especially Graziano. After Graziano’s long speech to Antonio about having a more positive nature and often men that are considered wise because of their quiet and sullen disposition are usually instead foolish, Lorenzo replies playfully, “I must be one of these same dumb wise men, for Graziano never lets me speak.”, to which Graziano quickly responds with, “Well, keep me company but two years more thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue.”(1.1.106-109). We also see irony, which is a common device used in Shakespearean comedies. The very suitor, Bassanio who begs Antonio for financial help in wooing Portia is the only man that she finds appealing and acceptable amongst her long list of possible suitors. There are some similarities and differences when compared to Much Ado About Nothing. The bond between Antonio and Bassanio is very reminiscent between that Don Pedro and Claudio. Such as Don Pedro vows to help his friend Claudio in his quest for love, Antonio does the same for Bassanio. “I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it, and if it stand as you yourself still do, within the eye of honour, be assured my purse, my person, my extremest means lie all unlocked to your occasions.”(1.1.135-139) We also see a similarity of deceit between Don John and Shylock. What is different amongst the plays is this introduction of race/religion being an issue. Shylock’s character introduces the conflict between Jews and Christianity that was not present in Much Ado. As far as my reaction to the first act of the play, I do admire Antonio’s loyalty and willingness to help Bassanio in the present situation. I think that it definitely takes a true, good friend to loan money even when Bassanio has admitted to wasting his own money by trying to portray an higher lifestyle than he could afford. However, I think it was slightly foolish for Antonio to borrow money just to lend it out. Financially, that makes no sense. Also, I am aware of Shylock’s character portrayal as a villain, but I could not help but sympathize with him. I thought he made very valid arguments when talking to Antonio. They did have some nerve spitting on him and calling him a dog, yet shamelessly asking for loans. Shylock clearly has ulterior motives, as foreshadowed by Bassanio at the end of Act 1, “I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.”(1.3.175) but I can not necessarily blame him for wanting retribution.  

Henry IV Act 4-5

I am well aware of Falstaff’s character so needless to say I was not surprised when he did not choose to fight but instead hide. However after Act 5, scene 4 in particular, I feel that Falstaff in some sense truly feels that it is more dignified to hide from any chance of defeat rather than face it. There is one line in particular, lines 117-118 in which he says, “The better part of valour is discretion, in the which better part.” For him to then stab Hotspur, a man who he would never combat, while is he already dead is a true sign of not only cowardice but deception. Falstaff has proved several times in this play that he is capable of deception but I felt that this was the ultimate sign of deceit. Its almost as if he has convinced himself that he has played some part in killing Hotspur. Falstaff is an obvious contrast to Harry and Hotspur, both who are men willing to die for their family’s honor. The relationship between Harry and his father has also come full circle in Act 5, when Harry saves his father from death. I thought it was symbolic and ironic that it took this sort of action for Harry to gain Henry’s respect, when Henry himself is accused of murder to gain his position. It took this sort of action to show his father his true character when his father himself once possessed the exact opposite nature. 

Henry IV: Act II, Scene V

In Act 2.5.395-439, Falstaff and Harry were clearly in role play with Falstaff taking the role of Harry and Harry resuming the role of his father, the King. This scene is interesting for a number of reasons but most of all, it reveals not only what Harry views of his own father but also his own conscious or subconscious views of Falstaff himself. I think because of this, this particular part of this scene holds some importance. I would have both characters center stage and I would follow Shakespeare’s own instructions as well. Harry would be sitting, as if on a throne such as King is naturally though of. His demeanor and body language would indicate that of royalty, so he would sit up straight with his head held high but he would also look down at Falstaff, in a judgmental and condescending stance as well. Falstaff, on the other hand would be standing in a modest, almost pleading stance to show his humility as the King’s shameful son. Prince Harry would deliver this speech of Falstaff character in a menacing and cold approach, so that it would demonstrate the absolute disgust that Harry feels his father has towards men such as them. Falstaff, on the other hand would answer back in a forced, almost sarcastic and patronizing tone that reminds the audience that although his is role-playing as Harry, his character is still very much indeed Falstaff. There would be minimal props, just the chair that Harry sits upon. The setting would be minimal as well, to emphasize this particular segment. 

King Henry IV: Act I

In Act 1, Scene 1 of Henry IV, my first impression of King Henry is that he is active and outspoken. The play begins with a drawn out speech about how his army will no longer endure tragedies faced recently and how he is looking towards a different sort of goal. “No more the thirsty entrance of this soil shall daub her lips with her own children’s blood. No more shall trenching war channel her fields nor bruise her flow’rets with the armed hoofs of hostile paces.”(1.1.6-9). He seems fed up with the current state of his army. He also appears very disappointed and stern with his son and even goes as far wishing he had a son more like Hotspur. “Whilst I by looking on the praise of him see riot and dishonor stain the brow of my young Harry.”(1.1.83-85).

“So when this loose behavior I throw off and pay the debt I never promised, by how much better than my word I am, by so much shall I falsify men’s hopes; and like bright metal on a sullen ground, my reformation, glitte’ring o’er my fault, shall show more goodly and attract more eyes than that which hath no foil to set it off.”(1.2.186-193).

It appears that Prince Harry chooses to behave so lowly and carelessly so that he will look much better in comparison when he reforms and becomes a real hero and honorable son. Though I understand his plan, I feel that it is unnecessary and even foolish. It would probably work but why would a grown man sacrifice his integrity to play tricks on his father and people around him? It makes me feel that Prince Harry is insecure and unsure of his capabilities as an heir from the beginning. Its clever but it is also deceitful and cowardly in my honest opinion.

“Shall it for shame be spoken in these days, or fill up chronicles in time to come, that men of your nobility and power did gage them both in an unjust behalf, as both of you, God pardon it, have done: To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose, and plant this thorn, this canker, Bolingbroke?”(1.3.68-74)

Hotspur seems to be particularly angry at not only King Henry’s decisions but also his means of obtaining his position in the first place. His rant somewhat implies that he would have much preferred Richard II as King, comparing him to rose while denouncing King Henry and comparing him to a canker. This sort of disapproval of usurping the throne through murder shows Hotspur to be noble and honest in my opinion.

Sonnets 116 & 29

Sonnet 16

Let me not know any marriage of two in love with any objections. Love is not love if it changes when prompted to do so. Or changes when one decides to remove themselves. Oh no, it is a permanent thing that does not waver and is never shaken; it is the light that guides every ship, whose worth cannot be measured. Love cannot be measured by time, although time may fade physical looks such as rosy lips or cheeks. Love cannot be measured by hours or weeks, but lasts until the end of time. If I can be proven wrong by this, I have never written, nor has any man ever loved.

Sonnet 29

When my fortune has been disgraced and everyone has left me in my horrible state, I cry to God in heaven with no response, and look at myself cursing my own fate, wishing that I could be someone who possess more hope, better luck, such as man with many friends, someone who possess talent and skills and unconcerned with the things I’m interested in the most. Yet in these thoughts of despair, thoughts I most despise, I think of you and then my state begins to disappear from something depressing into something as heavenly as hymns sang to God. When I remember your sweet love, I feel so wealthy that I wouldn’t trade places with the richest kings.

Sonnet 116 is a poem that delves directly into the concept of love and its many descriptions and its final two lines gives this final statement of certainty concerning the nature of love described previously. Sonnet 29 on the other hand, sets up this juxtaposition between the speaker dissatisfaction and feelings of self-loathing towards himself and its feelings of love towards his lover. He spends majority of the poem stating that he is so unlucky that he even wishes to be someone else, but once he begins to reflect on his lover, he feels wealthier and happier than kings. Love is not even mentioned until the last two lines of the sonnet. I think that Sonnet 29 in particular connect with Elizabethian sonnets because of its use of exaggeration and also their way of speaking against themselves in order to woo its lover. Sonnet 116 uses great examples of exaggeration as well, but it does not seem to be directed at one particular person. I liked the shift near the end of Sonnet 29 because its contrast really reflected just how much he loved this person. No matter how disgraced or inadequate the speaker felt about himself, it compared nothing to the love he felt for his lover.

Much Ado About Nothing: Act V Sonnets

When considering Benedick as a sonneteer, it is somewhat difficult to imagine what approach and style he would portray in his sonnet to Beatrice. In Pinksy’s article, he gives several examples of written sonnets, all with different meanings yet most of them shared one common purpose; to woo and court their lover. The problem that occurs with Benedick and the sonnet that he would produce is the fact that he never originally intended to court Beatrice. As you may recall, at the beginning of the play Benedict had quite a negative disposition concerning the idea of courtship, love and especially marriage. He also possessed a particular sense of disdain for Beatrice. Many, if not most sonnets involve the sonneteer commenting on several qualities possessed by their lovers, whether it is their astounding beauty or indescribable charm. Pinksy explains this use of exaggeration in sonnets to appeal to these lovers by complimenting and praising them. The issue that arrives from this in Benedict’s case is that he did not initially feel attraction (at least knowingly) towards Beatrice, therefore any sonnet featuring these exaggerated compliments of beauty and personality would appear forged and would even mock Beatrice. If she indeed contained such beauty to be praised of, there would have been nothing to prevent his attraction to her in first place. Therefore, I feel that Benedict would and could not write a traditional sonnet, professing his undying admiration and pain at her resistance. Instead, he must write something more truthful. As we see in the play, Beatrice is witty and also clever and would recognize a false attempt at his courtship. There is one sonnet in particular that I feel resonates with their situation and could imagine Benedick writing something along these lines. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 145 is a great example of their situation. In this sonnet, the sonneteer is torn by his lover who has unrequited feelings towards him. “Those lips that love’s own hand did make breathed forth the sound that said, “I hate” to me that languished for her sake” This poem somewhat exemplifies initial feelings of displeasure but by the end of the poem, such as the play, these feelings change. The last line states that, “She took hatred away from “I hate”, saving my life with “Not you”. Beatrice and Benedict ends up married, despite their initial feelings towards each other. Beatrice would perhaps have a slightly different approach. We know from the play that Beatrice felt strongly that she would never be married. I would envision her sonnet to be somewhat of a dedication to her unexpected discovery of love and marriage. Although Benedick had similar feelings towards marriage, he never entirely spoke against companionship, even if they are fleeting. Beatrice, on the other hand not only spoke against marriage but also ran off all of her suitors. Her sonnet would perhaps exaggerate her previous notions towards finding love and how she surprisingly encounters it in the person she least expected.