Protagonist Debate

For my response project Destiny and I debated against Zoey and Dua’a about who was the protagonist in The Merchant of Venice, Antonio or Shylock. Our position was that Antonio is the protagonist and Shylock is the antagonist. I am very glad that I chose this topic because I found it very interesting and wanted delve deeper into it. The only problem Destiny and I had was after we wrote our rough draft we realized that we were arguing the wrong topic. Once we straightened that out it was smooth sailing from there. I had never done a debate with the format we used, so that was a new and very fun experience. I am very glad with the results of our paper and the debate. This is definitely a project I recommend and would do again.

Shylocks Hate For Antonio

Was Shylock justified in wanting to kill Antonio?

Shylock has been through a lot in his life and has many reasons to dislike Christians. He was constantly ridiculed by Christians for being a Jew and charging interest on his loans. His only daughter and closest loved one ran off to marry a Christian and friend of Antonio. He is not even shown kindness when he loans money to Antonio who has beaten him and treated him with disrespect. This warrants him to feel a certain amount of disdain for Antonio because of his actions towards him. However, killing Antonio is still a harsh punishment for what he has done to Shylock. It would have been understandable if Shylock had wanted Antonio to go through what he did, and eventually change his ways.

Woman's World

At the end of the play, social order should be restored. One facet of this in the 16th century is men having dominance over women. Is this true in this play? Who has the upper-hand, and why? Provide textual evidence.

Shakespeare plays usually take place in two different places the normal world and the magical world. The normal world is ruled by men and women are subject to their husbands. Whereas in the magical world women are usually in charge. In the play The Merchant of Venice the normal world is in Venice. In Venice, the men ruled and controlled what happened in the story. Once the story shifted to Belmont, Portia and Nerissa started playing a more important role in the plot. When the trial took place in Belmont if it was not for Portia’s and Nerissa’s quick thinking Antonio would have died at the hands of Shylock. Even after Antonio’s trial the women still hold the power in the play. You can see this by the way they trick their husbands once back at the palace in Belmont (Act 5.1). The reason the power stays with the women at the end of the play is because they are still in the magical world where the women rule.

Conflict

According to the 5-act play structure, the climax or turning point of the play should have happened in the third act. Did it happen? If so, what was it and what central conflict was addressed? If not, discuss the central conflict that has not yet been resolved.

The central conflict is between Shylock and Antonio. This is over the loan Shylock gave to Antonio in act 1. It followed the 5-act play structure through act 2 when Antonio’s ships started to sink one-by-one causing the rising action. The ordeal came a head when Antonio’s entire argosy sunk at sea, forcing him to default on the loan. When Shylock found out about this he had Antonio locked up and awaiting trial. This left the readers on a cliffhanger waiting for the resolution of the conflict. I feel that this is the climax of the story because it had built up and it happens right after the rising action.

Conflict With Suitors

Discuss the major conflict that is introduced in Act 1.

The deal between Shylock and Antonio will most definitely be a big plot point. However, it has not yet become a point of conflict, although it does set up a plot for it. Antonio, himself, states that there is no conflict with whether or not His ships will come in (Act 1.3, lines 79-80). The main conflict that is introduced in act is the one between Portia and her suitors. Although most of her suitors have decided go back to their homes and stop courting Portia, because of the risk to try to marry her. She is still uncertain as to whom will marry her. This will most certainly be a point of conflict throughout the play.

Hospitality's Consequences

Hospitality plays a big role in the Odyssey. It helps Odysseus and Telemachus in their journey numerous times. However, hospitality, and the rules that come with it, has not always been pleasing to everyone, specifically the suitors. The rules of hospitality are very important and must be followed by all mortals, or else they are subject to suffer the wrath of Zeus. When Polyphemus the cyclops was not hospitable to his guest he was blinded and payed a consequence for it (book 9, lines 265-271). The suitor paid the greatest price for their disregard to the rules of hospitality. They would dishonor their host’s house by eating them out of house and home. This did not please Zeus who is the the god of stranger. Eventually the sun set on their party and they felt the consequences for their actions.

Goats and Pigs

1. Explain the differences between the swineherd and the goatherd. What do you think will happen to them?

Eumaeus is Odysseus’ trusted swineherd who takes him when he appears as a beggar. By doing this he shows great hospitality. He does not approve of the suitors and their deeds. Whereas Melanthius, the goatherd, treats Odysseus bad by jeering him like the suitors do. He also has not show hospitality by treating the supposed stranger poorly. It has been shown throughout the book that those who do not show hospitality have bad things happen to them. Therefore, it can be assumed that the swineherd will be spared the wrath of Odysseus and the gods, and will also be held in high esteem. On the other hand, the goatherd will most likely be killed when Odysseus and Telemachus take their revenge on the suitors, will the help of Pallas Athena and stranger loving Zeus.