Shakespeare has contradicted the perceived roles of women in the 17th century society through his portrayal of Portia and Jessica. Portia has been clearly evident as an instrumental character to the play's development as a result of her greatness, high self-esteem, abilities, intelligence and manipulative power. Jessica however, has been portrayed in light of a reactive, submissive character that possessed low self-esteem and remained reactive through the play.
In "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespeare used Portia and Jessica as his stereotypical characters through which he successfully conveyed greatness and challenged the perception of 17th century society. Shakespeare, by doing so, has "accomplished them with what they lacked." Quotation serves to emphasise Shakespeare's drama since the word 'accomplished' implies that it is Shakespeare who created the two characters to appear as men's equals and that otherwise this equality would not be attainable within the society of the contemporary time.
At the beginning of the play, Portia appears to have no real identity despite all her greatness and worth whereas Jessica, being a Jew appeared as a character with low self-esteem and emerges as having no commitment to her father's house. Shakespeare furthers this notion by enabling us to recognise Portia's wealth and status as he allows her to appear as very intelligent and bilingual. Portia speaks three languages, that of; French; Latin and Italian clearly emphasising her intelligence as well as ability. Shakespeare by allowing Portia to use rhetoric of law in Act 1 Scene 2 further prevail Portia's greatness. Portia's mention of 'devise laws' and 'decrees' convey her awareness of legal language and equally the legal sphere of life. However, it seems that at the beginning Shakespeare has given Portia potential but it remained impotent as she did not have the opportunity to use it. We therefore assume further that Shakespeare portrayed Portia's character to comprise of superficial nature; it emerges that Portia is controlled by her father and does thereby hold no control over her life. Her words to Nerissa; "I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curb'd by the will of a dead father", clearly evoke her obedience but even more importantly demonstrate her lack of control over her own life. Shakespeare's use of the word 'curb'd' imply means of restraints that in this context could provide the notion that Portia is restrained to her own will and thereby completely 'bound by her father's will'.
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With regards to Jessica's character, Shakespeare endeavoured to generate a slightly different sympathy. Jessica is known to be Shylock's daughter, her character is assumed to be that of low self-esteem and without potential greatness., thus, Jessica is regarded as inferior to other Christians due to her Jewish origins and religion. This is partly manifest through Shakespeare's language and partly through plot's development. Jews in this play are regarded as dehumanised beings as becomes apparent from Antonio's speech that called Shylock a 'dog'. Jessica, being biologically bound to her father, is also regarded as inferior to Christians, maybe providing the reason why she eloped with a Christian man in the end. None the less, her low self-esteem is drawn by her acceptance to be Lorenzo's "torch-bearer." Shakespeare provided a negative imagery by Lorenzo's speech. "Torch-bearer" insinuates the image of a slave and an owned individual which we assume Jessica becomes after her marriage ceremony. As opposed to Portia's respectful and obedient manner Jessica is conveyed as a rebellious and disobedient character. Due to the fact that Jessica eloped from her father, quoting that "Alack, what heinous sin is it in me to be ashamed to be my father's child but though I am a daughter to his blood I am not to his manners", it provokes a direct contrast to Portia's great, intelligent and respectful character. Even though the quotation provides us with a subtle hint that maybe Jessica is aware of what is moral and right she still willingly escapes with Lorenzo leaving her father impotent and consequently showing disrespect and emotionless. This could also serve as a paradigm of Jessica's selfish and cold character that parallels with that of her father's.
Further contrast is drawn through the ways in which they marry. Both Portia's and Jessica's further identities are constructed by the man they marry. Shakespeare, although allowing Portia's character to almost be won, generated a more positive response from the audience as opposed to that from Jessica's marriage. Even though Portia's character was subjected to the luck of suitor's choosing the right casket, her distinguishable, great and superior character still remained apparent whereas Jessica's marriage conveyed her low self-esteem and selfishness as she has, most simply, sold herself to Lorenzo. Shakespeare, thorough the process of marriage has encouraged us to discover Portia's manipulative ability whereas with Jessica we begin to understand further her inferior character that eloped with a Christian and consequently 'raised the price of pork'.
Portia's character has been portrayed manipulative in Act 3 Scene 2. Her almost first words uttered to Bassanio were 'forbear a while'. Shakespeare through Portia's quote manifests that Portia thinks positively of Bassanio and thereby endeavours to prolong the process enabling him to choose the right casket and so not "hazard, for choosing wrong." Portia's prolonged speeches and sentences as well as her use of caesura further prevails her affection towards Bassanio. It could be stated that Shakespeare's use of caesura with Portia's character generates humour as Portia's speeches become very slow and short, almost sounding immature. Her further announcement that 'I would detain you here some month of two' emphasise her desperate state. What becomes increasingly interesting and clever of Portia's character is Shakespeare's use of music. Song played clearly contained words that rhymed with led as for example 'head' and 'bred' and could insinuate Portia's intelligence and perhaps pragmatism as well as her manipulative power. Portia was also willing to use the style of free verse as opposed to her frequent use of iambic pentameter or otherwise elevated language. A clear example is found in Act 3 Scene 2 where she attempts to convince Bassanio that her intelligence is not as great as it seems and that in the case of true emotions, it should not be regarded as a restraint to their marriage.
Jessica on the other hand, has converted herself from a Jew into a Christian through her marriage to Lorenzo. Jessica's discontent with her house and her father was clearly evident in Act2 Scene3. Jessica exclaims that her 'house is hell' and looks upon Lorenzo to save her enabling her to become a Christina and thereby enhance herself and her living conditions. Unlike Portia, Jessica disempowered her father by stealing all his worth and distorting his hopes by escaping with a Christian. Shakespeare has conveyed Jessica as a much more submissive character which becomes evident greatly through her marriage scene. The fact that Jessica appears with 'page's suit she hath in readiness' emphasise that she is disguised as a servant. This also implies that she will not be given the opportunity to exert significant amount of influence within the public sphere and that rather she will represent a slave that only entered the public scene in addition to someone else's necessities. Shakespeare also draws dramatic irony by introducing Shylock to warn Jessica not to 'thrust you head into the public street to gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces'. Shakespeare's use of 'varnish'd faces' represent clown like, painted face image which is the very thing Jessica becomes later on in the play as she enters the public to go to the 'masque', a ball party.
Jessica's casket of jewellery serves as a physical metaphor of Jessica's state. It represents her low self-esteem and her controlled character. Shakespeare conveys further Jessica's inferiority by allowing Lorenzo to address her by 'gentle Jessica'. Shakespeare's use of 'gentle' clearly emphasise a pun on Gentile. This reinforces the fact that Jessica is a Jew and not a Christian, emphasising further her 'pagan' character. Through the word 'pagan' Shakespeare also demonstrates Jessica's character to represent a devil instead of a pure human being and a Christian. As Shakespeare enabled Jessica's marriage to occur under 'secrecy' he also provided a subtle hint that women work 'secretly'.
This notion of women operating in secrecy is furthered through Portia and Nerissa's disguise as males in order to enter the public scene. Unlike Jessica's entrance, Shakespeare enabled Portia's character to dominate the public and develop a strong identity through the courtroom scene of Act4. Shakespeare's repetition of 'court awards it and the law doth give it' demonstrate Portia's control over Shylock and the plot development. Portia's reinforcement of 'just a pound' and her orders for the 'scales to turn' develop suspense within the courtroom scene and equally emphasise her merciless character. Shakespeare draws our attention to Portia's masculine integrity through her ability to govern the drama and dominate the scene. Shakespeare allows Portia's character to demonstrate further intelligence by introducing her to state that 'Clerk draw a deed of gift'. Portia's words explicitly highlight her awareness of the way in which the law operates and thereby challenges the perception of women in 17th century society. Her manipulative character is yet again demonstrated and apparent in the courtroom scene. Portia persuades Bassanio to give her his marriage ring while stating that he does not know 'how well she has deserv'd that ring'. Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony here aids to convince Bassanio to give the ring in respect of her success. In the light of apparent evidence it becomes clear that Portia, through her rhetoric resolved the plot and that if she did not mention to Shylock that 'if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are (by the laws of Venice) confiscate unto the state of Venice', Shylock would have proceeded with attaining his bond. Portia's character, through the same quotation, has drawn our attention to the fact that Shylock is not merciful and thereby established a direct contrast between the Jews and the Christians.
As a conclusion, it can be stated that Shakespeare has contradicted the perceived roles of women in the 17th century society through his portrayal of Portia and Jessica. Portia has been clearly evident as an instrumental character to the play's development as a result of her greatness, high self-esteem, abilities, intelligence and manipulative power. Jessica however, has been portrayed in light of a reactive, submissive character that possessed low self-esteem and remained reactive through the play. In "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespeare has drawn contrasts between Portia and Jessica that could maybe serve to emphasise the differences between Jewish and Christian religion. In my opinion Shakespeare has been influenced by the anti-Semitist views of the contemporary time and thereby illustrated the Jews to be merciless, selfish, villainous and emotionless whereas he conveyed the Christians as supreme and priceless. Shakespeare's use of paradoxical imagery at the beginning of the play with regards to Portia's character has proven to be a revealing introduction. Portia emerges as the rarest of combinations; a free spirit who abides rigidly by rules and she perhaps deserves our admiration in some respect, but like all great archetypes, she has her foibles and faults.
Portrayal of Portia and Jessica in the Merchant of Venice
on Thursday, August 19, 2010A short description of how Shylock's insistence on justice, in the form of a pound of flesh from Antonio, comes back to hurt him in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice."
In the Merchant of Venice Shylock seeks justice to punish Antonio for not repaying the loan. Shylock refuses to accept anything other then the pound of flesh. Shylock says that the contract Antonio signed stipulated for a pound of flesh so that is what Antonio must give up. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, agrees that they mus t follow the contract because it is law. Next Portia suggests a surgeon to be called to watch over the harvesting of Antonio's flesh to ensure safety. "I cannot find it. Tis not in the bond." (Shakespeare 4 1 274). The disguised Portia then tells Shylock he may only cut exactly one pound of flesh, because that is all that the contract stipulates. Shylock realizes the situation he just got himself into and offers to take money. Shylock is told that he must follow the bond. Portia then tells Shylcok he is also guilty of conspiring to take the life of a Venitian citizen, this means Shylock must pay half his money to Antonio and half to the State. Antonio unlike Shylock shows mercy and allows Shylock to keep his money as long as it is willed to Lorenzo. The Duke also allows Shylock to live, but he must abide to Antonio's words and become a Christian. This part of the play is a good example of how no one can evade justice, and how everyone will receive justice.
In the Merchant of Venice Shylock seeks justice to punish Antonio for not repaying the loan. Shylock refuses to accept anything other then the pound of flesh. Shylock says that the contract Antonio signed stipulated for a pound of flesh so that is what Antonio must give up. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, agrees that they mus t follow the contract because it is law. Next Portia suggests a surgeon to be called to watch over the harvesting of Antonio's flesh to ensure safety. "I cannot find it.Tis not in the bond." (Shakespeare 4 1 274). The disguised Portia then tells Shylock he may only cut exactly one pound of flesh, because that is all that the contract stipulates. Shylock realizes the situation he just got himself into and offers to take money. Shylock is told that he must follow the bond. Portia then tells Shylcok he is also guilty of conspiring to take the life of a Venitian citizen, this means Shylock must pay half his money to Antonio and half to the State. Antonio unlike Shylock shows mercy and allows Shylock to keep his money as long as it is willed to Lorenzo. The Duke also allows Shylock to live, but he must abide to Antonio's words and become a Christian. This part of the play is a good example of how no one can evade justice, and how everyone will receive justice. Dear all, today I will be sharing with you an analysis on the poem "We Slept with our boots on".
Although there is not much information provided about the speaker, it is very clear that he is a soldier and he is fighting like all other men, not one of those behind lines simply giving orders. He does not know where he is fighting or who he is fighting but fights solely for his survival. I feel that the poet's description of the speaker is one that is unprejudiced. He does not make the speaker seem like a patriotic character, and neither does he make the speaker seem like one who is uninvolved in the action. The speaker is made to fight aimlessly, and he is so numbed to war that there is no longer any emotional response to the killing.
There is a slight change in tone when the speaker describes the mountains in the area, making it seem a little calmer; however it only makes the fighting worse, as it now takes place in even the calmest of areas.
There is some religion involved in this poem, and the speaker makes references to heaven and God. The area he was fighting in was compared to God, where the fighting was compared to hell.
He knows he will die sooner or later and has prepared what he wants to say when he reaches heaven. He remembers all his friends lost and killed in the action.
The form of this poem is that the first line the poet writes always rhymes with the second line. This gives the poem a very monotonous feel, like a chant, and this is in line with the nature of the poem, where the speaker is almost like a zombie.
This poem is very vivid in terms of sound. There is the sound of constant artillery, weaponry, the sounds of metal hitting the ground and the splattering of mud. All these add to the realism of the poem and how it absorbs the reader as though the reader is in the battle itself.
The tone in this poem is very straightforward. The speaker delivers the poem in the same way as his attitude is to the fighting, unfeeling and indifferent.
Perspective towards Casino Gambling in Singapore
on Sunday, March 7, 2010Today, I will be blogging on my views in the recently controversial topic of casino gambling in Singapore.
The decision by the Singapore government to set up two integrated resorts with casinos has stirred up some healthy debate among its citizens. Within this ‘lion’ city, voices were heard from ordinary Singaporeans on the negative and positive impacts of such a decision. Many people have, however, failed to realize that many Singaporeans have prior experience in gambling in one form or another. Singaporeans are much more mature and educated toward gambling than what outsiders may think.
Recent survey by Singapore’s Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) has found that 58% of Singaporeans aged 18 years and above engaged in some form of gambling activities in the past year. Only about 2.1% of these people are probable pathological gamblers and 2% are probable problem gamblers.
Many Singaporeans love to visit Genting Highlands in Malaysia. It is an entertainment get-away from the hectic lives in the busy city. Every day, people can be found waiting outside the Golden Mile Shopping Centre for coaches that will ferry them to Genting. A number of agencies provided the services with buses leaving from 7am or 10pm every day and arrive 6-7 hours later in Genting for good fun. Many adults travel to the highland resort to gamble at its casino and, at the same time, enjoy a fun time with their families amidst the cooler weather up the mountain.
Thousands would go on Star Cruises each year, longing for its delicious and free-flow food, entertainment facilities, and/or trying out their luck on the limited number of slots and gaming tables.
Many more would make time (even during office lunch hours) queuing to buy 4-D or Toto lottery tickets. 4-D are drawn on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Toto is offered on Mon and Thurs with prize earning as high as half a million U.S. dollars.
Singapore Sweep is also offered by Singapore Pools, which manages all lottery and football betting (Score and Strike!) games in Singapore. In the Singapore Turf Club, which is more than 150 years old, horse race betting is legalized. Local horse racing occurs in selected Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while Malaysia racing is conducted only over the weekend. Both the Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club are owned by Singapore Totalisator Board, a statutory board under the government’s Ministry of Finance.
At the Pasir Ris NTUC chalet, SAFRA clubs and other private clubs, old slot machines can be found to provide some gaming entertainment to the public. While 4-D is the most popular form of gambling in Singapore, many gamble privately and socially with friends and families. The most popular form of private games is mahjong. If you live in a public flat by Housing Development Board, you can often hear the sound of mahjong tiles made by your neighbors playing their favorite mahjong game.
Gambling also occur in traditional Chinese clan associations among friends and also among extended families with the same family name. These are normally patronized by elderly Singaporeans.
Singapore society is a predominantly Chinese, yet multi-cultural and living in harmony with other races. Chinese’s perceptions of problem gambling are not one of human sickness but one of human weakness. A problem gambler is socially undesirable and a bad moral example. He or she is someone who asked for it. It is not a sickness. The person has control but chooses to lose it.
Chinese Singaporeans share many cultural similarities with Chinese in Northeast Asia including Macau. Many Singaporeans watch Hong Kong television drama series and Hong Kong-made movies. Singapore media often broadcast Chinese television programs obtained from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and Korea. Chinese Singaporeans’ core characteristics bear many similarities to Chinese in Northeast Asia. These similarities include beliefs in certain Chinese superstitions, rituals, and feng shui.
Gambling is not new to the average Singaporean. Singaporeans have shown their willingness and capacity to gamble as well as to take risks. Hence, it comes with no surprise that the Singapore government, its citizens and some private associations are so wary of the social impacts of having casinos in the country. This is an educated society where its population has, in the past, demonstrated its willingness to take uncertain risks to gain monetary rewards. Having said that, it also means that Singapore has prior experience of managing gambling activities and dealing with social problem that gambling brings.
Companies currently going through and eventually selected through the bidding process should understand the various perspectives that the Singapore government and public are coming from if they want to maintain a sustainable business in the garden city. Thus, I believe the government's decision to set up a casino appropriate as this is not the first time Singaporeans are exposed to gambling.
Survey report by Ministry Of Community Development, Youth and Sports (2005) can be found at http://www.ncpg.org.sg/research.html.
Censorship of pornographic materials
on Thursday, March 4, 2010Right, today I will be blogging on my views on whether pornographic materials ought to be censored.
There are many sides in the argument for and against censorship on the Internet. From companies in the online adult entertainment industry who are concerned those efforts to restrict the access of children to sexually explicit material on the Internet will impinge on legitimate business opportunities, to the opposing view of companies developing filtering technologies and other methods to censor children from illicit content and opportunities for them to capitalize on a growing market.
In the interest of free speech, these technology companies and other pro-censorship supporters must not only recognise the rights of the adult entertainment industry, they must also ensure not to infringe on the rights of adults to view pornographic content at legitimately. The Adult Entertainment Industry must also recognises that it has an ethical and social responsibility to uphold to the community at large.
A major impact of the immense amount of pornographic content online is the social implications of children being exposed to graphic sexual content online at an early age. This is a major focus and basis of the argument for censorship. As according to Jerome et al. (2004) exposure has many negative social ramifications in later life such as the degradation of partners and the disassociation of sex with intimacy. Many anti-porn advocates believe regulation is the key to protecting our children.
This being said, censoring pornography have both advantages and disadvantages. However, it is my personal opinion that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Thus, I think that the censorship of pornographic materials is appropriate.
