1. W.Shakespaere Book Report
“The Merchant of Venice”
By
William Shakespeare(review)
'Racism, love, secrets and loans. This play strikes true to certain parts of the modern world as
well as the time it was written in'
The Merchant of Venice, another one of the books I had to endure while doing my
English Literature GCSE. I was already tired of Shakespeare, after having to do Much Ado
About Nothing for Year 9 Sats. Of course the word "endure" makes it sound like it was a
painful experience. I guess when being forced to read it and make notes on it, instead of
just reading it and being able to interpret it in my mind was somewhat tough and
annoying. Now though, I can look at the book and appreciate it for what it really is.
Racism, love, secrets and loans. The play strikes true to certain parts of the modern
world as well as the time it was set and written. It is compelling that Shakespeare was
able to write about such things in a way that fitted into the comical manner of the era. To
a modern reader, it isn't so much comical but instead a tragedy and something that
shows all the things that are wrong with the world.
Racism is wrong and shouldn't be tolerated at all. However, in the book it shows how
those that face prejudice just let it happen and don't even try to stop or overcome it. At
the start of the book it reads as if Shakespeare is also one of those racists by making
Shylock look like the baddie. He appears somewhat like the modern banker. Willing to
give money to anybody whether its against their policy or not and wanting it back at the
exact time agreed or there are huge consequences. Shylock takes the chance to get the
people that have constantly abused him back, but instead they are able to turn it against
him because of the society they live in. While we acknowledge this is wrong as an
onlooker, we forget to be grateful that our society is just a little better than presented.
How much better it is, is somewhat questionable. There are those rogue bankers not
caring about circumstance or rules because of their lack of compassion. There are still
racists and people that let it carry on without caring. However, society is more balanced
and accepting in general. Luckily.
The reason of the money borrowing pulls on the heartstrings somewhat. The money is
wanted so that a guy can go see a girl to try and sway her heart. Of course, it isn't
because he loves her but because he loves her money. At this point I'm starting to see a
capitalist trend. Putting money before love and the feelings for people and trying to
achieve a higher social status seems to be something done often in the society
presented. Something I still see people doing around me right now, because they care
more about physical objects than any sign of affection. So really, it pulls on the purse
strings and to somebody that has more self-respect than to be a capitalist it makes them
feel rather sick that all this pain, false actions of affection and putting aside the racism
for five minutes just to get what is wanted come from the desire for money and gold.
While it is meant to be all about morals and explaining that trying to get at somebody is
not a good thing to do because everybody ends up with tarnished reputations and
opinions. When looking at it from an economic stance, however, it seems to be
much more just a breeding ground for uncaring capitalists leading to the
somewhat sad modern world.
Alemar Allecer Example of Book Report of William Shakespaere
Project in English III