The Merchant Of Venice 2004 Shylock speech) HD

Summary

The monologue from Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' is delivered with passion, as Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, contemplates revenge against Antonio for his mistreatment and the mockery of his people. Shylock questions the humanity of Jews, emphasizing their similarities with Christians and justifying his desire for retribution. The speech ends with a determination to seek counsel from Antonio, hinting at a plot to come.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The speaker is deeply offended and seeking revenge for perceived slights and humiliations.
• 🐟 The speaker uses a metaphor of 'bait fish with' to express disdain for the person who has wronged them.
• 💸 There is a strong emphasis on the financial impact of the wrongs done to the speaker, with mention of losses and gains.
• 😡 The speaker feels scorned and mocked by others due to the actions of the person they are speaking about.
• 🤝 The speaker believes their relationships have been negatively affected, with friends cooled and enemies heated by the situation.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the reason for their mistreatment, suggesting that it is solely based on their identity as a Jew.
• 🤝 The speaker asserts that they share the same human qualities and experiences as a Christian, challenging the basis for discrimination.
• 🗡 The speaker invokes the idea of 'an eye for an eye', indicating a desire for retribution in kind for the wrongs done to them.
• 🏠 The speaker suggests that they will seek out Antonio, presumably to discuss or confront the situation.
• 📝 The speaker ends with a determination to act on the lessons of villainy they have been taught, implying a plan for revenge.

Q & A

What is the speaker's primary motivation for seeking revenge?

The speaker's primary motivation for seeking revenge is the humiliation and hindrance caused by another character, who has scorned the speaker's nation, mocked their gains, and laughed at their losses.

How does the speaker justify their desire for revenge in relation to their own suffering?

The speaker justifies their desire for revenge by arguing that they have been wronged and humiliated, and that their suffering is no different from that of a Christian, implying that they should be treated with the same respect and consideration.

What does the speaker imply about the nature of the person who has wronged them?

The speaker implies that the person who has wronged them is a villain, teaching the speaker the lesson of villainy, which they intend to execute in return.

What is the significance of the speaker's comparison between Jews and Christians in the script?

The comparison between Jews and Christians is significant as it highlights the speaker's belief in the fundamental humanity and shared experiences of both groups, challenging the prejudice and discrimination they face.

How does the speaker address the issue of being treated differently because of their Jewish identity?

The speaker addresses the issue by pointing out the similarities between Jews and Christians, emphasizing that they share the same physical and emotional experiences and should therefore be treated with the same respect.

What rhetorical device does the speaker use to emphasize the shared humanity between Jews and Christians?

The speaker uses a series of rhetorical questions ('If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh?') to emphasize the shared humanity between Jews and Christians.

What is the speaker's final decision regarding the person who has wronged them?

The speaker's final decision is to seek revenge against the person who has wronged them, vowing to execute the villainy they have been taught.

Who is Antonio, and what is the speaker's intention regarding him?

Antonio appears to be a character who is somehow involved in the situation. The speaker's intention is to speak with Antonio, possibly to discuss the matter of the revenge or to involve him in their plans.

What does the speaker mean by 'the instruction Antonio'?

The phrase 'the instruction Antonio' likely refers to the advice or guidance that Antonio has provided, which the speaker intends to follow in their plan for revenge.

How does the speaker's speech reflect the theme of prejudice and discrimination?

The speaker's speech reflects the theme of prejudice and discrimination through their discussion of being treated differently because of their Jewish identity and their challenge to the stereotypes and prejudices associated with it.

What is the tone of the speaker's monologue, and how does it contribute to the overall message of the script?

The tone of the speaker's monologue is one of anger, frustration, and determination, which contributes to the overall message of the script by emphasizing the depth of the speaker's feelings and the seriousness of their intent to seek revenge.