The Merchant Of Venice 2004 Shylock speech) HD

ROMEje1408

21 May 201302:05

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🔪 Revenge and Discrimination

The speaker expresses a deep desire for revenge against someone who has wronged them, citing personal humiliation and financial losses. They reflect on the universal human experience, questioning why they should be treated differently because of their Jewish heritage. The speaker argues for equality, stating that Jews and Christians share the same physical and emotional experiences. They conclude by emphasizing the need for retribution, likening it to a natural response to injury or insult, and suggest that they will seek it out, mentioning Antonio by name, implying he may be involved or affected by their plans.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Forfeit

Forfeit refers to the loss of something as a penalty for a wrongdoing or failure to meet an obligation. In the context of the video, it suggests a character is unwilling to accept defeat or the consequences of their actions. The script mentions 'if he forfeit,' indicating a refusal to give in or surrender.

💡Revenge

Revenge is the act of retaliating against someone in response to a perceived wrong, often with the intent to cause harm or suffering to the wrongdoer. The script repeatedly emphasizes the desire for revenge, highlighting it as a central theme. Phrases like 'feed my revenge' and 'I will better the instruction' underscore the character's determination to retaliate.

💡Disgraced

To disgrace someone means to cause them to lose honor or respect. In the script, the character feels disgraced by another's actions, which fuels their desire for revenge. The line 'he has disgraced me' illustrates the character's sense of humiliation and the personal nature of the conflict.

💡Mocked

Mocking is the act of ridiculing or making fun of someone or something in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner. The script mentions being 'laughed at' and 'mocked,' indicating that the character has been publicly humiliated, which adds to the motivation for revenge.

💡Nation

In this context, nation refers to a large group of people who share a common culture, history, or language. The character mentions being scorned for their nation, suggesting a conflict that extends beyond personal insult to a broader identity or community.

💡Thwarted

To thwart means to prevent someone from achieving their goal or purpose. The script uses 'thwarted my bargains' to convey the idea that the character's plans or agreements have been deliberately obstructed by another, adding to the sense of injustice and the need for retribution.

💡Humility

Humility refers to the quality of being modest and not overly proud or self-assertive. In the script, 'his humility' is mentioned in the context of a Christian wronging a Jew, suggesting a contrast between expected humility and the actual behavior that has caused offense.

💡Ressemble

To resemble means to be similar or alike in appearance, character, or other qualities. The script uses 'we will resemble you in that' to argue for equality and the right to respond in kind to a wrong, emphasizing the character's belief in an eye for an eye.

💡Villain

A villain is a character in a story who is typically the antagonist, the one who causes harm or conflict. The script refers to 'the villainy you teach me,' indicating that the character is being influenced or provoked by another's negative actions, and is prepared to act in kind.

💡Antonio

Antonio appears to be a character in the video, possibly the one who has wronged the speaker and is the target of the revenge. The mention of 'Antonio is at his house' suggests a specific individual who is central to the narrative and the conflict.

💡Christian

Christian in this context refers to a follower of Christianity, a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The script contrasts the speaker, who is a Jew, with Christians, highlighting differences and similarities in their shared humanity and the potential for conflict based on religious or cultural identity.

💡Jew

Jew refers to a person who practices Judaism or is of Jewish cultural background. The script emphasizes the speaker's identity as a Jew, using it to argue for equal treatment and response to wrongs done to them, as seen in lines like 'if a Jew wrong a Christian' and 'if you prick us do we not bleed.'

Highlights

The speaker expresses a strong desire for revenge, indicating a personal vendetta.

A comparison is made between the speaker's flesh and its use for bait, symbolizing a willingness to sacrifice for revenge.

The speaker feels deeply wronged and humiliated, suggesting a personal conflict with a character named Antonio.

The speaker's losses and gains are mocked, highlighting a sense of public ridicule.

The speaker's nation is scorned, indicating a broader conflict or prejudice.

Bargains are thwarted and friends cooled, suggesting a disruption of personal and business relationships.

Enemies are heated, implying that the speaker's situation has led to increased animosity.

The speaker questions the reason for the mistreatment, pointing to a perceived injustice.

A plea for understanding is made, as the speaker asserts their humanity and similarity to Christians.

The speaker challenges the notion of humility in the face of wrongs done to them.

A call to action is made to better the instruction given by Antonio.

The speaker's determination to execute revenge is clear, showing a resolve to act.

The mention of Antonio's house suggests a plan to confront or discuss the situation with him.

The speaker reflects on the universal human experiences, questioning why their suffering should be any different.

A rhetorical question is posed about the similarities between Jews and Christians when wronged.

The speaker contemplates the concept of revenge in the context of religious and social differences.

The transcript ends with a determination to meet with Antonio, indicating a forthcoming confrontation or discussion.