Venice has it all: love and hate + Comedy and Tragedy

The story takes place during the XVI century in Venice, Europe’s most liberal capital. Int hose times, Venice was divided between Christians and Jews, the former considered as real citizens and the latter, members of a ghetto who could only earn money through the practice of usury. Bassanio a merchant full of debts requests his beloved friend Antonio, a rich Merchant, money in order to go and marry Portia, a wealthy heiress who lives in Belmont. Since Antonio has invested all his money in trade ships, he could only accept to cover a bond on his name. That’s when Shylock, a Jew, receives a request from Bassanio, 3000 ducats for 3 months. Shylock’s surprise was evident when he realized who would be the loan’s guarantor. Was that the appropriate moment to take revenge on Antonio for all the mistreatment received throughout his life?



Shylock accepts loaning the money, without charging interest, but he proposes a condition. If Antonio is unable to pay for it, he will have to provide Shylock with one pound of his own flesh. After agreeing and signing the contract, Bassanio departs to Belmont where he would have to choose between 3 caskets, if he makes the right decision and chooses the casket in which portia’s portrait hides, she will be his and they’ll get marry.



Portia’s role in the movie is essential; in fact she is the heroine of the story. When Bassanio opens the lead casket and discovers her portrait, she couldn’t be happier. She sticks to the rules, not even knowing that he was the love of her life she gave him a hint to find the right one. She seems very submissive, but in fact she is quite independent and driven. She portraits a strong and in love woman, who does whatever it takes for her husband. In the movie, you’ll see that image that Shakespeare tries to illustrate, someone strong, feminine, eloquent and very intelligent.

The Merchant of Venice is a comedy in many ways, but a real tragedy in others. Shylocks intentions to avenge the pain and humiliation caused to the Jews took a different way and went against him. After losing his daughter, who escaped with a Christian, he became full of anger and hate. Later, when acknowledging that Antonio couldn’t pay his loan, he wouldn’t take any money offered by Bassanio, but Antonio’s pound of flesh. Law triumphed, but to what extent? The climax of the story happens during Antonio’s trial, a breathtaking moment. Don’t miss it!




The Merchant of Venice, a catchy story, interesting setting and characters. The ones who caught my attention were Portia and Shylock. She illustrates love and comedy, whereas he represents anger and tragedy. Still, both of them are strong-willed and no doubt intelligent.


In a way it’s easy to feel sympathetic for Shylock; Jews are mistreated and underappreciated by venetians. He loses his daughter and with her, some of his wealth stolen the day she eloped with a Christian. He is important too because he portraits the hypocrisy which lies in Christianity. Tragedy involves this character, especially the way his life concludes in this play. The fact of forcing him to convert to Christianity is the cruelest act towards Shylock.



On the Other hand, Portia provides comedy and love. She falls in love with Bassanio, and she does everything for him and beloved friend Antonio. She is not the type of woman who falls in love and becomes blind. But Shakespeare shows her as someone so intelligent that’s capable of getting whatever she wants no matter the price and effort made. For instance, when she probes Bassanio with the ring, she is trying to see beyond the caskets luck, she wanted to see how much he really loved her and how honest he was.

As any movie extracted from a book, it lacks of some details and thoughts you could only find in the book. Still, presents almost fully the intentions and personalities of its characters. I was impressed by the quality of the actors and set of the movie. Personally, Shylock’s monologue was moving. This movie really illustrates the feelings, the anger, frustration, love and enchantment, comedy, drama, tragedy, deception of the play. Well Done!