The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Free Essays

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspe cts with Shakespeare’s other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for Shylock and the famous ‘Hath not a Jew eyes’ speech. We will write a custom essay sample on The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. or any similar topic only for you Order Now Also notable is Portia’s speech about the ‘quality of mercy’. The title character is the merchant Antonio, not the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who is the play’s most prominent and most famous character. This is made explicit by the title page of the first quarto: The most excellent History of the Merchant of Venice. With the extreme cruelty of Shylock the Jew towards the Merchant. Summary: Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains to his friends of a melancholy that he cannot explain. His friend Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress who lives in the city of Belmont. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan in order to travel in style to Portia’s estate. Antonio agrees, but is unable to make the loan himself because his own money is all invested in a number of trade ships that are still at sea. Antonio suggests that Bassanio secure the loan from one of the city’s moneylenders and name Antonio as the loan’s guarantor. In Belmont, Portia expresses sadness over the terms of her father’s will, which stipulates that she must marry the man who correctly chooses one of three caskets. None of Portia’s current suitors are to her liking, and she and her lady-in-waiting, Nerissa, fondly remember a visit paid some time before by Bassanio. In Venice, Antonio and Bassanio approach Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, for a loan. Shylock nurses a long-standing grudge against Antonio, who has made a habit of berating Shylock and other Jews for their usury, the practice of loaning money at exorbitant rates of interest, and who undermines their business by offering interest-free loans. Although Antonio refuses to apologize for his behavior, Shylock acts agreeably and offers to lend Bassanio three thousand ducats with no interest. Shylock adds, however, that should the loan go unpaid, Shylock will be entitled to a pound of Antonio’s own flesh. Despite Bassanio’s warnings, Antonio agrees. In Shylock’s own household, his servant Launcelot decides to leave Shylock’s service to work for Bassanio, and Shylock’s daughter Jessica schemes to elope with Antonio’s friend Lorenzo. That night, the streets of Venice fill up with revelers, and Jessica escapes with Lorenzo by dressing as his page. After a night of celebration, Bassanio and his friend Gratiano leave for Belmont, where Bassanio intends to win Portia’s hand. In Belmont, Portia welcomes the prince of Morocco, who has come in an attempt to choose the right casket to marry her. The prince studies the inscriptions on the three caskets and chooses the gold one, which proves to be an incorrect choice. In Venice, Shylock is furious to find that his daughter has run away, but rejoices in the fact that Antonio’s ships are rumored to have been wrecked and that he will soon be able to claim his debt. In Belmont, the prince of Arragon also visits Portia. He, too, studies the caskets carefully, but he picks the silver one, which is also incorrect. Bassanio arrives at Portia’s estate, and they declare their love for one another. Despite Portia’s request that he wait before choosing, Bassanio immediately picks the correct casket, which is made of lead. He and Portia rejoice, and Gratiano confesses that he has fallen in love with Nerissa. The couples decide on a double wedding. Portia gives Bassanio a ring as a token of love, and makes him swear that under no circumstances will he part with it. They are joined, unexpectedly, by Lorenzo and Jessica. The celebration, however, is cut short by the news that Antonio has indeed lost his ships, and that he has forfeited his bond to Shylock. Bassanio and Gratiano immediately travel to Venice to try and save Antonio’s life. After they leave, Portia tells Nerissa that they will go to Venice disguised as men. Shylock ignores the many pleas to spare Antonio’s life, and a trial is called to decide the matter. The duke of Venice, who presides over the trial, announces that he has sent for a legal expert, who turns out to be Portia disguised as a young man of law. Portia asks Shylock to show mercy, but he remains inflexible and insists the pound of flesh is rightfully his. Bassanio offers Shylock twice the money due him, but Shylock insists on collecting the bond as it is written. Portia examines the contract and, finding it legally binding, declares that Shylock is entitled to the merchant’s flesh. Shylock ecstatically praises her wisdom, but as he is on the verge of collecting his due, Portia reminds him that he must do so without causing Antonio to bleed, as the contract does not entitle him to any blood. Trapped by this logic, Shylock hastily agrees to take Bassanio’s money instead, but Portia insists that Shylock take his bond as written, or nothing at all. Portia informs Shylock that he is guilty of conspiring against the life of a Venetian citizen, which means he must turn over half of his property to the state and the other half to Antonio. The duke spares Shylock’s life and takes a fine instead of Shylock’s property. Antonio also forgoes his half of Shylock’s wealth on two conditions: first, Shylock must convert to Christianity, and second, he must will the entirety of his estate to Lorenzo and Jessica upon his death. Shylock agrees and takes his leave. Bassanio, who does not see through Portia’s disguise, showers the young law clerk with thanks, and is eventually pressured into giving Portia the ring with which he promised never to part. Gratiano gives Nerissa, who is disguised as Portia’s clerk, his ring. The two women return to Belmont, where they find Lorenzo and Jessica declaring their love to each other under the moonlight. When Bassanio and Gratiano arrive the next day, their wives accuse them of faithlessly giving their rings to other women. Before the deception goes too far, however, Portia reveals that she was, in fact, the law clerk, and both she and Nerissa reconcile with their husbands. Lorenzo and Jessica are pleased to learn of their inheritance from Shylock, and the joyful news arrives that Antonio’s ships have in fact made it back safely. The group celebrates its good fortune. How to cite The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare., Essay examples

The humanity of Jeus Essay Example For Students

The humanity of Jeus Essay Luke chapter 2 brings to our attention of a birth that would forever change our world as it was known so many years ago. Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) Jesus born in a barn that would exempt him from being born such as a king would be. His family wasnt so much as well off and under the circumstances of his birth you would have never guessed him to be the savior of our world. The baby that Mary wrapped in swaddling clothes and lay in the manger was similar to all other babies in Bethlehem, with one exception: He was the Holy one, born without sin. The human eyes of Bethlehem first gazed upon the human nature of our God. Christs human nature was only different form us in the aspect that he knew no sin. He was just as dependent upon the love, care and attention of Mary as any other baby would be dependent on its mother. Simeon recognized the baby when Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple. He recognized him as the Lords Christ, and Anna recognizes Him as well as they were entering the temple. At that moment she noticed Him she gave thanks to the Lord. Just as I would be, Mary did not fully understand who it was that she carried in her arms. She knew of what the angel told her long ago of her pregnancy but was not fully aware of what was to come. ;Such knowledge would have broken the bond of His humanity to ours, by severing that which bound Him as a child to His mother. We would not have become His brethren had He not been truly the Virgins Son. The mystery of the incarnation would have been needless and fruitless had His humanity not been subject to all its rights and ordinary conditions. Applying the same principle more widely, we can then, in some measure, understand why the majesty of His Divinity had to be kept while He was on earth. Had it been otherwise, the thought of His Divinity would have proved so all-absorbing, as to render impossible that of His humanity, with all its lessons. (Edersheim: Life and Times of the Messiah, p. 192.) What Mary knew from Gabriel and Simeon were only enough to leave her with the duties of caring for her child as they would by any young mother in Israel with her first-born son. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, yet born without sin. When the Second Person in the Godhead assumed our nature, He took human nature into eternal union with His Person, a true body. The reality of the true body is seen throughout scripture: It was born, it grew and waxed strong. (Luke 2:20.) He hungered. (Matt. 21:18. ) He slept. (Matt. 8:24.) He was weary. (John 4:6.) He wept. (John 11:35.) He thirsted. (John 19:38.) He sweated. (Luke 22:44.) He suffered. (Isa. 53:5.) He bled. (Luke 29:41.) He died. (Luke 23:46. ) He was buried. (Luke 23:53.) His body in substance was in no way different from our own bodies; its reaction to circumstances identical and its experiences common to all human nature: a true body. Christ also looks unto Himself a reasonable soul. He advanced in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52. .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 , .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .postImageUrl , .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 , .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:hover , .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:visited , .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:active { border:0!important; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:active , .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30 .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u417f95e6704addee4f5a666620384b30:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: My work experience Essay) He loved. (Mark 10:21.) He experienced joy. (John 15:11.) He was compassionate. (Matt. 9:36.) He experienced sorrow and anxiety. (Matt. 26:37.) He experienced amazement. (Mark 14:33. ) He was sympathetic. (Heb. 4:15.) He was tempted. (Matt. 4:1. ) He was angry and grieved. (Mark 9:36.) He experienced agony. (Luke 23:44.) He was moved with indignation. (Mark 10:41. ) He offered prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. (Heb. 6:7.) He learned obedience. (Heb.5:8. ) The Lord Jesus having taken human nature a true body and reasonable soul into eternal union .

Wisdom Vs. Vanity In John Miltons Paradise Lost Essays -

Wisdom Vs. Vanity In John Milton's Paradise Lost In the seventeeth century, women were not permitted to embrace in the power of knowledge. John Milton portrays the only female character in his epic poem, Paradise Lost, as a subservient creature caught in a seemingly misogynistic society. Milton states Eves location in the great chain of authority of his time quite clearly with her inferiority to man repeated frequently throughout the epic, especially amplified in Book IV and Book IX. Milton uses the character of Eve to represent the ills that can befall mankind after she (the woman) breaks the chain of authority in which she was placed. A twenty-first century reader might perceive Miltons theodicy on a womans place in society to be inhumane as well as appalling, however, during his time women were accepted by society and themselves as subordinate on the chain of hierarchy. They were to be treated properly by their man but were to walk two steps behind their superior male counterpart at all times. Even though Miltons blatant descrip tion of Eves role in the created world is unequal, the twenty-first century reader accepts this concept and enjoys the passionate power that the character has over the reasonable male authority figure. In the traditional epic structure and in Book I of Paradise Lost, the reader is immediately introduced to the main action of the story being told, the narration opens with the middle of the story (media res) and uses flashbacks to develop the plot. Of mans first disobedienceWho first seduced them to that foul revolt?the infernal serpent; he it was, whose guile stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived the mother of mankind(PL: BK 1, L 1-36). It is stated quite clearly in these lines that Eve initiated the fall of man by giving in to the temptation posed to her by Satan. Knowing this from the absolute beginning of the narrative, it is clear that the woman unreasonably steps out of her position in Eden and is overcome by evil. In Book IV of Paradise Lost, Milton expresses Eves perception of herself when she sees her image as well as the readers insight to Eves role through Satans initial description of her. At the beginning of this narration Adam and Eve are identified, very briefly, as alike, Two of far nobler shape erect and tall, Godlike erect, with native honour clad in naked majesty seemed lords of all(PL: BK IV, L287-290). This narration then immediately turns to a characterization of Eve as the secondary being, Whence true authority in men; though both not equal, as their sex not equal seemedHe for God only, she for God in him (PL: BK IV, L295-300). Here, then, is a grand example of Eves submission to her absolute ruler (PL: BK IV, L300) who is man and her place in the natural order of creation is beneath him. Milton immodestly states in these lines that the male authority figure in this story is the most divine of all created beings and the female is only there to enhance his being. They are both m ade in the likeness of God, but Eve is divine-like only through Adam. Milton, in Paradise Lost, as in all epic structures, uses many classical allusions to help the reader gain insight to a womans standpoint through the power of poetry. To enforce Eves position and to introduce Eves flaw, Milton alludes to Ovids character, Narcissis. Narcissis vainly yearns for his own image reflected in a pool. In Book IV, Eves vanity is explained, A shape within the watery gleam appeared bending to look on mepleased it returned as soon with answering looks of sympathy and love; there I had fixed mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire (PL: BK IV, L460-466). The importance of this parallel is the forefront of Eves weakness to be overcome in Book IX. In addition to exclaiming vanity as the root of all evil, Milton stimulates a sense of corruption in Eve with this comparison. Likewise, Satan is able to captivate Eves imagination while she sleeps, him there they found squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve; assaying by his devilish art to reach the organs of h er

The near-perfect Progressive Era essays

The near-perfect Progressive Era essays From the rise of the twentieth century until 1920, the Progressive Era took shape. The economy became dominated by corporate giants just as workers began to unionize. This reform movement known as progressivism arose in response to problems caused by industrialization. The Progressive Era shone at a time when America was battling social upheavals caused by industrialization, while having only a few coercive dimensions. Most of the progressives accepted the capital system, but only wanted to modify it. There was no unified movement, though, as everyone wanted to reform different things. Jane Addams was a pioneer of social work. She founded the settlement of Hull House in Chicago, Illinois. Margaret Sanger wanted to educate the urban poor about the benefits of family planning through birth control. She founded an organization that came to be known as Planned Parenthood. Booker T. Washington, a former slave, focused on teaching African-Americans trade skills to earn a living. He founded the Tuskegee Institute. Finally, W.E.B. Dubois founded NAACP. Dubois was a Harvard-educated professor who focused on a liberal arts education for African-Americans. Social reformers were widespread in their different reformation goals. Another major force in the Reformation was the muckrakers. Muckrakers was a term coined by Theodore Roosevelt to describe individuals who investigated corruption and other problems concerning the American people. Many of their novels were so moving that they brought about results. Jacob Riis was the author of How the Other Half Lives(1890). This novel described the living conditions of urban poor, and resulted in new building codes in NYC to promote health and safety. Frank Norriss The Octopus (1901) exposed monop olistic railroad practices in California. It led to the breakup of the holding company controlling the railroad in Northern Securities V. U.S. (1904). Finally, Upton Si...

Check List for Project Finance Essay Example for Free

Check List for Project Finance Essay 1. Brief description of every project sponsor: company history, establishment date, legal form, ownership, subsidiaries, core activities. Data on sponsor’s experience in the host country and in the project’s industry. Explanation of how the project relates to the sponsor’s strategic direction/goals. 2. Annual reports of the past three years for every project sponsor. Additional requirements in the case of project finance for activities in existing plants: detailed structured data for the past three years and budgets for the next five years on revenues (including a breakdown of export versus domestic foreign currency revenues if any, for countries with non-convertible currency; revenue mix by customer, country, and product) and expenses (in detail; in the case of non-convertible currencies, these need to be grouped separately). 3. Summary of the project concerned, including name, location, purpose, organisational form, ownership, equity, security structure, status of licenses/approvals, local partners, marketing and distribution, financing. 4. Brief characterisation of the role of the host country. For projects with currencies that are not completely freely convertible: description of the measures to avoid convertibility and transfer risk (including escrow accounts). 5. Schematic representation of the contract structure and the significant existing or intended contractual relationships and security. 6.List of references of the general contractor and/or most important suppliers as far as known; list of references of comparable projects to document the proven technological feasibility and the experience in the sector and host country. 7.Information on operator/management company: Company history, ownership, core activities, list of references, documentation of relevant experience in industry and host country. 8.Independent feasibility study reporting on the project’s economic and financial viability and political and environmental acceptability. Information on the level of expertise of the advisers/experts used in terms of subject area and geographic region, as it relates to the project (list of references). 9.The following information, if not already included in the feasibility study: a) Technical description, flow sheet, layout b) Detailed derivation of estimated operating costs (price and quantity details) c)Procurement situation for raw materials and supplies, including corresponding contract documents d) Description of the management, training of staff, staff costs and qualifications e) Environmental aspects, environmental impact assessment report, required environmental approvals and environmental measures, general description of location and emphasis on its specific relevant features, socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects. Also see our detailed requirements for the environmental review. f) Discussion of the amounts and appropriateness of the investment value and the risks regarding time and cost overruns. g) Timetable for construction and commissioning, milestones h) Market information on the project’s products/services, including the price and volume trends for the past 5 to 10 years; competitive situation, current and future supply and demand situation; forecast, identification and geographic location of main customers; marketing and logistics strategy; description of the planned marketing activities and off-take agreements (e.g. take-or-pay agreements) i) Detailed project costs, broken down by main categories of the key construction and commissioning cost items, interest over construction period, financing of working capital j) Projected procurement of funds, including source, amount, currency, time of input k) Cash flow projection over the repayment term of the requested export-credit-insured loan (including sensitivity analysis: a realistic base scenario, an optimistic and a pessimistic scenario), explanation of how any cash deficits will be covered l) Derivation and assumptions of the cash flow projection, including basis for sales quantity and prices, operating and administrative expenses, depreciation, amortization and impairment losses, taxes, inflation, exchange rate movements, export licenses, influence of local government. Check List for Project Finance. (2016, Oct 02).

Micro economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Micro economics - Essay Example But the other side of picture is also being supportedby many economists. They are of the view that UK is still in the grasp of double dip depression. According to a study, in the year 2008 peak the growth rate of economy was less than 20.1% and in the year 2010, the overall growth rate is around 6.1% which shows a serious plunge during the great depression. International monetary fund issued a forecast about the growth rate in between 0.6% to 0.8 % and this is not considered as a gratifying rate. Since 2008, the government of UK has stimulated up to 380 billion pounds into the economic machinery to increase liquidity rates but due to the lack of â€Å"trickle down† effect, the money has not shown its benefits and didn’t reach the core level of the industries. Many unconventional and out of the way step and initiatives are being taken to solve the problem of liquidity. Massive job lose statistics showed that there were around 750,000 public sector jobs that were cut off but this problem has been sorted out after the pact between democrats and conservatives. During the nine months of double dip depression, the economy of UK shrank up to around 1.1 pc (Kirby et al, 2011) and there is now a rise in the growth that shows that depression has ended. The economists are feeling the fear that the depression can come because economic depressions re-appear and do not go away easily. The measures by the ONS say that the economy grew by 0.7per capita and many other independent sources for example a renowned economist named as Samuel Tombs is supporting the view that growth will touch around 0.6pc. Till 2012, depression was still badly affecting the UK’s economy as this was the consequence of bankruptcies of major banks like Lehman brothers and the stock markets of UK were falling to the lowest records since the great depression. The measures from NIESR says that double dip depression was still there until September 2012 as after pumping thousands of doll ars in the banking systems , there was no rise in the growth of the economy (Hay, 2012). Question 2 There are mainly four categories of unemployment, as follows 1) Structural Unemployment 2) Frictional Unemployment 3) Cyclic Unemployment 4) Seasonal Unemployment (Boyes& Melvin, 2012) The first type of unemployment is when the competent work force is available but there is a huge lack of demand for them. This kind of unemployment is highly proliferated in the world. The second type refers to the unemployment that is caused due to high â€Å"switch rate† of employees between different jobs. The third type is because of the effects of overall growth of the economic conditions and fourth type is because of the fluctuations of international economic trends and developments. Diamond Mortensen Pissarides (DMP) model illustrates the unemployment as a function of limited variables ad the rate of unemployment is directly proportional to the number of variables. If people have limited m eans and skill sets, unemployment will expand automatically. This model is regarded as the most practical one. According to DMP model, the bargain rate between employee and employer is also affected due to unemployment rate. If unemployment rate is high, bargain will be low because hiring is a difficult process altogether. As shown in the above figure, if the productivity in decreased, there is also a decline in Nash’s wage line. A high rate of wage line depicts less unemployment and sound economic condition

Lignin Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Lignin - Research Paper Example de Candolle. His explanation about lignin was that it is a fibrous material that does not have any taste, it cannot be dissolved in water or alcohol but is soluble in weak alkaline solutions, and in order extract it from the solution an acid could be added to it which would cause its precipitation. Lignin is among the most commonly found organic polymers, and only cellulose and hemicelluloses is ahead of it regarding abundance (Shi, Xiao, Deng, & Sun, 2013). Thus, lignin forms the majority of the natural resources that man has. 30% of non-fossil organic carbon is made up of lignin while making up almost one-fourth to third of the dry mass of wood. Every species contains a unique type of lignin, the difference lying in its composition. Since lignin is a biopolymer, it attains its uniqueness owing to its heterogeneity and because it does not really have a properly defined primary structure. The most important and common function of lignin is to strengthen wood in trees, which is made from xylem cells, by providing it with support. The natural state of lignin as present within a plant is known as protolignin (Kutscha & Gray, 1970). The classification of lignins depends on their structural elements. Softwoods, hardwoods and grasses contain different lignins and the reason behind the difference between the three is the different content of guaiacyl (G), syringyl (S) and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units. Guaiacyl lignin is present in the majority of softwoods and is mainly a polymerization product of coniferyl alcohol. Hardwoods typically contain the guaiacyl-syrinngyl lignin which is a copolymer of coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols, the ration varying from 4:1 to 1:2 for the two monomeric units (Pereira, Portugal-Nunes, Evtuguin, Serafim, & Xavier, 2013). Another type is that of compression wood that is largely made up of phenylpropane units of the p-hydroxyphenyl type along with the usual guaiacyl units. At times the term syringyl lignin and p-hydroxyphenyl lignin