The Merch Essay Research Paper In

The Merch Essay, Research Paper In this essay we will attempt to compare the characters of “Volpone Magnifico” From the play “Volpone”. As well as “Shylock” From “The Merchant of Venice”. We will compare the Characters in three respects: Their characters in themselves, their function their respective plays, and their suitableness for these functions. The characters of Volpone and Shylock are characters set in different situations. Although the setting and plots are different, there are many characteristics that they share. They both hide their true intentions from other characters in the play, both characters love money and material objects In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock lends money to Bossanio with Antonio’s good name as collateral. The penalty on the

loan is a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Antonio’s feelings about Shylock are revealed to the audience and other characters in the play quite readily. Not only are the other characters in the play aware of Antonio’s feelings, but many of them share these feelings. Shylock is a money lender, and charges interest on his loans. Shylock is also Known as a jew. And as such he is subject to all of the ridicule and negative stereotypes of the time. The fact that he is a jew is important to his deception in the play. Shylock despises Antonio. He is a business rival. As well as someone from whom Shylock has had to endure cruel insults about his race and business practices. Living in this environment has made Shylock bitter and angry. This environment has also made it necessary for him to

hide the depth of his contempt for the beloved Antonio if he wants his plans for him to come to fruition. “Why, look you, how you storm! I would be fiends with you and have your love, forget the shames you have stained me with, Supply your present wants, and take no doit of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me: This is kind I offer.”{Act I scene three Shakespeare} Shylock Pretends that the penalty on the loan is one that he would not exact. In reality his money has put him in position where he can have vengeance on his enemy. Volpone in the play “Volpone” also seeks to mislead characters in the play. Their motivations however are different. Volpone seeks to mislead people for material gain, not vengeance. Volpone’s deception is more deliberate than

Shylock’s. Along with his accomplice Mosca Volpone pretends to be ill with a large inheritance. In hopes to manipulate people into giving him Material wealth.{jewels , antiques, money} Volpone is an interesting character. He is truly wealthy, like Shylock, and has no family. This lends credibility to his rouse and makes it easier to bilk money from the “Gulls”and the Avocatori more reluctant to recognize his deceits. Volpone’s deception is a bit more complicated. He uses disguises, as well as an accomplice to perpetrate his lies. Another interesting Comparison between the two characters is their love of money and material objects. Shylock could surely sue the cast of “Merchant Of Venice” for character assassination. Many of the characters in the play openly chastize

and ridicule Antonio. They refer to him as a miser, bloodthirsty, cunning, and greedy. “I never heard a passion so confus’d So strange, outrageous and so variable as the dog jew did utter in the streets: “My daughter! O my ducats, O my daughter, fled with a Christian! Oh my Christian Ducats!….Of double Ducats stol’n from me by my daughter And jewels! Two Stones! two stones, two rich and precious stones,…she has the hath the stones upon her, and the ducats!.” {Merchant ActII scene 8} The Quote is a comical interpretation of how the characters see Shylock and his reaction to his missing daughter, and possessions. Shylock apparently does not know what to lament more It is very effective here that Solanio gives this account. It prevents the audience from feeling any