Book+Report(威尼斯商人英语读后感)

Book Report

Title of the Book:

The merchant of Venice

Author:W. William Shakespeare (1564 —— 1616) the Great

Renaissance dramatist, poet, European Renaissance humanism literature

synthesizer. Shakespeare was born in Britain central Warwick County

along the Evan River in Stratford, a wealthy family.

Shakespeare in about 1590 —— 1612 of the total 20 years wrote

thirty-seven plays ( such as plus and Fletcher wrote“ two of your

kiss” is the thirty-eight ), he also wrote two long poem“Venus and

Adonis”,“ The Rape Of Lucrece” and one hundred and fifty-four sonnets.

More of his plays based on historical records, novels, folklore and

the old opera and other existing materials, a reflection of the feudal

society to capitalist society, the historical reality of the transition,

to promote the

emerging bourgeoisie humanitarianism thought and point of view of

human nature.

Creation background:Shakespeare created The merchant of Venice, the

British are in opposition to the climax of the Jews. By law the Jews

were forced to live in the old walled foundry or “Ghetto” area of the

city. After sunset the gate was locked and guarded by Christians. In the

day time any men leaving the ghetto had to wear a red hat to mark him as

a Jew.”The fact of social condition in England in 16th century was similar to the novel described scene. At that time, Christian was in the

driver’s seat; the Jews had their own belief, so they have not social

status and usually were persecuted. From the economic aspect, the

Jewswere prohibited to possess land; they were not allowed to have house

property, because those Christians and officials would confiscate their

property, so they had to be as a petty dealer, some of them practiced

usury-the lending of money at interest. This made them have little cash

and could survive. In law, many decrees were bad for the Jews. In

addition, “Jew” has another meaning in English, such as cheapskate,

usurer, and

profiteer. From this, we could see the people’s attitude to the

Jews in that time.

Plot of the story:Venetian nobleman Bassanio fell in love with the

girl Portia, he in order to marry her; he needed to go to Belmont. So he

borrowed from Jewish businessman Shylock three thousand dollars and by

his good friend Antonio guaranty. But Antonio is the opponent of Shylock,

so Shylock took the opportunity to put the harsh conditions: If within

three months can not pay off the debt, the guarantee would cut a pound

of flesh from his body to repay the debt. Finally Bassanio reached

Belmont, however, Antonio suddenly went break, and he couldn’t pay

Shylock’s debt. So, he was accused by Shylock, then, a group of people

debated in court.

Comment: The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most

famous comedies in the world. While Shylock is a classical figure and he

is analyzed again and again. Before, especially in 16th century, many people think Shylock was a greedy, selfish, and crueland so on, and his

final result

is a reason that this play is called comedy. As times goes by,

people begin to re-analyze Shylock. They found when we analyze this play

from Shylock’s angle, it is a tragedy. Shylock also has other

characters which was not discovered before and gradually accepted now,

such as: clever, frank, courageous, rich national spirit.

Maybe Shylock is hateful. He as an evildoer has been punished. In

the era of racial discrimination, Shylock’s final result, without doubt,

it’s a good thing for clapping and cheering. While the words which

describe Shylock are disdainful:cunning,merciless,mammonish and so on.

Like Shylock said, many Christians and people will say the same as

Antonio said “misbeliever, cut-throat dog”. Such Shylock, people will

list many reasons and facts to illustrate how bad he was. However, from

another angle, Shylock is very pitiful. In the novel, Shylock’s first

appearance was reviled by Antonio. For the situation, if you are Shylock,

what will you do? For the most part, you will fight back. But in that

social condition, many people hate the Jews, and push out the usurer

like Shylock.Like Shylock said in the

play “for sufferance is the budge of all our tribe”. What he does

is just wipe his face with his sleeve, and watch at Antonio’s back with

the hateful feeling in his eyes. Why, as an ancientChinese saying “A

little impatience, a great ship”, facing Antonio, how does Shylock to

use to fight against Antonio? He can do only with patience. There is no

much justice in society, I think Shylock has a good character—endurance,

just for this character makes him process many ducats in that time.