Monday, January 20, 2020
The Importance of Class Status in British Society as Depicted in Britis
The Importance of Class Status in British Society as Depicted in British Sitcoms Focusing on British sitcoms as a genre of study, one can see many different levels in the structure of British society. Of particular interest is the classification of the characters into their social classes. In Porridge, Fletcher is seen as a working class convict who is confined to his place in society. However, within his incarceration a hierarchy among his "colleagues" is also apparent. Satisfied with his place at the top of this power structure, Fletcher continually maneuvers himself to improve his life without the ability to leave his social stratum. In contrast to Fletcherââ¬â¢s contentment is the character of Harold in Steptoe and Son. As a rag and bone man, Harold occupies one of the least respected jobs and, therefore, one of the lowest social statuses in society. Irritation with his rank propels Harold into trying to "better" his life; however, he is unsuccessful. Because Haroldââ¬â¢s ability to improve himself is dependent on intelligence, which he defines as upwar d mobility on the social ladder, his ignorance prevents him from ever leaving his classified status. By comparing the situations of Fletcher and Harold, we will examine the question of why Fletcher is able to make small advances (even though the cyclical cycle of sitcoms does not allow for permanent change), while Harold is denied any advancement. Fletcher and his viewers easily accept his place as a convict because background information suggests that porridge life, or prison life, is normal for Fletcher. His characterââ¬â¢s main role and source of humor are his continually successful attempts to undermine the authorities and receive the best treatment possible. In the episode enti... ...se he cannot disrupt society any more than he already has, while an upward movement by Harold may reveal a sign of weakness in the class distinctions of the viewers. In addition to viewers from a higher class looking down upon Harold, one must also consider that those within his class may disapprove of his attempt to change positions in society. Therefore, when analyzing a situation comedy and considering a characterââ¬â¢s attempt to shift from one social class to another, one must recognize the unfair restrictions placed on the characters, and the implications that movement may have for the viewers. Works Cited Storry, Mike and Peter Childs eds. British Cultural Identities. New York: Routedge, 1997. "A Day Out" Porridge. British Broadcasting Company. BBC. 26 September 1974. "A Star is Born." Steptoe and Son. British Broadcasting Company. BBC. 28 February 1972.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
A Birthday Surprise
It was 19th May of 2006 and it was my fatherââ¬â¢s birthday. He is the kind of person who prefers simple dinners with his own family instead of noisy celebration with relatives and friends. But that day was special cuz he had his 40th birthday. It was Saturday and after we wished him happy birthday, he went to work. Well my father thought that we were just going to have a dinner as always. But this is what he knew while my mom and I had organized a birthday surprise. She had invited all his close friends and family for a cocktail party in the evening. Everything was ready. Even why I passed all the day shopping I couldnââ¬â¢t wait till my dad came home. Anyway he arrived sooner than I thought and later I began to get dressed. I was totally excited. My mom had the most difficult ââ¬Ëjobââ¬â¢ if I can say so. She had to convinced him to wear a suit and she made it up. Another anusual thing happened. I wrote unusual because my mom asked him to drive. She never did this maybe she has her own car thatââ¬â¢s why. I think that my dad understood that he had missed something. So began to ask where are we going and why am I wearing a suit. I told him we changed the reservation but it was irritated hearing him asking the same question over and over again. But finally we arrived and everyone was waiting for him. When my father entered in all began to sing the happy birthday song. I remember everyone had a great time and I wonââ¬â¢t forget my father;s happy face telling me I knew something was going on. Time by time I have a look to those photos we had. It really was a special day.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Hate Speech Should Not Be Restricted at Universities Essay
Throughout history, the United States Constitution has been put to the test over the issue of free speech. The First Amendment states, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Even though free speech is one of the core American values proudly embedded in each citizen, some poopAmericans find themselves torn between whether or not to limit the freedom of speech on behalf of hate speech. Most law-abiding citizens disagree with hate speech, but must realize even speech that promotes hate, racism, and even crimeâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The discomfort that is caused to those who are the object of such attacks cannot easily be shrugged off... Acts can be evil if they are dangerous to a traditional way of life, because they are immoral, or because they hind er the perfectability of the human race. (Mills) Already, there are some laws, known as speech codes, that attempt to prevent hate speech. According to the University of Colorado, many political jurisdictions have enacted laws that forbid destructive speech. These laws give the police power to investigate persons suspect of committing hate speech. If found guilty, the persons are tried and punished according to the law. Although many insist that hate speech should be illegal, the First Amendment still stands; the right of free speech applies to every citizen of the United States and if restrictions are set, then that liberty is taken away. Even though hate speech can be damaging to the targeted victims, it still cannot be set to a standard or principle because it is hard to define what is and is not hate speech. Hate speech is so wide-ranging and vast, no limit can be set to regulate it. What some groups may consider to be hateful and demeaning, others groups deem to be their founding principles and beliefs. A study taken place at University of ColoradoShow MoreRelatedImportance Of Freedom Of Speech914 Words à |à 4 PagesFree Speech Should be Limited Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, but when there is freedom of speech without limits or restrictions, there is no doubt that this will lead to disaster. People will surely benefit if we are able balance between freedom of speech and restrictions to ensure that society can communicate and prosper without anarchy. The first amendment for freedom of speech can be a good thing and a bad thing if left to free. An important lesson that a young woman learned whenRead MoreOne Of The Most Valued Amendments Written In The U.S. Constitution1463 Words à |à 6 Pagesguarantees Americans freedom of speech. Individuals view the restriction of this right to be ââ¬Å"unamericanâ⬠. Unfortunately, over the years colleges and universities have experienced an increase of hate speech. Victims of this type of crime may suffer from emotional and psychological distress. Due to this, restrictions have been placed on the ability to speak freely (Garrett). An ongoing debate has been placed in the hands of many people regarding whether Americans should be entitled to speak in an expressiveRead More Hate Crime Laws Essay1378 Words à |à 6 Pageslike this sicken me. I believe that the people that are responsible for these horrific crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. That is why I strongly support hate crime laws. Now, before I dive into this very controversial subject, I should probably define what hate crime laws are so you will have a better understanding of what I am talking about. As I have understood it, hate crime laws are laws that protect certain minorities or groups from bias motivated violence andRead MoreFree Speech Or Freedom Of Speech Essay911 Words à |à 4 Pagesof Freedom, basically we are entitled for legal freedom to do whatever we wanted to. However, the freedom of speech has been challenged by many university students and educators recently. In their argument, they believe that free speech has triggered studentsââ¬â¢ unhappiness and jeopardize campusââ¬â¢ safety. What is the free speech or freedom of speech? According to dictionary, freedom of speech is the right of people to express their opinions publicly without governmental interference, subject to theRead MoreLet the Students Speak: The Importance of Free Speech on College Campuses874 Words à |à 4 Pages Ah, the freedom of speech. Outlined in our nationââ¬â¢s Constitution and considered one of the most fundamental of all human rights, it gives us the ability to express ourselves without government interference, restraint, or suppression (ââ¬Å"Freedom of Speech: An Overviewâ⬠). Free speech is practiced by all types of American citizens, from the teenage girl posting a picture of a Starbucks cup on Instagram to the riled adult handing out fliers for a political cause. Every form of expression, ranging fromRead More Cyberspace Hate Propaganda and Internet Censorship Essay1244 Words à |à 5 PagesCyberhate - Hate Propaganda and Internet Censorship The Internet is an ideal medium for hate groups, such as neo-Nazis, because of the mass exposure, inexpensiveness, uncensored nature and ease of publishing offered. The Internet allows hate groups to target a broad audience: impressionable children are the most vulnerable. Attempts at censorship fail because of the international nature of the Internet, and to a lesser extent, free speech contentions. Instead, the freedom of speech exercised byRead MoreFree Speech On Freedom Of Speech1929 Words à |à 8 Pagesexclude the use of hate speech on college campuses. These limitations on free speech strike at the heart of law and justice within our society. To tolerate these restrictions sets dangerous precedents and unveils dangerous consequences. Speech codes that limit speech and expression beyond the limits of the first amendment are not justified because they harm society and the intellectual integrity of a university while failing to adequately support those students victimized by hat e speech. Colleges playRead MoreFreedom Of Speech : Positive And Negative Impact On The World1251 Words à |à 6 PagesFreedom of speech had a link of positive impacts to the world. One positive impact would be the citizens questioning the government about their personal interests and opinion on free speech. This means that before freedom of speech was questioned, many citizens did not have a voice. The government was not concerned with increasing individualââ¬â¢s voices based on personal opinions and beliefs. When citizens began to question the government, the government had not one motive behind not giving individualsRead MoreDystopian Society In George Orwells 19841461 Words à |à 6 PagesThe dystopian society at the center of George Orwellââ¬â¢s 1984, although written years earlier, raises many challenges with freedom of speech and press. The novel mirrors numerous issues with the media that have arose today, and with remarkable accuracy, especially considering that Orwell wrote t his novel during the the late 1940s. With the threat of Communism creeping towards Americaââ¬â¢s doorstep, Americans were focused on strengthening the government in order to withstand the Communist threat. As aRead MoreResearch Project : Facebook Cyber Issues899 Words à |à 4 PagesPortfolio Project: Facebook Cyber Issues The critical issues of privacy, freedom of speech, cyberbullying, and defamation are highlighted through the case study of Facebook by Reynolds (2014), where Denise Finkel sued Facebook, her former classmates, and their parents for posting defamatory statements within a private Facebook group. A thorough analysis of the entire defamation case and the parties that were impacted has been provided in this portfolio project. Moreover, the legal aspects of the
Thursday, December 26, 2019
What Is the Definition of Emphasis in Art
Emphasis is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out in order to draw the viewers eye there first. Why Is Emphasis Important? Emphasis is used in art to attract the viewers attention to a particular area or object. This is typically the focal point or main subject of the artwork. For instance, in a portrait painting, the artist usually wants you to see the persons face first. They will use techniques such as color, contrast, and placement to make sure that this area is where yourà eye is attracted to first. Any piece of art may have more than one area of emphasis. However, one typically dominates over all others. If two or more are given equal importance, your eye does not know how to interpret it. This confusion may lead you to not enjoy an otherwise good piece of work. Subordination is used to describe the secondary or accent elements of the artwork. While artists emphasize the focal point, they can also de-emphasize the other elements to ensure the main subject stands out. An artist may, for instance, use red on the subject while leaving the rest of the painting in very muted browns. The viewers eye is automatically drawn to this pop of color. One might argue that all worthy works of art employ emphasis. If a piece lacks this principle, it may seemà monotonous and boring to the eye. However, some artists play with the lack of emphasis on purpose and use it to create a visually impactful piece. Andy Warhols Campbells Soup Cans (1961) are a perfect example of the lack of emphasis. When the series of canvases are hung on the wall, the entire assembly lacks any real subject. Yet, the magnitude of the collections repetition leaves an impression nonetheless. How Artists Add Emphasis Frequently, an emphasisà is achieved by means of contrast. Contrast can be achieved in a variety of ways and artists often employ more than one technique in a single piece. A contrast in color, value, and texture can certainly draw you to a particular area. Likewise, when one object is significantly larger or in the foreground, it becomes the focal point because the perspective or depth draw us in.à Many artists will also strategically place their subject in the composition in areas that are known to attract attention. That may be directly in the center, but more often than not it is off to one side or another. It might also be isolated from other elements through placement, tone, or depth. Yet another way to add emphasis is to use repetition. If you have a series of similar elements then interrupt that pattern in some way, that naturally gets noticed. Looking for Emphasis As you study art, remain mindful of emphasis. Look at how each piece of art naturally directs your eye around the piece. What techniques did the artist use to achieve this? What did they want you to see at first glance?à Sometimes the emphasis is very subtle and at other times it is anything but. These are the little surprises that artists leave us and discovering them is what makes creative works so interesting. Sources and Further Reading Ackerman, Gerald M. Lomazzos Treatise on Painting. The Art Bulletin 49.4 (1967): 317ââ¬â26. Print.Galenson, David W. Painting Outside the Lines: Patterns of Creativity in Modern Art. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001.Mayer, Ralph. The Artists Handbook of Materials and Techniques. 3rd ed. New York: Viking Press, 1991.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Memories Are Valuable Precious Artifacts Of The Mind Essay
Memories are considered precious artifacts of the mind. A variety of elements could impact and influence the way we remember things and if we remember things. Perhaps a traumatic brain injury, an untreated infection that has spread to the brain, or a brain tumor, even though these rarely take the blame this is still a possibility. Treatments for incurable diseases may cause memory problems with memory due to the adverse effects they have on the body and mind. Remembering what we are, what kind of person we used to be, and how we lived is vital to our identity. Alzheimerââ¬â¢s and Amnesia are equally similar as they are different. While they correlate with memory, the differences in the causes are great. Amnesia is the loss the of partial or total memory loss and can be caused by a plentiful amount of incidents such as brain injuries, infections, tumors, and intense medical treatments. Alzheimer s is a progressive incurable disease that affects the mind and body, which can be cause d by fewer happenings such as plaque build up in the brain, tangled tau protein cells these are apart of the neurons found in the central nervous system, and occasionally but rarely genetics are a factor in Alzheimerââ¬â¢s. Characteristics between these two are eerily similar, memory loss, diminished cognitive skill, depression, and other mental and physical health issues that may tag along. The most significant feature that separates these two illnesses is fatality rate. Alzheimer s disease is aShow MoreRelatedThe Cultural Value Of Visual Art1982 Words à |à 8 Pagesalmost like an act of self harm ââ¬âto impose upon himself the arduous task of rebuilding a life from scratch, with no money and no artwork left to sell, but Landy was adamant that he would not make exceptions even for priceless pieces of art or precious family artifacts (Treneman 2001). This action is abhorrent to most people with even a basic survival instinct, as we spend our lives acquiring and protection possessions, many people find it hard to throw away old clothes let alone every physical thing theyRead More The Sound and the Fury Essay6993 Words à |à 28 Pagesreaders with his love/hate relationship with the South. However , in his novel The Sound and the Fury, Faulkner employs a vastly different method of creation. This story unfolds as a patchwork of chronological events told through the experiences, memories, and interpretations of three brothers infatuated and obsessed with the actions and absence of their sister, Caddy. Consisting of a multitude of colors laid out by Caddyââ¬â¢s actions and her brothersââ¬â¢ reactions, Faulknerââ¬â¢s true patchwork genius liesRead MoreOrganizational Culture Research7417 Words à |à 30 Pagesuninitiated observer - collectively known as artifacts. Included are the facilities, offices, furnishings, visible awards and recognition, the way that its members dress, how each person visibly interacts with each other and with organizational outsiders, and even company slogans, mission statements and other operational creeds. Artifacts comprise the physical components of the organization that relay cultural meaning. Daniel Denison (1990) describes artifacts as the tangible aspects of culture sharedRead MoreSarasvathy, Causation and Effectuation-Toward a Theoretical Shift from Economic Inevitability to14504 Words à |à 59 PagesSHIFTFROM INEVITABILITY TO ECONOMIC ENTREPRENEURIAL CONTINGENCY SARAS D. SARASVATHY University of Washington In economics and management theories, scholars have traditionally assumed the existence of artifacts such as firms/organizations and markets. I argue that an explanation for the creation of such artifacts requires the notion of effectuation. Causation rests on a logic of prediction, effectuation on the logic of control. I illustrate effectuation through business examples and realistic thought experimentsRead MoreBirthstones9275 Words à |à 38 Pageshard and fast rule as to which minerals cut it as gems and which donââ¬â¢t. Itââ¬â¢s mostly a matter of custom. Whatââ¬â¢s the difference between precious and semi-precious gems? Most gems can be divided into precious and semi-precious. Only the most rare and expensive gems are classified as precious. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires are all considered precious gems. Most remaining gems ââ¬â such as varieties of quartz (including amethyst, opal, and bloodstone) ââ¬â are semiprecious. The image atRead MoreSocial Media Business Model Analysis - Case Tencent, Facebook, and Myspace34799 Words à |à 140 Pagesthis leads to some fundamental changes in business models of the company. Operations must turn into the core competency in a company, and product development must be matched by the expertise in daily operations. Because the shift from software as artifact to software as service is fundamental, the software will cease to perform unless it is maintained on a daily basis. Lightweight programming models. As web services become more and more popular, large amount of companies will jump the fray with complexRead MoreSocial Media Business Model Analysis - Case Tencent, Facebook, and Myspace34799 Words à |à 140 Pagesthis leads to some fundamental changes in business models of the company. Operations must turn into the core competency in a company, and product development must be matched by the expertise in daily operations. Because the shift from software as artifa ct to software as service is fundamental, the software will cease to perform unless it is maintained on a daily basis. Lightweight programming models. As web services become more and more popular, large amount of companies will jump the fray with complexRead MoreLibrary Management204752 Words à |à 820 Pagesof points being made. The volume has been rethought, reworked, and reedited, indeed renewed, to reflect recent changes and new issues in the information services environment. Citations and examples have been updated and the Web site expanded as a valuable aid for teaching and learning as well as managing information services. New examples of library and information service practice are included. The edition incorporates more international materials; some provide direct application for those seekingRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words à |à 1573 Pagesdegree, this is a reflection of the job offer (too low a salary, too small a company, too limited a job description). However, it also suggests a generational shift in thinking. While the job market for new entrants is perhaps the most sluggish in memory, new college graduates remain committed to following their dreams and holding out high hopes for their careers. Scottââ¬â¢s father, David Nicholson, 57, has an established managerial career, with a household income of $175,000/year. Early in his careerRead More_x000C_Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis355457 Words à |à 1422 Pagestest results and television viewing habits of 1700 children. They found that children who averaged more than two hours of television viewing per day when they were younger than 3 tended to score lower on measures of reading ability and short term memory. a. Is the study described an observational study or an experiment? b. Is it reasonable to conclude that watching two or more hours of television is the cause of lower reading scores? Explain. Context Driven Applications Real data examples and
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Classification of Chemical Substance free essay sample
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the properties of several substances with the purpose of determining whether they are molecular, ionic, macromolecular or metallic. Introduction Chemical substances could be named ionic, molecular or metallic substance, based on the kind of bond present in it. Solid ionic compound is composed of ions, which are held together by large electrostatic forces. Bonding in molecular substance is caused by the sharing of electrons by atoms. When the stable aggregates resulting from covalent bonding contain relatively small numbers of atoms, they are called molecules, if aggregates are very large and include essentially all the atoms in a macroscopic particle, it is called macromolecular. Bonding in metallic substances is caused by the free movement of electrons. Materials Test tubes, Bunsen burner, distilled water, thermometer, portable ohmmeter, penny, rubber washer, pliers Procedure a. Melting Point A pea-size sample of a substance is taken. If the sample melts between 100à ° and 300à ° C, it will take more than gentle warming, but will melt before the test tube turns the flame of Bunsen burner to yellow-orange color. We will write a custom essay sample on Classification of Chemical Substance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Above 300à ° C, there will be increasing color; up to about 500à ° C one can still use a test tube and a strong burner flame; however in this experiment there will not be measured any m. p. which are above 500oC. Sample is heated, with a loosely closed stopper. During the heating process, sample is observed in order to reveal decomposition, sublimation, or evolution of water. b. Solubility and Conductance of Solutions Sample is placed in a regular size test-tube with 2 mL of solvent and stirred. It can dissolve immediately, partially, remain the same or produce a cloudy suspension. Solubility tests with distilled water and the two organic solvents are made and results are recorded. Conductance measurements will be made on water solutions by means of portable ohm meter (measures electrical resistance). A solution with a high resistance has a low electrical conductance, and vice versa. Solutions which have a low resistance, 1000 or less are good conductors. Distilled water has a high resistance; but impurities and solvent, can decrease it. Firstly electrodes are rinsed with distilled water, and then resistance is measured for the sample solutions. For purposes of this experiment, a solution with a resistance less than about 2000O is a good conductor, denoted ââ¬Å" Gâ⬠. Between 2000 and 20,000O it is a weak conductor, denoted ââ¬Å" Wâ⬠. Above 20,000O we will consider it to be essentially non-conducting, and denote it with an ââ¬Å"Nâ⬠. a. Electrical Conductance of Solids and Melts Sample is put on the lab bench and touched with the two wires on the ohmmeter probe. Generally metals have a very low resistance; in powder form they even appear to have essentially infinite resistance. However, under pressure, metal powders show good conductance. Penny is put on the lab bench, small rubber washer with a hole, where powder is located, is put on the penny and covered with another one. Then it all is put in the jaws of insulated pliers. Ohmmeter electrodes are put to each of the pennies, and pliers are squeezed. Pennies should not touch each other, and if resistance will gradually fall, it indicates that powder is metal. Another sample is put in the test tube and melted. Electrodes are heated for a few minutes with Bunsen burner and then applied to the melt. It is gently heated to ensure that no solid is crystallized on the electrodes. Some melts are good conductors. After the procedure, electrodes should be rinsed with distilled water, then two unknown are taken for further characterization. Discussion After having performed the experimental procedure, results obtained were used to determine whether the observed substances were ionic, molecular, macromolecular or metallic. The fact that all the substances were soluble in water, revealed the fact that they cannot be macromolecular or metallic. Due to some technical problems, it was not possible to measure the melting point of the substances, so the data was taken from teaching assistants for the three substances. However, information about the m. . of two unknowns was missing. This fact influenced the accuracy of determination the nature of these substances. Conclusion After having performed this experiment, it was clear, that the procedure used is very useful in determining the nature of the observed substances, as based on the melting point, solubility and electric conductivity, it is possible to find out whether the observed substance is ionic, molecular, macromolecular or metallic by means of comparing the properties of these groups accordingly.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Is it true that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning Essay Example
Is it true that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning Paper Shakespeares romantic comedy The Merchant of Venice features Shylock, although he is referred to by most of the other characters as the Jew. Despite all the wrong doings committed against him, it is suggested to us by Shakespeare that he is more of a villain than a victim; this is because Shakespeare uses him as a Daniel to test the personalities of the other characters and the audience. However we must consider the misconception of Jews and the anti-Semitism shown towards them in the Elizabethan era, which may be responsible for the treatment of Shylock. When we first meet Shylock in the play it is no coincidence that his first words are three thousand ducats. Shakespeare is subtly trying to suggest early on in the play the importance of money to Shylock. With our perception of Shylock of being attracted to money it automatically makes the audience think he is greedy and selfish. Shakespeare is trying to hint to us that perhaps Shylock isnt the kind of character you would like to be associated with. This is re-enforced by the fact that he says he hates Antonio. I hate him for he is a Christian; but more, for that in low simplicity he lends out money gratis. We will write a custom essay sample on Is it true that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Is it true that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Is it true that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Shylock partly hates Antonio because he is a Christian, but more because he doesnt charge interest when he lends money so in effect he is putting him out of business. This would seem quite petty to the audience this early in the play because we dont know any background knowledge of the two characters and how they treat one another. It is because of his hate for Antonio that Shakespeares Shylock seems very interested in the offer made to him because it means he would be above Antonio, as Antonio would owe him money. On stage this looks like an act of kindness on Shylocks part because effectively he is helping out Bassanio. But it is a slightly suspicious act because in that scene he is insulted by Antonio, he is referred to as the devil having an evil soul. He is even compared to as a goodly apple rotten to the heart. On top of this Antonio says he is likely to spit on him again yet Shylock still lends him the money. This should make no sense to the audience because if anyone else as in that position of being treated like vermin by someone, they wouldnt go and do that person a favour. So if it werent for the terms of the bond an equal pound of flesh we would think that Shylock was a character full of forgiveness and kindness but we cant help but be suspicious by the terms of the bond, whether he really is going after a pound of Antonios flesh which might kill him. This act suggests early on that Shylock is plotting something against Antonio so we are left at the end of the first scene in which we see Shylock slightly confused at whether or not Shylock is the kind, forgiving character he seems. As we read on in the play, the doubt we have about Shylock not completely being the innocent character fades slightly and we can sympathise with him for the deeds being done against him. We find out that Antonio is not the only one who is constantly mocking and insulting Shylock and that almost all the Christians in the play regard him as a lower being, less than a man. He is called a cur, a dog and wherever he goes he is never referred to as Shylock but people simply know him as the Jew and he has to live with being called this all the time. For example in the court scene even the Duke directly calls him Jew. Shylock shows a great sense of character throughout the play, even though he and his Jewish faith is always insulted he doesnt seem like he is affected by it and most of the time stays calm and pleasant like nothing has been said. Here comes another of the tribe; a third cannot be matched, unless the devil himself turn Jew. Shylocks reaction to this is very surprising. He ignores this comment as it were nothing and carries on talking to Tubal. Being a contemporary audience we find these sorts of comments outrageous and would not think of using this kind of language because it signifies deep hatred and insult that we do not use any more. So we immediately sympathise with Shylock and now consider him very much as a victim. However at the time the play was written this sort of abuse towards the Jews was closer to the norm, so to an Elizabethan audience it would not have seemed at that time that the Christians were doing anything wrong. This is because in that era when countries were being colonised and nationality was very important, people had a very low opinion of other nations because every nation saw themselves as great, so racism would have been high. Nowadays with so much immigration occurring all over the globe people have become much more tolerant of other nations so racism has decreased. In Act 2 Scene 5 we are shown yet another side of Shylock, we are shown him as a father. We would expect him to be the gentle, kind figure we recognised him as in the opening scenes but to our surprise we see him as almost the opposite of this. We find that he treats his own daughter as you might a prisoner, she is left with his instructions and is supposed follow only what he wants her to do which is Lock up my doors stop my houses ears. She is told to stay inside, lock the doors and bar the windows whilst there is a party happening outside and she is practically forbidden to even look out the window. Being a young lady well capable of looking after herself this must seem like torture to Jessica because she is being treated like a child. Again though this only seems like a harsh act to the modern reader, in the Elizabethan era daughters were expected to follow her fathers orders word for word so this would not have been to sympathise with Jessica for. In fact her reaction to this might have cost life. Farewell, and if my fortune not be crossd, I have a father, you a daughter, lost. It seems that she had planned her runaway before hand so this sort of treatment was probably normal for Shylock. In contrast to the Elizabethan way of thinking, the modern reader might think that running away isnt such a bad thing to do seeing as she is capable of looking after herself. Even though we know the way in which Shylock treats his daughter, we have to sympathise with him because Jessica is his only child and however harsh a father he might be it obviously hurt him a great deal to lose her by the way he acts in the next scene. my own flesh and blood to rebel. The repetition of this phrase implies that Shylock is very upset by the loss of his daughter, we recognise this because the strong language he is using, for example to rebel is repeated along with flesh and blood. The repletion of these words suggests Shylock has become fixated on his daughter being his own flesh and blood. This suggests that because he has been tormented so much he has to hold on to the fact that his daughter is his flesh and blood as if it were slipping away. We are made to sympathise further with Shylock because as well as having to deal with the loss of his daughter he has to come to terms with the fact that she took money from him and also his dead wifes ring. Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels! My daughter! O my ducats! Oh my daughter. Salarino is not helping Shylock in any way; in fact he tries to make his misery worse There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory. This comment is aggressively thrown at Shylock purposely trying to get a negative reaction from him and is typical of the abuse being constantly thrown at him. In response to this, Shylock starts talking about his bond with Antonio, which signifies again his ability to ignore the insults being thrown at him. Based on this evidence it would seem that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning but more evidence is yet to be uncovered. After this it seems as if Shylock has had enough and is about to break down from all the abuse hes suffered and this is explored in his emotional speech in the scene. Shylock pours out his heart in this speech at first telling of how Antonio treats him and then delves deeper and painfully recalls about his own race: (He hath disgraced, hindered, laughed, mocked, scorned and thwarted me because I am a Jew). We can tell he has put his heart behind what he has said because of the strong emotive language that is used such as disgraced Shylock is telling us for the first time the pitiful and numerous ways in which he is being treated. It proves to the audience that his life must almost be a living hell. He tells us how he is not just hated and used at peoples leisure, he is made to look like a fool which can often hurt more and people go out of their way to do it. Being aware of the way he is treated and the feeble reason for it (in our eyes) we are able to understand why Shylock hates him so much and from this example it seems he has a very good reason to. Shylock goes on to try and make Salarino and Solanio understand that there really is no reason for Christians to hate Jews. Hath not a Jew eyes if you prick us do we no bleed. Shakespeare makes many of these sorts of comparisons between the Jew and everyone else. These being genuine characteristics of men Shakespeare makes us feel genuinely sorry for Shylock himself and not just for Jews in general. It seems like after this point in the play Shylock turns into a different character. We can notice this change because his obsession with money comes to an end and he is no longer interested by it. Shylock suddenly becomes so blinded by his bond and revenge that he loses most of our sympathy very quickly. if you wrong us shall we not revenge he villainy you teach me I will execute. To the audience, this sounds like an act of villainy is to come because of the strong and hate driven language used by Shylock, e. g. revenge execute. From now we fear that Shylock is going to try and get something out of this. It is as if all the ill treatment he has been receiving is going to come out and he is going to release his anger. In the last scene we see Shylock in, it is not the same Shylock we have witnessed in the early stages of the play: he is now a man fuelled by hate and anger who has set out to achieve one thing, revenge. Nothing is going to stop him from getting what he thinks is rightfully his. I shall have my bond. Even after several reasonable and eloquent pleas for mercy and offers of very generous sums of money (which used to be his life) Shylock is still intent on having his bond. We can tell this because he whets thy knife on the sole of his shoe. This action makes the scene more dramatic and we really start to see the product of all his hate bubbling inside of him. It is as if his loathing for Antonio is seeping out now because even the thought of cutting the flesh off Antonio excites him a great deal. Most learned judge. Shylock goes as far as to flatter the judge because he is so happy. This gets sickening to hear because he is not out to just prove a point, Shylock is after Antonios life and this in most peoples eyes in an unmistakeable act of villainy. When at last Portia puts an end to Shylocks cruel intension, it is not surprising that we find Shylock broken and feeble. He has been stopped dead in his tracks trying to fulfil what he thinks would be getting back some of the injustice that has faced Jews all over the world. As the penalty of Shylocks actions is given out no one stops to think about why he wouldnt give up his cause, no one cares because he is a Jew even though Antonio can see the reasoning behind it. He seeks my life, his reasoning well I know (Act 3 Scene 3). The terms he has to deal with are very severe, he has to be content with losing all his possessions and horrifically he is forced to convert to the Christian faith. It is because of these conditions that it doesnt come as a shock that his last lines are I pray you give me leave to go from hence; I am not well. These touching words are the last of a man torn by anger, hate and sorrow. This is where Shakespeares genius shows because it leaves us with the difficult task of deciding whether Shylock has got what he deserved or has been subject to an incredible injustice. To say that Shylock is a man more sinned against than sinning is a reasonable thing. As we have heard, Shylock has had so many wrong doings against him and was constantly being bombarded with acts of cruelty, that it has ultimately resulted in him losing everything he has ever cared about including his sense of self and his health. Shylock is meant to be ridiculed by the audience and even though the play is supposed to be a romantic comedy there is a hidden depth to the play. We must recognise the difference between Shylocks apparel and his personality and if we look deeply we can see that Shakespeares Shylock is not the villainous character he is made to be.
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