Comments for Wolfe Honors English 9

Comment on Maggie: Shylock’s Speech by Sloane Hauck

Sloane Hauck — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:34:05 +0000

I believe that the readers opinions on the Jews most definitly changed, because now we feel an urge to side with Shylock since we feel bad for him. Its clear that we change our opinion on Shylock because Shakespeare gives us several reasons has to why Jews are the same as any other person and also why people with different beliefs should not be treated differently.

Comment on Bassanio’s speech on beauty by Sloane Hauck

Sloane Hauck — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:30:38 +0000

Yes, I believe Bassanio really does love Portia. If he did not, why would he have traveled all this way? Of course he wants to be a dept free man, but at the same time, he thrives to be her wife. Also, he was the only suitor that recognized the true meaning of the lottery boxes, that outward appearance does not show true character, by picking the lead casket and therefore winning her love.

Comment on Jenna Bush Post #1 by Brynn Hackett

Brynn Hackett — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:41:57 +0000

I think Shakespeare definitely had sympathy for Jews in general (for what they had to go through at the time), but made Shylock the villain because of his personality, not because he’s Jewish. Also, I think Shakespeare was trying to incorporate the idea that Jews are just like everyone else, but in a subtle way.

Comment on Austin Norton by Brynn Hackett

Brynn Hackett — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:36:58 +0000

I think Jessica is just merely his offspring, I don’t think they ever had a close relationship. If Shylock referred to Jessica as one of his jewels, that would most likely mean he liked her more and respected her more, then she probably wouldn’t have run away.

Comment on Antonio going to Shylock for help by Brynn Hackett

Brynn Hackett — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:34:50 +0000

I was also confused with this part, but yeah I would have to agree with Austin that he probably had the most money and even though he hated him, was probably also trustworthy.

Comment on Merchant of Venice Blog (Brynn Hackett) by Austin Norton

Austin Norton — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:16:06 +0000

i think Shylock is under a lot of stress, and is angered by Antonio, so he punishes Jessica and Launcelot. He is a villain because he is always cruel to his daughter and Launcelot, and isn’t really friendly to anyone.

Comment on Jenna Bush Post #1 by Austin Norton

Austin Norton — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:11:44 +0000

I think Shylock is letting his anger out on him from what he did to him in the past, and truly still dislikes him.

Comment on Antonio going to Shylock for help by Austin Norton

Austin Norton — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:10:16 +0000

I think that he knows Shylock has probably the most money out of everyone he knows, so maybe he was the first person he went to.

Comment on Bassanio’s speech on beauty by Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:13:39 +0000

Yes, I believe Bassanio really does love Portia, because even though she is rich and he has a lot of debt he wouldn’t have traveled all the way to Belmont spending more of Antonio’s money and risking his best friends life just for her help with his debt, because he wouldn’t even of had to risk his friends life for money if he didn’t see Portia.

Comment on Sloane Hauck post #1 by Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:09:23 +0000

I think that Shakespeare wanted his audience to analyze a deeper meaning and that Jews are pretty much the same as Christians, and shouldn’t be treated differently.