As many other plays and novels, William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice became a movie under the eyes of director Michael Radford. The movie depicts the fine characters and points out all the complex relationships between characters Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, Bassanio, a gentleman, Shylock, a Jew, and Portia, a fair heiress.
In Venice, Jews were being extremely discriminated against. Shylock was a usurer Jew and incredibly offended by Antonio a Christian. Being Bassanio’s friend, Antonio had to put his Christian pride aside and ask Shylock for money so that Bassanio could go to Belmont and have an opportunity with fair Portia who was a beautiful heiress. She could not choose his husband because his father stated in his will that Portia should marry the man who chose the right casket among the gold, the silver and the lead ones. Shylock lent Antonio 3000 ducats for three months without interest and the bond was that if in the 3 months Antonio did not pay the money, the Jew would take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Jessica, the usurer’s daughter, was in love with a Christian and she eloped with him, in the ship with Bassanio, taking some of Shylock’s money and leaving him hateful.
While Bassanio succeeded choosing the right casket, Antonio’s time has come. Losing his ships at sea, he did not have the money so as to pay Shylock; therefore Shylock asked for a trial in which he would be able to take Antonio’s pound of flesh. After hearing what happened, Bassanio told his future wife how great his friend was and what he did for him. Portia gave Bassanio 6000 ducats to save his beloved friend and asked him to marry before leaving. After his departure, Portia left to his uncle’s house where she asked for advice to defend Antonio. At the end, Bassanio asked Shylock to accept 6000 ducats but his revengeful spirit did not allow that. Antonio was judged by Portia dressed as a young lawyer and sentenced to pay his bound. When Shylock was about to cut Antonio’s chest, wise Portia stated that he could take nothing but an exact pound of flesh without any drop of blood. Shylock lost all his possessions except his religion even though Antonio demanded Shylock to become Christian his Jewish faith was greater than anything else.
What must be pointed out about this film is the high quality cast. Actors Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes and actress Lynn Collins were able to depict and perfectly portray Shakespeare’s characters. Al Pacino performed Shylock outstandingly and his speech will certainly be remembered. Lynn Collins introduced a very strong and intelligent Portia, and also made her quite witty. Irons highlighted Antonio’s pride and Fiennes depicted Bassanio’s passion. As a whole, the cast was extraordinarily well chosen. Through their performances we were able to feel what the characters felt in every minute of the movie.
The movie, as well as the actual play, gives you plenty of things to think and discuss about. The repeated questions Is it a tragedy or comedy? Who wins at the end? Certainly do not have a finite answer as they might be seen from various perspectives. Therefore, the movie is good in the sense that does not give you those answers.
Portia’s character; however, was, in my opinion, underappreciated in both the movie and the play. If we think about it, it was her who using her wit and intelligence could save Antonio’s life. Bassanio was not able to do anything and probably, without Portia’s existence, would have seen his most beloved and dearest friend die.
Although I would like to encourage everybody to read books and Shakespeare’s plays, masterpieces like this movie make me agree that if you lack time you can watch a movie instead of reading. The merchant of Venice by director Michael Radford is 100% recommendable.
As many other plays and novels, William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice became a movie under the eyes of director Michael Radford. The movie depicts the fine characters and points out all the complex relationships between characters Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, Bassanio, a gentleman, Shylock, a Jew, and Portia, a fair heiress.
