The court scene is the most theatrical scene in the Merchant of Venice. The implication of this scene is the rule of law. At the beginning, Shylock refuses Bassanio's offer for 6,000 ducats because the limit of the contract has passed, and the Duke of Venice cannot stop Shylock from accomplishing the contract because curbing the law would establish a wrong legal precedent. Nevertheless, Shylock is defeated at the end because of a flaw in his contract, and loses everything accordingly to the law. Through this scene, one can see a strong sense of dogmatism, setting the law as absolute rule that cannot be affected by human emotions. At the same time, the fact that the law eventually makes a judgment that agrees with people's moral judgment, to save Antonio and punish Shylock, emphasizes the idea that the law is equal to justice. This idea that the law is absolute justice is similar to how the judgment of the three caskets were portrayed as absolutely right.
Author: Masato
Things Theatrical: Three Caskets
The scene where Portia's suitors choose from three caskets to find out if they qualify for marrying Portia is another theatrical thing in the Merchant of Venice. Prior to this scene, Portia mocks all her possible fiancés except for Bassanio in the conversation with Nerissa, and it is clear to the audience that Portia will reject a propose by anybody but Bassanio. And indeed, Bassanio is the one who is chosen as the fiancé of Portia. However, Shakespeare chooses to make Bassanio the fiance through this unique idea of three caskets rather than having Portia simply choose him.
One of the functions of this scene is that it allows the audience to see a clear distinction of the ideologies of the three suitors. The reasons that each suitor gives before he chooses a casket reflect the philosophies and ideologies of the suitors. Through this scene, one can see that there is a clear contrast between the philosophy of Bassanio and the other two suitors.
Secondly, instead of having Portia choose her fiancé and explain to each suitor why or why not he was chosen, Shakespeare makes each suitor choose his own fate and the casket explain why or why not he was chosen. This makes the reasons given for the rejection or the acceptation of the suitor appear to be much more credible than being told through Portia's mouth. It is also important that the phrases in the caskets appear like moral precepts. It gives almost an absolute justice to the judgment by the caskets.
Finally, the casket system allows every person, regardless of class, to be judged equally. The caskets function as dogma that judge people based solely on their philosophies and morals.
This whole scene allows Shakespeare to articulate the problem with the nobles that were criticized by Portia in the prior scene. Throughout the play, the nobles are portrayed as superficial people who care only about their appearance, as opposed to Bassanio, who chooses the lead box because he declares that appearance shows the least of something. And because the caskets judged Bassanio as the right one, the audience is directed towards receiving Bassanio's idea as an absolute truth. What is implied by Bassanio's statement is that the morality of a person is higher than his class or appearance. The fact that the suitors were all judged equally under the casket also emphasizes this idea, as the suitors are judged stripped off of their social status and only by their morals or ideologies.
Things Theatrical: Shylock’s Contract
Among the things theatrical in the Merchant of Venice, Shylock’s contract with Antonio is one of the most memorable scenes. The actual quote reads,
“This kindness will I show.
Go with me not a notary, seal me there
If you reply me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum or sums as are
Express’d in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of you fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.”
This scene has a shocking effect to the audience, as it is an abrupt emergence of violence in the play. Prior to this scene, there is no implication of any form of violence. The emergence of a violent thought in a peaceful time is an implication of how peace is superficial, and violence or grievance is always hidden under. It is also important to note that this line was given by a Jew to a Christian, which implies the profoundness of the cleavage between the two religions.
Things Theatrical
I just wanted to randomly list up things theatrical in the play.
- Portia’s question of the three boxes.
- Bassanio and Portia’s marriage.
- The whole court scene.
- Bassanio, Portia and the ring
Ideas for stasis and intrusion
- The location is Venice. There are many merchants in Venice who make money by trading goods.
- Shylock and Antonio have a conflict in interest regarding business.
- Antonio is sad.
- Antonio’s ships are all on journey and he does not have money.
- Portia’s father died recently, and she is looking for a husband.
–These seem to be the unchangable stability, but maybe these are too specific? Then, there must be an action that disrupts this stability, which I think is Bassanio asking Antonio for money. What do other people think?
Philosophical Statements
Regarding philosophical statements, gender relationship seems to be a key idea that can be seen throughout the text of "A Street Car Named Desire." These philosophical statements can be categorized as Gender Roles, Poker, Life and Death, and Animal Metaphors.
Gender Roles
1. "Have you ever heard of the Napoleonic code?"
2. "You men with your big clumsy fingers."
3. "I've never met a woman that didn't know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and some of them give themselves credit for more than they've got."
4. "Some men are took in by this Hollywood glamor stuff and some men are not."
5. "You can't beat a woman and then call'er back!"
6. "When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen."
7. "A man like that is someone to go out with – once – twice – three times when the devil is in you."
8. "And men don't want anything they get too easy. But on the other hand men lose interest quickly. Especially when the girl is over – thirty. They think a girl over thirty ought to go – the vulgar term is – €˜put out.'"
9. "The one (law of nature) that says the lady must entertain the gentleman €” or no dice!"
10. "A man with a heavy build has got to be careful of what he puts on him so he don't look too clumsy."
11. "Hughey Long €˜Every Man is a King'"
12. "A cultivated woman, a woman of intelligence and breeding, can enrich a man's life €” immeasureably!"
13. "I always did say that men are callous things with no feelings, but this does beat anything. Making pigs of yourselves."
The most prevalent category of philosophical statements in "A Street Car Named Desire" is the general statements about the role of men and women. These statements all refer to specific ways that men and women are expected to act. As for men, the reference to them as kings implies that they are the primary actors in the society who determine how things should be. On the other hand, women are seen as the secondary actors in the society, and their roles are to "entertain the gentleman" (9) and "enrich a man's life." (12) However, unlike the men's role, there seems to be a contradiction in the women's role. On one hand, it is stated that the important thing about women is their "intelligence and breeding" as can be seen in quote 12, while on the other hand, it is stated that the important thing about women is their sexual appeal, as evident in the reference to being "good-looking" in quote 3 and the reference in quote 8 about how women are "put out" when they reach thirty. There is a gap between how the society tells women to act, and the reality of women. This is because the men are the primary actors, and the rules of society were created by men. This leads to the idea that "There are specific roles for both men and women, but the role of women contradicts with the reality because it is a male-dominated society."
Poker
1. "When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen."
2. "Nothing belongs on a poker table but cards, chips and whiskey."
3. "Poker should not be played in a house with women."
Poker is a symbolic activity that Tennessee Williams uses in "A Street Car Named Desire." In the play, poker is not only a gamble, but also a stage for the males to compete with each other and try to prove their superiority. It is a symbol for politics. Quote 1 suggests how poker is a stage for significant actions, while quote 2 and 3 describe the exclusiveness of the game. The fact that women are excluded from this game reinforces the idea that "In the society, men are the primary actors and women are the secondary actors."
Life and Death
1. "And funerals are pretty compared to deaths. Funerals are quiet, but deaths – not always."
2. "Death is expensive, Ms. Stella."
3. "There is so much – so much confusion in the world."
4. "People have got to tolerate each other's habits, I guess."
5. "No matter what happens, you've got to keep on going."
6. "To hold front position in this rat-race you've got to believe you are lucky."
7. "But, honey, you know as well as I do that a single girl, a girl alone in the world, has got to keep a firm hold on her emotions or she'll be lost!"
Another major category of philosophical statements in "A Street Car Named Desire" is Life and Death. There are several quotes that refer to the nature of life and death in the text. Of these quotes, the recurring theme seems to be about how humans should deal with life. Quote 4, 5, and7 all refer to how one should deal with life, and the conclusion is that one has to accept whatever happens and cope with it. This submissiveness of female characters can be seen throughout the play, and in relation to the conclusion of the above categories, one can say that it is because of the fact that males are the dominant actors who determine how things should be in the society. Females do not have the power to change this structure, and any sufferings that they receive, they simply have to endure them and cope with them.
Animal Metaphor
1. "That shut her up like a clam."
2. (Old farmer, hen and rooster joke.)
3. "Is he a wolf?"
4. "You hens cut out that conversation in there."
5. (Like a dancing bear)
6. "He was as good as a lamb"
7. "Yes, something — ape-like about him, like one of those pictures I've seen in – anthropological studies! Thousands and thousands of years have passed him right by, and there he is – Stanley Kowalski – survivor of the stone age! Bearing the raw meant home from the kill in the jungle."
8. "Night falls and other apes gather! There in front of the cave, all grunting like him, and swilling and gnawing and hulking! His poker night! – you call it – this party of apes! Somebody growls€”some creature snatches at something – the fight is on!"
9. "Same canary-bird, huh!"
10. "Parot"
11. "He says you been lapping it up all summer like a wild-cat."
12. "I stayed at a hotel called The Tarantula Arms!"
13. "But he's not going to jump in a tank with a school of sharks."
In terms of metaphor, one will immediately notice how many metaphors to animals there are in the text of "A Street Car Named Desire." The comparison of animals with humans implies that humans are also fundamentally primitive. Another important idea that is evident in these metaphors is the two different kinds of metaphors for women. On one hand, women are compared with canary birds and clams, while on the other hand, they are compared to Tarantulas and sharks, those predator animals. When one focuses on the reason why there are two different kinds of metaphors for women, it becomes clear that image of women shift from weak animals to predators when they do not follow the social order of male dominance. For example, Blanche pursues happiness through her own power, instead of depending on one man. She does not play the role as a woman that the male-dominated society expects her to play, and this is when she is described as those predator animals. This is because she has become a threat to the male-dominated society by trying to be independent. The concluding idea is that "Humans are primitive animals. Men are accepted to express their primitive nature, though women who do the same are seen as dangerous."
Individual and overall themes
- Title
- No matter how industrialized and civilized people become, primitive desire is the fundamental force of human actions.
- Philosophical Statements
- There are specific roles for both women and men, but the role of women contradicts with the reality.
- The rule of the society cannot be changed, and you just have to cope with it.
- Humans are primitive animals. Men are accepted to express their primitive nature, though women who do the same are seen as dangerous.
- Women must accept the limits that the male-dominated society imposes on their desire.
- Overall Theme: People are driven by primitive desire, but women’s desire is restricted by the male-dominated society. This society only allows women to fulfill their desires by giving up their independence and submitting to men.
Actions that lead to ideas
1. The males abuse females but reconcile at the end: seems to suggest that male dominance is the nature of human beings, because males are physically and socially stronger. Women do not have the power to fight against this, and all they can do is to accept it and deal with it. It is the nature of human beings.2. Female dependence on men: All the females, especially Blanche, cannot survive without depending on males. Males are much more stronger than females in the society. This goes back to the primitive state of human life, in which males were hunting and females stayed in the house.3. Blanche’s contradictions: despite all her talks about how she worships art and music, Blanche cannot resist her desire for alcohol and young men. This seems to suggest the dominance and inevitability of desire within human beings.4. Blanche is not looked as a marriageable subject because of her past: seems to suggest that sexual appeal is the only value that women have.5. Blanche’s covering the light: seems to suggest that there is something to hide about human beings. This can be the decaying of her physical beauty or her dark past. Covering the light allows her to ignore and escape from reality.
Animal Metaphors
AnimalsStanley "That shut her up like a clam." (41)Steve (Old farmer, hen and rooster joke.) (50)Blanche "Is he a wolf?" (53)Stanley "You hens cut out that conversation in there." (55)(Like a dancing bear) (62)Stella "He was as good as a lamb" (71)Blanche "Yes, something — ape-like about him, like one of those pictures I've seen in – anthropological studies! Thousands and thousands of years have passed him right by, and there he is – Stanley Kowalski – survivor of the stone age! Bearing the raw meant home from the kill in the jungle." (80)Blanche "Night falls and other apes gather! There in front of the cave, all grunting like him, and swilling and gnawing and hulking! His poker night! – you call it – this party of apes! Somebody growls€”some creature snatches at something – the fight is on!" (80)Stanley "Same canary-bird, huh!" (113)Blanche "Parot" (123)Mitch "He says you been lapping it up all summer like a wild-cat." (133)Blanche "I stayed at a hotel called The Tarantula Arms!" (136)Stanley "but he's not going to jump in a tank with a school of sharks." (119)
Core Ideas
I divided the quotes into different categories that I thought are core ideas in the text, in order to make some kind of sense out of them.IdeasGenderStanley "Have you ever heard of the Napoleonic code?"Blanche "You men with your big clumsy fingers."Stanley "I've never met a woman that didn't know if she was good-looking or not without being told, and some of them give themselves credit for more than they've got."Stanley "Some men are took in by this Hollywood glamor stuff and some men are not."Mitch "Poker should not be played in a house with women."Eunice "you can't beat a woman and' then call €˜er back!"Stella "When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen."Blanche "A man like that is someone to go out with – once – twice – three times when the devil is in you."Blanche "And men don't want anything they get too easy. But on the other hand men lose interest quickly. Especially when the girl is over €” thirty. They think a girl over thirty ought to €” the vulgar term is €” "put out."” (91)Blanche "The one (law of nature) that says the lady must entertain the gentleman €” or no dice!" (97)Mitch "A man with a heavy build has got to be careful of what he puts on him so he don't look too clumsy." (101)Stanley "Hughey Long €˜Every Man is a King'" (124)Blanche "A cultivated woman, a woman of intelligence and breeding, can enrich a man's life €” immeasureably!" (145)Eunice "I always did say that men are callous things with no feelings, but this does beat anything. Making pigs of yourselves." (153)SexBlanche "but the only way to live with such a man is to – go to bed with him!" (77)Stella "But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark — that sort of make everything else seem – unimportant." (78)PokerStella "When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen." (71)Stanley "nothing belongs on a poker table but cards, chips and whiskey." (48)Mitch "Poker should not be played in a house with women." (63)LifeBlanche "And funerals are pretty compared to deaths. Funerals are quiet, but deaths – not always." (25)Blanche "Death is expensive, Ms. Stella." (26)Blanche "There is so much – so much confusion in the world." (68)Stella "People have got to tolerate each other's habits, I guess." (73)Eunice "No matter what happens, you've got to keep on going." (154)Stanley "To hold front position in this rat-race you've got to believe you are lucky." (152)Blanche "But, honey, you know know as well as I do that a single girl, a girl alone in the world, has got to keep afirm hold on her emotions or she'll be lost!" (98)