The Merchant of Venice
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Posted:Jul 20, 2006 5:59 am
Last Updated:Jul 21, 2006 5:05 pm 3540 Views
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The play is where the term "a pound of flesh"
comes from.
The play starts with two friend Antonio, a Christian merchant, and his aristocrat friend Bassanio, an who has lost all of his money, comes and asks Antonio to for a loan.
Antonio, who has tied up all of his money is seafaring ventures, is unable to give Bassanio a direct loan. Instead he offers to use his good credit to get a loan for Bassanio.
Bassanio gets the loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, as long as Antonio promises him a pound of his flesh as collateral. Antonio, thinking this is a "merry sport," accepts the condition of the bond (contract) and signs it.
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
The Merchant of Venice, 1. 3
Bassanio uses the money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress. She is unmarried because her father has decreed that all suitors must first select one of three caskets in order to marry her. The caskets, one made of gold, one of silver, and one of base lead, all contain different messages. Only one of these caskets contains a picture of Portia. The suitor who picks that casket will be granted permission to marry her.
The Prince of Morocco chose the Gold Casket. among the caskets hence the term, "All that glitters is not Gold. The next suitor, the Prince of Aragon, selects the silver casket which bears an inscription stating that it will give a man what he deserves. Inside is a picture of an idiot, indicating that his self-centered approach was foolish.
All that glisters is not gold.
The Merchant of Venice, 2. 7
Back in Venice, Jessica, the of Shylock, has fallen in love with Lorenzo. Jessica takes some of her father's money and they run off together to elope.
Shylock, upon discovering that his has run away with his money, blames Antonio for helping her escape. At the same time there are rumors developing in Venice that many of Antonio's ships, with which he expected to repay Shylock for the loan, have sunk or been lost at sea. Shylock literally wants a pound of Antonio's flesh.
I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto?
The Merchant of Venice, 1. 3
Bassanio arrives in Belmont, choses the lead casket with the portrait of Portia and wins her hand in marriage. She gives him a ring to seal their engagement and they prepare to get married the next day. Graziano, who has accompanied Bassanio to Belmont, tells him that he and Nerissa (Portia's friend) wish to be married as well.
Bassanio recieves a letter from Antonio in which he informs Bassanio that he has lost all his money and must forfeit a pound of flesh to Shylock. Bassanio immediately tells Portia what has happened. She orders him to take six thousand ducats and return to Venice where he can pay Shylock and cancel the contract.
If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
The Merchant of Venice, 3. 1
After Bassanio and Graziano have left, Nerissa and Portia depart for Venice disguised as men.
So may the outward shows be least themselves;
The world is still deceived with ornament.
The Merchant of Venice, 3. 2
Shylock has Antonio arrested and brought before the Duke of Venice, who presides over a court of justice. The Duke pleads with Shylock to forgive the contract and let Antonio go free. When he refuses, the Duke asks him how he expects any mercy if he is unable to offer it. The Duke then tells the gathered men that he is waiting for a doctor of the law to arrive.
A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off
Nearest the merchant's heart.
The Merchant of Venice, 4. 1
Nerissa enters the court and hands a letter to the Duke which notifies him that a Doctor Bellario has sent an educated young doctor in his place. Portia arrives disguised as the Doctor Balthasar. She informs the Duke that she has studied the case and will preside over it. She first asks Shylock for the contract and looks it over. Bassanio offers to pay Shylock the six thousand ducats, but he refuses to accept the money, preferring instead the revenge of killing Antonio.
In the twinkling of an eye.
The Merchant of Venice, 2. 2
Portia grants Shylock his pound of flesh. Shylock, overjoyed at winning his case, holds a knife ready to cut into Antonio's breast.
Portia stops him by asking if he has a surgeon present to suppress the flow of blood. Shylock tells her that the bond said nothing about providing a doctor. She informs him that he may have his pound of flesh, but that if he sheds a single drop of blood then Venice can take away his lands and wealth according to the law.
Shylock, clearly unable to comply with this law, asks instead that he be given the six thousand ducats. Portia refuses his request, explaining that she has already ruled according to the contract, and that it must be carried out.
Portia then starts to read the contract literally, reaffirming that Shylock must take exactly one pound of flesh, no more and no less, or he will violate the contract and die. Shylock tells the court that he wishes to completely drop his case and forgive Antonio the entire three thousand ducats.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
The Merchant of Venice, 5. 1
Portia again refuses his request, explaining that the law in Venice states that if any foreigner conspires against the life of a Venetian, half his wealth is to be given to the man against whom he conspired, and half is taken as a fine by the state. In addition, the Duke is granted the power of life and death over him.
When Shylock is pardoned by the Duke, he informs the court that he would prefer death rather than lose everything he owns. Antonio asks the court to return the fine of half of Shylock's wealth provided Shylock converts to Christianity.
These blessed candles of the night.
The Merchant of Venice, 5. 1
In addition, Antonio declares he will keep his share in a trust for Jessica and Lorenzo. Portia agrees to this, and also makes Shylock promise to give all his money to Lorenzo upon his death.
After the trial Bassanio thanks "Dr. Balthasar" (Portia) for "his" good work and offers "him" anything "he" desires. Portia asks him for the ring she had given him earlier as a token of their love. He is upset about giving it to her since he thinks she is "Balthasar." However, after Antonio points out that he nearly lost his life for Bassanio, Bassanio pulls off the ring and hands it to her.
Portia and Nerissa return to Belmont as themselves. Lorenzo and Jessica have been living there Soon after the two women arrive, Bassanio and Graziano also return from Venice. The happy reunion is destroyed when Portia asks Bassanio about the ring (which he gave away). She forgives him only after Antonio vouches for Bassanio's fidelity.
Portia then gives Antonio the ring and has him hand it to Bassanio. He is shocked to see it is the same ring he gave "Balthasar". Portia finally tells him the truth about Balthasar. The play ends with three happy couples: namely Lorenzo and Jessica, Nerissa and Graziano, as well as Portia and Bassanio.
"If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge
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Would I Ditch My For A Man! No Way!!!!!
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Posted:Jul 19, 2006 9:06 am
Last Updated:Jul 22, 2006 9:10 am 3542 Views
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Last Month - A Gentleman who just happens to be a Lawyer that I have known for a number of years told me that he had been interested in me all that time. We were discussing Pets. He mentioned that he has a cat that sleeps outside but he really didn't care for animals.
I told him that Ferlin the mutt sleeps in my bedroom with his very own bed. Now he shares the bed with SidBocephus the Cat. The Gentleman's comment was, "You REALLY need a man!" He advised me that if He and I became an Item - Ferlin would go!!!!!!!
Yeah Sure!!!! Ferlin is my loyal and faithful hiking buddy. If there is a bear on the trail, Ferlin will chase it away. He is also my protector.
A few years ago, an intruder came into my home while I was asleep. I woke up and the intruder's hand was on my breast. I woke up, screamed and called him some very bad names. He ran out the apartment. I called the police. I wasn't hurt but my breast felt contaminated for about a week. It was alcoholic stupidity on the intruder's part - The DA was talking about 30 years for him. I told them that I thought that was extreme so he was able to pled it down to criminal trespassing.
Nevertheless, the incident really makes me appreciate having a in the house.
It turned out that the Lawyer's Interest in me did not extend beyond my Double DD's. He kept calling me Mommie!  When he discovered a tattoo on one of them. He advised me that I would have to have it removed if he and I were to become an item. It's a good thing he didn't see the other tattoos that I have.
Later on, he commented that I am soooooo Californian that the average West Virginian man would not be a compatible match with me. Hey, an outdoorsy type of woman who is more comfortable in jeans and hiking boots than dresses suits most Appalachian Males just fine.
Me thinks that Hating Barrister and the Star are NOT a love connection!!!!!! Ferlin Stays and it's Hasta La Vista Lawyer!!!!!
Oh Well! Life on Life's Terms! A week later, I met a Virginia State Police Officer who has a named Belle. She is one of those foo foo weinner type dogs. Officer Cutie thinks Ferlin is awesome. He likes my tattoos and says my California Heritage makes me an exotic.
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A Comedy Of Errors - By Shakespeare
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Posted:Jul 18, 2006 7:17 am
Last Updated:Jul 21, 2006 5:29 pm 3391 Views
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A Family seperated by a shipwreck and A Stupid Law creates this Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare.
Egeon, a merchant of Syracuse, is arrested for having the audacity to enter the city of Ephesus thus violating the ban against travel between the two rival cities.
As Egeon is led to his execution, he tells the Ephesian Duke, Solinus, that he was in Syracuse searching for his wife and one of his twin sons, who were separated from him 25 years ago in a shipwreck. The other twin, who grew up with Egeon, is also search of the missing half of their family.
“I to the world am like a drop of water
That in the ocean seeks another drop,
Who, falling there to find his fellow forth,
(Unseen, inquisitive) confounds himself.” (Act, 1, scene 2, lines 35-3
Antipholus S. laments his lost state during his quest to find his twin brother and mother. He is in a strange place, away from family and homeland, where no one recognizes him.
The brothers are identical twins and each has an identical twin slave named Dromio. The Duke is grants Egeon a day to raise the thousand-mark ransom that would be necessary to save his life.
Meanwhile, his Antipholus of Syracuse his slave Dromio is also visiting Ephesus--where Antipholus' missing twin, known as Antipholus of Ephesus, is a prosperous citizen of the city.
“They say this town is full of cozenage,
As nimble jugglers that deceive the eye,
Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind,
Soul-killing witches that deform the body,
Disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks,
And many such-like liberties of sin #x201D; (Act 1, scene 2, lines 97-102)
Antipholus S. voices his fears and prejudices about Ephesus, which he sees as a place full of liars, cheats, charlatans and even sorcerers with the power to deform their victims’ bodies.
Adriana, Antipholus of Ephesus' wife, mistakes Antipholus of Syracuse for her husband and drags him home for dinner, leaving Dromio of Syracuse to stand guard at the door and admit no one.
“I am an ass, I am a woman’s man, and besides myself.” (Act 3, scene 2, line 76)
Dromio S. has doubts about his own identity after being mistaken for his twin brother; he is being claimed by a woman whom he does not know.
Shortly thereafter, Antipholus of Ephesus (with his slave Dromio of Ephesus) returns home and is barred from to his own house.
Antipholus of Syracuse has fallen in love with Luciana, Adriana's sister, who believes that the man she thinks is her brother-in-law is acting inappropriate.
The confusion increases when a gold chain ordered by Antipholus of Ephesianis is given to Antipholus of Syracuse. Antipholus of Ephesus refuses to pay for the chain (unsurprisingly, since he never received it) and is arrested for debt. His wife, seeing his strange behavior, decides he has gone mad and orders her husband bound and held in a cellar room.
“How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it,
That thou art then estranged from thyself? ‒
Thyself I call it, being strange to me,
That undividable, incorporate,
Am better than they dear self’s better part.
Ah, do not tear away thyself from me;
For know, my love, as easy mayst thou fall
A drop of water in the breaking gulf,
And take unmingled thence that drop again
Without addition or diminishing,
As take from me thyself, and not me too.” (Act 2, scene 2, lines 119-129)
Adriana rebukes the man she believes to be her husband for absenting himself from her. She believes that husband and wife are indivisible from each other, so that the absence of one irreparably takes something away from the self-identity of the other.
Meanwhile, Antipholus of Syracuse and his slave decide to flee the city, --only to be menaced by Adriana and the debt officer. They seek refuge in a nearby nunnery.
Adriana now requests the Duke to intervene and remove her "husband" from the abbey into her custody. Her real husband, meanwhile, has broken loose and now comes to the Duke and levels charges against his wife.
The situation is resolved by the Abbess, Emilia, who joined a nunnery when her husband and disappeared at ses. She reveals herself to be Egeon's long-lost wife and mother of the twins.
Antipholus of Ephesus reconciles with Adriana; Egeon is pardoned by the Duke and reunited with his wife; Antipholus of Syracuse resumes his romantic pursuit of Luciana, and all ends happily with the two Dromios embracing.
“Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother:
I see by you I am a sweet-fac’d youth;” (Act 5, scene 1, lines 417-
Dromio E. is reunited with his long-lost identical twin brother, Dromio S.
“I think you have all drunk of Circe’s cup#x201D; (Act 5, scene 1, line 271)
The Duke tries to explain the confusion caused by the appearance in Ephesus of the two sets of twins, each set being unknown to the other, by saying it must be due to witchcraft. Circe was a sorceress in ancient Greek mythology, and appears in Homer’s Odyssey, in which she turns Odysseus’s men temporarily into pigs by giving them wine spiked with a magic potion.
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William Shakespeare’s King Lear - A Lesson in FREE WILL Versus DESTINY!!!!!!
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Posted:Jul 16, 2006 8:23 pm
Last Updated:Jul 30, 2006 8:38 am 6402 Views
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William Shakespeare’s King Lear demonstrators how free will and destiny function in the play. It also ponders on the concept of evil and literal and figurative sight.
The plot gives a story of good and evil characters exercising their own free wills. King Lear foolishly divides up his kingdom to his two deceitful, older daughters who plot to overthrow their father. The King disinherits Cordelia, his honest, dutiful because she refused to give him phony compliment like the other two daughters did.
There is a similar subplot involving the Earl of Gloucester. His illegitimate , Edmund, is jealous of Gloucester’s legitimate , Edgar. Edmund tricks Edgar into leaving and fools Gloucester into believing Edgar was plotting going to kill his father.
In the Beginning, Lear and Gloucester trust the with evil intent. However, as the plot unfolds, Lear and Gloucester learn through that Cordelia and Edgar are the ones worthy of their trust and admiration.
There are also elements of destiny in King Lear. When Gloucester is told Edmund’s story about Edgar’s alleged plans of murder, the Earl blames it on an eclipse: "These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us: though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects" (I, ii, 112-127) [pp. 55-56].
After Gloucester leaves, Edmund speaks his mind on the subject of predestined fate.
"This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behaviour,--we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars; as if we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical pre-dominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star!" (I, ii, 128-131) [pp. 56]
Given how easy Edmund fools Gloucester in the same scene, it seems that Shakespeare is encouraging the audience to see Edmund’s view as the more intelligent and reasonable compared to Gloucester’s belief. However, the author’s true views are questioned again in the last act.
After the failure of Edmund’s plot to disgrace his brother, Edgar says the gods are just, and Edmund agrees, "The wheel is come full circle." (V, iii, 246)
Evil is dependent on free will; it cannot exist in a completely predestined world. While the definitions of evil vary, a general description of an evil character is one that deviates from moral standards, is mischievous, or intends to harm others. If one is not in control of one’s actions, intent is not an issue; one simply acts as fate dictates. This reduces mankind to pre-programmed, biological robots.
While Edmund and the older daughters from King Lear appear evil, could their actions be completely dictated by destiny? Do the daughters truly love their father or did the eclipse make them it? If their actions are indeed controlled by fate they would not be evil.
It is also possible that all the characters in the play had free will. It would be an amazing coincidence if it happened by chance, but it is possible. The actions of Edmund and the older daughters are popularly thought to be of their own volition. Is it silly to think otherwise?
In King Lear, Lear and Gloucester both have the opportunity to see the truth but some they refuse. Lear would rather hear lavish compliments than the less glamorous truth.
Gloucester is very oblivious to the situation; when he asks about Edgar, "But where is he?" Edmund replies, instead of responding to the question, "Look, sir, I bleed" (II, I, 43-4). Gloucester is blind to not notice that at all! However, by the end of the play, both Lear and Gloucester can see the truth.
Lear eventually sees that Cordelia is his only faithful , and Gloucester discovers Edmund’s wicked plans. Lear and Gloucester had all the clues in front of them but decided instead to see what they wanted to see. They are responsible for their poor judgment.
Many elements of our lives are dependent on our free will. How many faiths rely on man’s free will? Religion may lose importance in a predestined world, because without free will there is no choice between good and evil. The fact that King Lear’s characters have free will is backed up by the judgments made by the characters.
King Lear and Gloucester bring their fate upon themselves by ignoring the truth. Living in a world with free will comes with the responsibility of making good judgments.
In the original Play - The Good Dies and the Good become King. In later versions of the play. The Good survives and marries the Good who becomes the King.
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A Reminder to Myself!!!!! Dealing with On-Line Bullies
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Posted:Jul 15, 2006 6:53 am
Last Updated:Oct 8, 2008 5:03 am 6688 Views
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The best way to deal with with an on-line bully don't respond, don't interact and don't engage.
This is not easy but it is doable. The first response natural response is self-defense but it is counter-productive to communicate or reason with a bully.
The bully does not function with the mindset of a mature adult. The bully is constitutionally incapable of reason. The bully may be an adult on the outside, on the inside they are like ill-mannered who's never grew up - and probably never will. Bullies and harassers often have disordered thinking patterns.
Keep documentation of the abuse in a file. When the time comes to take action, this file is your evidence. Bullies, especially cyberbullies, are obsessive people and if their account is closed down, they may start another profile so expect to receive harassing messages from that profile. This can later be compared to harassing messages already received to identify the bully. There will be similar words, phrases and strategies occurring.
Don’t try to deal with the bully yourself. Even mature experienced adults often cannot handle bullying and harassment by themselves. Get a third party to intercede and take the bully to task.
When people use bullying behaviors they project their own weaknesses, failings and shortcomings on to others. In other words, they are telling you about themselves by fabricating an accusation based on something they themselves have done wrong. When you are being harassed on-line, ask the question, "What is this person revealing about themselves this time?"
When the timing is right, take action. Prepare carefully and strike hard. Ignoring the bully may cause them to lose interest and find an easier target to torment but don't count on it. The cyberbully may obsessed to the point that that s/he cannot and will not let go. You will have to make that person let go, but only through swift, hard, action. It is best not to deal with the abuser yourself.
NEVER try to mediate, negotiate, conciliate or otherwise deal with a bully or stalker yourself
. Always remember Rule #1: don't respond, don't interact and don't engage.
Ignore Button,
Ban Button
and Report Abuse
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Bat, Crickets, Officer Cute and Orgasmic Cave
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Posted:Jul 15, 2006 2:11 am
Last Updated:Jul 21, 2006 5:07 pm 3465 Views
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It was a guided tour with lights - I would much rather be wild caving - but anytime I am in the dark with Officer Cutie is good. 
The European pioneers discovered Organ Cave in 1704, but archeological evidence confirms that Neolithic Native Americans had been visiting Organ Cave since at least 8000 BC.
Confederate Soldier mined the cave for Saltpetre (which is actually fossilize bat pee) in the cave. Saltpetere was one of the most important minerals sought after by armies on both sides of this conflict. Saltpetre (potassium nitrate) is the primary ingredient in black powder. We are told that the Civil War would have ended in 8 months rather than 4 years, had it not been for the saltpetre that came out of Organ Cave.
Within the depths of Organ Cave is the Hopper Room, a refinery built by Confederate soldiers at for the purpose of making the saltpeter into gunpowder. Built of hardwoods, hoppers are large vats that held the nitrate rich soil mined by the soldiers inside the cave. Each hopper was filled with over 2 tons of mined rock and soil, then men poured water over the soil, leaching the minerals from the earth and carrying into troughs placed beneath the hoppers. This water was then filtered and boiled in water with turnips until the water boiled away. This left behind saltpetre for gunpowder production.
Some of the animal remains found in the cave are Black Bear, Bobcat, nine species of Bats, Dire Wolf, beautiful Armadillo, Porcupine, Brown (Grizzly) Bear, Saber-toothed Cat, Complicated-toothed , Long-nosed Peccary, Caribou, the tooth of an American Mastodon and the remains of the megaloynx jeffersoni, the giant 3-toed sloth. This was the first sloth found in American and today is still the largest one found.
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TarotCardReading-14July2006
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Posted:Jul 13, 2006 3:49 am
Last Updated:Jul 15, 2006 1:23 am 3395 Views
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Five of Cups
A Disappointing Situation - Disappointment is the result of an emotional attachment to an expectation that is unfulfilled. Dreams dashed and broken. Promises Die, Feeling let down, Betrayed.
Transformation
The Universal Law of Reversal. Do the opposite of what is ordinarily expected to acheive victory. Take an opposite point of view. Look at it from a different prospective.
The Magician - An opportunity to gain new skills and tools on the horizon. Create the reality that you desire.
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