Extract
https://www.youtubeeducation.com/watch?v=th7euZ30wDE
Discussion
What aspects of the criminal plea structure does Shylock's speech have?
- Introduction: Shylock explains his motive and the reasoning for his actions. He explains how Antonio had disgraced him and took his money
- Narrative: Shylock explains how he gave Antonio money and got mocked when Antonio wouldn't pay it back
- Proposition: Shylock explains how he wants revenge for his vilification and loss of money by Antonio
- Outline: Shylock explains how just because he is a Jew, it does not change that he is human. He uses explanations of how he is a human just like Christians are, appealing to logos.
- Counter argument: He refutes arguments that his revenge plot is unnecessary and evil by stating that if the same thing were to happen to a Christian, they would also want revenge.
- Digression: Shylock explains how he is only doing what everyone else would in the same situation. He states that he is applying the same cruelty that Christians taught him.
- Pathos: In the end of speech Shylock explains that there is no reason for a Jew to suffer when wronged by a Christian, whereas a Christian would seek for revenge in the same situation. This appeals to pathos, as the audience can empathize with Shylock.
How does Shylock use his speech to justify revenge as a human need?
- In the beginning, when Shylock is asked what he is to do with a pound of flesh, he states that he will used it to "feed" his revenge.
- This is a use of connotations, where as "satisfy" or "fulfill" would have worked in this scenario, the use of "feed" implies a more primitive need, one which would lead him to starvation if not realized.
- During his outline, Shylock explains that Jews, like any other person, bleed, get sick, die and eat. These are natural necessities and features of people.
- However, by following this up with how he, like any other person, wants revenge for being wronged, gives the idea that it is a fundamental need of people, like what he had listed before.
To what effect does the author use listing in the narrative?
- Listing appears when Shylock lists off all the needs and aspects of being a living human. This helps drive the point home.
- While a single example could have sufficed, its effect is minimal in comparison to a whole listing of arguments.
To what effect does Shakespeare list rhetorical questions in the refutation?
- The use of rhetorical questions, instead of the use of statements creates caesura (as the audience pauses to answer the questions in their head) and appeals better to logos as the audience reasons to themselves the answer of the question.
- Even though the questions themselves are straightforward, and have a definite answer, using rhetorical questions automatically causes the audience to pay closer attention and reason to themselves.