Transformaiton of the Merchant of Venice into Erin Brockovich

Essay by angel_87High School, 11th gradeA, February 2004

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"A MAJOR LAUNCH HAS BEEN ORGANISED TO CELEBRATE A NEW PUBLICATION OF MERCHANT OF VENICE. AS THE MARKETING DIRECTOR, SCRIPT THE SPEECH YOU WOULD GIVE TO ASSEMBLED ACADEMICS, STUDENTS AND MEDIA PERSONALITIES OUTLINING THE PLAY'S ONGOING RELEVANCE."

As the marketing director of a new publication of the Merchant of Venice, I stand before you today at this celebration of its revival.

This historical, Shakespearian masterpiece and the highly popular Erin Brockovich, both comprise themes such as wealth and materialism, prejudice against the outsider and mercy and justice in the court system.

Through drawing upon similarities in the two texts ladies and gentlemen, we can see, that whilst the Merchant of Venice may have been originally composed over three hundred years ago, as Erin Brockovick was extremely well received by the public, the Merchant of Venice too exudes relevance to today's society.

Through the juxtaposition of scenes of commercial Venice in which financial success of values as opposed to pastoral Belmont where love and relationships are valued, the merchant of Venice explores the values of wealth and materialism.

In Venice, we can see the value the residents such as Shylock have on money. When Shylock's daughter runs away, he cannot determine which has hurt him the most - the loss of his daughter or the loss of his money. He responds with the cry "My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!" With this howl money and the love of his daughter appear to be of equal value to him. Residents of Venice value money for its own sake. They see possessions as security and protection, becoming obsessed with them.

In contrast to this, is Portia, who resides in Belmont. With her offer to help Bassanio fight for justice for Antonio, she risks her entire wealth. With this, we...