Page 22 - Cornice_Grade 7
P. 22
Children’s Reflection
on Shakespeare’s
Merchant of Venice
Expressed on
letters and news reports
Argosies Sunk at Sea! The Lost Bond
~Christian Merchant Mourns His
Evyavan Bikram Thapa
Venice, December 14, 1596 Loss~
This is a news report from the Rialto of Kairabi Rijal
Venoce, the biggest trading center in the world. We Genoa and Venice
have received news that the rich Christian merchant, May 17, 1595
Antonio, lost all his ships, which were filled with
treasure,while they were coming from various loca-
tions in the world. In the violent waters of monsoon, multiple
merchant ships have reportedly sunk, taking down
the wealth and men abroad. “The strong and violent
The first ship that sank was coming from waves of Genoa have caused the ships to sink”, says
Tripolis. The ship had been filled with treasures from Tubal.
its trade at Tripolis. Wrecking rocks, unseen by the
sailors of the unfortunate crew, were in the path of Among the unfortunate merchants is a
the ship.The ship sank, but a few of the lucky mem- popular christian named Antonio. According to the
bers managed to survive and arrived safely at Genoa. residents of Genoa, all of the poor man's ships have
They were the ones to alert the world about what sunk. The amount of reportedly sunken ships suggest
happened. Even though one ship was lost, the owner
of the ship, Antonio, faced huge losses. His bad luck that Antonio is bankrupt.
was just beginning and seemed to follow his other Above all else, Jew merchant Shylock has dis-
ships as well.
closed that he has a bond with Antonio, which if not
paid, will cost him a pound of flesh. Considering the
A few days later, after the ship coming from
Tripolis had sunk, several more of his ships coming dangers, Antonio had requested Shylock to consider
his situation. “Antonio is scared but Shylock seems
back from Mexico, England, Lisbon, Barbary and In- thrilled!”, says Gratanio. Shylock has told the press
dia had sunk one after another because of the treach- quote; “He has disrespected me inconsiderately so I
erous ship wrecking rocks. Antonio, in a short span shall do the same for we are equals, both human”.
of time, lost all his fortune, and now is an extremely
poor and sad man. Rumors around Venice suggest that Shylock
Antonio has also been known to have taken a loan seeks revenge because of how badly Antonio had
of 3000 ducats for 3 months from the cruel Shylock treated him, with disrespect and unfairness. It is also
(a Jewish money lender), who hates him.This may be said that Shylock has lost his confidence, wealth and
the end of Antonio.
his family, supposedly his daughter ran away, all
because of Antonio.
