Social Support Networks Lowering The Risk For Depression

Social Support Networks Lowering the Risk for Depression in Young Mothers Introduction Young mothers, those under the age of 25, are a special group of women. They can be wonderful parents and love their children as much as older mothers who are more prepared for their children, however younger mothers can have higher risks for some issues such as depression. There are some ways that can help lower these risks and these include increasing social support networks for young mothers. The Aggregate The aggregate chosen for this paper is that of young mothers. For the purpose of this paper young mothers will constitute any mother under the age of 25. The aggregate of young mothers can be linked to chapter 15, maternal and child health from Community Health Nursing by Stamler and Yiu (2012). In this group of women some may be married, some single, some have higher education, and some are high school dropouts, but they all are under the age of 25 who have one or more children. The Issue Affecting The Aggregate One issue that is a concern for young mothers is a lack of social support leading to an increased risk for depression. The risk of depression for a young mother is higher than that of the risk for older mothers to develop depression (Lanzi, Bert, Jacobs, 2009). The risk for depression is a health issue as depression lowers the mother’s warmth and sensitivity towards her child, which links to poorer behavior in the infant, and also links to the mothers isolating themselvesShow MoreRelatedThis Essay Will Discuss The Impacts Of Social And Environmental1638 Words   |  7 Pagesimpacts of social and environmental determinants of health on the well-being of an older person named Bill. Per The Ministry of Health (2016), The Healthy Aging Strategy takes a life-course approach that ultimately seeks to improve the health and well-being for all older people. Bill lives in a rest-home, which as an environmental determinant, positively affects his well-being. 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Charles Babbage, A Brilliant And Well Educated Man

Charles Babbage was a brilliant and well educated man. His mother, Plumleigh Babbage gave birth to him in 1791 A.D. His father’s name was Benjamin Babbage. He was one of four children. His father was a banking partner of founding Praed’s Co. in London. Benjamin was a rich man, so he and his wife had big plans for Charles to attend many good schools; but when he was around the age of eight, he had to move to a country school in order to recover from a life threatening fever. He had an unstable and delicate health status for most of his early life, which kept him from going to the schools his parents wanted him to go to. He relied on private lessons and teachings for most of his childhood. He attended two different colleges as well. First, he went to Trinity College in Cambridge but wasn’t pleased with the math program there. So, he then attended Peterhouse, in Cambridge. He was the best mathematician at Peterhouse. He graduated from Peterhouse but didn’t r eceive an honorary degree. He wasn’t successful when he first graduated. He did some lectures on astronomy every now and then; And eventually helped to establish the Astronomical Society. A little later he received his honorary degree without question. After receiving his honorary degree, he married Georgiana Whitmore. They had eight children together. Five of their children never lived to become adults. In 1822, Charles designed the plan and idea of a machine that he called the â€Å"difference machine†. TheShow MoreRelatedImportant Thinkers of Management Their Contribution2587 Words   |  11 Pagesresources† (Cascio). 7-S framework created by McKinsey amp; Company distinguishes seven components in a company’s architecture: strategy, structure, systems, staff, style, skills and shared values. PF Drucker had remarked that â€Å"man, of all the resources available to man, can grow and develop purpose of human resource management is to improve the contribution made by people to organizations, (Davis) through effective and efficient use of resources HRM is, to some extent, concerned with any Read MoreMGT1FOM Key Management Theorists26579 Words   |  107 PagesWiley Sons, Hoboken, NJ. Contents Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) 2 Barnard, Chester Irving (1886–1961) 4 Fayol, Jules Henri (1841–1925) 9 Follett, Mary Parker (1868–1933) 18 Lewin, Kurt T. (1890–1947) 24 Mayo, George Elton (1880–1949) 25 McCallum, Daniel Craig (1815–1878) 29 Poor, Henry Varnum (1812–1905) 29 Taylor, Frederick Winslow (1856–1915) 31 Weber, Max (1864–1920) 36 1 Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) (pp.66-69) To call Charles Babbage an irascible genius is to pay him the

Management of Chronic Disease in Children â€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about theManagement of Chronic Disease in Children. Answer: Introduction Type 1 diabetes is chronic illness under which the pancreatic beta cells stop making insulin and are destroyed by the immune system. This kind of diabetes is considered as insulin dependent and prevails in people below age of 30 years. However, this disease can occur at any age. This essay is based on the case study of Lachlan, who is a 14 years old boy and studies in secondary school. Type 1 diabetes was diagnosed in the case of Lachlan at the age of 9 years. Lachlan often misses his lunch in school, but his disease has been well managed, which was followed by the regime of insulin. According to Lachlan his parents have good knowledge of the disease and care required. Lachlan has many developmental issues that could hinder his access to good health, he has lack of peer support and due to seeking independence, self-management is important. This essay will discuss the key issues associate with Lachlan and his family, and will develop the interventions to mange his chronic condition. A ccording to his age there could be many developmental issues and challenges, thus essay will also discuss those challenges and will develop communication strategies for him. This essay will use two models that are family centered approach and child-centered approach for managing the chronic illness. Key Issues Related to the Case Study of Lachlan The key issues is managing the chronic illness can be varied according to the age and condition of the patient. Lachlan is a 14 years old boy and according to his developmental stage, such children seek more independence and want to come out from the dependence to independence. The children between the ages of 12-15 years are considered as being in their early adolescent period. According to the development stage that child requires more independency and start managing with the body changes (Guthrie et al, 2003). This is the stage when children develop a strong sense of self identity. They start understanding the concept between right and wrong and also have the sense of their legal rights. The management of the chronic disease like type 1 diabetes changes from parent management to self management stage (Dashiff, McCaleb, and Cull, 2006). The period of puberty bring many physical as well as psychological changes, due to which the requirement of the insulin increases in this age. This period could also be a transition period for Lachlan and he may have more developed sense of his rights and independence. Children at this stage start detaching from their parents and families and influence of the peers is very strong. The children in this transition period strive to gain importance and to make identity among their peers (Chiang et al, 2014). The rapid biological changes occur in this transition period. Understanding independence and rights is the example of physical, emotional and cognitive development. In the struggle to find their own identity, young children start separating from their families. The risk taking behavior is again a challenge with this developmental stage in the case of Lachlan. The risk taking behavior cans interfere the process of disease management. For the gaining peer acceptance, the children could avoid managing the chronic illness and can avoid taking insulin. According to Silverstein et al (2005), in this age-group, there is a struggle for independence from parents and other adults that is often manifested as suboptimal adherence to the diabetes regimen. The children at this stage are also referred as adolescents, have the fine motor control, which makes them competent enough for the self-management of the disease. Also it seems to be tempting for the parents to turn the management of diabetes to the adolescents. Though adolescents are able for the self management of the disease, still they require support of the parents for decision making, and adjustment of the insulin. According to various studies it has been found that parents, who provide guidance and supervision to their children in management of the chronic illness, such children have better control over metabolism. The involvement of the parents in the management of diabetes can also affect the parent adolescent relationship. The disclosure of the disease in front of peers can be very beneficial for Lachlan. The healthcare professionals can provide education to the trustful peers and can inform them about the management of disease. Independent Behavior Gaining a sense of independence is an important part of transition from a child to adolescent. Due to the significant biological development, the children at this stage want to come out from being dependent on their parents and want to make their decisions independently. Detachment from the parents is the biggest reason, which is influenced by sense of independence. Due to independent and risk taking behavior. Children at this development stage do not want to discuss their illness in front of their peers and often display non-adherence to diet and treatment. They are stigmatized about not being accepted by their peers (Freeborn et al, 2013). According to the research study of Comeaux, and Jaser (2010), anticipation of negative peer reactions to their diabetes care has been associated with higher levels of diabetes-related stress, problems with adherence in social situations, and poorer metabolic control. The metabolic control is also affected by the biological and psychological facto rs. Changes in the psychosocial factors can impact the condition and severity of the disease. According to the developmental stage Lachlan has the responsibility of self-management of the diabetes and adhering to the treatment. The positive self care behavior is important for him because according to the study of Dashiff, McCaleb and Cull (2006), health deviation and universal self-care were significantly and positively related. The child centered approach is very important for Lachlan. This will include the appropriate education and training program for Lachlan as well as his peers to understand the importance of the self-management and treatment adherence. Parental Involvement The family centered approach is the new evidence based practice, which used for the benefit of the patient and improve the patient outcomes. Family is the most important part of an individuals life. Family can play a significant role in care giving and management of chronic disease like type 1 diabetes. Parents of Lachlan contacted school at the beginning of his school year and informed about his juvenile diabetes since the age of 9. The biggest challenge faced by the parents of the adolescent are their adherence to the treatment and self-management of the disease. The poor adherence to the treatment is mainly found in boys. Adherence and glycemic control can be effective with the involvement of the parents. Family centered care is a way of caring for children and their families within health services which ensures that care is planned around the whole family, not just the individual child/person, and in which all the family members are recognized as care participants (Jolley Shield s 2009). It is important for the healthcare professionals to understand the importance of the family in providing family centered care to the patient. Maintaining respect and dignity of the patient can effectively improve the patient outcomes. It is also important to identify the strength and weakness of the family. The family bonding and strength can be used in the case of Lachlan for developing more adherence and self-management of diabetes. Knowledge and problem solving skills of the family can be beneficial in planning appropriate care interventions for Lachlan. According to the given case study Lachlan has explained that his parents have good knowledge and information about the disease, thus it would be easy for the healthcare professionals to involve them in decision making process (Schilling, Knafl, and Grey, 2006). Parents should be provided with appropriate knowledge about the developmental stage of their child. They should be informed that having a sense of independence and for the purpose of developing self identity, children are required to be encouraged for independence. Thus, family centered approach can be very beneficial of managing the disease at home. Peer pressure, fear of difference, desire for independence, and separation from parents can hinder an accurate management of diabetes and cause blood glucose fluctuations (Palmeret al, 2004). Thus, this situation requires the supervision and cooperation of the parents and family members to have better metabolic control. Due to the puberty, the insulin resistance in the body increases, which impact the body metabolism. But according to the study of Cheraghi et al (2015), the family centered approach or applying the family based interventions can control the level of blood glucose in children like Lachlan. If the parent and families provide and encourage independence in their children, it would help in improving the parent child relationship and will develop more trust among family (Dashiff et al, 2005). Lachlan family has stopped being more concern about his treatment. Since last two years he had been administering insulin by himself. Previously his father administered insulin, as his mother had aversion to needles. His mother can administer insulin, but she opts not to do so. This displays that his family members are little unaware about the problems which can occur. They are unaware of their responsibilities and both are more involved in managing their business. This situation can increase non-adherence to insulin and treatment of diabetes in Lachlan. Parents should offer support to Lachlan, so that he may have a sense of security and dependence, which can improve his health outcomes (Cheraghi et al, 2015). Family centered approach is one of the most significant approaches in the pediatric care that helps to increase the knowledge of the parents and emphasize on continuous support and care towards their child. The main aim of this approach is to reinstate the integrity of the families and to provide care to the children suffering with diabetes (Faulkner, and Chang, 2007). The family centered framework includes the concept of parents and family participation in the decision making, caring for their children and identifying the strength of their families. The participation of the families in care and management of diabetes can improve family bonding and strengthening their family values (Schilling, Knafl, and Grey, 2006). Community Access According to the case study and subjective data obtained from Lachlan, it is clear that he is solely managing his disease with the help of a GP and do not have any kind of community based support service. The transition period of the children bring many biological and psychological changes in children. The community based services can provide important education and knowledge to children for developing understanding of the disease, importance of adherence to treatment and successful self-management (Hanas, 2007). During this age as that of Lachlan, the children may face many social, emotional and educational problems that cannot be resolved just by consulting with GP. The community based service provides assistance and support in resolving all kind of problems in this developmental stage of adolescents (Powers et al, 2015). The community based services are also involved in identifying the needs of children and ensure that, when such children enter in adulthood, they may have good health and must be able to manage diabetes on their own (Hanas, 2007). The high quality care is offered by the community based services, which also emphasize on the support of family and peers and to effectively manage the transition period. Conclusion Diabetes type 1 is a chronic illness that can occur in any age, but mainly found in the young people below age of 30. Juvenile onset diabetes mellitus is the diabetes that occurs in children before the age of 11 years. This paper is based on the case study of Lachlan, who is a 14 years old Secondary School boy. Since last two years, he is solely managing his disease by administering insulin by himself. The paper focused on the importance of family centered care and child centered care that can effectively use in the case of Lachlan for management of type 1 diabetes. According to his development stage, he is in the transitional period, which involves more social, emotional and psychological changes. This transition stage can be effectively managed with the help of child centered care and family centered care. Bibliography Cheraghi, F., Shamsaei, F., Mortazavi, S.Z. and Moghimbeigi, A., 2015. The Effect of Family-centered Care on Management of Blood Glucose Levels in Adolescents with Diabetes.International journal of community based nursing and midwifery,3(3), p.177. Chiang, J.L., Kirkman, M.S., Laffel, L.M. and Peters, A.L., 2014. Type 1 diabetes through the life span: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes care,37(7), pp.2034-2054. Comeaux, S.J. and Jaser, S.S., 2010. Autonomy and insulin in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.Pediatric diabetes,11(7), pp.498-504. Dashiff, C.J., McCaleb, A. and Cull, V., 2006. Self-care of young adolescents with type 1 diabetes.Journal of pediatric nursing,21(3), pp.222-232. Dashiff, C., Bartolucci, A., Wallander, J. and Abdullatif, H., 2005. The Relationship of Family Structure, Maternal Employment, and Family Conflict With Self-Care Adherence of Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes.Families, Systems, Health,23(1), p.66. Faulkner, M.S. and Chang, L.I., 2007. Family influence on self-care, quality of life, and metabolic control in school-age children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.Journal of pediatric nursing,22(1), pp.59-68. Freeborn, D., Loucks, C.A., Dyches, T., Roper, S.O. and Mandleco, B., 2013. Addressing school challenges for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: The nurse practitioner's role.The Journal for Nurse Practitioners,9(1), pp.11-16. Guthrie, D.W., Bartsocas, C., Jarosz-Chabot, P. and Konstantinova, M., 2003. Psychosocial issues for children and adolescents with diabetes: Overview and recommendations.Diabetes Spectrum,16(1), pp.7-12. Hanas, R., 2007.Type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents, and young adults: how to become an expert on your own diabetes. Class Publishing Ltd. Jolley, J. and Shields, L., 2009. The evolution of family-centered care.Journal of pediatric nursing,24(2), pp.164-170. Oskouie, F., Mehrdad, N. and Ebrahimi, H., 2013. Mediating factors of coping process in parents of children with type 1 diabetes.Journal of Diabetes Metabolic Disorders,12(1), p.1. Palmer, D.L., Berg, C.A., Wiebe, D.J., Beveridge, R.M., Korbel, C.D., Upchurch, R., Swinyard, M.T., Lindsay, R. and Donaldson, D.L., 2004. The role of autonomy and pubertal status in understanding age differences in maternal involvement in diabetes responsibility across adolescence.Journal of Pediatric Psychology,29(1), pp.35-46. Powers, M.A., Bardsley, J., Cypress, M., Duker, P., Funnell, M.M., Fischl, A.H., Maryniuk, M.D., Siminerio, L. and Vivian, E., 2015. Diabetes self-management education and support in type 2 diabetes a joint position statement of the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.The Diabetes Educator,41(4), pp.417-430. Schilling, L.S., Knafl, K.A. and Grey, M., 2006. Changing patterns of self-management in youth with type I diabetes.Journal of pediatric nursing,21(6), pp.412-424. Silverstein, J., Klingensmith, G., Copeland, K., Plotnick, L., Kaufman, F., Laffel, L., Deeb, L., Grey, M., Anderson, B., Holzmeister, L.A. and Clark, N., 2005. Care of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes a statement of the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes care,28(1), pp.186-212.

The Merchant of Venice was offered to Shakespeares audience as a comedy Essay Example

The Merchant of Venice was offered to Shakespeares audience as a comedy Paper The Merchant of Venice is a story of love and hate, power, control and inequality. It evolves around Shylock, a rich Jew moneylender who lives in Venice and Venetian Christians, which have constantly abused and humiliated Shylock. The moneylender tricks Antonio, one of his abusers, to sign a bond that will entitle him to one pound of his flesh if he doesnt pay back the money he borrowed in three months. Antonio borrowed this money to lend it to his friend Bassanio who needs it to try for the hand of Portia, a rich and beautiful heiress. After Shylocks daughter, Jessica runs away with a Christian and Bassanio wins Portias hand, news come that Antonios ships have been destroyed and he isnt able to pay Shylock in time. The spiritually wounded Shylock wants revenge and demands a pound of Antonios flesh but Portia turns the tables on him during the court hearing. He not only doesnt get a pound of Antonios flesh but half his wealth is confiscated by the venetian state and hes forced to become a Christian, the very thing that humiliated and reduced him. We will write a custom essay sample on The Merchant of Venice was offered to Shakespeares audience as a comedy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Merchant of Venice was offered to Shakespeares audience as a comedy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Merchant of Venice was offered to Shakespeares audience as a comedy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The reason Shakespeares work is so popular today is that he wrote about human nature and how people behave. That is why The Merchant of Venice is as relevant now as it was four centuries ago. Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice to be viewed in front of white people in the 16th century. The Merchant of Venice followed other plays where Jews were involved like the Jew of Malta. Unlike in these other plays where Jews involved performed all kinds of outrages; Shylock is someone who the Christians pick on. In Shakespeares time white people were very racist towards the aliens. Venice was one of the few cities in the world that had laws and gave rights to the ethnic minorities but even so the rights of Christians were superior. If you prick us, do we not bleed? The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instructions. We do not know whether Shakespeare himself was racist or not. But from these words said by Shylock we realise that that Shakespeare understood how Shylock felt and where his anger and hatred came from. This story was written to be viewed in front of a racist audience who would expect Shylock to be humiliated and reduced yet Shakespeare managed to create sophisticated characters that can be played in a number of different ways. Shakespeare points out in this play to stories that only educated people would know about such as Portias reference to the Hercules and sea monster legend that she uses to be compared to Troys virgins: I stand for sacrifice. The rest aloof are the Sardinian wives. This reveals that the play was also written for high classes that would attend when the play was shown. Educated people like these would understand more of the plays complexity and characters. They would analyse the play and see which actions sparked, which feelings, but from my point of view theyd have similar views towards Shylock and other characters as the rest of the audiences. The Elizabethans audience would have seen Antonio as noble gentlemen. On the contrary today we see Antonio as a self-seeking, arrogant, racist. Antonio abuses Shylock in many different ways simply because he is a Jew. He calls him a misbeliever and many other names offending his Jewish faith, he spits on him, he kicks him. This would look normal to the Elizabethans audiences while today in the 21st century we would be outraged and disgusted by such behaviour. Such behaviour as Antonios would not be tolerated and if Antonio was to abuse Shylock today he would be arrested charged and probably sentenced to jail. The fact that Shylock is a Jew would have automatically made him the bad guy and a subject of abuse ion by the audience. He would have probably been played as an evil and dark also comic character. Unlike us the Elizabethans audience would have not been interested in Shylocks complexity. They would have not been listening to him nor interested in figuring out where do his feelings of anger and rage towards Christians come from. On the contrary theyd found it hilarious when Shylock is deeply hurt. Despised as an alien and unconverted Jew they would believe that he was a sinner bound for hell. Shylock can be played in very altered ways. In the two versions that I have seen hes portrayed in the Modern version as businessman that speaks with a Jewish accent who is a good, warm but strict father and who wants to teach Antonio a lesson. He is broken to pieces from Jessicas elopement. When he is given the right to cut a pound of Antonios flesh he firstly hesitates and then is stopped by Portia. He is represented colder and darker in the Oliver production therefore more malicious. Depending on how you represent a character gives the audiences a view angle to look at this character. The Elizabethan stage Jew would have been someone who showed hatred towards the Christians and would do anything to harm them. Portia appeals herself as a confident and composed young woman yet gives herself to Bassanio as unschooled girl. She can be depicted in opposed methods. In the Oliver production Portia is presented as more in control, someone that knows herself and capable of hiding feelings. In the courtroom she is very professional and formal. She makes her speech on mercy standing up, talking to Shylock from across the table. On the other hand, in the Modern production Portia is also in control but is represented as slightly softer and gentle. In the courtroom she takes a chair, sits next to Shylock and looking him in the eyes, gently explains him about mercy as thought he is a child. On the contrary with her behaviour in the Oliver production shes desperate to change Shylocks mind. The Elizabethan audiences would admire Portia and simply see her as angel who saved a poor merchants life. Theyd have been delighted when Antonio is saved and Shylock starts to get charged. To them he just was a bloodthirsty moneylender. Now we see Portia as a touch of cruelty. We understand in the trial she carefully plans her actions against Shylock. She knows about the loophole in the bond all along, gives him three chances to back down and waits until the very moment hes going to cut Antonios flesh when she stops him. Tarry a little, there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood Portias suitors Morocco and Aragon can either be interpreted as comics or serious. In the Oliver production Morocco was a comic who wore traditional clothes and talked to himself while Arragon was an old man about 70 years of age who clearly did not deserve Portias hand. In the Modern version Morocco was a wealthy black businessman while Arragon was a Spaniard who used Spanish gestures and talked with a Spanish accent. Although Aragon looked serious he was made to be a comic. The gestures and accent formed a rather racist humour that managed to get me laughing. As it was described as a comedy Shakespeare must have made the two characters comics. The audiences would have been entertained and would probably insulted these two if they thought they were not worthy of Portias hand. Humour races and different traditions is still present in blockbuster films made today like Scary Movie or Black Night. The difference is that today the humour is not humiliating for a race. Solanio and Salarino make Shylock the subject of their jokes after his daughter runs away with Lorenzo. Referring to him as the dog Jew they say that Shylock is bothered more about his money than his daughter running away: My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! They continue their victimisation although they know Shylock is grieved at his daughters disappearance. While the Elizabethan audience would have found this amusing, we see it as racist and senseless. Throughout the play there are moments were the emotional intensity is high and others where its low. The main, most powerful excitement in The Merchant of Venice starts to rise when we hear about Antonio ships and drops Shylock has been punished. The courtroom is a very tense scene. Although we know what happen we would follow the action in silence. To the Elizabethan audience the play would have been unknown. In Elizabethan times Jews were not expected to hit back to the Christian abuses therefore Shylocks actions would not have been understood by the audience and regarded as immoral. The law of Venice itself prohibited Jews from retaliating. Shylock used the law to reciprocate against Antonio. He used the Christian law against a Christian. This would have made him an even more hated figure by the audience. The Elizabethan just like the rest of the white Christian population thought themselves as being superior to other races, like Jews. Shylock had tricked Antonio, showing more int elligence than him. The Elizabethan audience would have shouted out rude remarks. Theyd have become furious when Shylock refuses the money and some could have even thrown food on the stage. Finally when Portia stops Shylock the Elizabethans would have been overjoyed. As we look at Gratiano as an unfeeling racist the Elizabethans would have loved it when he discriminates and torments Shylock, joining in the discrimination. According to them Shylock got the punishment he deserved for such wickedness. Although todays audiences sees Shylock as a man who has been controlled by his feelings and goes too far in his search for revenge, we do feel sorry for him. Nevertheless what he was trying to do is wrong. It is impossible to watch this play today without big feelings of discomfort because we see each other as equal and think it is wrong to maltreat people because of their race. The humour is practical rather than jokes said by the characters. For example in the end Portia and Nerissa torment their husbands for giving their rings away when it is they who have them. They share this secret with the audience while the husbands do not know yet that their wives were the doctor and the clerk. It is amusing the situation Bassanio and Gratiano find themselves in. Alternatively this scene can be played as a very serious one because their husbands have been persuaded to give the rings, which they swore theyd wear until death. The play was originally described as a comedy while in fact it is a drama. The views on races have completely changed and today we have totally different views and treatments towards the outsiders. Unlike the Elizabethans we think its completely wrong to abuse or mistreat people because of their race. We see the play as a drama rather than a comedy as it was originally described. The needs of the audiences have changed. Today we have different views towards racism. Rather than being prejudice we judge people on their actions. The only parts of the play that todays audiences could look at as comical are the scenes with Morocco and Arragon and when Portia and Nerissa torment their husbands in Act 5. This is of course if the characters are played in comical ways. The Merchant of Venice is a story of love and hate. Shakspeare has joined together hatred and racism evolving around Shylock with love and romance story developing with Lorenzo and Jessica, Basanio and Portia and Gratiano and Nerissa. The amorous scenes like the gentle night with Lorenzo and Jessica sharply contrast in the scenes where is shown hatred, revenge and racism like the court scene. There is love and hatred language used before. For example when Portia gives herself to Bassanio her gentle spirit/ Commits itself to be directed and when Shylock reveals his hatred for Antonio I hate him for he is a Christian. But in my opinion the moonlight night is the most romantic scene and the courtroom shows more of the issues of racism and hate. The romantic language used by Lorenzo and Jessica while speaking gently to each other, remembering famous lovers contrast with the language for revenge used by Shylock and the racist language used by Gratiano towards Shylock. The moon shines bright, in such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, And they did make no noise, in such a night. contrasts with My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my band. and O be thou damned, in execrable dog. It looks a little absurd for racism and hatred to unfold with romance and love. Nevertheless it does make a powerful combination of contrast and provides us different with aspects and ways to look at the play. Through years people have been concentrating in different points. As we tend to focus in Shylocks tragedy the Elizabethans would focus in the love story. After Shylock leaves the stage the atmosphere lightness up. Right after the court scene we meet the episode of romance and rings. We are transported from the tense atmosphere of the courtroom in to the world of the couples. After getting what they wanted and expected, Shylock to lose, the Elizabethans would have enjoyed the poetry between Lorenzo and Jessica and the torment of Bassanio and Gratiano by their wives. The sudden change in temper and variety would look bizarre to us. Focusing on Shylock we fail to adapt as good to the romance and jokes of the next few scenes. We would be left shocked by what happens in the courtroo m. However Shakespeare gives us time for the tragic feelings evoked in the audience to soften and mellow by adding the ring episode. Act 5 draws us from Shylocks world. It would have also been too abrupt to end the play with Shylocks exist. At the end there is a happy ending for all except Shylock and Jessica, the outsiders. Shakespeare could have given the play another title like The Jew of Venice, The Gentleman of Venice or The Lady of Belmont but he chose to call it The Merchant of Venice. Antonio is the merchant of play. So why did Shakespeare name the play after this character? Antonio is the fountain of the play. He is racist and arrogant that takes pleasure in humiliating outsiders without taking in configuration that the victim would one day hit back. Antonio is one Venices principal anti-Semites. Antonio is one of the characters that represents how the white Christians would feel towards the outsiders in Elizabethan times and how the whites would treat them. He is the one that triggers everything. He has invested his money and is exposed to Shylock by Bassnio. Being against money lending he borrows 3000 ducats and is tricked into signing the bond. You dont expect favours from someone you have maltreated but Antonio being arrogant easily falls in Shylocks trap. Maybe this explains Shakespeare action. Antonio has called Shylock misbeliever, cut-throat dog and spat upon my Jewish gabber dine, simply because I am a Jew. Shylock tells he has cooled my friends and heated mine enemies. Antonio arrogance shows when hes asked by Shylock why he expects money from someone he has abused and humiliated. Antonio answers: I am as like to call the so again, To spit on the again, to spurn thee too, If thow wilt lend this money, lend it not. As to thy friends, But lend it rather to thine enemy. Antonio regards Jews as less than human. In the court scene Antonio offers his share if Shylock turns into a Christian which looks as a merciful act from him. But in fact Antonio strips Shylock of the last things he has left. By becoming a Christian Shylock abandons his religion nor can he lend money because the law does not allow it for the Christians. Antonio has separated Shylock by the last things identifying him as who he is. Jews are originally from Israel. Many Jews migrated in other countries to seek new lives. They are known as hard working and clever people that know how to deal with business matters. Jews kept their religion, culture and traditions. Through the history they have been persecuted and tortured. Many countries have records of crimes against Jews. Shylock is the Jew of this play. He is identifiable as member of an alien race by appearance, manners and speech. The Christians need his services to borrow money but hate him for being a usurer. Shylock is one of the most complex characters Shakespeare has ever written about. He can either be interpreted as a dark villain, an insensitive moneylender that makes money from peoples misfortunes and takes great delight on his way to kill a merchant that has exposed his corrupt ways. Or as the victim of the society, someone who has been humiliated because of his race and becomes obsessed in his search for revenge. Audience over the years have regarded Shylock in different ways and have had different feelings towards him. Of course Shylock is a bit of both but today we look at him as a victim rather than a villain. Being a successful usurer Shylock has suffered humiliation and racism. The main fountain of his suffering is Antonio and his friends. Just like the other Jews Shylock has tried to ignore and rose over the prejudice following him. Shylock has kept his traditions and religion. Tubal is willing to help Shylock in searching for his daughter which would suggest that Shylock is respected in the Jewish community. What happens to him represents what has happened to Jews through the history. We firstly meet Shylock in scene three, when Bassanio and Antonio see him to borrow 3000 ducats. Shylock is intelligent and a good businessman. He manages to hide his feelings towards Antonio and reveals them aside to the audience. He says that I hate him for he is a Christian, lends out money gratis and he hates our secret nation. Although Shylock gives three reasons I believe that the only real reason he hates Antonio is that he is a racist anti-Semitic who has humiliated and abused him and other Jews. Shylock informs us that his treatment has been taking place before the play started by referring to ancient grudge I bear him. Some people may think that Shylock is an unfeeling money leader who was given a chance to be accepted and is being rejected because of his intensively and ruthless ambitions. They would rely on Shylocks hatred I hate him for he is a Christian and what Jessica says about her fathers intention he would rather have Antonios flesh therefore say that Shylocks true purpose was to kill Antonio. But I dont agree. A lot happens in this play that could change Shylocks intentions. I look at him as a man with a darker side that is pushed too far. Antonio many times has insulted him by calling him a misbeliever and cut-through dog disrespecting his faith, has spat on him and kicked as though he was an animal. Shylock brings up the bond as a merry sport and tricks the arrogant Antonio into signing it. Although he doubts the safety of Antonios ships he lends him the money but I believe he just wanted to teach Antonio a lesson. Shylock has suffered in human treatment in the hands of the Christian. Although the ethnic minorities had some rights the law of Venice prohibited the outsiders like Shylock from retaliating when Christians abused them. Even Shylocks servant, Lancelot has no respect for him. Shylock uses this Christian law to hit back at Antonio. He has been bullied and wants revenge but has no intention of harming Antonio. Shylock is a good loving father but strict. He has planned Jessicas future and is devastated when she steals from him and runs away. As a father he fails to understand Jessicas feelings. In the Modern version of the play Shylock and Jessica sing to each other. We realise they love each other and have a good father and daughter relationship by the eye contact, how they sing to each other warmly. Shylock touches Jessica with love and gently kisses her hand. Then Lancelot mentions that there is a mask ball and Shylock suddenly slaps Jessica. This suggests that hes very strict and does not want his daughter to have anything to do with Christians. He immediately shows signs of regret. You can tell by his body language that he is sorry and feels bad about what he did but does not actually apologise to her. This night the Christians conspire against Shylock. They invite him to dinner while Lorenzo and others get Jessica. What Jessica has done is the most appalling disaster that can happen to an orthodox Jewish family. She defies her father and steals from him. In such cases the daughter would be considered dead. Shylock has been abandoned by his own flesh and blood, which really wounds him. Leahs ring has big sentimental valve to shylock. The fact that Jessica gave it away for a monkey deepens his wound. She is seduced by Christians to run away leaving behind her father, her house, her religion, culture and traditions. Shylock is torn to pieces. The repetition of words in the conversation with Tubal adds to the dramatisation, shows how saddened Shylock is. -Why there, there, there, there! This is what causes the fire of revenge within Shylock to start burning out of control. When he hears about Antonios ships he feels the need for revenge. He could not control his daughters actions nor how the Christians treat him but he is able to control the life of Antonio and the Christian law itself gives him this right. He chooses to plea for Antonios flesh and revenge all the humiliation that he has suffered from him. 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? Shylock argues that a Jew and a Christian are the same therefore he will take revenge just like a Christian would. He says to Salerino and Solanio that The villainy you teach me I will execute. Modern plays make The Merchant of Venice Shylocks play. Shylock stops tolerating his in human treatment and rebels against it. He knows that suffering is the badge of his tribe and wants to change the way the world treats Jews. He refuses the money but is touched by Portias speech. He insists that he must cut a pound of Antonios flesh. Shylock knows what he is doing is wrong but he must avenge his treatment, daughter and wife. His social side tells him to take the money but his emotional side insists on revenge. So deep in his pain to push him in extreme circumstances. But he was wrong in thinking that the law could be exploited for him. Portia stops him announcing that Shylock has been breaking the law. As consequence half his wealth is confiscated by the state, his life is forgiven but he is forced to convert into a Christian. Once again Shylock is a looser in a Christian world. His humanity is laughed at. He is reduced to the very thing that humiliated him, stole his daughter and spat on him. He abandons the fight to change how the world treats the Jews and learns that suffering will always be his tribes badge. His liability to obsession has dragged him to the brink of death. But he does not die physically. By forcing him to become a Christian Antonio and the Duke strip away the last things he has left. His money, his proud, his daughter, his religion and everything that makes him who he is, is taken away from him by the Christian society. There is nothing left to indicate that this man is Shylock. By being a Christian he cannot even practise his occupation. The Oliver version of the play ends with a Kaddish, a song sang to the Jews dead. For a man like Shylock this is spiritual death. The true him does not exist any more. Shylock threatens no further revenge, on the contrary he quietly with draws saying that he is not well. Portia is the lady of Belmont. It is her hand that Bassanio wants to win. She is described by Morocco as this shine, this mortal breathing saint, by Arragon as my hearts hope, by Lorenzo as awarded with god-like amity, by Bassanio as of wondrous virtues and even by Jessica as the joys of heaven here on earth. During the play Portia changes from one identity to another. She moves from her soft existence to the harsh, strict young advocate in the court of law and than back again. Portia has one true friend that she confides in, her maid Nerissa. She has a variable character. She is gentle and nice to those that she likes and ruthless to those that she dislikes. She communicates gently and politely with Bassanios friends but ruthlessly punishes Shylock and makes racist remarks on her suitors. These characteristics of her character allows on actress to develop her role. Portia compares herself to the Dardanian wives considering herself as a victim that she cant choose her own husband but has to marry the first, no matter whether she likes him or not, that chooses the right casket. She acts differently with Bassanio. She enjoys staying with him and opens herself to him. I think that she does have feelings for Bassanio but Portia believes that women should keep quite about their feelings and that is what she does. Bassanio does not see Portia only as the woman who he loves but also as a rich prize and a source of wealth. Portias reference of the rack suggests that she doubts Bassanios love. Nevertheless she is happy when Bassanio chooses right.