Student Question
What are the main differences between the film and play The Merchant of Venice?
Quick answer:
The film adaptation of The Merchant of Venice, directed by Michael Radford, differs from the play by emphasizing the tragedy of Shylock, portrayed more sympathetically and tragically by Al Pacino. The film also highlights the abuse of Jews by Christians and explores the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio more deeply, including an added scene where Antonio kisses Bassanio, underscoring Antonio's loneliness, which is not present in Shakespeare's original play.
The Merchant of Venice has been adapted for the screen several times. The most recent major version is Michael Radford's 2004 film starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. In visual terms, the film sticks closely to the original setting, but Radford does not see the primary narrative as comic, even darkly comic. He gives the audience the tragedy of Shylock.
Shylock is a grander and more tragic figure in the film than he appears in Shakespeare's play due to Pacino's restrained and melancholy delivery of the lines. The film also begins with a montage showing how the Christian characters abuse the Jews and presenting Shylock initially in a sympathetic light.
The other important change in the film is a greater emphasis on the love between Antonio and Bassanio, and the loneliness of Antonio at the end of the play, when Bassanio is married to Portia. This is stressed when Antonio kisses Bassanio, an action which does not appear in the play.
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