Evaluation

Is the title a good one or a poor one and why?

I think that the title fits the text, and thus it is a good one. The main character is Antonio and thus the term, merchant of Venice, which is what Antonio does, is very suitable for the text as it clearly tell us who is the main focus of the story. Furthermore, it allows us to link the title to the story and know that there would be a very good or very bad ending in the end for the merchant of venice.

Did you like the way the story ended? Why or why not?

I do not like the way the story ended. This is because it sounded too like a dream, whereby the good wins everything. Furthermore, everything works out in the end and everyone lives happily ever after except for the bad guy. I think that this is not a good ending as it is a typical fairy tale ending and I do not think that the good always wins the bad, and everything suddenly falls in place for all the good guys. For example, the ships returned after Antonio left the court without giving a pound of flesh, and managing to convert Shylock into a Christian. Thus I do not like the story's ending.

Which character in the book would you choose for a friend? Why?

I would choose Antonio as a friend. Antonio was willing to sacrifice his own life for his friend's true love. To me that is the best quality a friend can ever have. Furthermore, Antonio is always willing to help despite all circumstances. This is something I admire about Antonio and I think that he would make a great friend if I was his friend. Thus I think I would choose Antonio as he is caring, kind and respects his friends as much as he respects his life.