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Merchant of Venice Connection Home

Welcome! This website explains the connections I have made between Shakespeare's, The Merchant of Venice, and real social issues that are faced today. Below is the development of the concept of corporate responsibility and its connection with Shylock and Antonio's relationship in The Merchant of Venice. Also included below, is a YouTube video, the bottom line: the truth about corporations (RISE UP), and a development of how this video explores the connection and the ideas of corporate responsibility. Please visit the Discussion Forum to view comments and even post your own. To view interesting links and their discussions click on the external links page.


Concept Introduction The concept of corporate responsibility explains that a corporation is obligated to take responsibility for their impact on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, and communities. The use of this responsibility can improve problems that may evolve in the business environment and can help the society in general, since many corporations can infringe on employees and others rights. However, many corporations believe the idea of corporate responsibility violates the business’ freedom. In William Shakespeare’s, Merchant of Venice, the idea of a person or group having power over another is evident. Antonio signs a contract, or bond, with Shylock in order to receive a loan for Bassanio. Shylock takes advantage of the situation, and writes in the bond that if Antonio is not able to pay the debt by a certain date, he will owe Shylock a “pound of flesh.” Shylock acts as if he will not really take flesh if there is a problem and convinces Antonio to sign the bond. Shylock takes advantage of Antonio as many corporations take advantage of their employees and customers. Shylock does not look out for Antonio’s welfare and in fact controls him, as many corporations do when creating contracts with their employees. Many corporations take advantage of naïve employees, and allow them to sign a contract that inhibits many of their rights, just as Shylock does with Antonio. Shylock uses the bond for his own profit, just as many corporations use contracts to benefit themselves and their profits more than their employees or even society in general. Neither Shylock nor many corporations practice the idea of corporate responsibility.

Merchant of Venice Connection Home - Merchant of Venice Connection This picture illustrates the ideals of Corporate Responsibility, and its effect on corporations.




Video Connection
The YouTube video, the bottom line: the truth about corporations (RISE UP), explores many of the negative actions of corporations. Why the included corporations act in ways which hurt employees, customers, and often society and general, is the question here. The answer is, they mainly act on their own behalf and to achieve what is best for the corporation or the business. When the ultimate goal is to benefit the business, corporations try to improve profits. To improve profits, corporations spend less time worrying about the welfare of their employees and the satisfaction of their customers because these both cost money, which the corporation cannot waste. The idea of corporate responsibility opposes these tactics, and explains that corporations must take responsibility for those involved in them. However, as shown on the video, many of the large corporations do not act in the best interest of society, and often abuse their power. Shylock, in Merchant of Venice, acts as the corporations do, for his own self-interest. He in no way takes responsibility for Antonio’s welfare. Shylock cares only about his revenge, his benefit from the bond as many corporations care only about improving their profits.


Latest page update: made by loveLyd15 , May 21 2008, 6:41 PM EDT (about this update About This Update loveLyd15 added text - loveLyd15

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ahamway comment2 0 May 22 2008, 1:22 PM EDT by ahamway
Thread started: May 22 2008, 1:22 PM EDT  Watch
I like how you added the picture. It really makes your website much more interesting and colorful.
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lindenwilliams Why are you sooooOoow cool? 1 May 21 2008, 1:33 PM EDT by lindenwilliams
lindenwilliams
Thread started: May 21 2008, 1:27 PM EDT  Watch
I was a little worried after I read almost all the way through your video connectiona and you still hadn't mentioned anything about Merchant of Venice. But... don't worry I found it. And you tied it into the above discussion very well. Also, your page looks easy to read and open, but you might consider adding a picture just to break up text and make things look more inviting. Overall though, it's great. Way to go. I really enjoyed it buddy. Byzees : )
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EmilyKD Corporation & Shylock thread 0 May 21 2008, 1:27 PM EDT by EmilyKD
Thread started: May 21 2008, 1:27 PM EDT  Watch
Hey Lydia!

You made a really good connection with the corporations and Shylock's contract.
- How the corporations create contracts that control the worker and do not look out for the worker's welfare, just like Shylock's contract with Antonio!

p.s. I love how you choose an industrial/city template for discussing corporations and contracts
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ahamway comment 0 May 21 2008, 1:11 PM EDT by ahamway
Thread started: May 21 2008, 1:11 PM EDT  Watch
Your website is really easy to read, But I think you could have added a picture or something because it is a lot of text.
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loveLyd15 Let's talk! 1 May 20 2008, 5:04 PM EDT by loveLyd15
Thread started: May 20 2008, 4:10 PM EDT  Watch
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