Merchant of Venice Connection Home

loveLyd15 — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:41:30 CDT

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.

This picture illustrates the ideals of Corporate Responsibility, and its effect on corporations.

External Links

loveLyd15 — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:51:18 CDT

Explore this page to view links and their discussion of the concept of corporate responsibility.

http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/
The above link explains the actual use of the concept, corporate responsibility, by IBM. The concept appeals to customers and is used to show that IBM cares about its employees and most importantly, its customers. IBM explains, in the link, how it practices the ideas of corporate responsibility. To advertise their care for society, could be seen as a ploy to ensure popularity and keep/gain customers. Check out the link to explore IBM’s corporate responsibility

The Five Steps of Corporate Responsibility
This link explores how real corporations deal with the protest of corporate responsibility. It discusses Nike’s and most other corporations’ main goal, of high profits, and explains how these companies work to achieve those goals while dealing with the idea of corporate responsibility. Many of these corporations are being pushed to follow the ideas of corporate responsibility and the link discusses how this happens.

Corporate Social Responsibility=oxymoron?
The link above explores the corporate responsibility concept, and asks the question if it is a possible achievement. As mentioned in other areas of the website, most corporations care only about their profits. Is it possible for them to maintain the main goal of high profits, while benefiting their consumers, employees, and eventually society in general?

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