Before leaving Venice Napoleon instructed his men to take twenty paintings along with five hundred manuscripts of rarity including the 'Wedding Feast at Cana' by Veronese. Napoleon additionally took the four bronze horses of San Marco to be taken from the facade of the building. As well, the ancient winged lion that was atop the column in the Piazetta was removed. The Aresenale is reported to have been "systematically stripped down to the bare walls. A regiment of French soldiers took axes to the lavish busintoro…" (Madden, 2012, p.449) in addition, "dozens of priceless works of medieval art, including Golden Roses bestowed o Venice for centuries of faithful service to popes were broken apart for their diamonds, pearls, and precious metals." (Madden, 2012, p.449)
The French are reported to have spared "the nine-hundred year old Pala d'Oro" because they did not realize its value. (Madden, 2012, p.449) When the city entered into the possession of Napoleon's nephew nearly sixty monasteries and parishes were "shuttered, demolished, or converted to other purposes. The monastery of Santa Maria delle Vergini became a military prison. Every year more churches were closed and the artwork warehoused or sent elsewhere -- much of it to Paris or Milan. Hundreds of scuole were abolished their buildings confiscated or destroyed and their artistic treasures looted." (Madden, 2012, p.451)
The cathedral of Venice was moved from San Pietro di Castello to the church of San Marco." (Madden, 2012, p.451) During this time it is reported by Madden that seen nearly everywhere were "priests in cassocks, Dominicans and Franciscans in their distinctive robes…" (2012, p.451) Following Napoleon's visit in 1807, it is reported that the Riva degli Schiavoni "was cleared, widened and extended all the way to Castello," (Madden, 2012, p.453) in addition,...
Also, the role of the Duke would not be as prominent if the city of Venice would not have been selected for the majority of the activity of the play. The city in itself ensures a certain aura that traditional cultural life as well as the fame of a modern, yet traditional in many instances cities, that provides the story a special twist, embedded in culture, yet modern in
Shylock is also perceived and portrayed as an enemy of the Christian faith and as the nemesis of the play's protagonist, Antonio. He therefore serves a distinct literary purpose by contrasting the depth of friendship exhibited by Antonio's group. Because he is not viewed as a friend, he cannot truly betray any of them. Thus, when Shylock does not back down from his bond with Antonio he is merely
Bassanio chooses lead, when asked to select from the three caskets that Portia offers to test her suitors. She is happy that he wins, and the lead is supposed to be the correct choice, for the person who chooses lead is supposed to be a man who has hazarded all he has, to win Portia. But in truth, Bassanio has hazarded nothing and desires Portia's gold. It is Antonio
Merchant of Venice: Queen Elizabeth vs. Portia There are a number of similarities that exist between Queen Elizabeth of England and William Shakespeare's character Portia in his play The Merchant of Venice. Both women had a good amount of money and power; although Portia was not royalty, she was still a wealthy heiress in the city of Belmont. Because of the money and power associated with these women, they each had
Merchant of Venice In William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the playwright uses certain symbolic items to illustrate points about human characteristics. Shakespeare's plays are usually full of symbols which feature in to the major themes of the piece. In The Merchant of Venice, much of the plot consists of the desire for wealth and riches and the things that people are willing to do to acquire more. To mirror
Merchant of Venice is an anti-Semitic play. Rather, what I see in the play is Shakespeare cleverly mocking stereotyped views of both Jews and Christians. Shylock, the Jew, is cruel and inhumane in his demand of a pound of flesh from Antonio for his unpaid debt. On the other hand, the Jew, who is definitely not a nice guy, and who was the subject of laughter in early scenes,
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