MovieChat Forums > The Merchant of Venice (2005) Discussion > Why did Shylock go to Bassanio's banquet...

Why did Shylock go to Bassanio's banquet?

posted 14 years ago by Pearl_Jade
2 replies | jump to latest

I had trouble deciphering what was going on here. On the evening that Jessica runs off with Lorenzo, why does Shylock go to Bassanio's banquet even though he doesn't really want to?

Why does Bassanio even invite him? I thought Jews and Christians don't eat together, and the only reason they do business together is because they "have to."

Does Shylock feel he must go because it's rude to forego an invitation? So what if Bassanio and his Christian friends think he's rude? Why would he care what they think?

[–] Conigol 13 years ago

I wonder this too.

[–] zezslav 9 years ago

Don't bother thinking about why. This movie, and Shakespeare play IF it's like the movie, is a complete excrement. Almost nothing makes sense, not just the scene you mention. It's like watching a bad soap opera. Back in the day it was probably high art, but the story reeks today.