Shylock is constantly undermined in his business by the Christians. He is the victim of religiously-motivated prejudice. “He hath mocked me and hindered me half a million” In any modern court this would at least mitigate/ lessen the sentence he receives. The Geneva convention states that everyone is free to practice their faith. The Christians – not Shylock – should be on trial for contravening … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Discussion Notes
3.5 Jessica fears damnation for being Jewish; she is reassured that she is now Christian by marriage. 4.1 Shylock demands his bond from the court. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, awards it to him. However, she insists he must cut no blood from Antonio. Realsing this is impossible, Shylock tries to leave, but it is proven that he tried to kill Antonio: the court confiscates … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Act Summaries
3.1 Shylock furiously criticises the Christians for their prejudice. He explains that he will have revenge on them, as that is what they would do to him. Tubal explains that all of Antonio’s ships are sunk. 3.2 Bassanio arrives in Belmont; he chooses the correct casket. Gratiano announces that he wants to marry Nerissa, with whom he who he has fallen in love. Both couples … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Act Summaries
2.1 The Prince of Morocco is the first to try the “casket lottery” – if he fails he will never be allowed to marry anyone. 2.2 Launcelot Gobbo leaves Shylock to work for Bassanio. 2.3 Launcelot delivers a letter from Lorenzo to Jessica. She writes a reply. 2.4 Lorenzo and his friends arrange a party. He receives a letter from Jessica. 2.5 Shylock does not … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Act Summaries
Act 1.3 Shylock agrees to lend Antonio three-thousand ducats. This is surprising because the Christians have treated him so badly. As a “sport” Antonio agrees that the forfeit for not repaying will be “a pound of flesh” cut from his body. Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Act Summaries
Act 1.1 Antonio is sad but cannot explain why. His friends speculate that he must be in love, but he says this is not the case. He has several ships away from Venice on business. Act 1.2 Portia must marry, but by the terms of her father’s will, she must allow a lottery to choose her husband. Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act Notes
Notes from class. Answer the question directly Summarise your essay Add your personal view In “The Merchant of Venice”, Shylock is presented as both a sympathetic and an unsympathetic character. His treatment by the Christians is terrible, but he himself is just as cruel to them. Considering the dominant anti-semitic attitudes of the time, it seems understandable that Shylock would want to have … Continue reading Merchant of Venice conclusions
1. When the Jews are segregated in Venice to live in the ghetto. 2. When Antonio spits on Shylock and calls him names. 3. When Shylock forms a bond with the stipulation for Antonio’s flesh. 4. When Shylock locks up his daughter. 5. When the Christians divert Shylock so his daughter can rob him and flee. 6. When Shylock celebrates the loss of Antonio’s ships. … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Moments of Prejudice
Solanio and Salarino rejoice that Shylock has lost his daughter but worry because another of Antonio’s ships has sunk. Shylock rails against the Christians for the prejudiced view of the Jews and swears he will have his bond. Bassanio travels to Belmont and wins Portia’s hand in marriage. However, in the celebration, he receives a letter from Antonio saying that he cannot afford to pay … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Plot Notes continued
The Prince of Morocco tries the casket lottery for Portia’s hand. He chooses the gold casket which bears the inscription: “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” Back in Venice, Solanio and Alarino explain that Shylock is devastated at the loss of his daughter and his money, while one of Antonio’s ships has sunk. The Prince of Arragon next tries the lottery and … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Act 2 notes continued.
Act 2 A prince arrives from Morocco to win Portia’s hand. She explains to him that she has no choice in the matter. Shylock’s servant Lancelot leaves his service to work for Bassanio. Lorenzo, Antonio’s friend and a Christian, plots to run away with Shylock’s daughter. While Shylock visits the Christians, the pair elope with Shylock’s money and jewels. Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Act 2 notes
1.1 Antonio, the merchant, is sad and doesn’t know why. His friend Bassanio needs a loan so he can propose to Portia. 1.2 Portia cannot marry whoever she wants. Her father has set a test for her suitors. 1.3 Shylock agrees to lend Antonio three-thousand ducats to Antonio. The forfeit will be a pound of his flesh. Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Summaries
Notes from class. · Shylock is a victim when · His daughter runs off with the Christians · We see him as a victim when he says · “Oh my daughter, fled with a Christian” · This helps the audience to see him as a victim because · His only family has betrayed him and he is left alone. · The audience also sees him … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Essay Planning
Characters Shylock, The Duke, Antonio, Portia, Nerissa, Bassanio, Gratiano The gist Shylock demands his “pound of flesh”. Portia, pretending to be a lawyer, says he can have the flesh, but not one drop of blood. The court strips Shylock of his money (and gives half to Lorenzo), and forces Shylock to become a Christian. Portia persuades Bassanio to part with his wedding ring. Quotations “take … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act 4.1
Characters Portia, Bassanio, Gratiano, Nerissa, Antonio The gist The women accuse the men of giving away their wedding rings. They then say they have the rings, and they obtained them by sleeping with the two lawyers. The men accuse the women of betrayal. The women reveal that they were the lawyers and have tricked the men to test their faith. Quotations “if I be left … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act 5.1
Characters Portia, Nerissa, Balthazar, Lorenzo The gist Portia says that she has told Bassanio that she and Nerissa will go to a monastery until he returns. She then tells Nerissa that they will disguise themselves as men and travel to Venice. Quotations “They shall, Nerissa; but in such habit that they shall think we are accomplished with what we lack.” Portia tells Nerissa they will … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act 3.4
Characters Shylock, Antonio The gist Antonio begs not to take the flesh. Shylock refuses. Quotations “I’ll have my bond. I’ll not hear thee speak. I’ll have my bond…” The repetition shows that Shylock is now obsessed with the bond. Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act 3.3
Characters Bassanio, Nerissa, Portia, Gratiano The gist Bassanio arrives in Belmont to try his luck at the casket lottery. Bassanio chooses correctly. Portia gives him a ring and makes him swear never to give it away. Gratiano announces that he and Nerissa are also to marry. Bassanio explains about Antonio’s terrible luck. She gives Bassanio a fortune to return to Venice and save his friend. … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act 3.2
Characters Salerio, Solanio, Shylock, Tubal The gist Shylock accuses the Christians of plotting Jessica’s elopement, he passionately says that he will have revenge. His friend Tubal tells him a second ship has sunk, and Jessica is spending all his money. Quotations “If you prick us do we not bleed?” Shylock suggests Christians and Jews are the same Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 3.1
Characters Arragon, Portia, Nerissa The gist The Spanish prince chooses the wrong casket (silver). The scroll inside says he is a fool. Quotations “Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.” Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.9
Characters Salerio, Solanio The gist Two Christians discuss Shylock’s reaction to losing his daughter. He is obsessed by the loss. Quotations “O my daughter, oh my ducats!.. Oh, my Christian ducats Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.8
Characters Portia, Prince of Morocco The gist The Prince of Morocco tries his hand at the caskets but chooses incorrectly. He selects gold – this reveals that he is most interested in appearances. Quotations “all that glisters is not gold” Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.7
CharactersLorenzo, Gratiano, Jessica The gist Lorenzo helps Jessica to escape her house. She steals a small chest of money from her father. Quotations “Here, catch this casket. It is worth the pains.” The casket is filled with money. Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.6
CharactersLauncelot, Shylock, Jessica The gist Shylock does not want to visit the Christians’ feast but feels he has to. He tells Jessica to stay indoors. Quotations“Clamber not you up to the casements, then, nor thrust your head into the public street…” Shylock bosses his daughter around. Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.5
Characters Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salerio, Solanio, Launcelot The gist Lorenzo and his friends arrange a party. He receives a letter from Jessica. Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.4
Characters Jessica, Launcelot The gist Launcelot delivers a letter from Lorenzo to Jessica. She writes a reply. Quotations “Give him this letter. Do it secretly.” Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.3
Characters Launcelot, Launcelot’s father, Bassanio, GratianoThe gist Launcelot wants to leave Shylock’s service. His father visits him at Shylock’s house. Launcelot gains work with Bassanio. Gratiano says he will travel to Belmont with Bassanio. Quotations “The Jew is the very devil incarnation.” Launcelot Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.2
Characters Portia, the Prince of Morocco The gist The Prince is the first to try the “casket lottery” – if he fails he will never be allowed to marry anyone. He must choose from a gold, a silver and a led casket. Quotations “…swear before you choose, if you choose wrong never to speak to lady afterward in way of marriage.” Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 2.1
Characters Antonio, Shylock, Bassanio The gist Shylock agrees to lend Antonio three-thousand ducats. This is surprising because the Christians have treated him so badly. As a “sport” Antonio agrees that the forfeit for not repaying will be “a pound of flesh” cut from his body. Quotations “You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gabardine” “let the forfeit be nominated for an … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 1.3
Characters Portia and Nerissa The gist Portia explains the many men who have come to court her since her father died. She has not liked any except Bassanio. She is sad because she cannot choose her own partner. Quotations “He of all the men was the best deserving a fair lady.” Continue reading The Merchant of Venice: Act 1.2
Characters: The Christians: Antonio, Salerio, Salanio, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano The gist: Antonio is unhappy but nobody knows why. All his ships are at sea. His friend Bassanio needs a loan from him so that he can go and romance the beautiful Portia. Quotations: “In Belmont is a lady richly left, and she is fair, and fairer than that word.” – A woman has been left … Continue reading The Merchant of Venice – Act 1.1
Below is the first of SEVEN parts of Al Pacino’s documentary, “Looking For Richard”. Many of you will remember Al Pacino from a number of films, not least his portrayal of Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice”. The film is an attempt to look into how Shakespeare has become such an enormous cultural force, even though many people would say they didn’t know or understand … Continue reading Shakespeare/ Richard III/ Al Pacino
Shylock behaves in an obsessive manner. How does Shakespeare describe his descent into obsession, and how does it influence your understanding of the character in the play as a whole. IntroObsession is an unhealthy fixation with an idea or person. The Merchant of Venice, a 1598 play by William Shakespeare, makes obsession its central idea. This essay will explore the way in which Shylock’s obsession … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Essay Plan and Class Notes
Below is the key information for the summary paragraph for your essays. This must be completed for next period (Tuesday). Set in VeniceElizabethan societyAnti-semitismShylock is a Jewish money-lenderAntagonism between Christians and JewsNo rights for women Antonio takes a loan for his friend BassanioIf he forfeits the bond to Shylock he must give a pound of his fleshShylock’s daughter runs away and marries a Christian – … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Summary Paragraph
1. “I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you and sofollowing. But I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.” What does this show: Shylock is very separate to the Christians; despite this, he will still trade with the Christians. 2. “How like a fawning publican he looks.I hate him for he is a … Continue reading Merchant of Venice – The sealing of the bond – Quotations
“The Merchant of Venice”Main characters: Antonio, the Christian merchantShylock, the Jewish moneylenderBassanio, Antonio’s friendPortia, Bassanio’s wife Set in Venice, Italy in the 1500s. Venetian society in Elizabethan times was anti-semitic. Shylock and Antonio draw up a “bond”. Continue reading S4 – Merchant of Venice – Basics
Mov Podcast 1 by George Connor Download now or listen on posterous MOV Podcast 1.mp3 (12653 KB) Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Podcast One
Mov Podcast 3 by George Connor Download now or listen on posterous MOV Podcast 3.mp3 (3748 KB) Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Podcast Three
And, finally, podcast one. Well done to all the participants. Continue reading Merchant of Venice – Podcast One
