The Merchant of Venice The Comical History of The Merchant of Venice, or Otherwise Called the Jew of Venice

Shakespeare Born on April 23, 1564 and died on April 23, 1616. -Considered the world’s greatest playwright. Born on April 23, 1564 and died on April 23, 1616. Went to grammar school in Stratford-upon-Avon. Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had two children, Hamnet and Judith. Wrote over 150 sonnets and 32 plays, including comedies, histories, romances and tragedies.

Elizabethan Theater Globe theater Sets- Minimal. Heavens allowed for special effects. But caused tragedy in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII. Actors- all males Storyline was no surprise to the audience.

Elizabethan English & Will’s Style Wrote mostly in Iambic Pentameter 10 syllables Unstressed followed by stressed- five times “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!” Pay attention to the characters that speak in blank verse Unusual syntax Subject, Verb, Object I ate the sandwich The sandwich ate I Ate I the sandwich The sandwich I ate

Elizabethan English & Will’s Style Omissions To maintain rhythm o'er ~ over 'tis ~ it is ‘twas~ it was Unusual words Typical vocab- 6,000-15,000/ Will=30,000 Created new words- mostly by turning nouns into verbs.

Characters Bassanio: Antonio: A suitor of Portia A Merchant of Venice Lends money to good friend, Bassanio. Bassanio: A suitor of Portia Borrows money to win Portia

Characters Portia: Jessica: Wealthy Suitors and casket game Shylock’s daughter Runs away and marries Lorenzo.

Characters Shylock: A successful Jewish moneylender. Tormented for religion and “greed” Lends Antonio money

Venice and Belmont Venice: - Similar to England- autonomous, trade based land with freedom from the Pope. -Represents wealth, greed. A serious setting. - Men in control Belmont: (Portia’s Estate) - Women seem in control - Fun, lighthearted setting

Jews in Elizabethan Society English Jews had been expelled 1290-1656. In 1593 Dr. Rodrigo Lopez, a converted Jew and physician to Queen Elizabeth, was condemned to death for conspiracy against her life. On the Elizabethan stage, Jews were often presented in an Orientalist caricature, typically a greedy villain. In Venetian society, Jews were required to wear a red cap.

Themes Money and status Revenge Justice and mercy Prejudice and tolerance Love and the test of love