THE MERCHANT OF VENICE ACT 5

STAGING CHOICES Many films and plays end not as a comedy, but instead as a modified tragedy, either focusing on Antonio standing alone while everyone else is coupled or on Shylock as he leaves the court after losing all How do you think the play should end? Is this final act a valuable part of the play? Robert Alföldi’s Merchant of Venice with Scott Coopwood as Shylock, c. 2005

THE PROBLEM OF THE RINGS (THE END OF ACT 4) Why does Shakespeare include this plot with the rings? How difficult is it for the women (disguised as men) to get the rings? Look closely at Antonio’s advice to Bassanio regarding the rings; How do you interpret these lines? Antonio: Antonio: My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring: Let his deservings and my love withal Be valued against your wife's commandment. ( )

JESSICA AND LORENZO’S MOMENT In the opening of this scene, Lorenzo notes the romantic setting—”The moon shines bright. In such a night as this, / When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees... ” ( ) The lovers go on to discuss the examples of lovers from classical mythology, making their talk into a game Based on the text, what is Jessica’s central claim about male/female relationships? What is Lorenzo’s position?

SETTING THE MOOD All of the stories told by Jessica and Lorenzo end badly; What sort of mood does this establish for the audience? Do their words comment on the ring plot in any way? Jean-Michel Le Gal as Lorenzo and Sara Topham as Jessica in "The Merchant of Venice,“ Stratford Festival 2007

MUSIC IN THE MERCHANT Look closely at Lorenzo’s speeches about the role of music ( , 70-88); What claims does he make about music? What impact does music have on the characters in this scene? Notice that Jessica states “I am never merry when I hear sweet music” (69); What does this mean? Richard Morant as Lorenzo and Leslee Udwin as Jessica, 1980 BBC production

A SHIFTING ATMOSPHERE When Bassanio, Antonio, and their followers arrive, the mood seems to change What are Portia and Nerissa’s positions on the rings? Are they simply toying with their new husbands or are they making a serious point? How does Antonio resolve the situation?

ANTONIO—WINNER OR LOSER? From Portia, Antonio learns that his ships “are safely come to road” (288), thus assuring his financial security However, the final scene celebrates the couplings of three pairs, while Antonio remains single

FINAL QUESTIONS Does this play have a “happily ever after” ending? Why or why not? The famous critic, Terry Eagleton interprets the play very differently from most scholars; he states that Shylock is the victor of the play because “even though he loses the case... He has forced the Christians into outdoing his own ‘inhuman’ legalism” and has unmasked “Christian justice as a mockery.” Do you agree?