Merchant of Venice and Shakespeare

William Shakespeare He was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and died in April 23,1616 (approx. 52). He had 3 children; a daughter named Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet, later died of unknown causes at age 11. From roughly 1594 onward he was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company of theatrical players. Usually credited with writing 37 plays and 154 sonnets, however there is controversy surrounding his authorship.

The Merchant of Venice Setting Time - Sixteenth century Setting Place - Venice and Belmont, Italy Protagonist - There is no clear protagonist. Antonio is the merchant of the play’s title, but he plays a relatively passive role. The major struggles of the play are Bassanio’s quest to marry Portia and his attempt to free Antonio from Shylock, so Bassanio is the likeliest candidate. MAJOR CONFLICT - Antonio defaults on a loan he borrowed from Shylock, wherein he promises to sacrifice a pound of flesh.

Rising Action - Antonio’s ships, the only means by which he can pay off his debt to Shylock, are reported lost at sea. Climax - Portia, disguised as a man of law, intervenes on Antonio’s behalf. Falling Action - Shylock is ordered to convert to Christianity and bequeath his possessions to Lorenzo and Jessica; Portia and Nerissa persuade their husbands to give up their rings Themes - Self-interest versus love, the divine quality of mercy, hatred as a cyclical phenomenon Motifs - The law, cross-dressing, filial piety Symbols - The pound of flesh, Leah’s ring, the three caskets

Balthazar and Stephano Tubal Gratiano Lorenzo Nerissa Jessica Prince of Arragon Portia Bassanio Shylock Prince of Morocco Balthazar and Stephano Lancelot Gobbo Salerio and Solanio Old Gobbo Duke of Venice Antonio

Characters Antonio: Antonio is a wealthy, sad older merchant who claims never to have borrowed money, but is willing to lend to friends, especially Bassanio, without benefit of interest. Salerio and Solanio: Friends of Antonio and Bassanio, minor characters almost indistinguishable from each other. Bassanio: A young man with expensive tastes and rich friends who borrows money from Antonio in order to court the rich, intelligent, and beautiful Portia. Gratiano: Bassanio’s friend with a clownish demeanor who accompanies Bassanio to Belmont to court Portia and falls in love with Portia’s servant Nerissa.

Lorenzo: Bassanio’s friend who falls in love with Shylock’s daughter, Jessica. Portia: Widely pursued noblewoman who is as intelligent as she is rich and beautiful. Her father’s will demands that her husband be selected through a test involving three caskets: one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead. Nerissa: Portia’s handmaid who falls in love with Gratiano, Bassanio’s friend. Shylock: The Jewish merchant of Venice who lends Antonio the money on his friend Bassanio’s behalf. He serves as both the villain and the most tragic figure of the play.

Prince of Morocco: Portia’s suitor and the only Black character in all of Shakespeare, besides Othello. Like Othello, he embodies many of the stereotypical Elizabethan perceptions of Moors: violent and sexual. He wrongly chooses the silver casket. Jessica: Shylock’s daughter, who escapes from her father’s house in order to marry Lorenzo. She converts to Christianity in order to further assimilate into the Christian society of Venice. Prince of Arragon: One of Portia’s suitors who greedily chooses the golden casket.

Launcelot Gobbo: Shylock’s comic servant who leaves Shylock’s service to serve Bassanio. Old Gobbo: Launcelot’s blind father who has not encountered his son in years. Tubal: Shylock’s friend, the only other Jew in the play, who functions as a news bearer of Jessica’s escape and of her consequent behavior. Balthazar and Stephano: Servants to Portia. The Duke of Venice: The reigning official of Venice who presides over the court where Shylock intends to collect on his bond.