Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice BACKGROUND

Who’s who?

The Christians of Venice Antonio – THE CHRISTIAN MERCHANT OF VENICE - best mates with Bassanio Gratiano – best mates with Bassanio, falls in love with Nerissa The Duke of Venice: The Doge Solanio and Salarino & Salerio – all mates with Antonio and Bassanio Lorenzo – mates with Bassanio, falls in love with Jessica Bassanio – Antonio’s best mate, falls in love with Portia

the JEWISH MONEYLENDER OF VENICE Tubal – Shylock’s Jewish friend The Jews in Venice Shylock – the JEWISH MONEYLENDER OF VENICE Tubal – Shylock’s Jewish friend Launcelot Gobbo- Shylock’s servant & Old Gobbo – Launcelot’s dad Jessica - Shylock’s daughter who falls in love with the Christian Lorenzo

The Christians of Belmont Princess Portia of Belmont, marries Bassanio, disguises herself as Balthazar Balthazar and Stephano - servants to Portia Nerissa, Portia’s lady in waiting, falls in love with Gratiano, Bassanio’s best mate

Act 1, Scene 1 Read lines 1-7. What do we know about Antonio’s mood? Where is the proof of this? Read Salerio’s speech. What reason does Salerio give for Antonio’s mood? Why does Bassanio want the money? What is Antonio’s reaction to Bassanio’s request? Write three sentences describing the relationship between Bassanio & Antonio.

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Team bassanio Team antonio Team gratiano

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 2 Belmont Home to the heiress Portia Extremely wealthy and beautiful heiress Father has just died and left a detailed will outlining how Portia will find a husband. Portia & Nerissa discuss the will & her suitors.

Act 1, Scene 2: Portia’s suitors What does portia think about each of her suitors? The Neapolitan Prince (Italian) Count Palatine (Italian) Monsieur le Bon (French) Baron Falconbridge (English) Scottish Lord (Scotland) Duke of Saxony’s nephew (Germany) Bassanio (Venice) Prince of Morocco (Morocco)

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 2 Write a description of Portia and Nerissa. Consider how Shakespeare has represented both women. Consider the similarities and differences between the two women.

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 3 the Christians Antonio & bassanio the jews Tubal & shylock

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 3 As we read the scene, you need to record the details in the contract that the notary is going to draw up. Take note of the following words and their meanings: Signior (title of respect) Ducats (the currency of Venice) Bond (contract to borrow money) Bondman (money lender) Notary (accountant/lawyer) Forfeit (Lose or be deprived of property/privilege as a penalty for wrongdoing) Forfeiture (what will be lost) One pound (half a kilogram) Usance (interest on a loan) Rialto (Bridge over a canal in Venice where business was usually conducted).

Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 3 READERS: Bassanio Shylock Antonio

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 Back in Belmont! Portia & Nerissa The Prince of Morocco What can we add to our characterisation of Portia from this scene?

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 2 Back in Venice! Launcelot Gobbo Old Gobbo Bassanio Gratiano

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 3 In Shylock’s house. Launcelot Gobbo Jessica

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 4 Lorenzo Gratiano Salarino Salanio Launcelot

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 In Shylock’s house. Launcelot Gobbo Shylock Jessica

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Gratiano Salarino Lorenzo Jessica Antonio

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 7 The golden casket: “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire” The silver casket: “Who chooseth me shall gain what he deserves” The lead casket: “Who chooseth me shall give and hazard all he hath”

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 7

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 8 VENICE Salarino Salanio

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 9 BELMONT Nerissa Prince of Arragon Portia

Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 1 VENICE Salanio Salarino Shylock Tubal

Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 2 BELMONT Portia Bassanio Gratiano Nerissa Lorenzo Jessica Salerio

Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 3 VENICE Shylock Salarino Antonio Gaoler

Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 5 BELMONT Jessica Launcelot Lorenzo

Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1 VENICE – Court of Justice The Doge (Duke) Antonio Bassanio Gratiano Salerio Shylock Nerissa (in disguise) Portia (in disguise as Balthasar)

Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1 VENICE – Court of Justice The Doge (Duke) Antonio Bassanio Gratiano Salerio Shylock Nerissa (in disguise) Portia (in disguise as Balthasar)

The Trial Scene The Duke and Portia ask Shylock to show mercy. What argument does Shylock use to reject this?  The Duke could simply tear up the deed. Why do you think he can’t do this?  How does Portia use Shylock’s own arguments to defeat him?  Portia says that Shylock has broken one of Venice’s laws. What is this law and punishment?  What happens to Shylock as a result of the court case?  Do you think Shylock deserved the fate he got? Why?

The Merchant of Venice – Important plot moments Antonio’s wealth is tied up in his ships sailing for Venice. (Act 1 scene i) Bassanio has met and fallen in love with a rich heiress. (Act 1 scene i) Antonio agrees to borrow money to lend to Bassanio to court her. (Act 1 scene i) Portia’s father has died leaving her a fortune but at a price. (Act 1 scene ii) Antonio borrows money from Shylock. The bond is a pound of flesh. (Act 1 scene iii) Jessica elopes with Lorenzo, stealing all Shylock’s treasures. (Act 2 scene v/vi) Salerio and Solanio discuss Shylock’s reaction to Jessica’s elopement (Act 2 scene viii) Shylock shows his despair at Jessica’s betrayal. (Act 3 scene i) Tubal tells Shylock of Antonio’s loss of merchant ships. (Act 3 scene i) Shylock discusses Antonio’s bond (Act 3 scene iii) The trial (Act 4 scene i)