By William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice By William Shakespeare
Important Concepts Usury: The practice of lending money and charging the borrower interest, especially at an exorbitant or illegally high rate.
Usury Condemned by most major religions at some point - some still Moses, Muhammad, Plato, Aristotle all prohibited it
Protestant England - Usury Queen Elizabeth more lenient view of usury. Allowed for commercial ventures - New World Contrasted Vatican
Anti-Semitism England the first European country to expel Jews in 1290 Allowed back into country under Oliver Cromwell in late 17th century
Jewish Stereotypes in England Ritual murder Desecration of the host Poisoning wells Spreading the plague Stubborn, non-believers
Dr. Rodrigo Lopez Portuguese Jew fled Spanish Inquisition Became the personal physician to Queen Elizabeth I Executed for treason 1594
Lopez and Barabas Shakespeare was likely to have attended Lopez’s execution Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta 1592 Barabas
Main Characters - Antonio Wealthy, merciful merchant of Venice Borrows money from Shylock to give to his friend, Bassanio Humble, generous entrepreneur
Main Characters - Shylock Wealthy Jewish usurer Old Testament justice, revenge, greed? Thanks to Cameron Marshall for the art.
Main characters - Bassanio Young aristocrat, spendthrift Very close to Antonio Seeks Portia’s hand
Main Characters - Portia Wealthy beautiful heiress in Belmont Dutiful, generous, seeks true love Subverts role of women to save Antonio and trick Bassanio
Nerissa and Gratiano Friends of Bassanio and Portia who are foils to their love, Involved in the “ring plot”
Jessica Shylock’s daughter Steals from Shylock, abandons him, and marries a Christian and converts
Two Worlds Venice Belmont Language of Money/commerce Male friendship Justice/rule of law Belmont Poetic language Love marriage bonds Mercy spirit of law
Old vs. New Testament Judaism Christianity Justice/retribution Letter of law “A Daniel come to judgment” Christianity Mercy/Forgiveness Spirit of Law Quality of mercy is not “strained”
1. Casket Plot Three plots Portia’s test for her suitors Resolved with Portia’s marriage to Bassanio
Three plots 2.Pound of Flesh Plot Shylock’s bond Resolved in Act IV - the courtroom scene
Three Plots 3.Ring Plot Comedic twist Portia and Nerrisa trick their husbands Resolved in ACT V