Act 1
He does not know where it comes from. It makes him sad.
He is worried about his merchandise at sea.
Strong winds can destroy them. Run aground on sandbanks. Run into rocks.
You don’t look well. You take life too seriously. If you worry too much you will loose everything. You look very different.
Make him laugh by acting like a comedian.
He wants to marry Portia who inherited a lot of money.
Bassanio can borrow money in Antonio’s name from anybody in Venice.
Act 1, Scene 2
She is very rich and should be happy.
She can not choose or refuse who must marry.
Whoever chooses the casket with Portia’s picture in it, may marry her.
The Prince from Naples Count Palatine Monsieur Le Bon Falconbridge, Baron from England Scottish Lord Duke of Saxony’s nephew
Not one.
The Prince of Marocco
A horse
The Prince’s mother must have slept with a blacksmith, that is why the prince likes horses.
Frown
He shows no emotion.
He would be crying all the time.
He must be a man because God made him a man.
He has a bigger horse, a bigger frown. He is always better than somebody else.
It would be as if she married twenty husbands.
He only speaks English, no Italian or Latin.
He wears strange clothes. His jacket comes from Italy, his tights from France, his cap from Germany and his behaviour from everywhere else.
He will take revenge on the English.
He is sober in the morning but drunk in the evening. When he is sober he is rude and when he is drunk he behaves like a beast.
Act 1 Scene 3
3000 ducats
Antonio will pay the debt.
He has ships going to: ◦ India ◦ Tripolis ◦ England ◦ Mexico
Shylock is Jewish and does not eat pork.
Antonio is a Christian He lends out money without asking interest. Antonio has insulted Shylock. Antonio has spat on Shylock. Antonio has kicked Shylock and called Shylock a dog. Antonio insulted the Jewish race.
He wants to help Bassanio
Antonio is his enemy so if Antonio cannot repay the sum of money Shylock will not pity him when Shylock must punish him to get the money.
Shylock will cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if Antonio can not repay the 3000 ducats in three months’ time. Shylock will ask no interest.
Antonio’s ships will return a month before he has to repay the debt.