1. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Created for:
Technology in Education, Dr. Merrill
Created by: Olivia Hall

2. A Little History Lesson…
Venice in the late-1500’s
The richest city in Europe
Home to many tradesmen, foreigners, and different religious views
Jewish people were targeted – negatively

3. Religious Intolerance
Jewish people confined to ghetto
Gated “community”
Treated with little or no respect
Kicked or spit on
Cheated
Forced to wear red caps
Can be seen in The Merchant of Venice!
(Shylock in a film version of The Merchant of Venice )

4. Venetian Women Not respected Under the rule/command of men
In the play:
Jessica and her father
Portia and her father
But not necessarily their father
Husbands, brothers, uncles, etc.
No political power

5. Shakespeare’s England (in the mid-1500’s)
Shakespeare’s England (in the mid-1500’s)
Under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I
Jews expelled in the Middle Ages
Nation-wide conflict between Catholics and Protestants
Playwrights had to be careful not to offend anyone; especially the Queen!
Similar to Venice:
Important European city
Cosmopolitan
Home to many foreigners

6. Let the Play Begin! Things to remember while reading:
Religious intolerance
Role of women
Importance of trade and economics
Pay attention to:
Relationships
Between men and women
How are the women treated?
How are the Jews treated?

7. Important Characters Antonio: a merchant of Venice
Bassanio: Antonio’s friend; Portia’s suitor
Shylock: a Jew
Jessica: Shylock’s daughter
Portia: an heiress “looking for” a husband
Nerissa: Portia’s friend and lady-in-waiting

8. Act One Summary Antonio = very influential merchant
Has many ships out at sea
Bassanio is pursuing Portia
Her father wants her to marry
“Casket Game”
Portia: not impressed
Shylock is mocked
by Antonio
The deal

9. Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas?
Act One
Why is Antonio sad?
He is in love?
He is nervous about ships?
The casket game will rule
out unworthy suitors
Explanation
Relationship between
Antonio and Shylock
What it says about the prejudices of Venice at the time

10. Act Two Summary Portia’s suitors: Shylock’s daughter, Jessica
Morocco chooses gold
Arragon chooses silver
Significance
Shylock’s daughter, Jessica
Her plot and elopement; Shylock’s lament

11. Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas?
Act Two
Is there such thing as true love in this play?
What can be said of Shylock?
Directly (according to text)
Indirectly (interpretations,
analyses, or ideas?)

12. Act Three Summary
News of Antonio’s ships
Shylock rejoices, then returns to cursing daughter
Father’s sins delivered on daughter?
Bassanio tries the “Casket Game” (Portia in her disguise )
Chooses lead and wins
Significance?
Antonio is bankrupt; Shylock gets his revenge
…or does he?
Portia’s loyalty to Antonio: a plot hatches
Interpretations, Analyses, and Ideas?
Shakespeare: painting Shylock as malicious? Or justifiable?

13. Act Four Summary Antonio’s trial Shylock’s punishment
Portia to the rescue
How it all backfires on Shylock
Shylock’s punishment
Half of his estate  Antonio
Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas?
Contract between Antonio and Shylock = fair?
Why Shylock turns down the money

14. Act Five Summary Happy Ending! Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas?
Jessica and her lover
Portia and Bassanio
The “Ring Game”
Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas?
What the “Ring Game” says about Portia
And women in general

15. And so… Shakespeare: anti-Semitist?
Or an advocate for the Jews?
The cross-dressing women: is he empowering them?
Or: powerful = “become” men?
What do the three caskets mean?
What are YOUR thoughts?

16. Fine (The End)

17. References
Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Greenblatt. The Norton Shakespeare. New York: W.W. Norton, Print.