1. The Merchant of Venice

2. Contents William Shakespeare: Biography Main Characters Plot Summary
Questions on Act I, II, and III

3. William Shakespeare: Biography
William Shakespeare (baptized on April 26, 1564 to April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, actor and poet also known as the “Bard of Avon” and often called England’s national poet.
Written records give little indication of the way in which Shakespeare’s professional life molded his artistry.
All that can be deduced is that, in his 20 years as a playwright, Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict.
The personal history of William Shakespeare is somewhat a mystery.
There are two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life. One source is his works — the plays, poems and sonnets — and the other is official documentation such as church and court records.

4. William Shakespeare: Biography
While it’s difficult to determine the exact chronology of William Shakespeare’s plays, over the course of two decades, from about to 1613, he wrote a total of 37 plays revolving around several main themes: histories, tragedies, comedies and tragicomedies.
With the exception of the tragic love story Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare's first plays were mostly histories.
Henry VI (Parts I, II and III), Richard II and Henry V
These plays dramatize the destructive results of weak or corrupt rulers, and have been interpreted by drama historians as Shakespeare's way of justifying the origins of the Tudor Dynasty

5. William Shakespeare: Biography
Shakespeare also wrote several comedies during his early period: the witty romance A Midsummer Night's Dream, the romantic Merchant of Venice, the wit and wordplay of Much Ado About Nothing, the charming As You Like It and Twelfth Night.
With the exception of the tragic love story Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare's first plays were mostly histories.
Henry VI (Parts I, II and III), Richard II and Henry V
These plays dramatize the destructive results of weak or corrupt rulers, and have been interpreted by drama historians as Shakespeare's way of justifying the origins of the Tudor Dynasty
Julius Caesar portrays upheaval in Roman politics that may have resonated with viewers at a time when England’s aging monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, had no legitimate heir, thus creating the potential for future power struggles.

6. William Shakespeare: Biography
Shakespeare also wrote several comedies during his early period: the witty romance A Midsummer Night's Dream, the romantic Merchant of Venice, the wit and wordplay of Much Ado About Nothing, the charming As You Like It and Twelfth Night.
Works after 1600: Tragedies and Tragicomedies
It was in William Shakespeare's later period, after 1600, that he wrote the tragedies Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. In these, Shakespeare's characters present vivid impressions of human temperament that are timeless and universal. Possibly the best known of these plays is Hamlet, which explores betrayal, retribution, incest and moral failure. These moral failures often drive the twists and turns of Shakespeare's plots, destroying the hero and those he loves.

7. Main Characters Wealthy noble woman/ Bassanio’s lover
Antonio’s friend/ Portia suiter
Wealthy Merchant
Antonio
Bassanio
Portia
Lorenzo
Antonio’s friend/ Jessica’s l lover
The Jew/ Moneylender with profit
Shylock
Jessica
Daughter of the Jew/ Lorenzo’s lover

8. Plot Exposition Resolution Rising Actions Climax Falling Actions
Place: Venice and Belmont
Time: 16the century
Social Conditions: reciprocal grudge between Christians and Jews
Exposition
Rising Actions
Climax
Falling Actions
Resolution
Portia confesses her role in the court to Bassanio
Antonio’s ships arrive safely
All live happily
Bassanio borrows the money on Antonio’s credit. The contract says that if Antonio does not pay back the money within 3 moths, Shylock is entitled to cut one pound of flesh from whichever part of Antonio’s Body
Jessica steals large sum of money from her father and elopes to Belmont
Bassanio solves the riddle and woos Portia
Bad news comes: Antonio’s ships is lost at sea
Plot
Disguised as a lawyer, Portia rescues Antonio
Shylock is defeated and his properties are confiscated
At court, Shylock prepares himself to cut one pound of flesh from Antonio’s heart

9. Act I
In Scene I
How do Salerio and Salanio interpret Antonio’s state of mind?
How does Bassanio plan to pay off his accumulated debts?
What is the plan of Bassanio to marry Portia?
In scene II
How does the father of Portia determine and control the life of his daughter even after his death? What is the reaction of Portia?
Is there any situation where Portia shows racism and prejudice?
In Scene III
What kind of feelings do Antonio and Shylock have toward each other?
How does Shylock justify his grudge against Antonio to the audience
Why does Shylock reconsider charging Antonio interest on the loan, and what are the new terms of contract?
Main Characters Involved
Scene I
In Venice, Antonio and Bassanio.
Scene II
In Belmont, Portia and Nerissa.
Scene III
In Venice, Antonio, Shylock, and Bassanio

10. Act II
In Scene I
At first, how does the Prince of Morocco try to convince Portia that he is a good man? What is Portia’s reply?
In scene II
What word does Launcelot choose to refer to his master at the very beginning of scene II?
Why does Launcelot hesitate or decline to run away at first?
To whom does Gobba’s present go at the end? And Why?
What is Bassanio's condition if Gratiano desires to accompany him to Belmont?
In Scene III
What image does Jessica reflect in scene III? Is it the same stereotypical image of Jews at the Elizabethan society ?
To whom does Jessica give a letter and why?
What does the letter symbolize?

11. Act II
In scene VI
How does Jessica leave her father’s house? What does she throw out to Lorenzo?
What does Jessica’s diverse reactions toward her father and Lorenzo indicate?
In Scene VII
What does the riddle of caskets symbolize?
Why does not the Prince of Morocco pick up the lead or silver caskets?
What is written in the scroll that the Prince of Morocco finds inside the gold casket?

12. Act II
In Scene VIII
What is the first action that Shylock does as soon as he discovers his daughter’s elopement?
Whom does Shylock blame for the loss of his daughter and money?
In scene IX
What is the oath that Portia requested the Prince of Aragon to recite?
Why does Portia feel overjoyed at the end of Act II?

13. Act III
In Scene I
What is the rumor that both Salanio and Salario are discussing at the beginning of scene I ?
What makes Shylock furious at Antonio?
How does Shylock justify his hatred toward Antonio in this scene?
What is the action that approves Shylock’s loyalty at the end of this scene?
Why is Shylock certain that Antonio will go in bankrupt in the near future? What is the effect of this news on Shylock? Why he feels so?
In scene II
Why does Portia ask Bassanio to wait for more time before he tries his fortune at the riddle? Does Bassanio agree to do so?

14. Act III
In scene II
How does Portia give hints to Bassanio to choose the lead casket?
What does Portia hand over Bassanio after he chooses the right casket?
What is the content of Antonio’s message to Bassanio?
What actions does Bassanio take to terminate the contract?
In scene III
Why does Antonio plea Shylock for mercy? What is the reply of Shylock?