1. Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice
BACKGROUND

2. Who’s who?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

9. 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)

10. 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.

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

12. 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).

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

14. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

20. 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”

21. Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 7

22. Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 8
VENICE Salarino Salanio

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

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

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

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

27. Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 5
BELMONT Jessica Launcelot Lorenzo

28. 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)

29. 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)

30. 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?

31. 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)