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By William Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice By William Shakespeare
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Overview of slideshow Important concepts Historical context
Main characters Subplots
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Important Concepts Usury:
The practice of lending money and charging the borrower interest, especially at an exorbitant or illegally high rate.
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Usury Condemned by most major religions at some point - some still
Moses, Muhammad, Plato, Aristotle all prohibited it
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Protestant England - Usury
Queen Elizabeth more lenient view of usury. Allowed for commercial ventures - New World Contrasted Vatican
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Anti-Semitism England the first European country to expel Jews in 1290
Allowed back into country under Oliver Cromwell in late 17th century
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Jewish Stereotypes in England
Ritual murder Desecration of the host Poisoning wells Spreading the plague Stubborn, non-believers
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Dr. Rodrigo Lopez Portuguese Jew fled Spanish Inquisition
Became the personal physician to Queen Elizabeth I Executed for treason 1594
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Lopez and Barabas Shakespeare was likely to have attended Lopez’s execution Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta 1592 Barabas
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Main Characters - Antonio
Wealthy, merciful merchant of Venice Borrows money from Shylock to give to his friend, Bassanio Humble, generous entrepreneur
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Main Characters - Shylock
Wealthy Jewish usurer Old Testament justice, revenge, greed? Thanks to Cameron Marshall for the art.
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Main characters - Bassanio
Young aristocrat, spendthrift Very close to Antonio Seeks Portia’s hand
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Main Characters - Portia
Wealthy beautiful heiress in Belmont Dutiful, generous, seeks true love Subverts role of women to save Antonio and trick Bassanio
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Nerissa and Gratiano Friends of Bassanio and Portia who are foils to their love, Involved in the “ring plot”
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Jessica Shylock’s daughter
Steals from Shylock, abandons him, and marries a Christian and converts
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Two Worlds Venice Belmont Language of Money/commerce Male friendship
Justice/rule of law Belmont Poetic language Love marriage bonds Mercy spirit of law
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Two Worlds Venice Belmont Language of Money/commerce Male friendship
Justice/rule of law Belmont Poetic language Love marriage bonds Mercy spirit of law
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Two Worlds Venice Belmont Language of Money/commerce Male friendship
Justice/rule of law Belmont Poetic language Love marriage bonds Mercy spirit of law
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Two Worlds Venice Belmont Language of Money/commerce Male friendship
Justice/rule of law Belmont Poetic language Love marriage bonds Mercy spirit of law
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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”
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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”
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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”
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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”
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Three plots #1 Casket Plot Portia’s test for her suitors
Resolved with Portia’s marriage to Bassanio
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Three plots #2 Pound of Flesh Plot
Shylock’s bond Resolved in Act IV - the courtroom scene
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Three Plots #3 Ring Plot Comedic twist
Portia and Nerrisa trick their husbands Resolved in ACT V
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The End
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