#Historical Information
#Biographical Information
#Characteristics of Comedies
#Plot Summary
#Author's Style
#Opening Scene
#Closing Scene
1.If the world is a stage then let me play the fool
2.”I hold the world a stage where every man must play a part, mine a sad one…”
3.”Your mind is tossing on the ocean..”
4.”When I had lost one shaft I shot his fellow of the same flight…”
5.”The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o’er a cold degree…”
6.”I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you…”
7.”I hate him for he is a Christian.. I will feed fat the ancient grudge..”
8”A goodly apple rotten at the heart..”
9.”It is a wise father that knows his own son…”
major
*well-off merchant, lets Bassanio secure a bond in his name, saved by Portia and Nerissa in disguise, hates Shylock
major
*broke merchant, friend of Antonio’s, marries Portia,
major
*heiress, father died, marries Bassanio, acts as a man to save Antonio
major
*maid to Portia, marries Gratiano, acts as a man with Portia
major
*goes with Bassanio, marries Nerissa
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minor
minor
minor
minor
minor
minor
1.”Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
2.”Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
3.”Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
Christianity vs. Judaism
Antonio, Salerio, Solanio
Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano
Believed that Shakespheare wrote Merchant of Venice no later than 1598. It is assumed it was written in England as Shakespheare is thought to have resided there within that time frame. Also the promotion of anti-Semitism reflects the views of 16th Century England. This creates a conflict, or promotion of one as the views of a culture are exposed and obvious to all viewers. It is often questioned whether the anti-Semitism was meant as a criticism or made to show Christianity in an equally negative light(Antonio’s disrespect and hatred of Shylock promotes Shylock to seek revenge in the form of a pound of flesh.).
*Jews are referred to as dogs, curs, demons, and reincarnation of the devil
Renowned playwright, who wrote most of his works in England or Stratford. He is assumed to have been born in Stratford on April 26, 1564, and died in Stratford on April 25, 1616. Though much of Shakespeare’s life is based on speculation, it is on record that he married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children, Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith, with her. Also, much of Shakespeare life is found through his works which typically reflect some aspect of population generalizations (humorously used in the comedy) and references to other events or other prominent playwrights of the age. This has allowed researches to generalize the area Shakespeare was most likely in when writing.
Shakespearean comedies are closer to Shakespearean tragedies than the comedies of today’s age. Although there is word play, metaphors, and insults both direct and indirect, the focal point tends to gravitate toward the characters through convoluted plots and ironic cases of mistaken identity. This is exemplified in the Merchant of Venice through Portia and Nerissa’s disguise as men to outsmart Shylock and the intertwining stories of Antonio and Bassanio’s friendship, Bassanio’s desire to pursue Portia, Shylock’s hate for Christians(Antonio), Jessica and Lorezo’s love, and Nerissa and Gratiano’s relationship. Combined these stories set the stage for jilted father’s who realize they didn’t know their child (Jessica and Shylock), a debt only to paid in the form of a pound of Antonio’s flesh if not repaid in a certain amount of time, and a renouncement of lover’s dedication (the rings) over friendship.
The play opens up in Venice as Bassanio is in love with Portia but needs money to pursue her. He seeks out Antonio to ask for money, but finds that Antonio has his resources in a shipment. Antonio then tells Bassanio to use his, Antonio’s, credit in the market to get the money. Enter Shylock whom has a prevalent distaste for Christian and sets the terms of the bond so that if it is not paid back by a certain date then he, Shylock is to have a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
As the scene shifts to Belmont with the numerous suitors seeking Portia’s hand in marriage. Though they fail at the task due to her father’s last wishes, which required a suitor to select the right casket. One of gold, one of silver, and one of lead, the idea was to show the suitors true character.
In the background there is Launcelot’s desire to run away from Shylock and serve Bassanio.
After Bassanio had acquired the money he travels to Belmont with Gratiano to pursue Portia. Bassanio succeeds in selecting the lead casket and is then married to Portia. Gratiano and Nerissa are also promised and then married. The news of speculation of Antonio’s shipments lost in a wreck travel and Bassanio and Gratiano go to try and save Antonio from Shylock’s wrath. Meanwhile Jessica runs away to marry Lorenzo.
Launcelot Gobbo now serves Bassanio.
Shylock is run off and Antonio is saved by Portia and Nerissa while they are disguised as men. They reveal their mischief and Antonio’s ships arrive. Portia and Nerissa return the men’s rings after much banter about belonging to the one who wore the ring. This implied that they belonged to themselves.
Shakespeare writes in iambic pentameter, or unrhymed verse in which mimics the way people speak naturally. He also includes simply poetry and
Foreshadowing of Jessica’s abandonment of her father and his beliefs. Play of word of the saying, “A wise son knows his father.” Symbolically implies that Jessica knows her father and rejects his ways, though he is not aware of her.
Bassanio is broke and needs Antonio to help him secure a bond. He uses Antonio’s credit to get the money from Shylock, an extreme anti-Christian Jew.
Well respected woman who is pursued my numerous suitors. Desires love and favors Bassanio. She marries Bassanio after he selects the right casket. Outsmarts Shylock to save Antonio’s life.
Christian-hating Jew. Desires for a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Hypocritical, hates Christian’s for how they treat him but then wishes for Antonio to die.
Thoughts of the general populace. Generalizes that all men seek wealth and those that choose this casket seek not Portia for herself.
Thoughts of those who feel that their self-worth justifies marriage to Portia. Generalizes that they care about themselves more than they would Portia.
Thoughts of those who are willing to risk everything they have to be with Portia. Specifically for the one that has the insight to see that he must risk everything to gain the ultimate prize: Portia.
Represents the bond between women and men in general. The giving of the ring to Antonio signified the priority of men over women.
Poses the question of the worth of a human both in that of a Christian and a Jew. Also represents the power that a minority can hold over the majority. Price of a deal with the devil. _ Sacrifice?
Shylocks rejection of dinner with the Christian’s signified his inability to be equal much less civil to them.
Antonio- Christianity
Shylock-Judaism, prevalent Devil Figure
*Hints at a Shakespearean favored Christianity Theme as Jews are likened to rats, pirates, and devil figures. Though the Christian’s are called devils by Shylock it doesn’t seem to be a general consensus.
Antonio is upset. Salerio and Solanio believe it is because his ships, in which a great deal of him money is invested, have not arrived yet. Enter Bassanio who is lovesick and in need of monetary assistance from Antonio. Gratiano has a monologue. Antonio say that the world is a stage and every man has a part to play and his is a sad one. Bassanio goes to seek credit so he can pursue Portia.