The Merchant of Venice Act One so far

The Merchant of Venice Act One (so far)

There are four Key Characters – add one sentence to each explaining who they are. l Antonio - l Bassanio - l Shylock - l Portia -

Create a text box to explain the significance of the images below

Anti-Semitism – use the internet to research this, and write a paragraph about this in the space below.

Why is religion important in the first act of the play, and what issues does Shakespeare deal with in this respect. Write one paragraph in the space below.

Money – looks at the prompts below, and add one sentence about each of them. l Money lending: l Interest: l Cash flow issues: l Marriage:

Scene 3 – PEE – I have done the point and evidence for you, you complete the explanation. Point: Shylock explains one of the reasons he hates Antonio. l Evidence: “He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice. ” l Explanation: l

PEE – gain, you complete the explanation. Point: Shylock explains another reason he dislikes Antonio. l Evidence: “He hates our sacred nation …Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him. ” l Explanation: l

PEE – again, you add the explanation Point: Shylock explains how he feels about the way Antonio has treated him. l Evidence: “If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. ” l Explanation: (think about the effect of Shakespeare’s use of words and metaphor here) l

“You call me misbeliever, cut throat dog, And spet upon my Jewish Gaberdine. ” In the space below explain what this tells us about how Antonio has treated Shylock. THEN explain how this makes you feel about Antonio’s behaviour.

“You that did void your rheum upon my beard, and foot me as you foot a stranger cur over your threshold. ” In the space below, explain what this tells us about how else Antonio has abused Shylock. Develop your viewpoint by including answers to these questions: Do you feel this is worse behaviour than that described in the previous quote; why? How does it make you feel about Shylock?

PEE complete the explanation l l l Point: After Shylock has pointed out that Antonio has frequently abused him, he asks; Evidence: “What should I say to you? Should I not say, Hath a dog money? Is it possible a cur can lend three thousand ducats? ” Explanation: (think about Shylock’s tone of voice here)

Antonio: “I am as like to call thee so again, To spet on thee and spurn thee too. ” In the space below, explain how Antonio responds here to Shylock’s points. Also explain how this develops your viewpoint on Antonio.

PEE – you complete the explanation Point: Antonio explains to Shylock the terms on which he wishes to borrow the money. l Evidence: “Lend it not As to thy friends …. But rather lend it to thine enemy. ” l Explanation: l

Shylock – Victim? Write a summary in your own words in the space below, explaining why this could be the case based on what we have seen so far.

Antonio – use Google images to add to the collage below, and find at least three more pictures which sum up ideas about Antonio so far in the play.

Extension task – Create a collage page on Shylock.