The Merchant of Venice analysis ACT I Act

The Merchant of Venice analysis ACT I

Act I, Scene i

Scene summary Antonio, a merchant of Venice, talks of his sadness with his friends Salerino and Solanio, who believe that his heavy investments at sea must cause him worry. When he says that doesn’t bother him, since his wealth isn’t invested in just one ship, they claim he must be in love. Antonio shrugs this off as well. When Bassanio enters, he tells Antonio of Portia, a rich and beautiful woman he has fallen in love with, and, although he has borrowed money from Antonio before and hasn’t paid it back, asks to borrow money again so that he may court her, and thus have enough money to pay Antonio back completely. Even though Antonio’s money is tied up in the ships, he allows Bassanio to see what kind of loan he can secure with Antonio’s credit.

Allusions • An allusion is a reference to a person, place, poem, book, etc. , that is not part of the story, but which the author expects the reader to recognize. • Shakespeare uses several allusions in this act to enhance the play. • For example – Janus is an allusion – Line 50 • In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, and thereby of gates, doors, doorways, passages and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past. He has one serious face and one happy face. • After reading Act I, how does your understanding of Janus now add extra meaning to what Solanio is saying? What does Janus imply?

Allusions – activity – 5 minutes 1) Research one (1) of the allusions used in Act 1, Scene 1. 1) Janus 2) Nestor 3) Sir Oracle 4) Cato 5) Brutus 6) Belmont Colchis’ strand 7) Jason (Jason and the Argonauts) 2) Re-read the text where it is used 3) Write how the allusion adds extra meaning to the play, or what additional meaning it may convey about character. 3) Be prepared to share with the class.

Biblical allusions • Holy church • wheat and chaff - to separate the wheat from the chaff, the righteous from the wicked • Pilgrimage - a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion

Antonio and Bassanio • Volunteer 1 read Antonio’s lines 1 -7 • What do these lines tell you about Antonio’s mood? What is the evidence? • Volunteer 2 read Salerino’s speech which follows. • What reasons does Salerino offer for Antonio’s mood? • Volunteer 3 read from ‘Well, tell me now, what lady…’ (p. 12 -16) and Volunteer 4 place the main quotes on the board. • What do you learn about Bassanio’s fortune? • What is Bassanio’s philosophy of how to get back his money? • Why does he want money, and what is Antonio’s reaction? Put your ideas in your own words and find quotes to back them up.

Antonio and Bassanio • What have we learnt about them in this Act? • Half the class brainstorm Antonio and half the class brainstorm Bassanio. • A student from each group will be called upon to report back to the class.

What have we learnt about these characters? Antonio • • • Helpful Wealthy Puts other’s needs first Troubled (yet to know why) Generous Mixed feelings (about his own feelings) Selfless Confident about his investments Loyal Risk taker ‘chilled’ Bassanio • Immature • Bad decision maker • Frivolous • Reliant on Antonio • In debt • Enjoys lavish lifestyle • Regrets some of his own decisions • Wants to court Portia – romantic, in love • Self pitying

Act I, Scene i Antonio says, “I hold the world but as the world, A stage, where every man must play a part, And mine is a sad one. ” 1) What does this mean? 2) If the world is a stage, and we are all actors, what is your role?

Bassanio’s diary entry v Write Bassanio’s diary entry for that day. v Why are you so sad/ melancholy/thoughtful? v How do you respond to Antonio’s offers/friendship? v How do you feel about Portia and her suitors? v Why do you want to borrow money from Antonio? How will it make your life better?

Discussion questions 1. Antonio seems to have it all. Why, then, is Antonio so sad? Why doesn’t he know the cause of his sadness? What guesses do Solanio and Salerio have about the causes of his depression? What lifts his depression? 2. What has Bassanio come to tell Antonio? 3. Why does Bassanio set his sights on Portia? What stands in his way? How does he plan to overcome those barriers? 4. Bassanio lives well beyond his means. Why, then, does Antonio continue to lend him money willingly, even though Bassanio has yet to pay him back? Would you lend money to him? 5. What plan does Bassanio have to pay Antonio back? 6. Although he has condemned usury in the past, Antonio doesn’t need much convincing to go into debt for Bassanio. Why? What would he get out of granting him the loan? 7. What does Antonio get from his relationship with Bassanio?

True or False – Act I, Scene i 1. 2. 3. Salarino thinks Antonio is worried about his ships. Antonio admits that he is in love. Gratiano believes that people should be respected if they choose to take themselves seriously and pretend to be wise. 4. Bassanio thinks Gratiano doesn’t say anything useful. 5. Antonio asks about a lady of interest to Bassanio, so he begins to speak about her. 6. Bassanio is worried that he doesn’t have money like Portia’s suitors. 7. Antonio is willing to help Bassanio with the money he needs. 8. Antonio allows Bassanio to borrow money on his behalf.

Act I, Scene ii

Scene summary In Belmont, Portia complains to her servant Nerissa, that she cannot choose her own husband; her dead father has stipulated in his will that Portia’s suitors must pass a test in which they must choose among three caskets—one lead, one silver, and one gold—to find which one contains her portrait. The one who chooses correctly will become Portia’s husband inherit her fortune, but if suitors fail, they may never marry. Portia and Nerissa discuss the faults of suitors who have come and gone, and remember Bassanio as one who might be worthy to be her husband.

Portia and her suitors At Belmont, Portia complains to her lady-in-waiting, Nerissa, that she is weary of the world because, as her dead father’s will stipulates, she cannot decide for herself whether to take a husband. Nerissa lists the suitors who have come to guess—a Neapolitan prince, a Palatine count, a French nobleman, an English baron, a Scottish lord, and the nephew of the Duke of Saxony.

Activity, p. 18 -24 (line 30) Portia criticizes her suitors’ faults to Nerissa. Using your copy of the play, work in pairs to translate Portia’s criticisms into modern day translations. For example, ‘Yes, he’s [Neapolitan prince] a colt, indeed, for he doesn’t do anything except talk about his horse. And he thinks that it’s a notable talent, among his other gifts, that he can shoe the horse himself. I’m very much afraid that his mother secretly conceived him by a smith. ’ Modern translation: He’s so childish and immature. All he does is talk about his car. He thinks because he can change a tyre that he is manly. I don’t think he’s very special or clever at all. He is delusional.

Portia’s suitors transformed into modern men Count Palatine Depressed, serious, would rather marry a dead person; He tries to be a stereotypical man, by trying to be manly, but he loses a uniqueness about himself, rich Not worthy as a life partner for he is depressive/dark/sombre; apathetic about other’s feelings Monsieur Le Bon Feminine qualities, she can’t help but tease him, just alright, his life is a joke, many personalities/faces – master none/stands for nothing Falconbridge Dresses badly, language barrier, handsome, manners all over the place, bit of a dropkick! Scottish Lord ‘soft’, does not stand up for himself, shows strength and integrity, self control Duke of Saxony’s nephew A drunk, horrible man, rude, unfaithful, not husband worthy, a lot of issues

• Draw a caricature of one or more of Portia’s suitors according to her descriptions in this scene, exaggerating the features she dislikes the most. • Label your caricature with Shakespearean quotes from the play.

PORTIA What we know about Portia The evidence Using evidence from the play, summarise Portia’s character in a paragraph using PEE chains.

I want a husband! • Write Portia’s advertisement asking for an ideal husband. Write down the qualities he must have.

Discussion Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Shakespeare often juxtaposes (placing seeming opposites near one another) scenes (and therefore characters, settings, ideas) for a purpose. Read I, ii carefully to see what purpose Shakespeare had in placing these scenes next to one another. How does Venice differ from Belmont? How does Portia and Nerissa’s relationship differ from Antonio and Bassanio’s? How is it similar? Look at the way they speak. How does Shakespeare show differences in their personalities and social stature through dialogue? How is Portia’s mood similar and different from Antonio’s at the start of Act I, Scene i? How does Portia feel about her deceased father’s method of selecting a husband for her? So far, how successful has it been in eliminating inappropriate suitors? How does Portia first encounter Bassanio? What kind of social status does he have? Reread lines 126 -130. Does Portia’s racism shock you?

Act I, Scene iii

Scene Summary Shylock agrees to lend Bassanio three thousand ducats for three months based on Antonio’s credit but is skeptical, since all of Antonio’s assets are tied up at sea. He confesses in an aside that he hates Antonio because he is a Christian who lends money without interest, which makes Shylock’s profession as a moneylender difficult. Shylock has also been offended by Antonio’s public physical and verbal assaults against him for usury, which is considered a sin by Christians. When Shylock points out Antonio’s hypocrisy, Antonio points out he makes the exception for Bassanio, not for himself.

Ten things I hate about you Fill in the table by referring to lines in Scene 3. Copy the lines and write the meaning in modern language if needed. An example has been given for you. No Line reference Line Modern version 1 Line 34 He lends out money gratis He lends money without charging interest 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Discussion Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Bassanio contacts Shylock regarding the loan. What are the terms of the loan? What does it mean for Antonio to be “bound” to a loan? What does it mean when Shylock says, “Antonio is a good man” (l. 12)? How does Bassanio take his meaning? What distinction does this show between the two men in terms of their priorities or states of mind? Shylock does a risk analysis of Antonio’s ability to repay the loan in ll. 13 -26. What are the risks? What does Shylock say outweighs those risks for him? Would this be enough for you to lend him the money? Bassanio invites Shylock to eat with Antonio and him, but Shylock refuses. What reasons does he give? Why does he seem so bitter all at once? What underlying rancor is there? Once Antonio enters, Shylock’s aside gives us insight into why he dislikes Antonio. How would his feelings reflect the political position Jews held in Elizabethan society? How would his attitude towards the merchant influence his risk analysis? Examine Shylock’s speech patterns. What patterns do you notice? What figures of speech does he tend to use?

7. Describe Shylock. What stereotypical characteristics do you notice in the way Shakespeare’s words present Shylock’s character? What do you see that defies stereotypes? 8. Shylock’s love of money is undeniable. Why does Shylock tell the story of Jacob and Laban? How does Shylock interpret the story? How does Antonio? 8. Why does Shylock drop the Biblical discussion as soon as Antonio challenges him? What does this say about Shylock’s place in Venetian society? How do Antonio’s words in ll. 93 -98 reflect this Elizabethan perception of Jews? 9. Shylock directly confronts Antonio regarding the way Antonio has treated Shylock in the past. What wrongs has Antonio committed against Shylock? 10. How does Antonio react to the charges against him? How does he reconcile that apparent hypocrisy? Why does he say this is even more reason to grant the loan? Give proof from the text (including line numbers) in your answer. 11. What are Shylock’s terms of the loan? He says he grants it in terms of a “merry sport” (l. 142). Is he joking or serious? How does Antonio take it? How does Bassanio? Give proof from the text (including line numbers) in your answer. 12. What is the difference between Bassanio’s and Antonio’s perceptions of the loan t erms? What accounts for those differences? Give proof from the text (including line numbers) in your answer. Would Bassanio have done the same for Antonio? 13. How does Shylock’s loan to Antonio differ from Antonio’s loan to Bassanio? 14. Given this scene, what is important in Venice? Look for repeated word choices for evidence. How does the language reflect that values system?

Antonio, Bassanio and Shylock • Create a table listing good and bad qualities of each of these three characters. v. Who qualifies as ‘good’? v. Who qualifies as ‘bad’? v. Why?

Word play and imagery Malapropism - the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with an amusing effect The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester. alliteration malapropism metaphor pun A chicken crossing the road is truly poultry in motion. simile

Word play and imagery Pun - a play on words, usually for a comic reception I was struggling to figure out how lightning works, then it struck me. alliteration malapropism metaphor pun I've been to the dentist many times, so I know the drill. simile

Word play and imagery alliteration Identify some language devices within Act 1. 1) Write it in your book 2) Explain the effect they have on the reader? malapropism metaphor pun simile

Review • Identify the purpose of each scene of Act 1. • How do they fit with one another? • What does the juxtaposition of scenes highlight in each other? • What recurring themes, ideas, emotions and words do you find in this act?