The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Created

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Created for: Technology in Education, Dr. Merrill Created by: http: //www. guideurope. com/venice/pagina. phtml? explode_tree=68 Olivia Hall

A Little History Lesson… • Venice in the late-1500’s – The richest city in Europe – Home to many tradesmen, foreigners, and different religious views – Jewish people were targeted – negatively http: //www. azcentral. com/members/Blog/Jaimee. Rose/t 1238569200 http: //www. medievalwalltapestry. com/old-venice. html

Religious Intolerance • Jewish people confined to ghetto – Gated “community” • Treated with little or no respect – Kicked or spit on – Cheated – Forced to wear red caps • Can be seen in The Merchant of Venice! (Shylock in a film version of The Merchant of Venice ) http: //www. metrocinema. org/film_view/1969/

Venetian Women • Not respected • Under the rule/command of men – In the play: • Jessica and her father • Portia and her father – But not necessarily their father • Husbands, brothers, uncles, etc. • No political power http: //www. flickr. com/photos/medievalarchive/3772847894/

http: //www. abm-enterprises. net/shakespeare. htm Shakespeare’s England (in the mid-1500’s) • Under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I • Jews expelled in the Middle Ages • Nation-wide conflict between Catholics and Protestants • Playwrights had to be careful not to offend anyone; especially the Queen! • Similar to Venice: – Important European city – Cosmopolitan – Home to many foreigners http: //englishhistory. net/tudor/beeslychapterfour. html

Let the Play Begin! • Things to remember while reading: – Religious intolerance – Role of women – Importance of trade and economics • Pay attention to: – Relationships • Between men and women – How are the women treated? – How are the Jews treated? http: //travel-reports. com/

Important Characters • Antonio: a merchant of Venice • Bassanio: Antonio’s friend; Portia’s suitor http: //www. venezia. net/venice/merchant_of_venice. htm --------------------------------------------------- • Shylock: a Jew • Jessica: Shylock’s daughter http: //www. behindthename. com/name/jessica/images --------------------------------------------------- • Portia: an heiress “looking for” a husband • Nerissa: Portia’s friend and lady-in-waiting http: //www. hotflick. net/pictures/004 TMV_Lynn_Collins_008. html

Act One Summary • Antonio = very influential merchant – Has many ships out at sea • Bassanio is pursuing Portia – Her father wants her to marry • “Casket Game” • Portia: not impressed • Shylock is mocked by Antonio – The deal http: //dforecastle 99. webs. com/picturesofoldeships. htm

Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas? Act One • Why is Antonio sad? – He is in love? – He is nervous about ships? • The casket game will rule out unworthy suitors – Explanation • Relationship between Antonio and Shylock – What it says about the prejudices of Venice at the time http: //etc. usf. edu/clipart/5700/5793/merchant_1. htm

Act Two Summary • Portia’s suitors: – Morocco chooses gold – Arragon chooses silver http: //dvd. ign. com/dor/objects/761591/william-shakespeares-the-merchant-ofvenice/images/william-shakespeares-the-merchant-of-venice-20050725020901095. html • Significance • Shylock’s daughter, Jessica http: //www. hotflick. net/pictures/004 TMV_Antonio_Gil-Martinez_002. html – Her plot and elopement; Shylock’s lament

Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas? Act Two • Is there such thing as true love in this play? • What can be said of Shylock? – Directly (according to text) – Indirectly (interpretations, analyses, or ideas? ) http: //www. shakespearebythesea. org/press. html

Act Three Summary • News of Antonio’s ships – Shylock rejoices, then returns to cursing daughter • Father’s sins delivered on daughter? • Bassanio tries the “Casket Game” (Portia in her disguise ) – Chooses lead and wins • Significance? http: //www. allposters. com/-sp/Ellen-Terry-1847 -1928 -as. Portia-in-the-Merchant-of-Venice-Posters_i 1367749_. htm • Antonio is bankrupt; Shylock gets his revenge – …or does he? • Portia’s loyalty to Antonio: a plot hatches -----------------------------------------------------Interpretations, Analyses, and Ideas? – Shakespeare: painting Shylock as malicious? Or justifiable? http: //daphne. palomar. edu/christine/projects/shakespeare/default. htm

Act Four Summary • Antonio’s trial – Portia to the rescue – How it all backfires on Shylock • Shylock’s punishment – Half of his estate Antonio http: //www. websters-online-dictionary. org/definitions/shylock? cx=partner-pub 0939450753529744%3 Av 0 qd 01 -tdlq&cof=FORID%3 A 9&ie=UTF-8&q=shylock&sa=Search#922 -------------------------------------------------- • Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas? – Contract between Antonio and Shylock = fair? • Why Shylock turns down the money

Act Five Summary • Happy Ending! – Jessica and her lover – Portia and Bassanio • The “Ring Game” • Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas? – What the “Ring Game” says about Portia • And women in general http: //www. bard. org/news/photos/merchant/photos 2010 merchant. html

And so… • Shakespeare: anti-Semitist? – Or an advocate for the Jews? • The cross-dressing women: is he empowering them? – Or: powerful = “become” men? • What do the three caskets mean? • What are YOUR thoughts? http: //www. worth 1000. com/entries/287550/venice-architecture

Fine (The End) http: //www. lowflyzone. org/2007/11/venice-without-flying/

References Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Greenblatt. The Norton Shakespeare. New York: W. W. Norton, 2008. Print.