ACT ONE, SCENE ONE
1. What two reasons does his friends given Antonio after he told them he was depressed? The two reasons his friends gave Antonio after he told them he was depressed was that he was 1) in love, or 2) because his ships were at sea.
2. Do you think Gratiano's contributions help Antonio's mood?
I don't think they would helped his mood because his advice was telling him what he could become if he didn't do exactly so, and Antonio didn't ask for it.
3. What are your first impressions of Bassanio?
I think of Bassanio to be a charming man and was a good friend of Antonio's because of the way he asked for money to impress Portia, which is a very far-fetched task, and Antonio approved of him to do so, which proves he is a good friend of his.
4. Is he in love?
It is too early in the story for a definite answer, but the way Bassanio is willing to beg for money from his friend displays what he would do for Portia in a loving way, and I believe he is actually in love.
5. Why does he need to borrow money again now?
Bassanio has to borrow money from Antonio in order to impress Portia, the lady he has fallen in love with, who is very wealthy.
ACT ONE, SCENE TWO
6. How do Portia's first words compare with Antonio's? I do not believe Portia and Antonio's first words are very different in a number of ways; as they are both complaining of being upset to their present company.
7. What is the reason for her mood? Portia is having to choose between a number of men as to who to marry and is becoming distressed by the situation.
8. Do you think Nerissa is a help to her? I think so, as she is providing a view on these men from the perspective of an outsider and is rebutting the argument she is worrying about. She is also doing what Portia asked her to; to list the names of the men.
9. Sum up, in a word or short phrase, Portia's attitudes to her suitors so far. Distressed.
ACT ONE, SCENE THREE
1. Shylock is a moneylender. Is he eager to do business with Bassanio, and why? I believe Shylock is at first, not eager to do business with Bassanio, because Antonio, who is to seal the deal, hates Jews and has offended Shylock before, but he is much more eager to do business further on because he comes up with a plan for Antonio's punishment if he does not return the correct sum of money.
2. Which does Shylock think is safe, his or Antonio's? Shylock would most likely think his own business was safer than Antonio's because he knows his ships are at sea and are vulnerable to hazards like rocks and storms. Antonio is at risk of losing all his money very quickly.
3. Why doesn't Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio? Because he is a Jew, he does not eat pork, or does not want to pray with a Christian (Antonio), and perhaps because he is not eager to go through with the deal.
4. What strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Antonio? Antonio is a Christian and therefore does not deal money with Jews, and so by going through with the deal with Shylock he is breaking that rule of his.
5. Shylock tells a bible story to prove that taking profit is blessed, as long as thieving is not involved. Does he convince Antonio? Give evidence. I believe he convinces Antonio, as it is the event that happens in the story before he goes through through with the deal. Shylock agrees to do so right after.
6. Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole catalogue of nastiness. How does Antonio answer the charges? Antonio informs him to lend the money as an enemy instead of an acquaintance, as it will be easier to take his penalty from an enemy than hurt a friend.
7. How does Bassanio react to the proposed bond? He says Shylock's deal is kind at first, but is then very reluctant to go through with the deal and take the money after Shylock proposes to take a pound of flesh from Antonio.
ACT ONE CAN DO'S
MUSICAL: This story opens with themes of love, power, money, and religion. Find a song that could be played in the background. Tell us where in the play you would play it, why you have chosen it and why you think it fits the play.
I would suggest the 1989 recording of 'La Gazza Ladra', originally composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven (one of my personal favourite composers) This song consists of soft flutes and violins in the calm parts of the play with some very loud, thunderous drums to mark conflict in the play. I think it would be a good background track to the entire play in it's whole but with the loud parts to be played during arguments or tension.
ACT TWO, SCENE ONE
1. We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it? The issue the Prince of Morocco begins with is racism; that he will be thought bad of because of his dark skin colour.
2. If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia's suitors give up if they fail to win her? If they fail to win her, they must never marry another woman again, otherwise they will have terrible consequences.
3. Shylock practises 'usury'. What is this? Usury is the act of charging more money each time the person does not pay back the correct sum. For example, if you didn't repay the dollar by Wednesday, you would be expected to pay another dollar on Thursday, and another on Friday, adding up until all the money is paid.
4. Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other? They hate each other because they are of different religion (Antonio is Christian, Shylock is Jewish), and of the way Antonio has acted towards the other in past times because of the religious tension.
ACT TWO, SCENE TWO
1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? He wants to leave because he believes Shylock is a bad person - this is evident when he refers to him as the devil incarnate.
2. Why is Bassiano worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont? Bassanio is worried because Gratiano can get very wild and loud and he doesn't want his act to make a bad impression on Portia.
3. Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to:
a) frequent interruptions
b) contradictions
c) misuse of words to impress
ACT TWO, SCENE THREE
1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? Jessica thinks poorly of her household; this is evident when she calls it hell.
2. Which of Bassiano's friends is Jessica planning to marry? Jessica is planning to marry Lorenzo.
ACT TWO, SCENE FOUR
1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover? He whispers to Jessica, after talking to Shylock and Shylock has talked to her, to keep an eye out of her window that evening, as Lorenzo would be there.
2. How does Jessica get a message to her lover? Jessica writes a note for him, which Lorenzo recognises the handwriting of.
3. How will she be disguised? She is to be dressed as a pageboy for her elopement.
ACT TWO, SCENE FIVE
1. Why is Shylock uneasy about going out for the evening? He is uneasy about going out because he believed things weren't 'going his way' at that moment. He says, "there is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money bags tonight."
ACT TWO, SCENE SIX
1. How does Launcelot manage to tell Jessica that Lorenzo would be there that evening?
When telling her to look out the window he tells her, "A Christian's coming who’ll be worth a Jewess’s glance."
2. What does Jessica throw down to Lorenzo? She throws down a box to Lorenzo.
3. Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano? Because his friends are all waiting for him aboard the ship bound to Belmont, the time is already past 9 o'clock.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In Act 2, Scene 2, Launcelot deceives his father, and Jessica deceives hers. What do each of them conspire to achieve? Launcelot deceives his father as part of a prank (pretending he was dead before revealing himself) however Jessica deceives Shylock in order to run away with Lorenzo, who is a Christian.
2. In both speeches Shylock is speaking to his daughter -- what is his attitude towards her? In the first speech his attitude is calm but bossy, however by the end this turns to Shylock having a urgent, bossy attitude.
3. What do Launcelot and the audience know that Shylock does not? How does this show dramatic irony? Launcelot knows that there is no masquerade: Bassanio is sure to cancel the masquerade ball and instead board a ship to Belmont. This shows dramatic irony because of the language and expression Launcelot used to signify the opposite.
ACT TWO, SCENE SEVEN
1. What casket does the Prince believe is worthy to hold Portia's portrait? He believes it is the golden casket, determining the silver and lead is unworthy because of the comparison in value to gold.
2. How is Portia feeling in the start of Scene Seven, when the Prince is making his choice, and at the end of the scene. She does not what the Prince to be there - evident at the end of the scene when she says," A gentle riddance.—Draw the curtains, go.— Let all of his complexion choose me so," so we can determine she is feeling reluctant for the Prince to make his decision.
3. What was Portia's father hoping to achieve by using the caskets? He was hoping that every man deemed unworthy of marrying Portia would make an incorrect choice, therefore eliminating him and leaving a worthy, good man to marry her.
ACT TWO, SCENE EIGHT
1. What double disaster has struck Shylock? His daughter has fled away with Lorenzo, and she has taken his ducats and valuables along with her. Also, there is news that Antonio's ships have sunk, so he may lose more money.
2. Where did Shylock think Jessica and Lorenzo may be? He thought that they were on the ship bound for Belmont.
3. How did Bassanio and Antonio part? They parted a sad goodbye, evident when Antonio started tearing up, and they parted with a handshake.
4. What is the first sign of trouble for Antonio? There are rumours going around, including news from a Frenchman who told Salarino that a ship had sunken in the English channel. The quote is "I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday, who told me, in the narrow seas that part the French and English, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught."
ACT TWO, SCENE NINE
1. What is the purpose in the rhymes in the casket? The rhymes play major parts in the play. This is evident when the inscription on the lead casket is revealed: "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath." This is an important relation to Bassanio's character -- he is taking a risk doing a bond with Shylock.
2. Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden casket? He discards the casket, saying to Portia he will not go by the social normality (bandwagon). He then chooses the silver casket.
3. What is Portia's reaction to Bassanio's arrival? Portia is eager to see the man who has sent such courteous gifts.
ACT TWO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Vocabulary: Research the meanings of the following words: incision, renowned, casket, fiend, impertinent, tedious, prodigal, and garnish.
Incision: A small cut in flesh, typically in surgery.
Renowned: Famous, someone greatly known.
Casket: A box used at funerals to view or keep a corpse, and to bury it.
Fiend: A demonic spirit, or devil.
Impertinent: A term used to describe someone who is disrespectful or rude.
Tedious: Something used to describe something that is slow, dull, or boring.
Prodigal: Spending money and resources freely and carelessly.
Garnish: To garnish something is to embellish something, particularly used in cooking.
Research: Portia's fate will be decided by the three caskets. Research the quantities of gold, silver, and lead, and present in a digital presentation.
ACT THREE, SCENE ONE
1. Why does Shylock assume Solanio and Salarino know of Jessica's flight? Because they are friends with Antonio and Lorenzo and may have known information about her whereabouts.
2. What is the second suggestion of misfortune for Antonio? Include a quote. There is a rumour going around that Antonio's ship, loaded with treasure has wrecked in a dangerous sandbar on the English channel. "Why, yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wracked on the narrow seas." - Salarino.
3. Where do Shylock and Tubal arrange to meet and with what purpose? They arrange to meet at the synagogue (Jewish house of prayer) in order to arrest Antonio.
ACT THREE, SCENE TWO
1. Why does Portia want Bassanio to delay his choice? Because she fears losing his company and presence.
2. What makes Bassanio choose over the silver and gold caskets? He does not want to judge a book by his cover, he says, he does not want to choose the silver or gold because he believes he will be fooled by it's appearance.
3. What does Portia's speech reveal about the expected roles of a woman in marriage? She says that she is expected to give everything to Bassanio - her mansion, her servants, etc.
4. What did Gratiano and Nerissa's wish to marry depend on? Their relationship depended on whether or not Bassanio would choose the correct casket, therefore marrying Portia. They would not be married unless Portia and Bassanio got married.
5. How does Portia know that the letter contains bad news? She realises it because of how Bassanio's face pales significantly, deeming that no man would turn that pale unless there is bad news.
6. What help does Portia offer straightaway? She offers to pay Shylock more than the three thousand ducats they need to get Bassiano out of trouble.
7. Why do we not expect this help to be successful? Because Shylock still wants the pound of flesh from Antonio's heart as part of the proposed bond which he is unwilling to break.
8. Do you think Portia would still be in love with Bassanio is she knew he had lied about his wealth? Yes, because despite she loved him under the impression that he was wealthy, she did not love him for just that.
SHYLOCK CHARACTER STUDY
- Make a list of insults Shylock has been called in the text so far.
- Find lines/quotes in the story that show Shylock's hurt, rage, and loneliness.
Hurt: "Signor Antonio, many a time and oft in the Rialto you have rated me about my moneys and my usances." and, "I have always just shrugged and put up with it because Jews are good at suffering."
Anger: "My own flesh and blood turned against me! A rebel!"
Loneliness: "Nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o' my shoulders, no sighs but o' my breathing, no tears but o' my shedding."
- Do you think he is more concerned about getting his ducats or diamonds back?
I believe Shylock is more concerned about getting his ducats back: he is shown begging and needing his ducats to Tubal far more than he has been worried about his daughter.
- Shylock is powerless to get his daughter or his ducats back but Antonio is now back in power. Find the first mention of revenge and give reasoning. "Nay, that’s true, that’s very true. Go, Tubal, fee me an officer. Bespeak him a fortnight before."
In A3S1, lines 54-62, what sentiments is Shylock trying to express here, do you find sympathy for him here? He is trying to show them that he is often critisised against for his religious views, trying to express shame and gain acceptance. I sympathise him because you often find people are bullied for things they cannot/do not want to change about themselves.
- Choose one 'hath not' quote and explain it.
"Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?" He is trying to insist that Jews have everything that Christians have and Jews are not less pure and human than Christians.
ACT THREE, SCENE THREE
1. Antonio is now convinced that he knows the reason for Shylock's insistence on claiming his bond. What is it? Use a quote. Antonio believes the reason is that he gave people unable to repay Antonio's interest money in order to let them pay for it. It is expressed in the quote "His reason well I know. I oft delivered from his forfeitures many that have at times made moan to me.'
2. Why can the Duke not 'deny the course of law' according to Antonio? Because it would pose a threat to how the city of Venice makes it's money.
3. What does Antonio seem resigned to his fate. What two important realisations is this based on? The realisation is that he has given money to people who are unable to repay his bond; something that Shylock hates him for doing.
4. Do you think Antonio's feelings towards Bassanio have changed since the beginning and why? I do not think they have changed, as he still wanted Bassanio to come see him pay the pound of flesh more than anything else, making it evident that he still cared about him.
5. Shylock refuses to consider the idea of mercy, but demands justice. Consider the following ideas:
- Is mercy the same as forgiveness? No. Someone can give mercy for the sake of saving themselves or the other person from worse consequences at the benefit of one person, and forgiveness is something that benefits both people. Forgiveness is a permanent solution, rather than mercy which is an impermanent problem as the problem has not been solved.
- Is it easier to show mercy than to seek for revenge? In all honesty it's easier to show mercy in many ways. One is that mercy is not a sin, but revenge is a sin for certain people, no matter how pleasing it may be to others. And revenge may take more time.
Is justice the same as fairness? Justice can be served at the benefit of one person but not the other, but fairness is benefiting both people.
Is true justice possible in this case? No, because if Shylock gets his pound of flesh it would be at a real disadvantage to Antonio because he would literally die, whereas if Antonio doesn't have to serve his pound of flesh it would be at a disadvantage to Shylock because he doesn't get the agreed bond.
ACT THREE, SCENE FOUR
1. What is Lorenzo's opinion of Antonio? His opinion is that Antonio is a faithful gentleman that whose life will benefit not only him but also Portia and Bassanio.
2. What does Portia tell Lorenzo she intends to do? She intends to send the money to Antonio with no regrets.
3. What does she ask Lorenzo and Jessica to do for her and why? Portia requests for Lorenzo and Jessica to act as management of the house until Bassanio comes back, and also her and Nerissa from the monastery.
4. Why does Portia think Antonio and Bassanio must be alike? She believes they are alike because they are best friends, and that best friends must be alike for the friendship to continue.
5. Why do Portia and Nerissa intend to travel dressed as men? Because they said they were going to the monastery when in reality, they were to go to the court to help out Antonio and be dressed as men to do so.
6. In A3S4, how does Portia describe the behaviour of young men? She says that they walk with a manly stride, wear their swords gracefully and talk about their fights and manliness proudly, and exaggerate about their interactions with ladies.
7. Does it seem likely that Portia is going to obey the expected behaviour of a wife? It does not seem so, because she is willing to help out her husband and friends herself rather than Bassanio helping himself like what would be expected of him.
ACT THREE, SCENE FIVE
1. In his jokey conversation with Jessica, why is Launcelot against the conversion of Jews to Christianity? Because Christians already have enough of their own people, and new Christians will make the price of what they already have, such as bacon, go up.
2. What is Jessica's opinion to Portia? Portia must have made a good impression on Jessica because she likes her extremely well, deeming Bassanio as blessed to have her as his wife.
ACT THREE CAN DO TASKS
CREATE - We have learnt that Antonio's ships were wrecked at sea. Write a narrative from the perspective of one of the ship's crewman about the events that lead to the ship's eventual sinking, Use descriptive and emotive vocabulary to entice your reader.
{Story}
Charles Hathaway was nervous.
The sandbar of horrors, it had been nicknamed, and it was a few hundred metres ahead of the ship’s current position, situated in the English channel. From where he stood tentatively on the hull of his boat, overlooking sheer fins slicing through the icy water down below, Charles remembered the words his father had given him before he’d boarded.
“That sandbar is dreadful, my son. Don’t you let those captains tells you I am wrong. Be cautious, and take matters into your own hands if you require.”
The rest of the conversation had been forgotten by now, but it was all Charles needed to know that he was going to have a stressful expedition to France.
“Officer Hathaway, sir,” a voice addressed him from behind.
He spun on the heel of his black boots to face the voice. Behind him stood a man Charles recognised as one of the stewards. Brown hair, wide eyes. Just the sight of him brought an uneasy feeling.
“Ross, how nice to see you. Have you brought news?”
“Yes indeed.” He mumbled, voice trembling.
“Proceed.”
“Right. The Captain has noticed a low tide off the coast. Seismic waves, he has deemed it to be.”
“You mean…”
“Yes, sir. We either anchor here and lose millions or continue going and risk hitting the sandbar.” Ross said.
“And you mean this is my decision?” Hathaway protested, voice getting panicky. This was a huge chance to take - and there was no way he could make it himself.
“Follow me, Ross.” Hathaway demanded, and they tread across the hull towards the Captain’s den.
The ship was less than luxurious, bustling with lower-class people draped in torn clothing and no shoes. Hathaway stood out like a stuck thumb in a dark, pressed uniform and combed back hair.
“Sir, Sir!” stewards called out to him left and right. Hathaway did not abide to their calls. He walked with great strides through a maze of hallways and around corners until he reached the Captain.
“Open up!” he shouted, pounding a fist on the door to the helm of the ship. Ross stood cowardly behind him.
It was Officer Capulet that opened up with a confused expression on his face, pushed away at the sight by Hathaway as she stepped in.
“What do you mean by low tide?” he demanded, snarling at the Captain. A number of crew members stood by in defense.
“It means what it means, Hathaway. We either take the risk or anchor here.” the Captain sneered.
“And lose millions!” Hathaway protested.
“Better make a decision soon, gentleman.” a crew member said, pointing out the window. “Here’s the sandbar.”
And as if a beluga whale had appeared on the horizon, Hathaway and the Captain gasped and peered through the glass window at the patch of white over a brim of the ocean with wide eyes.
“Dear God!” the captain exclaimed. “Quick, Ross, order the stokers to stop their work! Barnardo, anchor this ship immediately!”
“What do you mean, Captain?” the workers protested.
“We’ll lose millions!” one called.
“We’ll arrive late to France!” another said.
“Do what I say, workers, or I’ll dock your pay cheques! We are anchoring this ship immediately!” The Captain demanded.
Ross scurried out of the room and down to the bottom deck while the other crew members bustled around the room. Two stood around the wheel and three more rushed out a door to climb the ropes.
“Captain, are we sure there’s enough time to anchor?”
“Shush, Hathaway! We’re doing what I say. Now fetch me Coleville and whatever the other man’s name is - they need to go climb the ropes!”
From outside the window, they could hear workers shouting ‘Halt! Halt!” as they tugged on ropes and swung from high above. From down below, booming and clattering as the stokers shovelled the last of the coal into the furnace.
The sandbar was approaching quickly now, and the ship had not ceased.
“By god! We’re not going to make it, Captain!” Hathaway screamed, fuming as his face turned a ghastly white. He pushed past the Captain and the two workers and jerked the wheel sharply to the left. From outside workers shouted and fumed with anger as they stumbled down the ropes. Passengers on decks screamed as the ship titled dangerously.
“Hathaway! What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing!” The Captain screamed, pushing past him to straighten the wheel out.
But everything went quiet as the Captain turned frighteningly white and mouth gaped open.
“Dear God, we’re going to sink.” a worker from the back said quietly.
Hathaway felt a wave of nausea wash over him as the hull jerked upwards and to the left, sending half the people in the helm to the floor. They’d hit the sandbar.
“Lord give mercy!” the crew cried as workers fell from the ropes down to the ocean at the sudden tilt of the ship. They’d hit it at such an angle the right of the ship was stranded on the sandbar while the left side plummeted straight into the ocean.
“Hathaway you fool! You turned this ship to the left and now we’re going to sink! Dear God!” the Captain shrieked. The ship creaked uneasily as wood from below snapped and wrecked.
From somewhere in the helm a worker rushed to the rope dangling from the ceiling and pulled it, letting out a long horn sound as the ship began to fall….
VOCABULARY - Find the meanings of the following vocabulary words: tainted, ecstasy, converted, vantage, oration, constitution, envious, forfeit.
Tainted: To contaminate or poison something.
Ecstasy: Feeling of overwhelming happiness, pure bliss.
Converted: To change the form of something (i.e religion, socialism to communism)
Vantage: A position bringing a good perspective of something.
Oration: A formal speech.
Constitution: Established rules according to a state government (law).
Envious: To envy someone means to be jealous of something.
Forfeit: Lose or give up something as a consequence of something else.
ACT FOUR, SCENE ONE
1. What does the Duke believe Antonio intends to do?
He believes Antonio is going to show Shylock mercy.
2. What does Shylock intend to do?
Shylock intends to receive his pound of flesh from Antonio immediately, the reasoning for this is that both of them agreed on the proposed bond that Antonio failed to repay.
3. Why must this law be allowed to stand (why can't the judge dismiss this case)?
Because if this bond is overruled it would threaten the legal security in Venice.
4. Shylock is very clear about the restrictions in the wording of the deed. How does Portia use these loopholes?
Portia found and used three loopholes- the first being no blood is to be spilt or else his land will be confiscated. The second is that Shylock is not to take more or less than the agreed pound of flesh or his land would be confiscated. The third is that any foreign person who attempts to murder someone in Venice would have half of his possessions given to the victim and half to the state.
5. What penalties does Shylock now have to pay? Are they fair?
Shylock now has to have half of his possessions taken and given to Antonio, and the other half given to the state of Venice. They are fair because Shylock did break the law.
6. How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result?
Antonio said that he would go along with Shylock's punishments as long as his money was put in a trust to give to Lorenzo and Jessica. The pair receive a large sum of money due to this.
7. What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant?
She claimed the wedding ring of her husband, the ring that Bassanio agreed not to ever lose or give away.
8. Portia tells Shylock 'the quality of mercy is not strained'. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him?
Portia makes a long speech about mercy, quoting, "No one shows mercy because he has to." She is willing to show him mercy.
9. In A4S1 Antonio gives us three short images of how useless any attempt by Bassanio to save his life will be.
- What are they?
"You might as well go stand on the beach and ask the ocean to get smaller. You might as well ask a wolf why he killed the lamb and made its mother cry. You might as well tell the pine trees on the mountain to stop waving their treetops when the storms blow through them."
-What do they tell us about one of Shakespeare's interests?
- Do you think this is an effective way of demonstrating the problem?
Yes - by using these words it portrays a sense of helplessness that Shakespeare wanted to demonstrate in this situation.
- Each example is an extreme and an impossible, what influence does this have on how your expect the rest of the scene to develop.
10. In Act Four Scene One, Shylock uses vivid comparisons when he wants to make a point.
- What example does he use to illustrate the fact that the pound of flesh is his ('tis mine and I will have it).
The example Shylock uses is comparing the terrible living conditions slaves are resorted to, and how the owners of these slaves (such as Antonio and other Christians) ignore other people telling them to stop just because they are their own slave and they think they can treat them how they want because of this. Shylock compares this to himself refusing to listen to other people because the pound of flesh is already his, he claims.
- It is much longer than the three used by Antonio but do you think it is more striking/effective/convincing?
Yes, I believe it is more effective because he relates Antonio personally to his own doing.
ACT FOUR, SCENE TWO
1. What invitation does Portia refuse and why?
Portia refuses the invitation to go to dinner with Bassanio; this is because she and Nerissa needed to travel back to Belmont in order to arrive there before their husbands do.
2. What does Nerissa plan to get, why do you think this is important?
Nerissa plans to get her husband's ring.
3. Do you admire Portia after these scenes, or do you find her actions cruel. Use examples to support your thinking.
I find no reason to dislike Portia after these scenes. Her actions (pranking Bassanio) were not cruel because she did not intend to punish him for it, instead she intended it to reveal the prank later on before revealing her plans.
SHYLOCK CHARACTER STUDY #2
Shylock makes his last appearance in A4S1...
- How does he behave when he thinks he is winning?
Shylock's behaviour can be described as childish and smug when he thinks he is winning. He often does not listen to other people's opinion and is instead only concerned about his own.
- Is his behaviour what you expected of him based on the story so far?
Yes - Shylock has always acted the same way in most situations despite the events in the story (Jessica running away, Antonio failing to repay the bond etc.). He is often most concerned about getting his pound of flesh, evident in his speeches such as lines 139-142 where he is less concerned about him going to hell and more concerned about getting his pound of flesh.
- Why do Lines 40-46 offer a particularly chilling comparison? What is Shylock saying. Compare L67.
How does Shylock react when he becomes the victim?
Shylock becomes helpless with the situation, evident when he doesn't deny or try to get out of his consequences.
ACT FOUR CAN DO TASKS
VOCABULARY: Find the meanings of the following words: Rigorous, remorse, malice, abject, epitaph, execrable, ravenous, impugn.
Rigorous: To do something extremely carefully.
Remorse: Deep regret.
Malice: The urge to kill someone.
Abject: Something bad to the highest degree.
Epitaph: An inscription on a gravestone.
Execrable: Something bad or unpleasant.
Ravenous: Very hungry.
Impugn: Challenge or question the validity of something.
ARTISTIC: After the trial, a painting called The Evil Shylock has been commissioned by Gratiano. The picture shows the moment where Shylock is sharpening his knife. Draw this picture.
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| Jay told me to AHHAHAA |
ACT FIVE SCENE ONE
1. Why do Lorenzo and Jessica remind each other of classical lovers?
They do this to compare themselves to these lovers.
2. What are Portia's feelings as she enters the house?
Portia is in a good mood, evident when she compliments the music sounding better at night than day, and when she says, "How many things by season seasoned are
To their right praise and true perfection!"
3. What is the first argument to break out?
Nerissa and Gratiano's argument over Gratiano giving away the ring was the first argument.
4. How do Bassanio and Gratiano try to justify parting with the rings, are they successful?
The men attempt to justify giving away the rings by telling their wives that they gave it to the judge's clerk who demanded it as a fee and would not take anything else.
5. Was Bassanio right to give away the ring, give reasons for your thinking.
I don't think it was right for Bassanio to give away the ring, because he and Portia made an oath. Portia deserves the right to leave him because of this, but I hardly believe she will.
6. How can the newly-weds threaten to sleep with the men who took their rings, and mean it?
They are clearly not telling the truth, as they were posing as the men themselves, but they can pretend they have to create tension between them and their husbands.
7. What effects do these arguments have on Antonio?
Antonio swears that Bassanio will never break an oath on his own soul. He is clearly wanting to help the both of them and settle arguments this way.
8. Portia and Nerissa have the rings. What does this mean to Gratiano, Bassanio and Antonio?
It means that Portia and Nerissa are able to pretend to have slept with the judge's clerks, despite the real reason; they were in fact pretending to be the men.
9. How do Antonio, Lorenzo and Jessica benefit from the news that Portia brings?
Antonio benefits because he received the letter that his ships have come safely back into port, and Lorenzo and Jessica benefit because the letters entitles them both to Shylock's ducats when he dies.
SHYLOCK CHARACTER STUDY #3
Many characters hold anti Semitic views, but in places Shakespeare lets Shylock speak from the heart and suddenly see him as a human, not stereotype.
- Find lines and scenes where Shakespeare does this, take note of the act, line, scene, and quotes.
ACT 1, SCENE 3
Lines 105 -120
ACT 3, SCENE 1
Line 37
In Act One Scene Three when Shylock offers to lend money without interest some people argue that he is being kind, discuss your thoughts.
Shylock is clearly not being kind, as his intentions are much worse. He, instead of charging money, he will kill Antonio if he does not pay on time.
In Act 3 Scene One Shylock suffers great losses. Look for suggestions of sorrow, loneliness and feelings for his dead wife.
In A4S1 when Shylock is sentenced, we again feel pity for him. Why is this an achievement for Shakespeare?
This is an achievement for Shakespeare because he is able to make readers, who are most likely to dislike the characteristics and behaviour of Shylock, feel pity for him, which is difficult to do.
The Merchant of Venice is considered a comedy, however the character of Shylock makes it seem like a tragic comedy. Do you feel he is portrayed as more of a victim or a villain? Write a paragraph explaining your thoughts.
Shylock, probably the most known character in the Merchant of Venice, can also be described as one of the most hated, by both readers and the characters themselves. I believe that if there, if any, is a villain in this Shakespeare play it is Shylock. This is because his evil actions (wanting to kill Antonio with his pound of flesh) are important and are relevant to the main story outline as well as being a generally-disliked character. I do not think of Shylock as a victim, more of a villain who got what he deserved.
It has been argued that this play should be renamed 'The Jew of Venice'. Why do you think this is? Would it change your initial view of the play? Would it be a more suitable name?
In all honesty, I doubt it would change anyone's view of the story, except it would make it a little more clear what the story may be about, because both Merchant and Venice mean the exact same thing.
ACT FIVE CAN DO TASKS
VOCABULARY:
Find the meanings of the following words: vehement, riveted, zeal, stockish, quiring, elopement, quarrel, void.
Vehemently: Emotionally, passionately.
Riveted: Attract or captivate someone.
Zeal: Great enthusiasm.
Stockish: Angry, full of rage.
Quiring: To sing in concert (choir).
Elopement: Get married privately and secretively.
Quarrel: To fight or argue with someone.
Void: Invalid, useless.
RESEARCH: Jessica and Lorenzo talk of many classical lovers. Select one pair and research their story. Explain why you think they have compared themselves to them.
Pair: Jason and Medea.
Media once fell in love with Jason and promised to help him retrieve a Golden Fleece, only if he succeeded, would take her with him and marry her. This relates to Jessica and Lorenzo because they both ran away with each other searching for something more.
