The Merchant of Venice

by William ShakespeareCreated for:

Technology in Education, Dr. MerrillCreated by:Olivia Hall

http://www.guideurope.com/venice/pagina.phtml?explode_tree=68

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/JaimeeRose/t1238569200 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!

http://www.metrocinema.org/film_view/1969/

(Shylock in a film version of The Merchant of Venice )

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/

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

http://www.abm-enterprises.net/shakespeare.htm

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

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• Shylock: a Jew• Jessica: Shylock’s daughter

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• Portia: an heiress “looking for” a husband• Nerissa: Portia’s friend and lady-in-waiting

http://www.venezia.net/venice/merchant_of_venice.htm

http://www.behindthename.com/name/jessica/images

http://www.hotflick.net/pictures/004TMV_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://dforecastle99.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• Significance

• Shylock’s daughter, Jessica– Her plot and elopement; Shylock’s

lament

http://dvd.ign.com/dor/objects/761591/william-shakespeares-the-merchant-of-venice/images/william-shakespeares-the-merchant-of-venice-20050725020901095.html

http://www.hotflick.net/pictures/004TMV_Antonio_Gil-Martinez_002.html

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?

• 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

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Ellen-Terry-1847-1928-as-Portia-in-the-Merchant-of-Venice-Posters_i1367749_.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

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• Interpretations, Analyses, or Ideas? – Contract between Antonio and Shylock = fair?

• Why Shylock turns down the money

http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/shylock?cx=partner-pub-0939450753529744%3Av0qd01-tdlq&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=shylock&sa=Search#922

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/photos2010merchant.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.worth1000.com/entries/287550/venice-architecture

Fine(The End)

http://www.lowflyzone.org/2007/11/venice-without-flying/

References

The Norton Shakespeare