““The Merchant of Venice”The Merchant of Venice”by William Shakespeareby William Shakespeare

““In for a Penny, in for a Pound”In for a Penny, in for a Pound”

A Teaser…A Teaser…

-Shakespeare Focus Questions--Shakespeare Focus Questions-

How could Shakespeare’s audience have How could Shakespeare’s audience have understood his plays better than we do? understood his plays better than we do?

Why does Shakespeare write in the way Why does Shakespeare write in the way he does?he does?

What makes a comedy, tragedy, or a What makes a comedy, tragedy, or a history for Shakespeare? history for Shakespeare?

Shakespeare Life and TimesShakespeare Life and Times

Born: 1564 Died: 1616Born: 1564 Died: 1616 Born and Lived in Born and Lived in

Stratford-upon-AvonStratford-upon-Avon Married Anne Hathaway Married Anne Hathaway

(1582) had twins in 1585. (1582) had twins in 1585. Sometime between 1585 Sometime between 1585 and 1592 moved to and 1592 moved to London to work in Theater. London to work in Theater. Lived in London for most Lived in London for most of the next 20 years. of the next 20 years.

His PlaysHis Plays 38 plays can be certainly attributed to 38 plays can be certainly attributed to

Shakespeare. Shakespeare. 14 Comedies (End in Marriages)14 Comedies (End in Marriages) 10 Tragedies (End in Death)10 Tragedies (End in Death) 10 Histories (Most dealing with The War 10 Histories (Most dealing with The War

of the Roses)of the Roses) 4 Romances (Based on Romantic/Epic 4 Romances (Based on Romantic/Epic

Poems)Poems) Likely wrote three others. Likely wrote three others. All his plays center on a central question All his plays center on a central question

and explore this throughout.and explore this throughout. Henry V: What make a good king?Henry V: What make a good king? Romeo and Juliet: Love or Lust? Romeo and Juliet: Love or Lust? Merchant of Venice: The Corrupting Merchant of Venice: The Corrupting

Influences of Money.Influences of Money.

Shakespeare’s Language…Shakespeare’s Language…

Shakespeare did Shakespeare did notnot write in “Old English.” write in “Old English.”

Old English is the Language of Beowolf.Old English is the Language of Beowolf.Hwæt. We Gardena    in gear-dagum, Hwæt. We Gardena    in gear-dagum, þeodcyninga,     þrym gefrunon, þeodcyninga,     þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas     ellen fremedon. hu ða æþelingas     ellen fremedon.

What. We of the Spear-Danes  in old daysWhat. We of the Spear-Danes  in old days of the people-kings,    power heard, of the people-kings,    power heard, how the princes    brave deeds did. how the princes    brave deeds did. Click AboveClick Above

for Old- for Old- EnglishEnglish

Shakespeare’s Language Cont…Shakespeare’s Language Cont…

Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.”Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.”

Middle English is the language of Chaucer. Middle English is the language of Chaucer. Whan that Aprill, with his shoures sooteThe droghte of March hath perced to the rooteAnd bathed every veyne in swich licour,Of which vertu engendred is the flour…Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages.

When in April the sweet showers fallThat pierce March's drought to the root and allAnd bathed every vein in liquor that has powerTo generate therein and sire the flower…Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage.

Click for Middle English

Shakespeare’s Language Cont…Shakespeare’s Language Cont…

Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English. Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English.

Shakespeare “Coined” many words we still use today: Shakespeare “Coined” many words we still use today: Critical Critical Majestic Majestic DwindleDwindle

He also gave us many common phrases: He also gave us many common phrases: One fell swoop. One fell swoop. Flesh and blood. Flesh and blood. Vanish into thin air. Vanish into thin air.

His language was understood by the lowest peasant and highest nobility. His language was understood by the lowest peasant and highest nobility.

Shakespeare’s Language is affected by his audience and world. Shakespeare’s Language is affected by his audience and world.

Can I understand Can I understand Shakespeare’s Language?Shakespeare’s Language?

Remember: People are people are people. Remember: People are people are people.

View the following and summarize what the relationship is View the following and summarize what the relationship is between the two characters Benedict and Beatrice. between the two characters Benedict and Beatrice.

9:129:12 1:13:48 1:13:48

Scene OneScene One Scene TwoScene Two

Elizabethan TheaterElizabethan Theater

No Electricity No Electricity Open RoofOpen RoofNo women No women

allowed on allowed on stagestage

Minimal Minimal costumes and costumes and props. props.

The Globe

Controls the language!

Example of ThisExample of This

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Who is already sick and pale with griefWho is already sick and pale with griefThat thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.

Remember

•Its light out.

•Juliet is played by a boy.

The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light,And flecked darkness like a drunkard reelsFrom forth day’s path and Titan’s fiery wheels:Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye,The day to cheer and night’s dank dew to dry

Remember:

No Roof, the Balcony scene was just done in daylight.

How Could Shakespeare’s How Could Shakespeare’s Audience Understand?Audience Understand?

Shakespeare NEVER created an original story. Shakespeare NEVER created an original story.

Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted to see what twists he would add to their old to see what twists he would add to their old favorites. favorites.

When reading Shakespeare, you should When reading Shakespeare, you should familiarize yourself with the story before you familiarize yourself with the story before you begin. begin.

-Focus Questions for the Merchant--Focus Questions for the Merchant-

How far would you How far would you be willing to go for a be willing to go for a friend? friend?

What causes What causes prejudice? prejudice?

Does money bring Does money bring happiness? happiness?

What makes a What makes a villain? villain?

Main Characters of VeniceMain Characters of Venice-Antonio’s “Gang”-Antonio’s “Gang”

Antonio, a Venetian Antonio, a Venetian merchant merchant

Bassanio, his friend, Bassanio, his friend, in love with Portia in love with Portia

Salanio, Salerio, Salanio, Salerio, Gratiano: friends to Gratiano: friends to bothboth

Lorenzo, in love with Lorenzo, in love with Jessica, Shylock’s Jessica, Shylock’s daughterdaughter

Main Characters of Venice Main Characters of Venice -Shylock’s House-Shylock’s House

Shylock, a Jewish Shylock, a Jewish moneylender moneylender

Jessica, his daughter Jessica, his daughter Tubal, his friend Tubal, his friend Launcelot Gobbo, his Launcelot Gobbo, his

servant servant Old Gobbo, father to Old Gobbo, father to

Launcelot Launcelot

Main Characters of BelmontMain Characters of Belmont

Portia, a rich heiress Portia, a rich heiress Nerissa, her waiting-Nerissa, her waiting-

maid maid Various Suitors: The Various Suitors: The

Prince of Morocoo & Prince of Morocoo & The Prince of The Prince of ArragonArragon

Plots Lines of the Merchant…Plots Lines of the Merchant…

Loan plot Loan plot

Lottery plot Lottery plot

Elopement plot Elopement plot

Ring Plot Ring Plot

Teaser…Teaser…

Essential Drama TerminologyEssential Drama Terminology

Allusion Allusion Aside Aside Dramatic irony Dramatic irony Exeunt Exeunt Situational Irony Situational Irony Hyperbole Hyperbole

Omission Omission Rhetorical Rhetorical

question question Refrain Refrain Monologue Monologue Oxymoron Oxymoron Pun Pun

EducationEducation

Likely attended the King’s New School in Likely attended the King’s New School in Stratford. Stratford.

Would have studied: Would have studied: RhetoricRhetoricLogic Logic LatinLatinHistoryHistory