The Merchant of Venice

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

2. 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

3. 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/

4. 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/

5. 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

6. 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/

7. Important Characters • Antonio: a merchant of Venice • Bassanio: Antonio’s friend; Portia’s suitor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ • Shylock: a Jew • Jessica: Shylock’s daughter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ • 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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://www.allposters.com/-sp/Ellen-Terry-1847-1928-as-Portia-in-the-Merchant-of-Venice-Posters_i1367749_.htm http://daphne.palomar.edu/christine/projects/shakespeare/default.htm

13. Act Four Summary • Antonio’s trial • Portia to the rescue • How it all backfires on Shylock • Shylock’s punishment • Half of his estate  Antonio ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

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