The Merchant of Venice

1. The Merchant of Venice Written between 1596 and 1598 – roughly his 17th play

2. Themes • Self-Interest Versus Genuine Love • The importance of mercy • Hatred/prejudice as a Cyclical Phenomenon

3. History • The Merchant of Venice was probably written in either 1596 or 1597 • The question of whether or not Shakespeare endorses the anti-Semitism of the Christian characters in the play has been much debated. Jews in Shakespeare’s England were a marginalized group, and Shakespeare’s contemporaries would have been very familiar with portrayals of Jews as villains and objects of mockery. • Shakespeare’s character includes an element of pathos as well as comedy, meaning that he elicits from readers and audiences pity and compassion, rather than simply scorn and derision. However, in Elizabethan England, this response would not have occurred.

4. Villains and heroes • The antithesis (foil) of the hero. They define each other because they are so opposite. • The dynamic between the two is most frequently set up to allow the author’s purpose to develop. It’s important to understand who is who and make your own decisions – particularly with this work since it is so blurry.

5. Villain in MOV • Shylock fits several types of villain, but all partially. Consider the types and be prepared to discuss it and write on it later. • Moreover, several other characters can be equally viewed as heroes of villains. Be conscious of this as you read. • Oddly enough, he can also be considered the anti-hero. Sure, he does do wrong things, but he is goaded his whole life into believing he is evil just because he is a Jew. Considering that the idea was beaten into his head, are his action really evil or the result of society? • More than anything, he’s a tragic hero by today’s standards. He’s a good man who is pushed and pushed until he snaps.

6. The Tragic Hero • Is relatable – there is at least one quality that we the audience can strongly identify with • Of high status – in their society. Traditionally they are of nobility, but in modern tales they simply hold a high position in society or are well known • Tragic flaw – this flaw is an innate quality that they cannot help (such as pride). It can NEVER be a choice they make • Flaw leads to downfall – as a direct result of their flaw, the character falls from grace • Punishment exceeds the crime – the crime is generally innocuous. The punishment is always terrible. This is why we feel so bad or them. • Moment of enlightenment – at the last minute, right before their punishment, they fully understand how all events are their own fault.

7. He who can be led • A weak personality with little self-confidence • Also a pleaser in many instances, one who wants to be accepted by someone or a group. This person is not evil, but does evil things to please • he/she is usually exploited, laughed at, and treated with no respect • This person must be accompanied by a strong villain – they are too weak to function on their own

8. He or she who has no conscience • Part of what makes us human is missing here. The character feels no remorse, no guilt, no responsibility. • Others get hurt as this person pursues what they want. • They cannot be reasoned or pleaded with even though they know what they’re doing is wrong • They may be capable of great cruelty

9. The malcontent • Jealous • is attempting to get revenge for being wronged • When there's a risk of discovery, the malcontent may well start to lose courage and try to back away, covering his tracks as he goes. • Sometimes a person gets in the way resulting in the plan being foiled

10. The mastermind • a truly criminal person who plans every move carefully. Each event is calculated. • There are often others who work for the mastermind. • The mastermind can pull the strings of an entire conflict. • A true mastermind never gets caught

11. Shakespeare

12. The Man • Born – 1564 Died – 1616 • Not much is known about Shakespeare’s early life. He was the son of a tanner (a person who made leather) who belonged to the middle class. He grew up in a small town outside of London called Stratford-upon-Avon, and he probably attended the grammar school there. • In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway and had three children. • By 1592, Shakespeare is known to have moved to London and to have established himself as an actor and a playwright. Note that he wrote plays in order to make a living! • Shakespeare was known to be a shareholder in a prominent theater troupe with close ties to the court of Elizabeth I. Shakespeare and others established the Globe Theater. • After he died, his works were collected by and published by John Hemming and Henry Condel. Without them, we may not have had any of his works passed down!

13. His Works • Traditionally, the plays of William Shakespeare have been grouped into three categories: tragedies, comedies, and histories. Some critics have argued for a fourth category, the romance.

14. Tragedies Shakespearean tragedies include: • The tragic story leads up to, and includes, the downfall of the traditional tragic hero • The suffering and calamity are exceptional • They befall a conspicuous person • The effect of the events that befall the one person ripple out to include almost all involved • The tragedy is unexpected • The tragedy is contrasted with previous happiness and/or glory

15. Most Famous Tragedies • Romeo and Juliet • Macbeth • King Lear • Hamlet • Othello • Julius Caesar • Antony and Cleopatra

16. Comedies Shakespearean comedies tend to include: • A struggle of young lovers to overcome difficulty, often presented by elders • Separation and re-unification • Mistaken identities • A clever servant • Multiple, intertwining plots • Frequent punning • marriages between the unmarried characters for a happy ending

17. Most Famous Comedies • All's Well That Ends Well • As You Like It • Measure for Measure • The Merchant of Venice • A Midsummer Night's Dream • Much Ado About Nothing • Taming of the Shrew • The Tempest • Twelfth Night