Dr . Joe’s Classes Dec . 1, 2013

1. Dr. Joe’s Classes Dec. 1, 2013

2. Important Writings In every session of this series of Important Writings,we focus on the author(s), the historical background, the synopsis, and the legacy of oneselected writing to prepare and equip the students for the age-specific writing classes, which are custom-designed, result-oriented, and highly intensive.

3. Today we will discuss this one: The Merchant of Venice

4. 1. Historical Background and Author(s) The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616), believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though normally classified as a comedy and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for Shylock and the famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech. Also notable is Portia's speech about "the quality of mercy".

5. Its basic plot outline, with the characters of the merchant, the poor suitor, the fair lady, and the villainous Jew, is found in a number of contemporary Italian story collections.

6. 2. The Synopsis A young Venetian, Bassanio, needs a loan so that he can marry Portia, a wealthy heiress in Belmont. He approaches his friend Antonio, a merchant. Antonio is short of money because all his wealth is invested in his fleet, which is currently at sea. He goes to a Jewish money lender, Shylock, who hates Antonio because of Antonio’s anti-semitic behavior towards him.

7. Shylock agrees to make the short-term loan, but he makes a condition – the loan must be repaid in three months or Shylock will obtain a pound of flesh from Antonio. Antonio agrees, confident that his ships will return in time.

8. Because of the terms of Portia’s father’s will, all suitors must take a test by choosing from among three caskets. The man choosing the right casket with the portrait of her may marry Portia. As Bassanio prepares to travel to Belmont for the test, his friend Lorenzo runs away with Shylock’s daughterand Shylock vows to revenge. Bassanio chooses the lead casket, which contains her picture, and Portia happily agrees to marry him.

9. Meanwhile, two of Antonio’s ships have been wrecked and Antonio’s creditors are asking him for repayment. Word comes to Bassanio about Antonio’s predicament, and he hurries back to Venice, leaving Portia behind. Portia follows him, accompanied by her maid, Nerissa. They are disguised as a male lawyer and his clerk. When Bassanioarrives, the date for the repayment to Shylock has passed and Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh. Even when Bassanio offers much more than the amount in repayment, Shylock, now infuriated by the loss of his daughter, is intent on seeking revenge on the Christians. The Duke of Venice refuses to intervene.

10. Portia arrives in her disguise to defend Antonio. Given the authority of judgment by the Duke, Portia decides that Shylock can have the pound of flesh, but not a drop of blood, as it is against the law to shed a Christian’s blood. Shylock loses his lawsuit, and, for conspiring to murder a Venetian citizen, Portia orders that he should forfeit all his wealth. Half is to go to Venice, and half to Antonio.

11. Antonio gives his half back to Shylock on the condition that Shylock bequeath it to his disinherited daughter, Jessica. Shylock must also convert to Christianity. A broken Shylock accepts. News arrives that Antonio’s remaining ships have returned safely. With the exception of Shylock, all celebrate a happy ending to the affair.

12. 3. The Legacy Shylock’s claim for a pound of flesh has made him one of literature’s most memorable villains, and The Merchant of Venice has stayed one of the classic works in the world.

13. Part of "Hath not a Jew eyes?" Speech Shylock: I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heal'dby the same means, warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, do we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.

14. Part of “The quality of mercy" Speech Portia The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown;

15. Age-Specific Class Coverage (Big Schedule) 1. Vocabulary 2. Sentences 3. Paragraphs 4. Composition 5. Parts of Speech

16. 6. Punctuation 7. Format 8. Spelling 9. Diction 10. Research and Writing 11. Writing Exercises 12. Writing Critique (Classics Appreciation + Writing Samples Analysis)

17. Thank You All!