by William Shakespeare
Created for:Technology in Education, Dr. Merrill
Created by:Olivia Hallhttp://www.guideurope.com/venice/pagina.phtml?explode_tree=68
The Merchant of Venice
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• 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
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• 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
Shakespeare, William, and Stephen Greenblatt. The Norton Shakespeare. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. Print.