The Merchant of Venice Grade 12A2

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the students will have been able to:
1. Students will be able to learn how to annotate texts to find literary elements.
William Shakespeare ( bapt. 26
April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was
an English playwright, poet and
actor. He is widely regarded as
the greatest writer in the English
language and the world's pre-
eminent dramatist. He is often
called England's national poet
and the "Bard of Avon" (or
simply "the Bard").
Overview
The Merchant of Venice may refer to the character
Antonio, a wealthy Venetian merchant whose trade and
relationships intersect in ways that place him in mortal
danger when he makes a deal with a moneylender.
However, an alternate title that appears in early records,
The Jew of Venice, calls this reading into question. The
original double title raises questions regarding the
identities of the play's hero and villain and the play's
stance on anti-Semitism.
Jews in Renaissance Europe
The Merchant of Venice reflects prevailing European
Christian attitudes toward Judaism rooted in conflicts
dating back almost to the origins of Christianity itself.
Christianity began as a sect within Judaism, the
ancient monotheistic religion of Jewish people which
became divided around the 8th century BCE.
Exile

While Jewish populations found tolerance and acceptance in

some areas, as these populations became prosperous in trade
and banking, they inspired jealousy among other citizens, and
the prejudices reinforced by Christian doctrine allowed an
easy means to eliminate the economic competition. Jews were
exiled from England in 1290, from France in the 1300s, from
Germany in the 1350s, from Portugal in 1496, and from Spain
in 1492.
Jews in Venice
The history of Venice, where the play is set, has a clear influence in The
Merchant of Venice. During the 1300s and 1400s Jews from all over Europe,
often driven out of their home countries, settled in Venice. Modern Venice is a
city in Italy, but during the medieval and Renaissance periods Venice operated
as an independent city-state ruled by a doge, or duke.
Venice's autonomy and relatively
progressive population, along with its
position as a center of trade, made it an
appealing settlement for displaced Jews.
However, in 1516 Venice relegated its entire Jewish population to a small
area of the city called the geto nuovo, or ghetto, and this is where The
Merchant of Venice unfolds. Residents of the ghetto were required to abide by
a curfew, as the gates were locked at night, and until 1703 they were
prohibited from using wells outside the ghetto because of fears Jews might
poison the city's public water supply. Venetian Jews were also required to
distinguish themselves by wearing a yellow circle on their clothing or a
yellow or red hat.
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able read and understand act 1 scene 1 of “The Merchant of
Venice”.
1. Who are the characters in this scene? 6. Although he has condemned usury in the past,
2. Antonio seems to have it all. Why, then, is Antonio Antonio doesn’t need much convincing to go into debt
so sad? What guesses do Solanio and Salerio have for Bassanio. Why? What would he get out of granting
about the causes of his depression? him the loan? Explain the dynamics of the relationship
3. How does Gratiano try to cheer him up? Provide between Antonio and Bassanio.
two characteristics you see in him. 7. Analyse one of the characters in this scene.
4. What is Bassanio’s predicament? How does he plan 8. What is your favourite line or quote from this
and solving it? What is his reasoning? scene?
5. Bassanio lives well beyond his means. Why, then, 9. What themes can you deduce in this scene?
does Antonio continue to lend him money willingly, 10. How does Act 1, Scene 1, set the stage for the
even though Bassanio has yet to pay him back? central conflicts and themes of the play?
Would you lend money to him?
Act 1, Scene 2
Who are the
characters?
1. What is Portia’s status in society?
2. What is Portia’s ordeal?
3. Why is Portia dissatisfied with all the suitors? Is this culturally or racially motivated? Provide evidence.
Act 1, Scene 3
Who are the characters?
5. Who is Shylock?
What is the deal he
strikes with
Bassanio and
Antonio? Do you
think this deal is a
form of
foreshadowing?
Elaborate.
6. Provide one character trait you see in Shylock.

7. Why does he hate Antonio?

6. Provide one character trait you see in Shylock.

Resentful and Vengeful: Shylock is characterized by his deep-seated resentment, particularly

toward Antonio, the play's titular merchant. He feels marginalized and mistreated by Antonio and
the Christian community in Venice because of his Jewish heritage. Shylock's resentment is fueled
by the anti-Semitic attitudes of the time and the personal insults he has endured. His desire for
revenge becomes a central theme of the play, and he famously demands a pound of Antonio's
flesh as collateral for a loan. This vengeful attitude highlights the depth of Shylock's bitterness
and his determination to seek retribution for what he perceives as injustices.

7. Why does he hate Antonio?

He hates Antonio due to the fact that Antonio resents Jews and insults them (to
spet on thee again) in addition to the fact that he lends money without interest,
which hurts Shylock’s business prospects.
8. Notice Shylock and Antonio’s relationship. Does this bring out a new side of
Antonio that we haven’t seen before?

Summary question:
Who is Shylock, and what is his occupation? How does he feel about Antonio,
and why? What is his role in the play up until now?
8. Notice Shylock and Antonio’s relationship. Does this bring out a new side of Antonio that we haven’t seen
before?

Antonio’s Kindness and Generosity: Antonio is willing to go to great lengths to help his friend Bassanio.
Antonio's devotion to Bassanio is evident in his willingness to borrow money from Shylock, using a pound of his
own flesh as collateral to secure the loan. This act of selflessness and loyalty highlights Antonio's benevolence
and generosity toward his friends.

Antonio's Melancholy: The central topic of act 1 scene 1 is Antonio’s sadness and the unknown reason behind it,
showcasing him as a poetic yet vulnerable character.

Antonio's Contempt for Shylock: While Antonio's relationship with Bassanio brings out his benevolent side, his
interactions with Shylock reveal a more prejudiced and contemptuous attitude. Antonio's mistreatment of
Shylock and his anti-Semitic remarks, such as calling him a "misbeliever" and spitting on him, showcase a darker
facet of his character. This bigotry contrasts with his kindness toward Bassanio, emphasizing the prejudice
prevalent in the society of the time.
Summary question:
Who is Shylock, and what is his occupation? How does he feel about Antonio, and why? What is his role in the
play up until now?

Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." His occupation is that
of a moneylender, and he lends money to individuals in Venice, charging interest on the loans.

Shylock harbors deep resentment and hostility towards Antonio, the titular merchant of Venice due to his hate for
Jews and lending money with no interest rates.

Shylock's role in the play up to this point revolves around the central conflict. He lends money to Bassanio,
Antonio's friend, with a cruelly ironic bond that stipulates that if Antonio fails to repay the loan, Shylock is
entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh. This bond becomes the focal point of the play's tension, as Shylock insists
on enforcing it with the intent of seeking revenge against Antonio for the mistreatment he has endured.
1. What is Portia’s status in society?
2. What is Portia’s ordeal?
3. Do the suitors attempt to guess?
4. Why is Portia dissatisfied with all the suitors? Is this culturally or racially
motivated? Provide evidence.
5. Who is Shylock? What is the deal he strikes with Bassanio and Antonio? Do
you think this deal is a form of foreshadowing? Elaborate.
6. Provide one character trait you see in Shylock.
7. Why does he hate Antonio?
8. Notice Shylock and Antonio’s relationship. Does this bring out a new side of
Antonio that we haven’t seen before?
9.Who is Shylock, and what is his occupation? What is his role up until now?
Analysis Questions:
1. Act 1 opens with Antonio's melancholy. How does this mood-setting contribute to the overall tone of
the play? What might it foreshadow?
2. Explore the character of Shylock. What are his motivations, and how does he view Antonio? What
does his famous speech in Act 1, Scene 3 reveal about his character?
3. In Act 1, Scene 2, Portia discusses her feelings about the suitors who have come to woo her. What
does her conversation with Nerissa reveal about her character and her desires?
4. How does Shakespeare use the theme of money and commerce in Act 1? Consider Antonio's business
ventures and Shylock's role as a moneylender.
5. What social and cultural tensions are introduced in Act 1, especially concerning the relationship
between Christians and Jews?
6. Examine the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio. How would you describe their relationship,
and what role does it play in the plot?
Analysis Questions:
1. Act 1 opens with Antonio's melancholy. How does this mood-setting contribute to the overall tone of
the play? What might it foreshadow?

Antonio's melancholic mood at the beginning of Act 1 sets a somber and foreboding tone for the play. It
suggests a sense of unease and foreshadows the challenges and conflicts that will unfold. Antonio's
unexplained sadness hints at the trials he will face, particularly in his dealings with Shylock, and it creates
an atmosphere of tension and seriousness.
Analysis Questions:
2. Explore the character of Shylock. What are his motivations, and how does he view Antonio? What does
his famous speech in Act 1, Scene 3 reveal about his character?
Shylock is a complex character driven by several motivations. His primary motivation is a deep-seated
desire for revenge against Antonio. Shylock resents Antonio for both personal and financial reasons.
Antonio has publicly ridiculed him and spat on him because of his Jewish heritage, which fuels Shylock's
personal animosity. Additionally, Antonio's lending money without charging interest undercuts Shylock's
business, causing financial grievances.

Shylock's famous speech in Act 1, Scene 3 reveals his character as vengeful and ruthless. He is
determined to exact revenge, and his insistence on the bond that allows him to claim a pound of Antonio's
flesh if the debt is not repaid demonstrates the extent of his bitterness and desire for retribution.
Analysis Questions:
3. In Act 1, Scene 2, Portia discusses her feelings about the suitors who have come to woo her. What does
her conversation with Nerissa reveal about her character and her desires?

In this scene, Portia discusses her feelings about the suitors who have come to win her hand in marriage.
Her conversation with Nerissa reveals her character as intelligent, independent, and desiring agency over
her own fate. She expresses a wish to choose her own husband rather than be bound by her deceased
father's test, demonstrating her desire for autonomy and a love-based marriage.
Her conversation with Nerissa also reveals a desire to wed someone of close cultural and racial heritage
as she criticizes one of the suitors’ skin tone and complains about the language barrier between her and
another.
Analysis Questions:
4. How does Shakespeare use the theme of money and commerce in Act 1? Consider Antonio's business
ventures and Shylock's role as a moneylender.
Act 1 prominently features the theme of money and commerce. Antonio's ventures at sea are linked to his
melancholy and his need for money, which leads to his borrowing from Shylock. Shylock's role as a
moneylender underscores the financial aspects of the play, setting the stage for the conflict over the bond
and highlighting the economic dynamics of the characters' lives.
Act 2,
Scene 1
Who are the
characters?
1. What is your first impression of The Prince of Morocco? Describe his
character briefly.