The Merchant of Venice

What are the main relationships based on?

buying/selling flesh

Bassiano describes portia in this order:

1. Rich

2. Fair

3. Virtuous

What is shylock’s beef with antonio?

1. christian

2. does not charge interest

3. abusive

Shylock says these two phrases multiple times symbolizing what?

“my ducats” and “my daughter” are said an equal amount of times potentially signifying he cares about each equally

In what two ways is complexion used?

physical and temperament

What is the importance of Jacob?

a story of tricking fathers for some sort of selfish gain

What is unique about shylock when it pertains to knowledge from the bible?

he knows the NT and the OT when many jews do not

Many christians are unfamillar with the, except?

Old testament, Lorenzo

Both Lorenzo and Bassiano purse a woman for

money

What are Jessica”s exchanges?

• female to male

• shylock for lorenzo

• buying her way into marriage

• judaism to christainity

• superior to inferior place of power (starts on the balcony}

Both Morroco and Shylock are

• mislead by christains

• discriminated against

• balthazar

What does Morocco do that proves his intentions are true in a way no other suitor did?

• talks about love

• mentions portias name

What is the difference between rules that the suitors get?

• morocco gets one rule to never marry

• aragon gets two more, leave immediately and never tell anyone

• bassiano receives no strict rules

what kind of hints does portia give?

• hazard

• worthless

• bred

• head

• nourished

After Bassiano makes a long speech on how looks can be deceiving he

compliments portia’s appearance

How is Shylock honorable in a way during his trial?

he refuses to break his oath

Antonio is ready to die because…

Bassanio is now married leaving no opportunity for them

What is noteably absent from dialouge in Act 5?

god/jesus

Launcelot’s confusing directions is a way of

painting shylock as a misunderstood character

Shylock is _______, while Portia is _________

emasculated, phallicized

What about act 5’s setting is important?

The dark symbolizes hidden knowledge and secrets

This aspects of comedy is are offmissing from The Merchant of Venice

rejuvenation of society, and the fact that protia and bassanio got married at the middle of the play not the end

In what ways is everything the same at the end of the play?

• christian (including Jessica)

• anti-semetic

• relationship issues

• married for moeny

• deceptive

The sun is a symbol for…

The Son, god, Relgion, holiness

How does shakespeare suggest diversity is needed in Act 5?

• if shylock was shown respect then maybe thigns would be different (5.1.93)

• “by season, seasoned are” seasoning being associated with different cultures (5.1.104)