THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

What is the exposition in Venice?

In Venice: Antonio, a successful merchant, suffers an inexplicable sadness despite of his wealth. He needs a loan for his greatest friend Bassonio who wants to marry Portia, a rich, clever woman from Belmont who is tired of this great world because she must miserably obey the wishes of her dead father. Antonio agrees to help him, borrowing 3,000 ducats from Shylock - a money-lender he has repeatedly insulted

What is the exposition in The Perilous Bond?

The Perilous Bond: Shylock’s condition is bizarre: if Antonio cannot repay the loan in three months’ time, Shylock will cut a pound of flesh from his body. Antonio accepts this extraordinary one because he believes that his ships will return with a fortune from abroad before the loan has to be repaid

What is the exposition in Belmont?

In Belmont: Portia, a gorgeous and intelligent woman who is tired of this great world, faces the wishes of her dead father. If any admirers desire to get married her, they must choose among three boxes of gold, silver, and lead. Many admirers attempt to test and fail, their greed leading them to the wrong boxes.

What is the rising action of the play?

Antonio’s bad luck begins. News arrives that his ships have been lost at sea so he has no money to repay the loan. This even makes Shylock angrier because his own daughter has just run away with a Christian man. Meanwhile, in Belmont, Bassonio wisely chooses the lead box and wins Portia’s heart. They ger married. Yet their joy is cut short when they get a letter saying Antonio has been arrested and Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh. Bassonio turns around to Venice with money from Portia to try and save his greatest friend Antonio.

what is the crisis of the play?

The trial begins in a Venice courtroom.Shylock refuses to accept Bassonio’s money and demands his flesh.Suddenly, a young lawyer named Balthasar arrives - this is Portia in disguise. She first gives a beautiful speech asking Shylock to be merciful, yet he refuses. Then, she uses a clever trick: she says the contract allows Shylock to take a pound of flesh, yet without a drop of blood. Since taking flesh without spilling blood is impossible, Shylock loses his case.

what personalities does Antonio have?

• generous (borrowing 3,000 ducats for his greatest friend)

• friendship respectful (sacrifice for his friend)

• arrogant (belives that his ships will be back on time)

• discriminatory (repeatedly insult Shylock for his religion)

what is Shylock’s appearance?

he is an old money-lender, wearing a Jewish gaberdine

what personalities does Shylock have?

• determined (he is eager to take revenge on Antonio who repeatedly insults him)

• ruthless (no matter how other people advise him, he still does not change his mind on cutting a pound of Antonio’s flesh)

• materialism (when the court decided to take his wealth, he wants them to take his life)

What is Bassonio’s appearance?

handsome

what personalities does Bassonio have?

• friendship respectful

• kind (treats his servant well)

• wisdom (choose the correct box)

• dependent on his friend and his wife

• an opportunist (wants to marry Portia because of her fortune at first)

what is Portia’s appearance?

she is a very beautiful young woman

what personalities does Portia have?

• wisdom (the way she controls the court)

• courageous (disguise as a lawyer to save Antonio)

• faithful to her husband

• forgiving (when Bassonio loses their wedding ring)

• respects her husband’s friendships (let Bassonio goes to Venice to save Antonio)

what are the themes of the play?

• Mercy

• The sacrifice for love and friendship

• Loyalty and love

• Human desire and its power to change people’s lives

• the power of money and business