Shakespeare’s Shylock – Sinner or Sinned Against? The merchant of Venice Shakespeare’s Shylock – Sinner or Sinned Against?

Ideas about the play… SHOW trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdbzRtxVtns What ideas can you deduce about the genre of the play and why? What do you think the main themes explored in the play might be and why?

Context The Merchant of Venice was probably written in either 1596 or 1597, after Shakespeare had written such plays as Romeo and Juliet and Richard III, but before he penned the great tragedies of his later years. 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, and Shakespeare borrowed several details, such the choice of caskets that Portia inflicts on all her suitors, from preexisting sources. The Merchant of Venice’s Italian setting and marriage plot are typical of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies, but the characters of Portia, Shakespeare’s first great heroine, and the unforgettable villain Shylock elevate this play to a new level.

Jews in a Christian Society Jewish people were not protected by the law Jews were considered ‘second class citizens’ in Venice when Shakespeare wrote the play. Below are some of the laws they had to obey: Laws concerning Jews All Jews must wear distinctive clothing to identify themselves. Citizens of Venice could treat Jews in any way they wished, but Jews were not allowed to retaliate in any way. Jews were not to be involved in the following trades: the military, government, guilds.

Jewish people were associated with lending money One of the few ways Jews were allowed to earn a living was to lend money. This was called Usury which allowed the lender to charge interest. Christians (as represented by Antonio in the play) thought this was wicked. It was illegal for Christians to lend money and ask for interest. Despite this, Antonio is willing to borrow money from Shylock.

Jews were victims of prejudice Christianity was the main religion in Europe at the time of Shakespeare and as a result a very powerful force. People feared and hated the Jews and did all they could to convert them to Christianity.

Setting - Venice, usually in the mean streets; Venice is an exciting, cosmopolitan setting for the play because it's a hotspot for trade. While Jews had been legally banned from England since 1290, Venice had laws in place to protect non-Venetian traders who supported the city's economic well-being. When the Jewish moneylender Shylock seeks his bond, for example, Antonio admits: The Duke cannot deny the course of law. 
For the commodity that strangers have 
With us in Venice, if it be denied, 
Will much impeach the justice of his state; 
Since that the trade and profit of the city 
Consisteth of all nations (3.3.4) In other words, the Duke can't make an exception for Antonio by denying Shylock his rights; it would have a negative affect on the city's livelihood. BUT Religious strife was rife in Venice and although 16th century Venice was more tolerant of foreigners than Elizabethan England, Jews in Venice were confined to ghettos at the time Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice.

Belmont, at Portia's pad Belmont is presented as a contrast to the city. It's also a place of easy wealth, beauty, and peace, which makes it a great refuge from the cosmopolitan world of Venice. Actually, Belmont's a lot like the forest of Arden in As You Like It. Belmont is a kind of fairy-tale version of real life. Real life is gritty, more like Venice.

Comfy Comedy Fit? To be classed as Comedy it must have: Light, humorous tone. Clever dialogue/ witty banter. Deception and disguise. Mistaken identity. Love overcomes obstacles. Family drama. Multiple twists and turns. Reunification of family. Marriage.

LITERARY TERMS Allusion *Malapropism Aside *Metaphor Comic Relief *Pun Double Entendre(pun) *Soliloquy Foreshadowing *Theme Internal Rhyme Irony-Dramatic, Structural, Verbal

Two Worlds Venice Belmont Language of money, commerce Male friendship Justice / letter of law Belmont Poetic language Love / marriage bonds Mercy / spirit of law

Old vs. New Testament Judaism Justice / Retribution Letter of Law “A Daniel come to judgment” Christianity Mercy / Forgiveness Spirit of Law “Quality of Mercy is not strained”

Three plots Casket plot (Act I – III) A husband for Portia Pound of Flesh plot (Act I – IV) Shylock and Antonio Ring plot (Act III – V) Portia and her husband, Nerissa and her husband

Themes Choices – greed vs. willingness to give, risk Appearance vs. Reality Bonds, covenants Risk, venturing (Antonio, Bassanio, suitors) Boredom, ennui Justice, mercy True nature of Love

The Characters-In groups The ‘wooers’ of Portia- a rich heiress The Prince of Morocco The Prince of Arragon Bassanio, Antonio’s friend Nerissa- Portia’s waiting maid Balthasar/ Stephano- servants to Portia

CHARACTERS Antonio- a Merchant of Venice Bassanio- Antonio’s friend Leonardo- servant to Bassanio Salanio Salarino Friends to Antonio and Gratiano Bassanio

Shylock- a rich Jewish man Tubal- Shylock’s friend Launcelot Gobbo- servant to (funny!) Shylock Old Gobbo- father to Launcelot Jessica- Shylock’s daughter Lorenzo- in love with Jessica; friend to Antonio

Shylock, Antonio, Bassanio Place of $$$ in the Play Shylock, Antonio, Bassanio All very concerned with money CONTRASTS WITH Portia- who is wealthier than all but is unconcerned with it.