“The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare “In for a Penny, in for a Pound”

A Teaser…

-Shakespeare Focus Questions- How could Shakespeare’s audience have understood his plays better than we do? How could Shakespeare’s audience have understood his plays better than we do? Why does Shakespeare write in the way he does? Why does Shakespeare write in the way he does? What makes a comedy, tragedy, or a history for Shakespeare? What makes a comedy, tragedy, or a history for Shakespeare?

Shakespeare Life and Times Born: 1564 Died: 1616 Born: 1564 Died: 1616 Born and Lived in Stratford-upon-Avon Born and Lived in Stratford-upon-Avon Married Anne Hathaway (1582) had twins in Sometime between 1585 and 1592 moved to London to work in Theater. Lived in London for most of the next 20 years. Married Anne Hathaway (1582) had twins in Sometime between 1585 and 1592 moved to London to work in Theater. Lived in London for most of the next 20 years.

His Plays 38 plays can be certainly attributed to Shakespeare. 38 plays can be certainly attributed to Shakespeare. 14 Comedies (End in Marriages) 14 Comedies (End in Marriages) 10 Tragedies (End in Death) 10 Tragedies (End in Death) 10 Histories (Most dealing with The War of the Roses) 10 Histories (Most dealing with The War of the Roses) 4 Romances (Based on Romantic/Epic Poems) 4 Romances (Based on Romantic/Epic Poems) Likely wrote three others. Likely wrote three others. All his plays center on a central question and explore this throughout. All his plays center on a central question and explore this throughout. Henry V: What make a good king? Henry V: What make a good king? Romeo and Juliet: Love or Lust? Romeo and Juliet: Love or Lust? Merchant of Venice: The Corrupting Influences of Money. Merchant of Venice: The Corrupting Influences of Money.

Shakespeare’s Language… Shakespeare did not write in “Old English.” Old English is the Language of Beowolf. Hwæt. We Gardena in gear-dagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon. What. We of the Spear-Danes in old days of the people-kings, power heard, how the princes brave deeds did.Click Above for Old- English

Shakespeare’s Language Cont… Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer. Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote And bathed every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertu engendred is the flour… Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages. When in April the sweet showers fall That pierce March's drought to the root and all And bathed every vein in liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower… Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage. Click for Middle English

Shakespeare’s Language Cont… Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English. Shakespeare “Coined” many words we still use today: Critical Majestic Dwindle He also gave us many common phrases: One fell swoop. Flesh and blood. Vanish into thin air. His language was understood by the lowest peasant and highest nobility. Shakespeare’s Language is affected by his audience and world.

Can I understand Shakespeare’s Language? Remember: People are people are people. View the following and summarize what the relationship is between the two characters Benedict and Beatrice. 9:12 1:13:48 Scene OneScene Two

Elizabethan Theater No Electricity No Electricity Open Roof Open Roof No women allowed on stage No women allowed on stage Minimal costumes and props. Minimal costumes and props. The Globe Controls the language!

Example of This But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. Remember Its light out. Juliet is played by a boy. The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels From forth day’s path and Titan’s fiery wheels: Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, The day to cheer and night’s dank dew to dry Remember: No Roof, the Balcony scene was just done in daylight.

How Could Shakespeare’s Audience Understand? Shakespeare NEVER created an original story. Shakespeare NEVER created an original story. Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted to see what twists he would add to their old favorites. Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted to see what twists he would add to their old favorites. When reading Shakespeare, you should familiarize yourself with the story before you begin. When reading Shakespeare, you should familiarize yourself with the story before you begin.

-Focus Questions for the Merchant- How far would you be willing to go for a friend? How far would you be willing to go for a friend? What causes prejudice? What causes prejudice? Does money bring happiness? Does money bring happiness? What makes a villain? What makes a villain?

Main Characters of Venice -Antonio’s “Gang” Antonio, a Venetian merchant Antonio, a Venetian merchant Bassanio, his friend, in love with Portia Bassanio, his friend, in love with Portia Salanio, Salerio, Gratiano: friends to both Salanio, Salerio, Gratiano: friends to both Lorenzo, in love with Jessica, Shylock’s daughter Lorenzo, in love with Jessica, Shylock’s daughter

Main Characters of Venice -Shylock’s House Shylock, a Jewish moneylender Shylock, a Jewish moneylender Jessica, his daughter Jessica, his daughter Tubal, his friend Tubal, his friend Launcelot Gobbo, his servant Launcelot Gobbo, his servant Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot Old Gobbo, father to Launcelot

Main Characters of Belmont Portia, a rich heiress Portia, a rich heiress Nerissa, her waiting- maid Nerissa, her waiting- maid Various Suitors: The Prince of Morocoo & The Prince of Arragon Various Suitors: The Prince of Morocoo & The Prince of Arragon

Plots Lines of the Merchant… Loan plot Loan plot Lottery plot Lottery plot Elopement plot Elopement plot Ring Plot Ring Plot

Teaser…

Essential Drama Terminology Allusion Allusion Aside Aside Dramatic irony Dramatic irony Exeunt Exeunt Situational Irony Situational Irony Hyperbole Hyperbole Omission Omission Rhetorical question Rhetorical question Refrain Refrain Monologue Monologue Oxymoron Oxymoron Pun Pun

Education Likely attended the King’s New School in Stratford. Likely attended the King’s New School in Stratford. Would have studied: Would have studied: Rhetoric Rhetoric Logic Logic Latin Latin History History