A READING GUIDE TO The Merchant of Venice
Description
The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s comedies, classified as such by its “happy ending” (don’t expect lots of laughs). The
play, however, deals with racism, greed, and appearance versus reality. The play’s most famous character is the villain of the piece:
Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, but Shakespeare’s villains are rarely one-dimensional. There is much debate about if this play is
anti-Semitic (expect to discuss this in class).
Setting
The play is set in both Venice and Belmont.
Characters
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Antonio: Christian merchant; close friend of Bassanio;
lends money freely (without interest)
 Shylock: Jewish moneylender; father of Jessica;
lends Antonio money for a pound of flesh as
collateral; more than just the stereotype
 Bassanio: a bankrupt gentleman; a dear friend of
Antiono; loves Portia
 Portia: A wealthy lady of Belmont; loves Bassanio;
later poses as a young doctor of law (lawyer) named
Balthasar
 Gratiano: A friend of Bassanio, loves Narrisa, he is
volatile and at times quick tempered
 Narrisa: Portia’s lady-in-waiting, loves Bassanio,
poses as the lawyer’s clerk
 Lorenzo: A friend of both Antonio and Bassanio,
loves Jessica
 Jessica: Shylock’s daughter, loves Lorenzo, runs away
from home
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Launcelot Gobbo: clown (meaning a low class
person, not a circus performer) and fool; Leaves
Shylock’s service for Bassanio’s- sometimes
extravagant- service
Salarino and Solanio: Two Venetian gentlemen and
friends of Antonio and Bassanio
The Duke of Venice: Oversees Antonio’s trial
Old Gobbo: Launcelot’s father
The Prince of Morocco and The Prince of Arragon:
Two of Portia’s suiters, their arrogance and
superficiality lead them to choose the wrong caskets
Tubla: A Jewish moneylender in Venice, Shylock’s
friend
Doctor Bellario: Portia’s cousin, he is an expert in
the law, writes the letters that allow Portia to
impersonate a lawyer.
Major Conventions of Shakespearean Comedies
The main action is about love
The would-be lovers must overcome obstacles and misunderstandings before they are united
in a harmonious union (usually marriage).
The end of the play usually features a celebration or festive mood with a parade of couples
(complete with song and dance). There are three couples in The Merchant of Venice.
Frequently comedies contain elements of the improbable, the fantastic, the supernatural,
or the miraculous:
a. Unbelievable coincidences
b. Improbable scenes of recognition/ lack of recognition
c. Willful disregard of the social order (nobles marry commoners, beggars become lords)
d. Instantaneous conversions (the wicked repent)
e. Enchanted or idealized settings
f. Supernatural beings (fairies, gods, goddesses, witches)
g. The happy ending may be a kind of deus ex machina, a supernatural or divine intervention that “fixes”
everything—or it might just be highly improbable.
In the best of the comedies, there is a weightier philosophical question, such as: personal identity, the importance of love in
humanity, the power of language to help and hinder communication, the power of poetry or art, the contrast of
appearance with reality, the power of dreams and illusions, etc.
Classical Allusion:
An allusion is an indirect reference in part to something else: usually religious or classical in nature. The Merchant of Venice alludes
to several Biblical stories and Greek myths. One regularly repeating allusion is to Jason and the Argonauts. Go to
http://www.mythweb.com/heroes/jason/jason01.html and review the story of Jason before your read the play. As you read, notice
where there are similarities between these two stories.
Thematic Subjects
Look for examples of the following. Be prepared to devise a theme statement for each and provide evidence to support.
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Greed
Generosity
Loyalty
Abandonment
Prejudice
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Impartiality
Love
Business
Racism/ Anti-Semitism
Questions
1. Early in the play Antonio denies that his sadness comes from concern over his finances; although, he does confide with
Bassanio that all of his money (plus debts) are currently tied up at sea. What, then, do you think is the true source of his
sadness? Be sure to support your answers with the text.
2. After stereotyping several European princes, Portia expects to dislike and enjoys the denial of the Prince of Morocco. Why
does she have such a low opinion of him?
3. There are three rings in this play; Jessica’s ring, Portia’s ring, and Narissa’s ring. Explain what happens to each ring and
what that tells us about its owner.
4. What role does music play in Acts III and IV?
5. Shylock’s dislike of Antonio is more than just a business rivalry. How does Antonio treat Shylock, and how does this
compare to the good opinion Antonio has from (almost all!) of the other characters?
6. Compare the arguments that Bassanio makes to the arguments that Portia makes in Act IV.
7. How do the stories that Jessica and Lorenzo allude to in Act V, scene i foreshadow the future marriages of the three
couples?
8. Explain the difference between law, justice, and mercy as each pertains to this play.
Quotes
For each of the following passages:
a) identify the speaker and occasion
b) paraphrase its meaning
c) its significance to the progression of the plot, a development of theme, or the revelation of character.
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You have too much respect upon the world. / They lose it that do buy it with much care. / Believe me you are marvelously
changed.
In my school days, when I had lost one shaft, / I shot his fellow of the selfsame flight / the selfsame way with more advised
watch / to find the other forth—and by adventuring both, / I oft found both.
My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter, / fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! / Justice, the law, my ducats, and
my daughter.
The villainy you teach me I will execute – and / it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
Therefore be of good cheer, / for truly I think you are damned.
The quality of mercy is not strained. / It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven / upon the place beneath.
And I beseech you, / wrest once the law to your authority. / To do a great right, do a little wrong, / and curb this cruel devil
of his will.
Nothing is good, I see, without respect.