The merchant of Venice
About the composer
William Shakespeare was botn in 1564 in Stratford upon avon in englanf. He was
also influenced by classcial texts from Greece and rome. He had a special talent
for recording the behaviours, attitudes and dialogue f people he knew,or knew of
,in his plays. He was interested in the human condition and this reflected in the
main them of his plays.
Social,cultural and historical context
Shakespeare wrote during the late Elizabethan era and early jacibean era. These
eras were charcterised by turmoil and growth due to the rise of capitalism and
middle classes through merchant trading, The period in which shakspeare lived
and wrote was reffered to asteh English renaissance. This period saw significant
changes in the pereption of the world and the place humans within iy. The focus
of science at this time was on threlatievly ‘new’ scientific method which fcused
on empirical evidence over an appeal to god for life answers.
The Elizabethan spciety was disntcive for it valuing of sppearnce with ones
clothes at a determinant of social status. Beauty products both for men and
women were extremely popular despite their toxicity.
Audience: The audience is diverse as it is both comedy and romance . As it is a
splay,it didn’t requirean audience member to literate to enjoy its narrative
Purpose
He wrote plays that appeaed to both emotions and intellect. He wrote
hstories,traedgies,romacves and comedies. His ability to write for a diverse
audience including royalty,nobility,the erhcnat class and illiterate commoners is
one of the most defining charactereistcs. Shakespeare wrote his plays primiraily
to entertain,yet despite the popular nature of his plays ,they manage to reveal a
deep understanding of the operation of the human mind,the relationship
between people and the workings of society.
He audiences his audience through the use of wit,allusion,impressive
imagery,emotive language and likeble characters. He makes references
comptemporary events and people. He continues to appeal to a modern
audience though his tratement og significant themes such as love,jealousy and
ambition.
TECHNIQUES FOR FOCUS
Allusion
Aside
Bank verse
Dramatic irony
Iambic Pentameter
Imagery
Prose
What is the story about? Character/plot
Antonio is the first charctere to speak to and the audience learsn of his
melancholy, Salarino mentions that Antonio is a merchant whose future and
wealth depends upon the sea .
Act 1 scene 1
-Bassanoo is the noable kinsman. Bassano outlines his predicament to Antonio.
He has lived beyond his means and has many debts to repay most of them which
are to Antonio. Bassanio requetss money to help him woo Portia but Antonio
reveals hat his money is tied up I sea ventures and suggests bassanio take a loan
with Antonio acting guarantor.
Act 1scene 2
Portia is lively and liekable as she speaks with her waiting woman Nerssa. Portia
refers to her father that states a suitor for her hand for marriage must correctly
choose from ‘three chests of gold,silver and lead.’ The scene ends with Portia
fondly recalling the visit paid to her by bassino while her father was till alive.
Act 1 Scene 3
Shylock is intorudced discussing the terms of a loan with bassanio,Shylock
refuses to dien with bassanio because of shylock’s jewish religion.
Tension takes places between Antonio and shylock is evident when Antonio
makes a point og telling shylock,’I neither lend nor borrow/by taking nor of
giving excess’.
A conflict if morals in relation to money ensues with both men quoting from the
bible to support thir won argument. The climax of this scene occurs when
shylock tells bassanio and antno that he will loan them the money on one
condition if antionic fails to repay his debt he must give shylock
‘an equal pound
of your fair flesh,to be cut off and taken
In your part of your body pleaseth me
Antonno grees to these terms with arrogance that shylock anticipated
Act 2 scene 1
A fifth suitor for Portia arrives at Belmont. As morocco prepares to choose from
the three caskets his resigns his fate to the goddess fortune who will determine
his success
Act 2 scene 2
Lancelot (clown) appears on stage ‘alone’ (stage directions). Lancelot tell she
audience of his internal battle between ‘conscience’ and ‘fiend’ over whether he
should run away from his master who we learn is a Jew. On coming across his
hald blind father lanveclot decides to ‘try confusions with him
Act 3 scene 3