The Merchant of Venice

• Jewish versus Christian revenge
• Jew will demand 1lb of flesh from Christian for not paying debt on time
• Shilock had been wronged so much by Antonio, that he will take a lb of flesh for payment due to the letter of the law.
• Portia dressed as man/lawyer claims that once one drop of blood is shed, he will be charged with murder
• Shilock renounces Judaism and is completely ruined.
• Tragedy -->Comedy
• Portia is rich, brilliant and attractive
• likes to dress in men's clothing
• becomes judge & saves Antonio's life
• Antonio is the merchant; successful
• very well off - $ and ships, but they're at sea
• Venice was the heart of trade in the Mediterranean
• Bassiano was in love with Portia; chose friend; chose friend of Antonio
• has no $
• Other men try to marry her for superficial reasons - Bassiano only one who loves her
• Test of 3 caskets - Need to find one with her picture in it
• Antonio, devout christian, frequently lends $ at no interest - Roman Catholic prevents charge of interest
• Bassiano requests loan from him - told to find loan, Antonio will sign
• Finds Shylock (Jewish) who approves it (not prevented from charging interest) and he & Antonio hate each other
• Ships late to return, Shylock sticks to law, -not repaid in full, can extract 1 pound of flesh near heart (Jewish law followed to letter)
• Bassiano wants revenge against Antonio: Jewish hours Christianity, Christian treating a man poorly
• Bassiano makes famous plea "if you pluc me, do I not bleed....?" saying he is equal to them.
• Portia & her foot made dress up & go to defend Antonio appearing as judge, trying to save his life
• Shylock won't hear it, the letter of the law is law
• even the duke pleads for mercy, but he won't hear it - Jewish law & revenge
• Portia states you can have no more or no less than one pound; you can have no Christian blood spoiled, or else he will be charged with murder of a Christian
• Shylock converts to Christianity? He can no longer charge interest & half his life's savings go to his daughter and the man she wants to marry

Shakespeare

• born in 1564 - Middle class - Stratford-upon-Avon, England
• attended grammar school but no further
• 1582 married Anne Hathaway - 3 Children
• 1590 left family behind; headed to London as actor & Playwrite
• Part owner of the Globe Theater
• his career bridged the reigns of Elizabeth (ruled 1558-1603) and James I (ruled 1603-1625)
• James I bestowed upon him title of King's men
• retired to STratford and died in 1616 at age 52
• 37 plays and 154 sonnets bear his name
• The Merchant of Venice written either 1596 or 1597
• Basic plot outline found in numerous contemporary Italian story collections
• The Merchant, the poor suitor, the fair lady and the villainous jew
• Shakespeare borrowed several details from preexisting sources
• Italian setting and marriage plot are typical of Shakespeare's earlier comedies
• Portia is Shakespeare's first great heroine and the unforgettable villain Shylock elevate this play to a new level
• Shylocks hatred is caused by the mistreatment of Christian society
• Shakespeare's character include pathos
• you sympathize with them rather than simply scorn and derision

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Themes

• Self interest versus love
• Christian characters over Shylock, love/human relationships versus just money
• Christian merchants lend money free of interest where Shylock agonizes over the loss of his money as well as his daughter
• Runs through the streets yelling
• "O, my ducats! O, my daughter!' (II.viii.15)
• His money appears to be on the same level as his daughter
• Pound of flesh rather money shoes his resentment is stronger than greed
• The divine Quality of Mercy
• Prove the law is on Shylock's side but expect him to show mercy
• Humans should be merciful because God is merciful

Symbols

• The three caskets
• Casket test is strictly Christian
• Appearance are often deceiving
• The pound of flesh
• Leah's ring
• Shylock's humanity, ability to love and ability to grieve

• Young lovers - Jessica and Lorenzo, Portia & Bassiano
• Mistaken identity - Portia pretends to be the lawyer Balthasan
• Clever plot twists - can't lose blood
• word play
• Stoch characters - cloven, Launcelot Gabbo
• Happy endings - everyone gets married, Antonio doesn't give up flesh

 

Themes

• Revenge
• Prejudice & Intolerance
• Self-interest vs love
• greed vs generosity
• friendship
• mercy

 

Feels tragic for Shylock

Quality of Mercy Act IV, Scene 1

Climax occurs in the 3rd act

Forgiveness? Act 4, Scene 1 365ff

"breeding money" Jews charged usery & death of Christ

Strong women

3 Caskets - reasoning

Portia vs Jessica regarding filial duty

Act 1 Scene 3 - hates him for being Christian and for loaning money at no interest

The devil can cite Scripture for his purposes

 Do we feel that Shylock is sympathetic? Revenge, obsession

Act 3 Scene 1 50FF

Shylock establishes the humanity of the Jews and his discrimination against them.

Contract is legal

Act 4

Mercy ought to temper justice. Mercy is a key element of Jewish belief.

Pound of flesh but not even one drop of blood

Portia - brilliant, obedient, loyal

Controversial play as far as religion goes

• Shylock wants revenge against Antonio for how he has treated him all this time - abused by Antonio for being Jewish
• so according to Shylock's religion, he follows the letter of the law in taking "a pound of flesh next to the heart" as stated in the contract when Antonio doesn't pay the 3,000 duckets back in 3 months time period
• Portia turns the letter of the law against Shylock to ultimately takes revenge on him by economically destroying him.