The Merchant Of Venice

English

In English, we are working on a book/play called The Merchant of Venice. We are currently reading through Act One, Scene One and I am Gratino, he is full of himself most the time and it's hard to find his point in things. Also, Shakespeare is really confusing to read so we have a translator which changes it into what we would say today.

Act One, Scene One

-Antonio is depressed without knowing why. What two possible reasons do his friends suggest?

a. He's in love

b.His boats are out to get him the money he borrowed. He's worried about his ships and if they sink he is a poor man.

-Do you think Gratiano contributions help Antonio's mood? 

a. Sort of but not because he was saying suck it up

-What are your first impressions of Bassanio?

a. Wanting to be a good friend 

b.. Is poor

c. He parties with the money he doesn't have

d. He's in love 

-Is he in love?

a. He thinks

-Why does he need to borrow money again now?

a. He needs more money to impress the girl

Act One, Scene Two

-How do Portia's first words compare with Antonio's?

a. They are both sad/unhappy

-What was the reason for her mood?

a. Because she didn't get the choice on who she will marry.

-Do you think Nerissa is a help to her?

a.Yes because she remembered Bassanio, which she liked.

-Sum up, in a word or a short phrase, Portia's attitude to her suitors so far...

a. She is unhappy because she doesn't get to choose her men.

Act One, Scene Three

-Shylock is a moneylender. Does he seem eager to do business with Bassanio? How do you know?

a. He does not, in my opinion, it's just the way it is read and worded he doesn't seem too eager.

-Which does Shylock think is safe, his business or Antonio's? Why? 

a. I say Antonio's because he has his hopes up he will get his money back.

-What strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Bassanio?

a. Never lend money or borrow it.

-Shylock tells a bible story to prove that the taking of profit is blessed, as long as thieving is not involved. Does he convince Antonio? Give Evidence...a. No, because Antonio basically just burned him!

-Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole catalogue of nastiness. How does Antonio answer the chargers?

a. Antonio admits and says he has done it once before.

-How does Bassanio react to the proposed bond?

a. He hates hit and thinks that the bond is stupid.

Act Two, Scene One

-We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince Of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it?

a. To not judge him by his skin colour.

-If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia's suitors give up if they fail to win her?

a.That if they choose incorrectly they must never talk about marriage to any woman again.

-Shylock practices 'usury'. What is it?

a. Usury means lending a high amount of money in interest to others.

-Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other?

a. Shylock hates Antonio because he's a Christian and that he charges no interest on his loans. 

-What is Portia's opinion of the Prince Of Morocco- give examples.a. She doesn't seem to dislike The Prince Of Morocco because of the words she says.

b. His skin color doesn't mind her, the reason why is she states that she wouldn't have held his skin color against him if she had married him.

Act Two, Scene Two

-Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Copy out 2 quotes from the text to support your thinking. E.g A2S2 (act 2, scene two) line 26, 102a. He says that he doesn't get fed

b. Launcelot says Shylock is a Jew Devil.

-Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

a. Because Gratiano is a party animal and if he gets drunk and does stupid things it's going to make Bassanio look bad in front of Portia.

a.frequent interruptions

b.contradictions 

c.misuse of words to impress.

Find examples of these in the text...

a.When Launcelot's father (Gobbo) starts saying "Here's my son sir, a poor boy-" Launcelot cuts him off and tries to make it more horrible so every sentence Gobbo says he always gets cut off.

b. This is because Launcelot always says "As my father shall specify-"

c.Again Launcelot always cuts his dad off and gives him ideas so his dad can tell Bassiano how good Launcelot is.

Act two scene three

What does Jessica think of her life at home?

She thinks of her house is a hell

Complete these quotes:

A- ‘Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil’ L2

Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry?

Lorenzo

Act Two, Scene Four

How does Jessica get a message to her lover?

Lancelot

How will she be disguised for the elopement?

A page boy

Complete this quote ‘What pageś suit she hath in readiness’

Act Two, Scene Five

How does Shylock feel about going out for the evening?

Angry

Complete these quotes:

"And they have conspired together."

"There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money-bag tonight."

Act Two Scene Six

Complete this quote that tells us what Jessica threw down to Lorenzo.

'Here catch this, casket it is worth the pains.

Jessica says ‘I am glad this night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed of my exchange’ Why doesn’t Jessica want Lorenzo to see her?

She doesn´t want Lorenzo to see her because sheś dressed up as a man.

Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano?

To get aboard on the boat because the wind is starting to blow. 

Act Two Scene Seven

Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait?

The gold casket

Complete this quote ‘Is’t like that lead contain her; ‘Twere damnation to think so base a thought’

Portia’s father uses the casket test to find her the most suitable husband. Do you think his test is working?

No not really because Portia wants to choose her own husband but she can't choose.

Act Two Scene Eight

What two disasters have happened to Shylock?

His daughter ran away with a Christian man and she took all his money

Complete this quote that tells where Shylock thinks Lorenzo & Jessica have gone? ‘The villain Jew with outcrises raised the duke, who went with him to search Bassanio's ship’

How did Bassanio and Antonio leave Venice?

In Antonio's boat But Antonio didn't leave Venice.

‘In the narrow seas that part the French and English, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught’ What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio?

That a Venetian boat has sunk and they think it is Antonio.

Act Two Scene Nine

What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?

To give clues/ confuse the person.

Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden casket?

Because gold was too flashy and the lead was not the right choice so he chose silver.

Complete this quote from the golden casket

 ‘who chooses me shall get what many men desire’

Finish this quote that shows us Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival

‘Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly’

Can Do´s

Vocabulary

Incision = a surgical cut made in skin or flesh.

Renowned = known or talked about by many people; famous.

Casket = a small ornamental box or chest for holding jewels, letters, or other valued objects.

fiend = an evil spirit or demon.

Impertinent = not showing proper respect; rude.

Tedious = too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.

Prodigal = spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.

Garnish = decorate or embellish 

Drama 

Act 2 Scene 7

Go, draw aside the curtain, and discover 

the several caskets to the noble prince.

Now make your choice

The first one is gold

the location that I think it would be is the mall 

↟

The language they would be using modern English

Yo open the curtain and see what's behind it.

 There heaps of caskets for the noble prince.

Dude make up a choice bro the first

is real richness

and were it at we think it's small.