Merchant of Venice

A comedy by William Shakespeare

Historical Context

So what was it like to be a Jew in Venice in the 16th century?

What is a merchant and what does he do?

Did Shakespeare invent this story?

What did Shakespeare think of Jews?

Merchants

A merchant was a man (yes, a man) who traded goods with other countries.

He bought and sold items of value and hired ships to take them to far away lands to be traded for exotic items such as silks and spices.

He usually had lots of money.

The tale of the merchant Shakespeare did not invent the story of

the vengeful Jew – this tale was one that was told in a variety of ways to show how horrible Jews were. (Christians didn’t like them)

Shakespeare took the old tale and created a comedy out of it, and wrote in many sub-plots such as the marriage of Jessica and Lorenzo and the dressing of Portia as a man

Jews in Venice

At this time in Europe, Jews were not to be trusted.

Because they were not Christian, they were not forbidden from lending money for profit as the Christians were.

They dealt in usury – the concept of lending money and charging interest.

Jews were not very popular because of this practise however they were necessary as people needed to borrow money.

Jews were often called ‘infidels’ as they were non-believers in Christ.

Jews were treated very badly – people would shout at them, spit on them and threaten them.

People were racist and prejudiced against them.

Who’s Who?

Antonio – the merchant in the play

Bassanio – Antonio’s friend who is in debt

Shylock – the Jewish moneylender. His daughter is Jessica. He is known as a wealthy moneylender and lends to Christians and Jews.

Jessica – Shylock’s daughter who hates her life with him.

Lorenzo – the Christian that Jessica runs away with and loves. He is also a friend of Bassanio.

Portia – Bassanio is in love with her. She is a rich heiress.

Nerissa – Portia’s lady-in-waiting. She marries Gratiano.

Duke of Venice – he is the ruler of Venice and acts as judge.

Doctor Bellario – Portia’s relative and an expert in law. We never see him in the play but he sends a letter instead.

Quick Quiz!1. Who is the merchant?

2. Who does Lorenzo marry?

3. What is the connection between Jessica and Shylock?

4. Who does Bassanio love?

5. Who is Gratiano?

The Plot Bassanio is in love with Portia but he

is not rich enough to marry her.

He asks his good friend Antonio for a lend of money.

Antonio says he has no money at the moment but is waiting for some ships to come in and then he will have plenty of money.

Antonio says they will borrow the money from Shylock the Jew.

Shylock agrees to lend Bassanio the money (3000 ducats) for three months, at the end of which Antonio will pay the money owed.

If the money is not paid, Shylock decides that he will claim a pound of flesh from Antonio.

He chooses this bond because he does not like Antonio, who spat at him in the street and called him names.

Part of Shylock wants Antonio to be unable to pay so he can extract his revenge.

At the same time, Shylock’s daughter Jessica has decided to run away and marry a Christian, Lorenzo. She hates her father and plans to steal from him.

When the debt is due, Antonio is unable to pay as all his ships have been lost at sea.

Shylock is happy to claim the bond of flesh instead and takes them to court.

The Duke acts as judge and asks for the opinion of a famous lawyer (doctor of law) as the case is unusual.

Shylock demands a pound of flesh as the bond if Antonio cannot pay the three thousand ducats.

In the meantime, Bassanio has married Portia and Antonio writes to him to tell him of his troubles.

Portia instructs Bassanio to go to Antonio’s side.

When he leaves, she gives instruction to a messenger to write to her uncle (the famous lawyer) and goes to Venice.

Portia and her lady-in-waiting Nerissa head to Venice and dress up as men so that they can act as lawyers in the case.

Portia tricks Shylock into giving up the money owed to him and dares him to take the flesh he says he is owed. However, if he spills one drop of Christian blood as he does it, he will be arrested and his riches taken from him.

In the end:

Shylock is stripped of his wealth and must become a Christian

Jessica gets half her father’s wealth Bassanio and Portia live happily ever

after Antonio gets out of the debt and

keeps his pound of flesh Antonio’s ships arrive back safely

Quick Quiz!1. Who is the merchant in the play?

2. What religion is Shylock?

3. What is the name of Shylock’s daughter?

4. Who is Bassanio in love with?

5. Who acts as judge in the court case?

6. How much does Bassanio need to borrow?

7. What bond does Shylock request if the money is not paid?

8. Name Portia’s lady-in-waiting.

9. How does Portia help her husband’s friend in court?

10. Who does Jessica marry?

Bibliography

Photos used from 2004 film version directed by Michael Radford