William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s PlayPlay

The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice

Biographical InformationBiographical Information Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon on April 23, 1564 Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon on April 23, 1564

and died there on April 23, 1616and died there on April 23, 1616 Married to Anne Hathaway in 1582Married to Anne Hathaway in 1582

Three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and JudithThree children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnetsWrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets Began acting in London in 1592Began acting in London in 1592

Acted with The Lord Chamberlain’s MenActed with The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Eventually shared in the theater’s profits, meaning Eventually shared in the theater’s profits, meaning that he no longer had to depend on the sale of his playsthat he no longer had to depend on the sale of his plays

In 1610 he retired to New Place, the second In 1610 he retired to New Place, the second largest house in Stratford-Upon-Avonlargest house in Stratford-Upon-Avon

The first The first collectioncollection of his plays was published of his plays was published after his death in 1623after his death in 1623

Shakespeare’s EnglandShakespeare’s EnglandShakespeare’s timeShakespeare’s time

English RenaissanceEnglish RenaissanceMostly rural Mostly rural Majority of the people made their living Majority of the people made their living

through agriculturethrough agricultureLondon was the largest city in Europe with London was the largest city in Europe with

200,000 inhabitants200,000 inhabitantsHouses were small and crowded; streets Houses were small and crowded; streets

were narrow and filthy; open ditches carried were narrow and filthy; open ditches carried sewage out of the citysewage out of the city

Shakespeare’s EnglandShakespeare’s EnglandTheaters Theaters

Primarily built outside of the city on the South bank Primarily built outside of the city on the South bank of the Thames River in order to avoid the city’s strict of the Thames River in order to avoid the city’s strict regulations.regulations.

At times the theaters were closed due to the plagueAt times the theaters were closed due to the plague Performances were held during the day because Performances were held during the day because

they had no means to light an entire theater at they had no means to light an entire theater at night.night.

There was some concern that the theater lured There was some concern that the theater lured laborers away from their jobs so that they could laborers away from their jobs so that they could attend performances.attend performances.

The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice Type of WorkType of Work

Drama (play)Drama (play) GenreGenre

Comedy Comedy SettingSetting

1616thth Century Century Venice and Belmont, ItalyVenice and Belmont, Italy

Conflicts Conflicts Man v. ManMan v. Man Man v. SocietyMan v. Society Man v. HimselfMan v. Himself

Basic Plot Element ChartBasic Plot Element Chart

l

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

The Merchant of Venice: PlotThe Merchant of Venice: PlotFour Plot LinesFour Plot Lines

Bond PlotBond Plot (Acts I, II, III, IV) (Acts I, II, III, IV)Antonio borrows money from Shylock for Antonio borrows money from Shylock for

Bassanio.Bassanio. Casket PlotCasket Plot (Acts I, II, III) (Acts I, II, III)

3 caskets (gold, silver, lead). The suitor who 3 caskets (gold, silver, lead). The suitor who chooses the correct casket wins Portia’s hand chooses the correct casket wins Portia’s hand in marriage.in marriage.

Ring PlotRing Plot (Act V) (Act V)Portia & Nerissa entrust Bassanio & Gratiano Portia & Nerissa entrust Bassanio & Gratiano

with rings that the men promise never to part with rings that the men promise never to part with.with.

Elopement PlotElopement Plot (Act II) (Act II) Jessica and Lorenzo plan to run away and get married.Jessica and Lorenzo plan to run away and get married.

The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of VenicePlot Element ChartPlot Element Chart

Bond Plot

Casket Plot

Exposition

ACT I Elopement Plot

Rising Action

ACT II

Climax

Act III

Falling Action

ACT IV

Resolution

Ring Plot

ACT V

The Merchant of Venice: The Merchant of Venice: CharactersCharactersMain CharactersMain Characters

ShylockShylock Jewish moneylender in VeniceJewish moneylender in Venice Lends money to Bassanio based on Lends money to Bassanio based on Antonio’s Antonio’s

guarantee of repaymentguarantee of repayment Mistreated by Venice’s ChristiansMistreated by Venice’s Christians

The Merchant of Venice: The Merchant of Venice: CharactersCharacters

AntonioAntonio Wealthy merchant of VeniceWealthy merchant of Venice Signs the bond with Shylock for his friend Signs the bond with Shylock for his friend

BassanioBassanio Loyal, mercifulLoyal, merciful In the beginning of the play, he is melancholy In the beginning of the play, he is melancholy

but isn’t sure why.but isn’t sure why.

The Merchant of Venice: The Merchant of Venice: CharactersCharacters

PortiaPortiaWealthy heiress from BelmontWealthy heiress from BelmontVery beautiful and intelligentVery beautiful and intelligentHer father’s will forces her to marry the Her father’s will forces her to marry the

man who chooses correctly from among man who chooses correctly from among 3 caskets (treasure chests)3 caskets (treasure chests)

Loves BassanioLoves Bassanio

The Merchant of Venice: The Merchant of Venice: CharactersCharacters

BassanioBassanio Gentleman of VeniceGentleman of Venice Dear friend of AntonioDear friend of Antonio He loves Portia and wants to marry herHe loves Portia and wants to marry her He needs to borrow money in order to travel He needs to borrow money in order to travel

(by sea) to Belmont to try and win Portia’s (by sea) to Belmont to try and win Portia’s hand in marriagehand in marriage

The Merchant of Venice: The Merchant of Venice: CharactersCharacters

GratianoGratiano Friend of Bassanio’sFriend of Bassanio’s Travels to Belmont with BassanioTravels to Belmont with Bassanio Boisterous, loudBoisterous, loud Falls in love with Portia’s lady-in-waiting, Falls in love with Portia’s lady-in-waiting,

NerissaNerissa JessicaJessica

Shylock’s daughterShylock’s daughter Hates life in her father’s houseHates life in her father’s house Loves LorenzoLoves Lorenzo

The Merchant of Venice: The Merchant of Venice: CharactersCharacters LorenzoLorenzo

Friend of Bassanio and AntonioFriend of Bassanio and Antonio Loves Shylock’s daughter, JessicaLoves Shylock’s daughter, Jessica Schemes to help Jessica escape her father’s Schemes to help Jessica escape her father’s

househouse NerissaNerissa

Portia’s lady-in-waiting, friend, and confidantePortia’s lady-in-waiting, friend, and confidante Falls in love with GratianoFalls in love with Gratiano

Launcelot GobboLauncelot Gobbo Bassanio’s servantBassanio’s servant Especially adept at making punsEspecially adept at making puns Comic relief throughout the playComic relief throughout the play