Discussion questions in MOV

1. Discussion questions in MOV

2. Glossary H173 E185 H189 N197 O243 S245 Z4-253 A23 D27 F29 M33 N35 C55 (ii) L63 D103 (i) G137 C141 (iii) F171

3. A23 Antonio feels depressed but claims not to know why. This appears to cause him to be frustrated, disenchanted with life. Salerio and Solanio suggest that he is (a) apprehensive about potential shipwreck and (b) love-sick, but he swiftly denies both suggestions. However, note that he admits to Bassanio that all his fortunes are at sea.

4. D27 Bassanio clearly enjoys life; he is sociable and fun-loving whereas Antonio appears more aloof and introverted.

5. F29 These lines imply that Antonio is a naturally sombre character who is resigned to playing a sad role in life, whereas in the opening lines of the play, he says that he has only recently grown sad. Perhaps Antonio is making his melancholy appear more natural and less sudden because he does not want to upset Bassanio, or it could even be interpreted that Antonio is a naturally sober character whose serious disposition has recently become more sombre owing to Bassanio’s imminent departure.

6. M33 • We see that Bassanio: (a) is frank about his faults (b) is not the sort to indulge in self-pity (c) is a fun-loving spendthrift (though we should bear in mind that this was not an uncommon trait in young gentlemen at that time) (d) feels genuinely guilty about owing Antonio so much (he seems to have a conscience) (e) is an affectionate and loyal friend of Antonio. (ii) It appears that he primarily wants to marry to pay off his debts.

7. N35 YES – In a sense, the analogy is appropriate since he is going to risk all he has to try and “win” a wife. As we shall see, there are also many other “competitors” for Portia’s hand. The references to archery/arrows remind us of Cupid’s darts – Bassanio is on a lover’s quest. NO – Perhaps the comparison is somewhat cynical. Love is compared to a game with stakes that need to be gambled to win rich rewards. Portia is thus reduced to a prize in a lottery. Bassanio’s choice of comparison suggests his sense of adventure and perhaps his excitement for the chase. It could however also suggest his youthful, romantic nature.

8. C55 (ii) • He is a Christian • He lends money without charging interest thus adversely affecting Shylock’s business • Antonio hates Jews • Antonio has publicly abused Shylock for practising usury

9. L63 • Possible tones: mocking, feigned innocence, gradually bitter (ii) Possible attitudes: gloating, resentful, vengeful (iii) He elicits our sympathy – we hear his side of the story for the first time. Antonio has often abused and even spat on him in public. We can understand how, given such ridicule and ostracism, Shylock has become such a bitter, vengeful and alienated person. We are able to put Shylock’s character in perspective – against the backdrop of racial and religious prejudice and persecution, his twisted personality becomes more understandable. This does not mean, however, that we can condone his plan for vengeance.

10. D103 (i) The open confession that being ashamed of her father is a “heinous sin” shows that she feels guilt and shame. In addition, the word “strife” indicates that she has experienced considerable inner conflict. The fact that Shylock loses a daughter who has a conscience amplifies the portrayal of Shylock as a villain, and the audience in turn sympathises with Jessica rather than Shylock. If Shakespeare had intended us to sympathise with Shylock, Jessica wouldn’t have been guilt-stricken.

11. G137 • Morocco’s choice is based on outward appearances only. He assumes that a golden casket must necessarily contain a golden prize. The scroll rebukes him for such superficial thinking making the point that “all that glisters is not gold”. • It is unlikely that many men desire death. Perhaps the point that is being made is that the dogged mercenary pursuit for gold/wealth leads men to grasp at illusions, and even cause their downfall (foreshadowing Shylock’s downfall and even worse fall from grace).

12. C141 (iii) Shylock’s obsession with money is effectively parodied – the loss of Jessica appears to be less important than the loss of his ducats. Shylock’s other obsession – his hatred of Christians – is also highlighted.

13. F171 FOR SHYLOCK The speech is a moving one in which we are given a painfully vivid sense of the private life and past of Shylock behind the role which Christian society has forced upon him over the years. Shylock reminds Salerio and Solanio of his shared humanity with them and accuses his Christian neighbours of moral hypocrisy and racial prejudice – he specifically cites Antonio’s cruel treatment of him which has brought him both disgrace and financial loss. This resentment is further worsened by his personal loss of Leah and now Jessica.

14. F171 (cont’d) AGAINST SHYLOCK Shylock is consumed with hatred and revenge. He begins the speech in a venemous tone exhibiting no remorse for Antonio (losing his ships), but is instead vengeful. Although he appears to plead for understanding, he eventually returns to speak about vengeance, which appears to be an obsession of his. He then appears to be seeking his own form of justice, which is to exact revenge.

15. H173 • He is more concerned with the loss of his money than the loss of his daughter • He rejoices in Antonio’s ill-fortune – once again revealing his vengeful nature • His sentimental attachment to the ring his wife gave him reminds us that he is not totally without feeling, and we grow somewhat sympathetic towards him when we learn that Jessica traded this treasured ring of his for a monkey.

16. E185 Law: an unjust claim covered up to appear a valid / reasonable claim by a smooth-talking lawyer Religion: a mortal sin defended by a quote from the Bible Cowardice: men who are inwardly cowards putting on an outward show of bravery by wearing beards Beauty: women who would not normally be considered beautiful camouflage themselves with cosmetics and veils to give the false impression that they are naturally attractive. Any foreshadowing that you observe here?

17. H189 Even though we’ve seen that Portia is sophisticated and intelligent, her self-denigration here displays: (a) her natural modesty (b) possibly the fact that she is just being tactful – she does not want Bassanio to feel privileged or grateful for having gained such a “prize”. (c) how Portia is humbled by the occasion

18. N197 Decisiveness: She makes 3 decisions – to pay the debt, to get married immediately, not to delay Bassanio’s departure Generosity: she offers to pay 12 times the original amount Selflessness: she insists that Bassanio leave immediately after the wedding ceremony without consummation of the marriage Compassion: she feels sorry for Bassanio and tries to comfort him. She is also anxious for Antonio and wants to help him as soon as possible.

19. O243

20. S245 (i) Three chances: (a) ‘Then must the Jew be merciful’ (b) ‘Be merciful / Take thrice the money; bid me tear the bond’ (c) ‘Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, / To stop the wounds, lest he do bleed to death’ (ii) Portia gives Shylock the full opportunity to either relent or at least display some compassion. She also does this to publicly establish Shylock’s insistence on the strict implementation of justice and his rejection of mercy. In this way, Portia’s subsequent treatment of Shylock is also “justified”.

21. Z4 - 253 • (a) The fact that Antonio refuses to claim one half of Shylock’s property is particularly generous, given that fact that Antonio himself was in dire financial straits. (b) Antonio’s thoughtful, selfless nature is also shown by the stipulations he makes to provide for the financial welfare of Lorenzo and Jessica (c) We should not hold it against Antonio for insisting that Shylock convert to Christianity – Shakespeare’s Christian audience would have considered this right and proper.

22. Z4 – 253 (Cont’d) • Condition 1: One half of his goods to be administered by Antonio during Shylock’s lifetime and inherited by Lorenzo on Shylock’s death. This is a bitter pill for Shylock to swallow – his goods will effectively be inherited by Christians, and in particular the Christian who stole his daughter Condition 2: That he becomes a Christian – a painful humiliation to be forcibly converted to the religion he despises Condition 3: That he leaves all his worldly goods to Lorenzo and Jessica when he dies. See Condition 1.