A 

merchant is a person
who trades in commodities produced by
other people, especially one who trades
with foreign countries. Historically, a
merchant is anyone who is involved
in business or trade. Merchants have
operated for as long as industry,
commerce, and trade have existed.
A little history lesson on Venice in the 16th century…

The richest city in Europe. Jewish people were

targeted – negatively.
Home to many tradesmen,
foreigners and different
religious views.
A little history lesson on Venice in the 16th century…
Predominantly known for its prosperity through
mercantilism which was powered by the ruling
class.
Mercantilism - an economic practice by which
governments used their economies to expand
state power at the expense of other countries.

It was a market place that was juxtaposed by

prostitution and nunneries.

 The social classes were divided by a caste

Transportation in Venice was done by the use of
system which was headed by 150 families who
canal systems. 
ruled for over 500 years.
Religious Intolerance
In 16th Century Venice, a large factor of division
between people were their religion.

The two prominent

religions in Venice were
the high class
Catholics and the
tread-upon followers
of Judaism.
Religious Intolerance
Jews were walled off in the Ghetto at night time while the
Christians were able to roam free.

Jews were required to wear

certain colored hats, when
they go outside of their homes,
marking them of their religion.
Religious Intolerance
Jews were cast down and treated as second class
citizens compared to Christians.

Jews were treated with little

or no respect. They were
kicked or spitted on, cheated,
and forced to wear red caps.
 Six of the most significant traits prescribed
Venetian Women by men include: Chastity, Silence, Modesty,
Reticence, Sobriety, and Obedience.
The social structure of sixteenth
century Europe allowed women
limited opportunities for
involvement; they served largely
as managers of their households.

Under the rule or command

of men.

It is not surprising that men

exclusively dictated the
societal expectations of
women.
Shakespeare’s England
• Under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I
• Jews were expelled in the Middle Ages
• Nation-wide conflict between Catholics and Protestants
• Playwrights had to be careful not to offend anyone;
especially the Queen!
• Similarity to Venice:
– Important European city
– Cosmopolitan (believes in Cosmopolitanism)
– Home to many foreigners
Things to remember Pay attention to:
while reading:
• Relationships between men and women:
• Religious Intolerance - How are women treated?

• Role of Women - Example in the play:

a. Jessica and her father
• Importance of trade and
b. Portia and her father
economics. c. With one’s husband, brother,
uncle, etc.
• The treatment of Jews.
Are you ready to step into the Venetian experience?
 Act I
In Venice, a merchant named Antonio worries
that his ships are overdue. As his colleagues
offer comfort, his young friends—Bassanio,
Graziano, and Lorenzo—arrive. Bassanio
asks Antonio for a loan, so that he can pursue
the wealthy Portia, who lives in Belmont.
Antonio cannot afford the loan. Instead, he
sends Bassanio to borrow the money on the
security of Antonio's expected shipments.
 Act I
At Belmont, Portia and her maid, Nerissa, discuss
the suitors who have come in response to Portia's
father's strange will. The will says Portia may only
marry a man who chooses the correct casket made
from three possible options: gold, silver, and lead.
Much to Portia's distress, all her suitors are
unsatisfactory. However, she does fondly remember a
time when Bassanio came to Belmont, and that
leaves her with some hope.
 Act I
In Venice, Bassanio approaches Shylock, a Jewish
moneylender, about the loan. However, Shylock holds a
grudge against Antonio for his lending practices and his
habit of berating Shylock and other Jews for their usury.
Still, he offers 3,000 ducat loan to Bassanio. Instead of
charging interest, seemingly as a kind of joke, he asks for
a pound of Antonio's flesh if the loan isn't repaid within
three months. The bond is agreed to (who wouldn't agree
to that?) and Bassanio prepares to leave for Belmont with
his friend Graziano.
Act II Meanwhile, in Shylock’s own household, one
of his servants, Launcelot, wishes to change
masters and persuades Bassanio to employ
him. At the same time Shylock's daughter,
Jessica, also longs to leave home. She wants
to become a Christian and marry Antonio's
friend Lorenzo. Before he departs to serve
his new master, Launcelot takes a letter to
Lorenzo that contains plans for Lorenzo
and Jessica to elope that night.
 Act II
One night, when Shylock goes
out,  the streets of Venice fill up
with revelers, Jessica escapes with
Lorenzo by dressing as his page,
taking gold and jewels with her.
The following day, Bassanio sets
sail for Belmont, while Shylock
rages over the loss of his
daughter and the treasures she
has stolen.
In Belmont, one of
Portia’s suitors (the
Prince of Morocco)
chooses the golden
casket, while another
(the Prince of Aragon)
selects silver. Both
chose the wrong casket
and are unsuccessful.
As Aragon leaves,
Bassanio is
announced. Portia
eagerly goes to greet
 Act III
After a few days, Shylock hears that his
daughter Jessica is squandering her
stolen wealth in Genoa. He begins to
rail bitterly against Christians and he
then reminds Antonio's friends that if
the loan is not repaid on time, he will
insist on the original agreement of one
pound of flesh.
 Act III
Back in Belmont, Bassanio chooses the lead casket, and in so
doing, he wins Portia. He and Portia rejoice, and Gratiano
confesses that he has fallen in love with Nerissa. The couples
decide on a double wedding. Portia gives Bassanio a ring as a
token of love, and makes him swear that under no
circumstances will he part with it. They are joined, unexpectedly, by Lorenzo and
Jessica.  The celebration, however, is cut short by
the news that Antonio has indeed lost his ships,
and that he has forfeited his bond to Shylock.
Bassanio and Gratiano immediately travel to
Venice to try and save Antonio’s life. After they
leave, Portia tells Nerissa that they will go to
Venice disguised as men.
 Antonio's death is only prevented as Balthazar
Act IV explains the bond is for flesh but not for a single
drop of blood. So Shylock cannot collect the
In the court in Venice, Shylock pound of flesh.
demands his pound of flesh. The
Duke, presiding over the court, seeks
legal advice from the lawyer
"Balthazar," who is Portia in disguise.
Portia pleads for Shylock to have
mercy on Antonio. Bassanio offers his
wife's money, which would more than
pay the debt, but Shylock refuses to
accept.
 Act IV Bassanio and Graziano thank the lawyers,
who ask for their rings as legal fees.
For threatening the life of a Bassanio and Graziano refuse until
Venetian, Shylock forfeits his goods Antonio intervenes and makes them give
to Antonio and Bassanio. Antonio the rings to the lawyers.
refuses his share of compensation
and asks for it to be put in a trust
for Lorenzo and Jessica. He also
demands that Shylock becomes a
Christian. Broken and in
submission, Shylock leaves the
court.
 Act V
Undisguised, Portia and Nerissa return
home at night to find Lorenzo and Jessica
enjoying the tranquility of Belmont. When
their husbands arrive, Portia and Nerissa
scold them for giving away their rings,
pretending they had been given away to
other women. Before long, they reveal
themselves as the lawyers from the trial.
Act V Lorenzo and Jessica are
pleased to learn of their
inheritance from Shylock,
and the joyful news
arrives that Antonio’s
ships have in fact made it
back safely. The group
celebrates its good
fortune.
Charact
ers
Shyloc
k
A Jewish moneylender in
Venice. Angered by his
mistreatment at the hands of
Venice’s Christians, particularly
Antonio, Shylock schemes to eke
out his revenge by ruthlessly
demanding as payment a pound
of Antonio’s flesh.
Antoni
o
The merchant whose love
for his friend Bassanio
prompts him to sign Shylock’s
contract and almost lose his life.
Antonio is something of an
unpredictable figure, often
inexplicably melancholy and, as
Shylock points out, possessed of
an incorrigible dislike of Jews.
Portia
A wealthy heiress from Belmont.
Portia’s beauty is matched only
by her intelligence. Bound by a
clause in her father’s will that
forces her to marry whichever
suitor chooses correctly among
three caskets. Her disguise of a
young law clerk saves Antonio from
Shylock’s knife.
Bassani
o
A gentleman of Venice, and a
kinsman and dear friend to
Antonio. Bassanio’s love for the
wealthy Portia leads him to borrow
money from Shylock with Antonio
as his guarantor. An ineffectual
businessman, He proves himself a
worthy suitor, correctly identifying
the casket that contains Portia’s
portrait.
Jessica
Shylock’s daughter,
Jessica hates life in her
father’s house, and
elopes with the young
Christian gentleman,
Lorenzo
Lorenz
o
A friend of Bassanio and
Antonio, Lorenzo is in love
with Shylock’s daughter,
Jessica. He schemes to help
Jessica escape from her
father’s house, and he
eventually elopes with her to
Belmont.
Gratia
no
A friend of Bassanio’s
who accompanies him to
Belmont. A coarse and
garrulous young man,
Gratiano falls in love with
and eventually weds
Portia’s lady-in-waiting,
Nerissa.
Nerissa
Portia’s lady-in-waiting
and confidante. She marries
Gratiano and escorts Portia
on Portia’s trip to Venice by
disguising herself as her law
clerk.
Settin 16 Century
th In Shakespeare’s era, setting
plays, especially comedies, in
Italy was a popular practice, and

g Two Worlds Shakespeare used Italian settings

for many of his works.

Venice,
Belmont, Italy
Italy
• Language of money, commerce • Poetic Language
• Male friendship • Love / marriage bonds
• Justice / letter of law • Mercy / spirit of law
 Major
Themes
1. Prejudice and Intolerance
The Venetians in story almost uniformly express
extreme intolerance of Shylock and the other Jews
in Venice. In fact, the exclusion of these "others"
seems to be a fundamental part of the social bonds
that cement the Venetian Christians together. 3. Greed vs Generosity
The primary grievance that
2. Law, Mercy, and Revenge Antonio has against Shylock is
that he is greedy—for charging
Both the central actions of the story are
interest to those who borrow
Shylock's attempt to revenge himself on the
money from him when they are in
Christian Antonio—and the romantic subplot—
need.
between Bassanio and Portia
 Other Literary
Elements
A. Genre: Shakespearean
Comedy
As in many comedies, the conflict at the heart
of Merchant has the potential to end
tragically. However, the lack of fatalities marks
the play’s ending as an appropriately “comic.”

B. Point of View/Perception of Events C. Tone

Shakespeare uses location and gender to frame Despair and
point of view, creating a split between male-
dominated Venice and woman-controlled
Celebration
Belmont. Venice represents a place where
matters of business and law predominate. Seriousness and
Belmont, by contrast, represents a place where
matters of love and marriage take center stage.
Playfulness
 ‘ . . . How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a
Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money
gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I
can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I
bear him. He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, Even there where
merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains and my well-
won thrift, Which he calls “interest.” Cursèd be my tribe If I forgive
him!
- Shylock (A I, s iii)
It can also be a label, an assumption,
or an expectation based on
appearance, ethnicity, gender,
beliefs, and many more.
The Merchant of Venice
Act III, Scene I
 Salarino then asks
Summary Shylock whether he can
Salarino and Solanio confirm the rumors of
discuss the rumors Antonio’s lost vessels.
that yet another Shylock replies that
of Antonio’s ships has Antonio will soon be
been wrecked. They are bankrupt and swears to
joined by Shylock, who collect his bond.
accuses them of having Salarino doubts
helped Jessica escape. Shylock’s resolve,
The two Venetians wondering what the old
proudly take credit for man will do with a
their role in Jessica’s pound of flesh, to which
Shylock chillingly replies
elopement.
that Antonio’s flesh will
at least feed his revenge. 
 In a short monologue, Shylock says Antonio has mistreated him solely because Shylock is a Jew, but
now Shylock is determined to apply the lessons of hatred and revenge that Christian intolerance has
taught him so well.
What stereotypes were Shylock subjected
to?
Shylock is a Jewish merchant living in a
predominantly Christian environment.
He is sometimes portrayed as evil and
other times his behavior is shown as
the result of the bullying he suffers in
Venice.
As we learn from Shylock himself, the Christians
of Venice are happy to borrow money from him,
but refuse to accept him as part of Venetian
society because they equate his religion with
Satan. Shylock has been treated as less than
human his whole life, because he is not a
Christian.
If you were Shylock, would you also
demand Antonio’s flesh? Why?
Shylock delivered an impassioned commentary about being a
Jew against being a Christian. Do you agree with him that his
want for revenge is justified?
“I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew
hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections,
passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same
weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by
the same means, warmed and cooled by the same
winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick
us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not
laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you
wrong us shall we not revenge? If we are like you in
the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew
wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If
a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance
be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The
villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go
hard but I will better the instruction.”
(III.i.49–61)
A Jew, he reasons, is equipped with the same faculties as a Christian, and is therefore subject to feeling the
same pains and comforts and emotions. The speech, however, is not a celebration of shared experience or
even an invitation for the Venetians to acknowledge their enemy’s humanity. Instead of using reason to
elevate himself above his Venetian tormenters, Shylock delivers a monologue that allows him to sink to
their level: he will, he vows, behave as villainously as they have.
At first, we doubtlessly sympathize with the Jew, whose right to fair and decent
treatment has been so neglected by the Venetians that he must remind them that he
has “hands, organs, dimensions, senses” similar to theirs (III.i.50).

But Shylock’s pledge to

behave as badly as they, and,
moreover, to “better the
instruction,” casts him in a
less sympathetic light
(III.i.61). While we
understand his motivation,
we cannot excuse the endless
perpetuation of such villainy.
 What do you think
are the themes of this
scene that are still
relevant today?
 Themes

Hatred as a Cyclical
Phenomenon
Revenge
 How are they
relevant to you as
a Filipino?
 Act IV
Bias
vs
Prejudice
Which do you think is
more just?
 Prejudice is a force that creates
barriers and divisions between the
people of Venice.
The Christian characters show
deep prejudice toward Shylock
because of his Jewish identity.