Friday, February 4, 2011
Merchant of Venice Act 5
Belmont. Jessica and Lorenzo compare themselves to lovers from classical literature such as Dido and Aeneas. They continuously talk to each other about their declarations of love when a messenger interrupts them and informs the couple that Portia will soon be returning from the monastery. Launcelot also enters and announces that Bassanio will return to Belmont tomorrow. Afterwards, Lorenzo calls for music and declares that anyone who is not inspired by music deserves the worst cruelties and betrayals. Portia and Nerissa enter and hear the music before they reach the house. Portia thinks the music is enhanced by the night and candlelight which was lighting up the estate. Lorenzo then greets Portia who asks Lorenzo not to reveal her absence to her husband. Later on Bassanio, Antonio, and Gratiano arrive to the blaring of trumpets. As they greeted Bassanio introduced Portia to Antonio who confesses that he had been acquitted in the courts of Venice. Meanwhile, Gratiano and Nerissa argue over the ring with which Gratiano promised never to part. Nerissa scolds her husband for not keeping his promise while Portia also criticizes him for giving away his ring, saying that Bassanio would never part with his own ring. This belief is refuted since Gratiano reveals that Bassanio has also giving his ring to the lawyer who saved Antonio. Portia declares that her husband's heart is empty and promises never to visit his bed until he re procures the ring. Bassanio tries to make Portia understand that he gave the ring to somebody who he was indebted. Portia dismisses his explanation, saying that he probably gave the ring to another woman instead. Portia vows to be just as he was; to offer everything she owns to any worthy man. Antonio interrupts and asks the women to a accept his soul as compensation shoal Bassanio or Gratiano prove unfaithful again. Portia and Nerissa give in and give the rings which their husbands had given to them in their disguises. Bassanio and Gratiano recognize these rings as the ones they gave to the lawyer and clerk. Portia then reveals that she was the lawyer and Nerissa her clerk in Venice. Antonio then receives news that some of his ships have miraculously arrived in port, and Lorenzo is told that he will inherit Shylock's fortune.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Merchant of Venice Act 4
Antonio is sent to the court for his trial. The Duke of Venice, who is looking over Antonio's case, expresses pity for him. The Duke summons Shylock to the court, saying that he believes that Shylock means only to frighten Antonio by extending this drama to the brink of performance, and that nobody believes that Shylock would really take a pound of flesh from Antonio. Shylock argued, saying that if the court does not punish Antonio, the city's very laws and freedoms will be forfeit.
Bassanio arrives to the court of Belmont, and offered Shylock 6000 ducats. Shylock flatly rejects the offer. Shylock states that a slave-owning Christian of Venice would also refuse to set their human property free; therefore, he will not relinquish the pound of flesh that belongs to him.
The Duke decides that a learned lawyer, named Doctor Bellario, will be the one to decide the matter. Later, Nerissa, disguised as a lawyer's clerk, enters the court and gives the duke a letter made by Bellario. The Duke alludes to the fact that Bellario's letter mentions a learned young lawyer named Balthasar, and orders the disguised Nerissa to admit the young man to the court. The Duke then reads the letter in its entirety. In it, Bellario writes that he is ill and cannot come to court, but that he has sent the learned young Balthasar to judge in his absence.
Portia enters, disguised as Balthasar. With her wits and words, Portia was able to save Antonio's life while Shylock must give in half of his properties to the state. Portia was also able to use the law to force Shylock and Jessica to convert to Christianity. Portia, still disguised as Balthasar is praised and thanked, but refuses money offered from Bassanio, at last asking only for Bassiano's ring [as a test of her husband's constancy and love for her versus Antonio] which he refuses to give initially. However, with Antonio's advice, Bassanio decides to give the ring to Gratiano to give it to the judge. Antonio and Bassanio then leave where they would return to Belmont.
Gratiano offered the ring to Portia, still disguised as the judge. Portia accepted it. After receiving the ring, Portia and Nerissa plan to surprise and embarrass their husband with the ring.
Bassanio arrives to the court of Belmont, and offered Shylock 6000 ducats. Shylock flatly rejects the offer. Shylock states that a slave-owning Christian of Venice would also refuse to set their human property free; therefore, he will not relinquish the pound of flesh that belongs to him.
The Duke decides that a learned lawyer, named Doctor Bellario, will be the one to decide the matter. Later, Nerissa, disguised as a lawyer's clerk, enters the court and gives the duke a letter made by Bellario. The Duke alludes to the fact that Bellario's letter mentions a learned young lawyer named Balthasar, and orders the disguised Nerissa to admit the young man to the court. The Duke then reads the letter in its entirety. In it, Bellario writes that he is ill and cannot come to court, but that he has sent the learned young Balthasar to judge in his absence.
Portia enters, disguised as Balthasar. With her wits and words, Portia was able to save Antonio's life while Shylock must give in half of his properties to the state. Portia was also able to use the law to force Shylock and Jessica to convert to Christianity. Portia, still disguised as Balthasar is praised and thanked, but refuses money offered from Bassanio, at last asking only for Bassiano's ring [as a test of her husband's constancy and love for her versus Antonio] which he refuses to give initially. However, with Antonio's advice, Bassanio decides to give the ring to Gratiano to give it to the judge. Antonio and Bassanio then leave where they would return to Belmont.
Gratiano offered the ring to Portia, still disguised as the judge. Portia accepted it. After receiving the ring, Portia and Nerissa plan to surprise and embarrass their husband with the ring.
Merchant of Venice Act 3
Salarino and Solanio hear rumors of another sinking ship of Antonio. Shylock Joins them and accuses them of helping Jessica escape. Salarino then asks Shylock whether he can confirm the rumors of Antonio’s lost vessels. Shylock replies that Antonio will soon be bankrupt. Salarino doubts Shylock’s response and thinks that Shylock is just mad at Antonio. Shylock says Antonio has mistreated him solely because Shylock is a Jew, but now Shylock decides to apply the lessons of hatred and revenge on them. Salarino and Solanio head off to meet with Antonio, just as Tubal, a Jewish friend of Shybal, enters. Tubal says that he cannot find Jessica. Shylock wants to get his daughter back. He is especially mad when Tubal says that Jessica has taken a ring—probably given by Jessica’s mother—and has traded that ring for a monkey. Tubal also states that Antonio’s ships have run into trouble and that Antonio’s creditors are certain Antonio is ruined.
In Belmont, Portia begs Bassanio to delay choosing between the caskets for a day or two. If Bassanio chooses incorrectly, Portia says, she will lose his company. Bassanio insists that he has to make his choice now. Portia plays the music while Bassanio makes his choice. Like the suitors who came before him, Bassanio carefully examines the three caskets and their inscriptions. Bassanio picks the lead casket which opens to reveal Portia’s portrait, along with a poem congratulating him. The happy couple promises one another love and devotion, and Portia gives Bassanio a ring. Nerissa and Gratiano congratulate them and confess that they too have fallen in love with one another. They suggest a double wedding. Lorenzo and Jessica arrive in the midst of this discussion, along with Salarino, who gives a letter to Bassanio. In the letter, Antonio writes that all of his ships are lost, and that Shylock plans to collect his pound of flesh. The news let Bassanio feel guilty and Bassanio swears that he will pay the money back for him. Jessica worries that her father is more interested in revenge than in the money. In the letter, Antonio asks only for a brief reunion before he dies. Portia urges her husband to go and meet his friend.
Shylock puts Antonio in prison because of his bankruptcy. Shylock warns the merchants in Venice about Antonio because Antonio insulted him once. Shylock also tells the prison manager to ignore all the mercy grants from the Duke to Antonio. Antonio thinks that Shylock hates him for bailing out many of Shylock’s debtors. Solanio attempts to convince Antonio that the Duke would never allow such ridiculous things to happen, but Antonio is not convinced. In Antonio’s view, Venice is a wealthy trading city with a great reputation for upholding the law, and if the Duke breaks that law, Venice’s economy may be affected greatly. As Solanio leaves, Antonio prays desperately that Bassanio will arrive to pay his debt.
Portia believes that saving her husband’s friend is no different than saving her own husband. She has sworn to live in prayer until Bassanio returns to her, and announces that she and Nerissa will live in a nearby monastery. Lorenzo and Jessica will be in charge of Portia's estate. Portia then sends her servant, Balthasar, to Padua to meet her cousin: Doctor Bellario. From there, Balthasar will take the ferry to Venice, where Portia will wait for him. After Balthasar leaves, Portia tells Nerissa that they need to dress as young men who are going to visit their unknown new husbands. When Nerissa asks why, Portia doesn’t answer but promises to tell the purpose during the ride to Venice.
When Jessica claims that marrying Lorenzo will save her, Launcelot complains that the difference in the culture will destroy the marriage. When Lorenzo asks Jessica’s opinion about Portia, she says that the woman is nearly perfect in all respects and can hardly find someone to match with. Lorenzo jokes that he can be a good husband for her and leads them off to dinner.
In Belmont, Portia begs Bassanio to delay choosing between the caskets for a day or two. If Bassanio chooses incorrectly, Portia says, she will lose his company. Bassanio insists that he has to make his choice now. Portia plays the music while Bassanio makes his choice. Like the suitors who came before him, Bassanio carefully examines the three caskets and their inscriptions. Bassanio picks the lead casket which opens to reveal Portia’s portrait, along with a poem congratulating him. The happy couple promises one another love and devotion, and Portia gives Bassanio a ring. Nerissa and Gratiano congratulate them and confess that they too have fallen in love with one another. They suggest a double wedding. Lorenzo and Jessica arrive in the midst of this discussion, along with Salarino, who gives a letter to Bassanio. In the letter, Antonio writes that all of his ships are lost, and that Shylock plans to collect his pound of flesh. The news let Bassanio feel guilty and Bassanio swears that he will pay the money back for him. Jessica worries that her father is more interested in revenge than in the money. In the letter, Antonio asks only for a brief reunion before he dies. Portia urges her husband to go and meet his friend.
Shylock puts Antonio in prison because of his bankruptcy. Shylock warns the merchants in Venice about Antonio because Antonio insulted him once. Shylock also tells the prison manager to ignore all the mercy grants from the Duke to Antonio. Antonio thinks that Shylock hates him for bailing out many of Shylock’s debtors. Solanio attempts to convince Antonio that the Duke would never allow such ridiculous things to happen, but Antonio is not convinced. In Antonio’s view, Venice is a wealthy trading city with a great reputation for upholding the law, and if the Duke breaks that law, Venice’s economy may be affected greatly. As Solanio leaves, Antonio prays desperately that Bassanio will arrive to pay his debt.
Portia believes that saving her husband’s friend is no different than saving her own husband. She has sworn to live in prayer until Bassanio returns to her, and announces that she and Nerissa will live in a nearby monastery. Lorenzo and Jessica will be in charge of Portia's estate. Portia then sends her servant, Balthasar, to Padua to meet her cousin: Doctor Bellario. From there, Balthasar will take the ferry to Venice, where Portia will wait for him. After Balthasar leaves, Portia tells Nerissa that they need to dress as young men who are going to visit their unknown new husbands. When Nerissa asks why, Portia doesn’t answer but promises to tell the purpose during the ride to Venice.
When Jessica claims that marrying Lorenzo will save her, Launcelot complains that the difference in the culture will destroy the marriage. When Lorenzo asks Jessica’s opinion about Portia, she says that the woman is nearly perfect in all respects and can hardly find someone to match with. Lorenzo jokes that he can be a good husband for her and leads them off to dinner.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Merchant of Venice Act 2
The Prince of Morroco arrives in Belmont to win Portia’s hand in marriage. He assures Portia that his complexion does not mean he is any different and that he is just like any other European man. To marry Portia the suitor must pick from three caskets and if the suitor picks the right one then it means he is the one who is destined to marry Portia. There is one string though, if the suitor picks wrong he must remaind unmarried for his whole life, a rule that the Prince of Morocco readily accepts.
Launcelot Gobbo is a servant of Shylock and cannot decide if he should run away from his master. Part of him wants to leave while his conscience reminds him of his honest nature and urges him to stay. His reason for leaving is that his master is “a kind of devil.” His master is Jewish. Launcelot decides to run away but just as he is leaving his father, Old Gobbo, enters. Old Gobbo is blind and asks Launcelot how to get to Shylock’s house so he can find Launcelot. Launcelot reveals his identity to his father and confesses that he is leaving Shylock’s employment to go serve Bassanio. At that moment Bassanio enters and Launcelot with his father beg Bassanio to take Launcelot as his servent which is accepted.
Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, bids Launcelot goodbye after telling him that his presence made her life with her father more bearable. She also gives Launcelot a letter to carry to Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo. She confesses to herself that she is only his daughter by blood, not by actions, and hopes to escape the relationship to Shylock by marrying Lorenzo and converting to Christianity.
On a street in Venice, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Solanio discuss plans to unite Lorenzo with Jessica. Lorenzo assures them all that they will have enough time to gather the necessary supplies to unite them. While they talk Launcelot enters with the letter from Jessica which he gives to Lorenzo. After receiving the letter Launcelot is sent back to Shylock’s house to let Jessica know that Lorenzo will not fail her. Lorenzo then tells Gratiano that Jessica will escape from Shylock’s house disguised as Lorenzo’s torchbearer and gives Gratiano the letter so he can read it.
Shylock warns Launcelot that Bassanio will not be as lenient a master as Shylock has been, and that Launcelot will no longer overeat and oversleep. Shylock asks Jessica to keep the doors locked and not look out at the revelry taking place in the streets before his dinner, but Launcelot whispers to Jessica that she must disobey her father and look out the window for the Christian who “will be worth a Jewes eye”. Shylock tries to convince Jessica that Launcelot isn’t a good servant before he leaves. Jessica, after her father left, decides to run away from her father.
Gratiano and Salarino meet in front of Shylock’s house. They are especially anxious because Lorenzo is late, and they think that lovers tend to always be early. Lorenzo finally joins them and calls up to Jessica, who appears on the balcony dressed as a page and tosses him a casket of gold and jewels. Then Antonio enters to report that Bassanio is sailing for Belmont immediately. Gratiano is grateful to leave the festivities and join Bassanio at once.
Back in Belmont, Portia shows the prince of Morocco to the caskets, where he will guess which chest contains her portrait. The words, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire” are in the first casket, made of gold. The second casket, made of silver, reads, “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves”. The third, a heavy leaden casket, says, “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath”. The prince chooses the gold casket, thinking that only the most precious metal could house the picture of such a beautiful woman. He opens the chest and sees a skull with a scroll in its eye socket. The Prince failed the test and left unwillingly. Portia is glad to see him go and hopes that “all of his complexions choose me so”.
Solanio reported Shylock’s rage toward the departure of his daughter and the lost of his ducats to Salarino. Solanio hopes that Antonio is able to pay his debt, but Salarino reminds him of rumors that the long-awaited ships have capsized in the English Channel. The two men warmly remember Bassanio’s departure from Antonio, wherein the merchant insisted that his young friend is not allowed thoughts of debt or danger to interfere with his courtship of Portia.
The Prince of Arragon is in Belmont to try his luck at winning Portia’s hand in marriage. He selects the silver one, thinking that he “shall get as much as he deserves”. Inside, he finds a portrait of a blinking idiot, and a poem that condemns him as a fool. Soon after he departs, a messenger arrives to tell Portia that a promising young Venetian, who seems like the perfect suitor, has come to Belmont to try his luck at the casket game. Hoping that it is Bassanio, Portia and Nerissa go out to greet the new suitor.
Launcelot Gobbo is a servant of Shylock and cannot decide if he should run away from his master. Part of him wants to leave while his conscience reminds him of his honest nature and urges him to stay. His reason for leaving is that his master is “a kind of devil.” His master is Jewish. Launcelot decides to run away but just as he is leaving his father, Old Gobbo, enters. Old Gobbo is blind and asks Launcelot how to get to Shylock’s house so he can find Launcelot. Launcelot reveals his identity to his father and confesses that he is leaving Shylock’s employment to go serve Bassanio. At that moment Bassanio enters and Launcelot with his father beg Bassanio to take Launcelot as his servent which is accepted.
Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, bids Launcelot goodbye after telling him that his presence made her life with her father more bearable. She also gives Launcelot a letter to carry to Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo. She confesses to herself that she is only his daughter by blood, not by actions, and hopes to escape the relationship to Shylock by marrying Lorenzo and converting to Christianity.
On a street in Venice, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Solanio discuss plans to unite Lorenzo with Jessica. Lorenzo assures them all that they will have enough time to gather the necessary supplies to unite them. While they talk Launcelot enters with the letter from Jessica which he gives to Lorenzo. After receiving the letter Launcelot is sent back to Shylock’s house to let Jessica know that Lorenzo will not fail her. Lorenzo then tells Gratiano that Jessica will escape from Shylock’s house disguised as Lorenzo’s torchbearer and gives Gratiano the letter so he can read it.
Shylock warns Launcelot that Bassanio will not be as lenient a master as Shylock has been, and that Launcelot will no longer overeat and oversleep. Shylock asks Jessica to keep the doors locked and not look out at the revelry taking place in the streets before his dinner, but Launcelot whispers to Jessica that she must disobey her father and look out the window for the Christian who “will be worth a Jewes eye”. Shylock tries to convince Jessica that Launcelot isn’t a good servant before he leaves. Jessica, after her father left, decides to run away from her father.
Gratiano and Salarino meet in front of Shylock’s house. They are especially anxious because Lorenzo is late, and they think that lovers tend to always be early. Lorenzo finally joins them and calls up to Jessica, who appears on the balcony dressed as a page and tosses him a casket of gold and jewels. Then Antonio enters to report that Bassanio is sailing for Belmont immediately. Gratiano is grateful to leave the festivities and join Bassanio at once.
Back in Belmont, Portia shows the prince of Morocco to the caskets, where he will guess which chest contains her portrait. The words, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire” are in the first casket, made of gold. The second casket, made of silver, reads, “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves”. The third, a heavy leaden casket, says, “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath”. The prince chooses the gold casket, thinking that only the most precious metal could house the picture of such a beautiful woman. He opens the chest and sees a skull with a scroll in its eye socket. The Prince failed the test and left unwillingly. Portia is glad to see him go and hopes that “all of his complexions choose me so”.
Solanio reported Shylock’s rage toward the departure of his daughter and the lost of his ducats to Salarino. Solanio hopes that Antonio is able to pay his debt, but Salarino reminds him of rumors that the long-awaited ships have capsized in the English Channel. The two men warmly remember Bassanio’s departure from Antonio, wherein the merchant insisted that his young friend is not allowed thoughts of debt or danger to interfere with his courtship of Portia.
The Prince of Arragon is in Belmont to try his luck at winning Portia’s hand in marriage. He selects the silver one, thinking that he “shall get as much as he deserves”. Inside, he finds a portrait of a blinking idiot, and a poem that condemns him as a fool. Soon after he departs, a messenger arrives to tell Portia that a promising young Venetian, who seems like the perfect suitor, has come to Belmont to try his luck at the casket game. Hoping that it is Bassanio, Portia and Nerissa go out to greet the new suitor.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Merchant of Venice Act I
Somewhere in Venice, Antonio is a Venetian merchant who is sad. His friends, Salerio and Solanio suggest that his sadness comes from him worrying about shipping his cargo. Bassanio, Antonio’s friend, wants to borrow money from Antonio so he can marry Portia. Portia lives in Belmont and is the daughter of a wealth noble. Antonio has no money because his ship is stuck on the ocean and therfore cannot lend any to Bassanio.
Meanwhile, at Portia’s house, Portia’s father imposed the condition on Portia marriage that suitors must choose between three casks, of gold, silver, and lead, in order to win her hand, and swear off marrying if they lose. The Neapolitan prince, the County Palatine, Monsieur Le Bon, Falconbridge, the Scottish lord, and a young German failed the test. The Prince of Morocco and Bassanio are the only ones left but Portia doesn’t like the Prince of Morocco because he has the "complexion of a devil".
Back in Venice, Bassanio went to a Jew moneylender named Shylock for a loan of 3000 ducats. Shylock was concerned about loaning money to Bassanio because of his hatred towards Antonio and Antonio’s anti-semitic behaviour towards Shylock. Nevertheless, Shylock agrees to loan the money to Bassanio without any interest. However, Shylock said that the loan must be repaid in three months or Shylock will exact a pound of flesh from Antonio. Antonio agrees, confident that his ships will return in time.
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