English Notes 10-11-12
Review of Jewish Life in Venice
·
Lived in Ghettos until 1797-gates removed then
o
Forced to stay in the gates during Easter
o
Only allowed out during the day to be usurers,
forced back in at night.
·
Had to wear red hats, other differentiating
clothing
·
Usurers- practiced usury, charge exorbitant
interest
·
No sexual relations with non Jews- social rule
put forth by Christians.
·
Economic------political-----social
·
Only allowed to be usurers, only interaction
with non Jews
·
Not allowed to hold public office
·
Venice was the most lenient of all the European
countries
o
Venetians were politically independent, loose
sexual morals, wealthy.
1.3
·
Ways we know about the character
o
Their words (monologue)
o
Their actions
o
Their dialoguing
o
Others’ words about them
·
Shylock
o
Hates Antonio because he is a Christian, lends
money without interest, and because Antonio hates him and makes fun of him
o
Shakespeare characterizes him as a victim on
lines 116-120
o
He becomes sarcastic when talking to Antonio
about loans
o
“merry bond”- no interest, offered in
friendship. “1lb of flesh”
§
Can be seen as sarcastic, conniving, or it can
be seen as a joke “if you don’t bring it back, I’ll just kill you”
§
He just wants to be friends with Antonio
·
Antonio and Bassanio- 3000 ducats over 3 months
·
Jacob and the Sheep-
o
Shylock interpretation- he was a business man
o
Antonio’s interpretation- he was a dishonest
cheat
o
·
Antonio
o
Says Shylock is a liar
o
Describes Shylock as an “evil soul, devil,
rotten”
o
Antonio is extremely mean to Shylock
o
“I did and I would do it again”- Antonio towards
Shylock after his soliloquy.
o
Why is Antonio putting himself that far out
there for Bassanio? He cares for the world too much
o
Thinks the bond (1lb of flesh) could possibly
work
o
Takes the deal because his ships will be back an
entire month before the money is due.
·
Bassanio
o
Doesn’t want him to take the bond, not really
though
·
2 bond plots- one with Antonio and Shylock, the
other with Portia and the chests
·
Shakespeare is trying to change the world by
enlightening his audience, leaving both sides of Antonio’s character open to
interpretation.
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