nid heiress who lives in the city of Belmont Ant enetian merchant, complains to his f Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Port Bassanio asks Antonio f 1 in order to travel in styl make the loan himself beea ney is all investe Antonio suggs from on uarantor, Ln Belmont, Portia exp sadn the mi ectly chooses one of thi i her lady-i sa, fondly re aid some ti », Antonio and Bassanio approach Shylock, a Jewish mon loan. Shyl g grudge against Antonio, who has made a habit of berating Shylock and other Jews for their usury, the rates of interest es th to apologize for his b hylock acts agre no interest, Shylock adds, however, that should th nd of Antonio's own flesh. Despite Bassanio’s w (ds of a melancholy that he cannot explain. His f wealth Portia’s estate, Antonio ber of trade sh io secure the loa ss the city’s me ns of s. None of Portia’s 1 s over the nd who undern business by offe itled to a po . nusehold, his ser Bassanio, and Shylock’s daughter Jessica schemes to elope with Antonio's streets of Venice fill up with revelers, and Jessic 1 Gratiano leave for Bi prince of Morocco, who hi We Shylock’s service to work for That night, the is his page. Afler a night of io intends to win Portia’s hand. me in an attempt to choose the right easket to Jot decides to k cele on, Bassanio and hi In Belmont, Portia weleomes th marry her. The prince studies the inscriptions on the three caskets and chooses the gold one, which proves to he an incorrect choice. In Venice, Shylock is furious to find that his daughter has run away, but rejoices in the a ilies the caskets carefully, but he picks the silver and they declare their love f immediately picks the correct cask: ses that he has f fact th \d that he will soon be able to claim his debt. In Belme on Despite Pe made of kl s ships are t t, the prince of Arragon also visits Porti ives which is also incorreet, Ba: pne anothe The tia’s reque: id. He and P couples decide on a double wedding. P ces Bassanio a no circumstances will he part with it, They are joined, m ation. ; is cul 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 t they leave, Portia tells Nerissa that they will go to Venice disguised as men. Shylock ignores the many pleas to Antonio’s life, and a trial is called to decide the matter. The duke of Venice, who presides over the trial, ounces that he has sent for a legal expert, who turns out to be Portia disguised as a young man of lav Portia asks Shylock to show mercy, but he remains inflexible and insists the pound of flesh is rightfully his. Shylock twice the money due him, but Shylock insists on collecting the bond as it is written, it legally binding, declares that Shylock is entitled to the merchant's wisdom, but as he is on the verge of collecting his due, Portia reminds ¢ Antonio to bleed, as the contract does not e1 to any blood. instead, but Portia insists that Shylock s guilty of conspiring against the Ii to the state and the other half to len in love with Neris: flesh. Shylock ¢ he must do so wither logi If of his prop stead of Shy Shylock must convert to ¢ a must citizen, which o. The duke spares Shyld half of Shylock’s wealth on two will the entirety of his est Ba eventually pressured into givi who is disguised as Pe Jessica declaring their love to ¢ wy, their wi however; Portia reveals that she was, in fact, the husbands, Lorenzo and to le ives that Antonio’s ships have nade foes his his ring. The two women return to Belnont, where they find Lorenzo and it. When Bassar 1 Gratiane to other women, Before th arrive the next c deception siew are pleaseWHY DOES SHYLOCK HATE ANTONIO? Shylock hates Antonio in "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare because of Antonio's mistreatment towards him as a Jewish moneylender and his refusal to lend him money without interest. Shylock expresses his resentment towards Antonio when he says, "If | can catch him once upon the hip, / | will feed fat the ancient grudge | bear him" (Act 1, Scene 3, lines 37-38). This shows that Shylock has been holding a grudge against Antonio for a long time. Moreover, Antonio has insulted Shylock by calling him a "misbeliever" and spitting on his "Jewish gaberdine" (Act 1, Scene 3, lines 107-108). These acts of prejudice and mistreatment have fueled Shylock's desire for revenge against Antonio. Additionally, Shylock sees Antonio as a threat to his business since he lends money without charging interest, which undermines Shylock's profits. Shylock feels justified in seeking revenge and taking Antonio's flesh as collateral for the loan, as he believes that he has been wronged by Antonio's actions. HOW HAS SHAKESPEARE PORTRAYED ANTONIO IN THE BEGINNING OF THE PLAY? In "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, the character of Antonio plays a central role in the plot. At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare portrays Antonio as a complex character who is both melancholic and a loyal friend. Through his portrayal of Antonio, Shakespeare provides a glimpse into the intricacies of human emotion and the challenges of living in a world that can be both cruel and beautiful. One way Shakespeare portrays Antonio at the beginning of the play is through his sadness and melancholy demeanor. In Act 1, Scene 1, Antonio states, "In sooth, | Know not why | am so sad. / It wearies me; you say it wearies you. / But how | caught it, found it, or came by it, / What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, / | am to learn" (lines 1-5). This evidence highlights the melancholic nature of Antonio's character and suggests that he is struggling with something that he cannot quite put into words. Additionally, when his friends ask him about the cause of his sadness, he responds by saying that he is "like to think of [his] losses” (line 10). This further emphasizes the sense of sadness that surrounds Antonio's character and suggests that he is dealing with some form of personal loss. Another way Shakespeare portrays Antonio at the beginning of the play is through his loyalty as a friend. Despite his own personal troubles, Antonio is willing to help his friend Bassanio when he needs financial assistance to woo Portia, the woman he loves. In Act 1, Scene 1, Antonio says, "My purse, my person, Iny extremest means, / Lie all unlocked to your occasions" (lines 137-138). This evidence highlights Antonio's loyalty to his friend and his willingness to put his own financial stability at risk to help him. Additionally, when Bassanio asks him to lend him money, Antonio responds by saying, "I am as like to call thee so again, / To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too" (lines 133-134). This evidence highlights the depth of Antonio's loyalty and suggests that he is willing to go to great lengths to support his friend. In conclusion, Shakespeare's portrayal of Antonio at the beginning of "The Merchant of Venice" is complex and multifaceted. Through his depiction of Antonio's sadness and melancholy demeanor, as well as his loyalty as a friend, Shakespeare provides insight into the intricacies of human emotion and the challenges of living in a world that can be both beautiful and cruel. WHAT DOES PORTIAS SPEECH ABOUT MERCY SHOW? In her famous speech, Portia is trying to convince Shylock to show mercy towards Antonio and spare his life. She argues that mercy is a better quality than strict adherence to the law, and that it is something that should be freely given rather than demanded. Portia says, "The quality of mercy is not strain'd, / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes" (IV.i.180-183). By saying that mercy "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven," Portia is suggesting that it is a natural and effortless quality that should come naturally to all people. She goes on to argue that mercy is more powerful than the law, saying "It is an attribute to God himself; / And earthly power doth then show likest God's / When mercy seasons justice". In this way, Portia is using her intelligence and rhetorical skill to try and persuade Shylock to set aside his desire for revenge and show mercy towards Antonio.ne of preju 3,fines 107-108) & "Hath 1 passions?" (Act 3, Ses 2. Theme of appear ality: "AIL that glisters is not gold” (Act 2, Scene 7, line 65)- “(AI that glister: not gold” shows that all that shines or glitters is not gold, the word gold is meaning treasure or the prize which n this situation is Por thing by appe * He doth nothing but frown, as who should say; ‘And you will not have me choose.” (Over here Portia is judging a suitor, in front of the suitors she a about anyone but behind their back she judges them « ever, cutthroat dog, / And spet ¢ misbeliever, cutthroat do; And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine” (Act 1, ota Jew eyes? Hath nota i Jew hands, organs, dimensio senses, affections, ne 1 nee Vs It shows to not judge ever ance, 10) cts like a very noble lady who would never say a lot pon my Jewi -ter, howev **You call me misbel h gaberdine*| In the begin ¢ he is not like that all the time. Antonio seem to be a melancholic, depressed el ad things to people just because of their religion, like he mistre: Jew. This Antonio does not sei done many d Shylock just beeause he is a mn like the depressed one. «d that told" - Prince of Morocco, Aet 2 ce is aware of the potential pitfalls of his choice to pursue Portia, and ognizes that the choice he is making may not lead 3. Theme of Choice -All that glitters is not gold; Often have you he: Se nis quote suggests that the Pri he acknowledges that things may not bi ne 71 as they seem. He re to the outcome he des * es.) » be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having done me wr n old man, shall frutify unto you" - Antonio, Act 3 Scene 1/Antonio is cither pay the bond and face financial ruin, or forfeit a pound of his own flesh to Shylocl chooses to risk his own life rather than allow Shylock to take advantage of him. * "In such a night Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, And with an unthrift love did run from Venice" - Lorenzo, Act 5 Scene I Jessica, Shylock's daughter, makes a choice to leave her father and her Jewish identity behind in orde h Lorenzo. tion of her family and cult * "If Lean catch him once upon the hip, I will feed Shylock makes a choice to seck revenge agi driven by his hatred and desire for rever * "But mercy is above this himself” - Portia, Aet 4 See the play. She argues that merey is a choice that one ¢ the law that Shylock de i ons towards Antonio, CHARACTERS, * Bassanio: "But life itself, my wife, and all the world / Are not with me esteemed above thy 2, lines 16-17)-This evidenc g, doth cause me, as my father, being | hope sented with a choice in this scer . He ultimately to be w a Christian. This choice is a it represents a rej re in favor of love. at the st Antonio, which ultimately leads to his dow ent grudge I bear him" - Shylock, Act 1 Scene 3. fall. This choice is juences of his actions. ibute to God tance of choice in ce to ultimately makes the choice to show merey to Shylock, despite his cruel and it blinds him to the potential conse ptred sway; [tis enthroned in the hearts of kings, [tis an att 1 (Portia's es the impe itis better than the st mou ict adhere fe" (Act 3, Scene is very dear in my lines 133-135) to support him hows that Bassanio values his wife above all else. "Your worth egard. / [take it, your own business calls on you / And you embrace the occasion to depat This evidence suggests that Bassanio is a loyal friend who values Antonio's worth and is willin, in his endeavor im" (‘Shows how * Shylock: "If L can cateh him once upon the hip, / I will everyth of someone by jeed fat the ancient grudge I bear atch . Shylock ot revenge on him for the "ancient hylock wants revenge over ig and is detern ed to get m s get the bette g advantage of their wes find a way to take advantage of Antonio's weakness, he will be able t grudge" he bears him, * Portia: "11 rorti by the will ofa de: ay her choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike: so is the will of a living daughter curbed | father" (Act 1, Scene 2, lines 22-24)-She is loyal to her father. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. / Let all of his complexion choose me so" Portia shows her intelligence by using wordplay and riddles to guide the prince towards the wrong casket, ull ding to his failure in choosing the ne devil « plure for his purpose’ (Act 1, Scene 3, line 99)-Shows how Antonio is ing and insulting Shylock b all unlock'd to your occasions" (Act 1 ity at risk, demonst nately le ight one cite Se ause of his religion. My purse, my person, my extremest means, ene 1) - Antonio is willing to lend Bas loyalty and friendship. anio money and put his own financial secu ing hi