Status Updates From Stories from Shakespeare

It is a bit of a joke when they accuse them of giving rings to women for that’s exactly what they did. They look at the heavens and strike up the music and the news arrives that Antonio’s ships have just come into port. I think I hear the music of the spheres!!! What a fabulous ending!!!

She does not accept the compromise, which means Shylock must abandon the contract. Shylock leaves in a huff. Jessica and Lorenzo compares themselves to famous romantic couples from history. It’s silly because they ended tragically. They light up the home and all arrive at Belmont on a moonlight night, candles ablazing. Portia and Nerissa ask for rings as payment as a little trick. It is funny.

Shylock has his knife ready, but it will not be needed in a duel of wits. She begins by giving her quality of mercy speech. Then she grants him his pound of flesh, he praises her, she jerks him back with a qualifier. Blood was not mentioned in the contract. He demands to see the law forbidding the shedding of blood and she shows him. He sees the law is against him so he asks for a compromise.

In court, nothing can convince Shylock to forgo his pound of flesh, especially since most of the men of court have slaves and they do whatever they want with their property. The pound of flesh is his and he stands for the law. Seeing Antonio’s friends in agony especially pleases Shylock. The court is at the end of their wits. In walks Portia in disguise. The court accepts her based on her cousin’s letter.

Shylock refuses because Antonio has been one of his persecutors. Portia tells everyone that she and Nerissa plan to retire to prayer and contemplation but her real plan is to go to Venice and help her husband. A cousin is a lawyer. She will visit him first, get advice, and disguise herself and Nerissa as a lawyer and his clerk. Jessica and Lorenzo manage the household in their absence.

Benefits of Lit Life. The engagements (Portia/Bassiano and Nerissa/Gratiano) and marriage (Jessica/Lorenzo) happen early in the play. That means the marriage is not really the point of this play. It’s mercy of course because Mercury is all over this play! A letter arrives from Shylock, demanding a pound of flesh. Portia sends Bassiano to Shylock with a letter offering to pay off her husband’s debt.

The Prince of Morocco chooses gold (death), Arragon choses silver (fool), and Bassiano chooses lead (Portia’s picture). Shylock wanders the streets in a rage, especially because his daughter took his wife’s turquoise. He feels like he has nothing left. At this point, Chute paraphrases comparing Jews and Christians. After the soliloquy, he hears “good” news. Antonio’s ships are lost at sea!

On top of how Jews are treated, Shylock hates Antonio for many reasons: his generosity cuts into Shylock’s business, his servant left to work for Antonio’s friend Bassiano, and his daughter Jessica eloped with a Christian, taking jewels with her. He wears a mask in the presence of Christians to hide his hatred. Next comes the casket task and her maid has to give Bassiano a hint in order to make the right choice.

She does not come up with ridiculous reasons for Antonio’s low mood, making it school appropriate. Portia also has melancholy (not to self -- I need to look for four humours as well as alchemy). She found all her suitors unsuitable and she pines for the one who has not appeared (Bassiano). She also includes the three caskets (hurray)! She presents that Bassiano shows Antonio kindness by inviting him to dinner.

Merchant of Venice - This version is for mature readers. She states it is an unusual Romantic comedy, and she states why (the focus is money and someone faces death by cutting out a pound of flesh). The two key players are Portia (whose name means pig) and Shylock (a Jew). She gives context for what life was like for Jews in England (there are none) and in Venice (persecution, isolation, restricted jobs).