The Merchant of Venice

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Unit19 The Merchant of Venice
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Teaching aims and demands Talk about
Shakespeare and his plays Learn something
about The merchant of Venice Act out the
play Write a short play
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Introduction of Shakespeare

• Pre-reading

The plays by Shakespeare
The main characters in this play

• Reading comprehension
• Post-reading

Questions Discussion
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William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare(1564-1616)was born in
Stratford-upon-Avon,England.He began to write for
the stage in the late 1580. He first came to
notice in 1592 as a playwright in London.In 1599
he became a part owner of the Globe Theatre in
London and finally retired to his birthplace,
Stratford-upon-Avon,in1613.He wrote 37
plays.Apart from the plays,he is identified as
the author of four large poems and a book of
sonnets.
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Quiz Pick out the plays written by Shakespeare
Twelfth Night Henry V Cymbeline The Lost
necklace Loves Labours Lost The
MillionaireThe Merchant of Venice Hamlet The
Tempest Measure for Measure
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Introduction of the charaters in the play
Antonio
A Venetian merchant of huge
wealth.he makes his money from
trade,much liked by his friends.
He is always ready to help others.
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Introduction of the charaters in the play
Shylock
A successful Jewish moneylender.He lends the 3,00
ducats to Antonio.He asks Antonio to pay with one
pound of his flesh if the debt is not repaid on
time.
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Introduction of the charaters in the play
Bassanio
The romantic lead of this
play.He is Antonios friend.He
marries Portia.He borrows a lot of
money from Antonio.
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Introduction of the charaters in the play
Portia
The heroine of this play.Portia is a
wealthy and beautiful woman who is
desired by many men. She also
possesses a sharp mind,which saves
Antonio from doom at the hands of Shylock.
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Introduction of the charaters in the play
As judge over the court case between Shylock and
Antonia,he has the power to pardon a death
sentence.In the play,he is put in a difficult
position by Shylockhe doesnt want Antonio to
die,but to ignore Shylocks legal rights would be
to place all of Venice in disrepute as a place to
conduct business.
The Duke Of Venice
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Reading Comprehension






Parts of the story
Description
Antonio and Bassanio borrow 3,000 ducats from
Shylock.However,there is a catchif the debt is
not repaid on time,Antonio as security will pay
with one pound of his flesh.
background
problem
Antonio and Bassanio are not able to pay the
debt.Antonios ships are lost.Shylock starts
demanding his pound of flesh.
The Duke tells Shylock to have mercy on
Antonio.Bassanio promises to pay twice or even
ten times the money that Antonio has
borrowed.Portia tells Shylock to be merciful,but
Shylock insists on having his pound of flesh.
Rising action
Portia declares Shylock may have a pound of flesh
to be cut nearest to Antonios heart,no more,no
less.And if Shylock lets one drop of Antonios
blood fall,he will lose all his land and money
climax
outcome
Shylock begs for mercy.He is punished,though not
killed.
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Questions
1.What is your opinion of Portia? 2.What is your
opinion of Shylock? 3.Why do you think Shylock
prefers to take his pound of flesh instead of the
money from Bassanio? 4.What are the two meanings
of Ill pay him back with all my heart? 5.A
classical balance is often used as a symbol for
Th merchant of Venice. (1).What is
usually weighed with a balance? What
goes into the scales left and right? (2).Why
does Portia ask Shylock whether he brought a
balance? (3).What is the deeper meaning of
the balance? What is weighed in
Portias court of law?
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Discussion
Self-interest versus love
Mercy versus Revenge
The law
Cross-dressing
The pound of flesh
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The End Thank You Very Much
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