Merchant of Venice Resource Pack

8/7/2019 Merchant of Venice Resource Pack

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LYCEUMTHE

Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

22 September 21 October 2006

E D U C A T I O N R E S O U R C E P A C K

W I L L I A M S H A K E S P E A R E

the merchantofvenice


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1 Introduction and Context

2 Cast list

3 Characters

5 Plot synopsis

7 The Problem with Shylock

8 Jimmy Chisholm on Shylock

9 Production design

11 Themes, Structure and Symbols

13 Language

14 A conversation with Neve McIntosh

15 Drama exercises

17 Study questions

LYCEUMTHE


contents

All that glisters is not gold;

Often have you heard that told:Many a man his life hath sold

But my outside to behold:

Gilded tombs do worms infold


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IntroductionWritten sometime between 1596 and 1597, The Merchant of Venice

is classified as both an early Shakespearean comedy (more

specifically, as a Christian comedy) and as one of the Bards

problem plays; it is a work in which good triumphs over evil, but

serious themes are examined and some issues remain unresolved.

Its basic plot outline, with the characters of the merchant, the poor

suitor, the fair lady, and the villainous Jew, is shared with a numberof Italian story collections. Other details, such as the choice of caskets that the suitors have to select

from, are also borrowed from pre-existing sources. The Italian setting and the marriage plot are typical

from Shakespeares earlier comedies, however the characters of Portia (Shakespeares first great

heroine) and the memorable villain Shylock make this play stand above the rest.

ContextShylocks demand for a pound of flesh has made him one of literatures most unforgettable villains,although some readers and theatre goers see him as a sympathetic and compelling character.

The idea of whether Shakespeare intended the play to be Anti-Semitic has been of much debate.

Jews in Elizabethan England were so few, it is unlikely that Shakespeare or his contemporaries

would have known any; however, they would be familiar by the portrayals of Jews as villains and

figures of ridicule. For example, Christopher Marlowes popular The Jew of Malta, a bloody farce

about a murderous Jewish villain was thought to be of great influence to Shakespeare when creating

his own Jewish character. Although, he draws upon this anti-Semitic tradition, Shakespearescharacterisation is far more complex than the Jew that appears in Marlowes play. By showing that

Shylocks loathing is a result of the oppression his race has suffered in a Christian society, he evokes

from readers and audiences compassion and pity, rather than contempt and disparagement.

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castAntonio Neil McKinven

Bassanio Liam Brennan

Gratiano Steven McNicoll

Salerio Gavin Kean

Solanio Richard Conlon

Lorenzo Robert Jack

Shylock Jimmy Chisholm

Jessica Ruth Connell

Tubal Eric BarlowLauncelot Gobbo Mark McDonnell

Portia Neve McIntosh

Nerissa Suzanne Donaldson

Morocco/Duke Christopher John Hall

Arragon/Gaoler Harry Smith

companyDesigner Gregory Smith

Director Mark Thomson

Lighting Designer Chris Davey

Composer Philip Pinsky

Deputy Stage Manager Claire Williamson

The Merchant of VeniceRoyal Lyceum Theatre Company

22 September 21 October 2006

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AntonioAntonio is the Merchant of the plays title. A melancholy figure, he is prepared to give allto help his friend Bassanio, which results in him almost losing his life. Antonio

exemplifies the limits to which love and friendship may be taken.

Antonio stands in contrast to Shylocks calculating greed. He is miserable, passive in

his acceptance of events affecting his life and is ultimately a lonely figure at the end

of the play when surrounded by happy couples. The other side of his nature is seen

from Shylocks descriptions of how he spat upon Shylocks beard and undermined his

business practices. However, he does perhaps reflect the ideal of selfless generosity

which is the plays central theme.

BassanioA gentleman of Venice, a kinsman and good friend of Antonios. Bassanios love for the

wealthy Portia leads him to borrow money from Shylock with Antonio as his guarantor.

An ineffectual businessman, Bassanio proves himself a worthy suitor, correctly

identifying the casket that contains Portias portrait.

ShylockShylock demonstrates the stock features of the Elizabethan caricature of a Jew: hatred

of Christians and the practice of usury (lending money out at interest). He holds an

uncompromising hatred of Antonio and all that he stands for. Despite his love of money,

he is prepared to risk a monetary loss so that he can kill Antonio. This side of Shylock

does not make the audience like him very much!

Shylocks description of how Antonio has abused him and spat on him, and deliberately

undermines his business serves to redress the balance a little in his favour. His

response to his daughters elopement with a Christian and jewels also give us pausefor thought, as does his famous speech If you prick us (Act 2, Sc 1), but then he spoils

his plea by using it to justify plain revenge. The trial scene shows him at his worst:

he brings along his own scales and knife, he rejects any plea for justice to be tempered

by mercy and refuses the offer of a surgeon. When justice is eventually served and

Shylock gets the sharp end, he has lost the audiences sympathy.

characters

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PortiaSimilarly to Antonio, at the beginning of the play we see Portia as weary, due to her lack

of choice over her future husband. Remaining loyal to her father, she accepts that herhusband will be any man who chooses the right casket. When Bassanio reveals his friendsmisfortune, she is quick to offer support and when Bassanio returns to Venice to help Antonio,she secretly joins him as a lawyer. There she proceeds to defend Antonio and shows herselfto be resourceful and commanding. She clearly and cleverly expounds the law, leading Shylockgently to a path of his own destruction. By practising Shylocks own strict adherence to the law,justice without mercy, she opens the way for the same to be applied to him.

When back in Belmont she again demands the letter of the law of Bassanio in the ring plot,but then immediately shows him the mercy that was not given to Shylock in Venice.

Portias love for Bassanio, and therefore for his friend Antonio, overpowers Shylocks greed

and defeats his deadly intent. Like Antonio and Bassanio, she demonstrates the powerof friendship and love over greed.

GratianoCompanion to Bassanio and Antonio, Gratanio speaks an infinite deal of nothing; he istoo wild, too rude, and bold of voice. He accompanies Bassanio to Belmont which showsthe power of Bassanios friendship, although Bassanio could well have judged it better notto take Gratiano on such a delicate mission. His marriage to Nerissa both echoes andemphasises the love of Portia and Bassanio.

To a certain extent he acts as a contrast to Bassanio, for example his more casual attitudeto the ring plot, and at the trial scene he shows an ugly side when bating the desperateShylock. Bassanio behaviour is more dignified and concerned.

JessicaShylocks daughter Jessica plays only a small part in the play. She demonstrates the powerof love by being prepared to abandon not only her father but her religion. Her casual useof money infuriates Shylock and leads to him bemoaning his loss publicly, much to theamusement of all. It lessens the impact of what she has done and helps to bias the audience

against her father.The expressive poetry of her scenes with Lorenzo represents the supremacy of love and assuch underpins a vital theme of the play.

Other CharactersLorenzo friend of Antonio and BassanioNerissa maid and companion to PortiaLauncelot servant to Shylock then to BassanioOld Gobbo Launcelots father

Tubal fellow JewSalerio and Salanio two gentlemen of VeniceThe Prince of Morroco and the Prince of Arragon suitors to PortiaThe Duke of Venice The trial judge

characters

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ACT ONEBassanio, a Venetian gentleman, has spent all his money. He wishes to mend his fortunes bymarrying Portia a rich heiress who lives in Belmont. His friend Antonio, a merchant, is willing to

help but all his money is tied up in ships trading across the world. Antonio agrees to use his owngood name to secure his friend a loan of three thousand ducats. Antonio suggests that Bassaniosecure the loan from one of the citys moneylenders and name Antonio as the loans guarantor.

In Belmont, Portia expresses sadness over the terms of her fathers will, which states that shemust marry the man who correctly chooses one of three caskets of gold, silver and lead.None of Portias current suitors are to her liking, and she and her lady-in-waiting, Nerissa,fondly remember a visit paid some time before by Bassanio.

In Venice, Antonio and Bassanio approach Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, for a loan. Shylockharbours a long standing hatred of Antonio, who condemns him and other Jews for usury, thecharging large amounts of interest onto their loans. Despite this, Shylock agrees to lend Antonio

the money and charge no interest, but he adds should the loan go unpaid, Antonio must forfeita pound of his own flesh to be cut off from wherever Shylock wishes.

In Shylocks own household, his servant Lancelot decides to leave Shylocks service to workfor Bassanio, and Shylocks daughter Jessica escapes with Lorenzo, a Christian gentleman,by dressing as his page.

ACT TWOIn Belmont, Portia welcomes the prince of Morocco, who has come in an attempt to choose theright casket to marry her. The prince chooses the gold one, which proves to be an incorrect choice.

In Venice, Shylock is enraged to find that his daughter has run away, but rejoices in the fact thatAntonios ships are rumoured to have been wrecked and that he will soon be able to claim his debt.

In Belmont, the Prince of Arragon also visits Portia. He also studies the caskets carefully, but hepicks the silver one, which is also incorrect. Bassanio arrives at Portias estate, and they declaretheir love for one another. Despite Portias request that he wait before choosing, Bassanioimmediately picks the correct casket, which is made of lead. He and Portia rejoice, and Gratianoconfesses that he has fallen in love with Nerissa. The couples decide on a double wedding. Portiagives Bassanio a ring as a token of love, and makes him swear that under no circumstances will hepart with it. They are joined, unexpectedly, by Lorenzo and Jessica. The celebration, however, is cutshort by the news that Antonio has indeed lost his ships, and that he has forfeited his bond toShylock. Bassanio and Gratiano immediately travel to Venice to try and save Antonios life.

INTERVAL

plot

synopsis

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A C T T H R E E

Portia tells Nerissa that they will go to Venice disguised as men. Shylock ignores the many

pleas to spare Antonios life, and a trial is called to decide the matter. The duke of Venice,

who presides over the trial, announces that he has sent for a legal expert, who turns out

to be Portia disguised as a lawyer. Portia asks Shylock to show mercy, but he remains

inflexible and insists the pound of flesh is rightfully his. Bassanio offers Shylock twice the

money due him, but Shylock insists on collecting the bond as it is written. Portia examines

the contract and, finding it legally binding, declares that Shylock is entitled to the

merchants flesh.

Shylock ecstatically praises her wisdom, but as he is on the verge of collecting his due,

Portia reminds him that he must do so without spilling any blood, for the contract does not

entitle him to any blood. Unable to argue with this, Shylock falters and agrees to take

Bassanios money instead, but Portia insists that Shylock take his bond as written, or

nothing at all. Portia informs Shylock that he is guilty of conspiring against the life of a

Venetian citizen, which means he must turn over half of his property to the state and the

other half to Antonio. The duke spares Shylocks life and takes a fine instead of Shylocks

property. Antonio also forgoes his half of Shylocks wealth on two conditions: first, Shylock

must convert to Christianity, and second, he must will the entirety of his estate to Lorenzoand Jessica upon his death. Shylock agrees and takes his leave.

Bassanio, who does not see through Portias disguise, showers the young law clerk with

thanks, and is eventually pressured into giving Portia the ring with which he promised

never to part. Graziano gives Nerissa, who is disguised as Portias clerk, his ring. The two

women return to Belmont, where they find Lorenzo and Jessica declaring their love to

each other. When Bassanio and Graziano arrive the next day, their wives accuse them of

faithlessly giving their rings to other women. Before the deception goes too far, however,

Portia reveals that she was, in fact, the law clerk, and both she and Nerissa reconcile

with their husbands. Lorenzo and Jessica are pleased to learn of their inheritance fromShylock, and the joyful news arrives that Antonios ships have in fact made it back safely.

The group celebrates its good fortune.

plot synopsis

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the problem with ShylockEven though critics agree that Shylock is The Merchant of Venices most prominent figure, no

consensus has been made on whether to interpret him as a murderous villain, a clownish Jewish

stereotype, or a tragic figure whose sense of decency has been broken by the prejudice he suffers.

Undoubtedly, Shylock is the plays antagonist, and has the potential to ruin the lives of Venices

businessmen and the lovers alike. Simultaneously however, Shylock is a creation of the society he

lives in. Even in his determined quest for a pound of Antonios flesh, his continuous reference tothe cruelty he has endured at the hands of Christians make it hard for us to brand him as simply a

natural born monster. In Shylocks speech below, we sympathise with the Jew, who has been unfairly

and brutally treated by the Venetians but his promise to behave as badly as they and moreover with

better instruction, casts him in a less sympathetic light.

I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions;

fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same

means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us do we not

bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not

revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what ishis humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example?

Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

(III.i.4961).7


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Shylocks in the pastThe controversial nature of Shylocks character has led to many different interpretations.

Loveday Ingrams 2001 RSC production of The Merchant of Venice cast Ian Bartholomew (above)as Shylock. This production began its run on the Pit Stage at the Barbican, went onto theSwan Theatre in Stratford, and then on tour internationally. Set in the Victorian times, thisproduction was described by audience members as being a more romantic interpretation of

the play where Shylocks character was less angry and less prominent.

In contrast, Antony Sher (above) played Shylock in Bill Alexanders Merchant in 1987. Commentorsclaim that Alexander accentuated the Anti-Semitic feature of the play. Shers Shylock adopted a heavy

accent, a shuffling walk, a beard, long hair and exotic attire. This production saw Jews and Christiansfighting tooth and nail and with a star of David emblazoned onto the back of the set it attempted to

liberate the play from charges of Anti-Semitism. In this production, although Shylock is portrayed asan ugly character he is only responding to the even worse behaviour of his oppressors.

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HugoGlendinning:RSC

RegWilson:RSC


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Jimmy Chisholm

on ShylockDo you consider Shylock to be inherently evil?I think in the past I had seen Shylock as bad andAntonio as good. One of things were doing as partof this production is creating more of a grey area.

The man is not inherently evil, he is part of anoppressed race who gets the chance to get hisown back. He is personally insulted in the play,which gives him the resolve to try to carry out this

ridiculous bond. The emotion is rage and that isa very human condition, people can understandthat. I think it will be open to interpretationwhether people think he is good or evil.

Do you think Shylock deserves his comeuppance?Yes, I think theres no excuse for pursuinganother human life. And I think thats why thisplay is relevant right now when you think of thethings that are done in the name of revenge orreligion or politics and I think thats not human.Whatever your religion is, that is not a humanthing to do and inhumanity is inexcusable.

Did Shakespeare intend it as an Anti-Semiticpiece or a sympathetic piece?I think he probably created a monster! I think thecharacters of Shylock and Antonio are almost aback story. The main story was meant to be aboutBassanio and his quest for Portia and the lovestory between Gratiano and Nerissa. Just before

The Merchant of Venice, there was a play calledThe Jew of Malta, which was very anti-Semitic.It presented Jews eating their own young,possessing black magic and being in league with

the devil, which was the opinion on Jews at thetime. So I think he created a bit of a monsterbecause everyone associates the play with thepound of flesh, where really its just one of thestories in the play. Perhaps it became muchbigger than Shakespeare intended it to be.

How do you approach the language in the play?Personally I love poetry anyway; Ive done lots ofverse, a lot of Shakespeare at the Lyceum andsome modern verse when I did Liz LocheadsMiseryguts. I adore it and find it very liberating.I think the words dont make sense unless youhonour the format theyre written in. But in sayingthat, its one of the most naturalistic forms ofpoetry. Its called iambic pentameter and it

sounds frightening but its not, in fact, the phrase

I think Ill go and make myself a cup of tea isperfect iambic pentameter. So, its the mostnatural of all the verse rhythms. Its more aquestion of following the grammar; the full stops,the commas, the colons and the gaps, there arerules to that and as I say, that frees you up to act.So its more like singing than naturalistic acting.

What are you most looking forward to aboutthe show opening?Its a fresh and contemporary look on the play.

I think its a valuable time to be doing a playlike this. Its not as gentle as it might seem onthe outside, its a play that condemns hypocrisy,racism and sexism. Its a story about a societythat was one of the richest in the world andwhose main concern was protecting itself aboveany human being or other race. That is how

Shylock is defeated in court, because their lawsdiscriminate against aliens and outsiders. I thinkits great play especially in world politics today.

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Production design

Designer Gregory Smith shares his ideas for setand costume for The Merchant of Venice:

There wasnt really a design concept. We wanted a smallish space as the play is more of

a chamber piece than a spectacle. It had to look mercantile but also romantic, hence themirrors and marble. The fact that it is set in Venice is unimportant, Venice to Shakespeares

audience was just an exotic location that they had no reference for, rather as we might

imagine Shangri-La. They knew it was a mercantile culture, and had foreign customs,

which made it exotic. So there is no reference to Venice in the set. However, the idea of

mirrors and rot, which is the aesthetic for the design, was prompted by a visit I made to

Venice. It is very damp, rotten yet quite glamorous. I guess that it was like that when

Shakespeare heard of it and that is another reason for him setting the play there.

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Production design

In terms of costume, Mark decided against period dress and wanted something non-time

specific. So instead of being unoriginal and choosing black suits I chose navy blue and grey as

my colours. They are the kind of colours we associate with the business class, and they addedto the rotten and watery colour scheme. As a contrast to this, and as a clashing accent, when

we go to Belmont, the ladies there wear orange, a colour which I think is very exciting and not

usually seen very much. So the female world is warm, unexpected and exciting. It should be

as if a sunny window has been opened on a dull world.

In contrast to this, the Jews in the play wear black. This is in fact a practical necessity,

as they are wearing the dress we associate strongly with traditional western, religious

Jews. Black is visually quite good as it is in a different world of colour, is associated with

religious strictness, and makes the Jews clearly part of a separate world.

The other people in the play from a world apart are the princes in the casket scene, so again,

their colours choices are different. As they are seen in Belmont, I have put them into the

world of orange. The Prince of Morocco is in a light coloured suit, as men from the Arab world

may often be seen in, and the Prince of Arragon is in a brown suit, as many continental men

wear brown or black suits, and as he is a Spaniard, that seemed to fit.

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Themes, Structureand Symbols

ThemesThemes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.

Greed versus LoveOn the surface, the main difference between the Christian characters and Shylock appears to bethat the Christian characters value human relationships over business ones, whereas Shylock isonly interested in money. However, upon closer inspection, this supposed difference between

Christian and Jew breaks down. When we see Shylock in Act III, scene i, he seems more hurt bythe fact that his daughter sold a ring that was given to him by his dead wife before they weremarried than he is by the loss of the rings monetary value. Some human relationships do indeedmatter to Shylock more than money. Moreover, his insistence that he have a pound of flesh ratherthan any amount of money shows that his resentment is much stronger than his greed.

Just as Shylocks character seems hard to pin down, the Christian characters also present aninconsistent picture. Though Portia and Bassanio come to love one another, Bassanio seeks herhand in the first place because he is monstrously in debt and needs her money. Finally, Shylockeloquently argues that Jews are human beings just as Christians are, but Christians such asAntonio hate Jews simply because they are Jews. Thus, while the Christian characters maytalk more about mercy, love, and charity, they are not always consistent in how they displaythese qualities.

Mercy versus Justice and the LawThe conflict between Shylock and the Christian characters comes to a head over the issue ofmercy. The other characters acknowledge that the law is on Shylocks side, but they all expect himto show mercy, which he refuses to do.

Portia has the opportunity to give freely of the mercy for which she so beautifully advocates.Instead, she backs Shylock into a corner, where she strips him of his bond, his estate, and hisdignity, forcing him to kneel and beg for mercy. Given that Antonio decides not to seize Shylocks

goods as punishment for conspiring against him, we might consider Antonio to be merciful.But we may also question whether it is merciful to return to Shylock half of his goods, only to takeaway his religion and his profession. By forcing Shylock to convert, Antonio disables him from

practicing usury, which, according to Shylocks reports, was Antonios primary reason for beratingand spitting on him in public. Antonios compassion, then, seems to stem as much from greed asfrom concern for his fellow man. Mercy, as delivered in The Merchant of Venice, never managesto be as sweet, selfless, or full of grace as Portia presents it.

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Themes, Structureand Symbols

StructureStructure is the order in which the scenes are presented. The position of the scenes has an effect on

how an audience perceive the story and the characters.

The Merchant of Venice is built on a set of contrasts. Venice and Belmont have been presentedas opposites: the city, dominated by business, the risks of trade and debt, versus the countrywith its freedom, grace and leisure (literally Belmont means fine mountain).

SymbolsSymbols are objects, characters, figures, or colours used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

The Pound of FleshAntonio enters into a bond with Shylock. In return for 3000 ducats which he wants for his friend

Bassanio, he agrees to repay the money within three months or allow Shylock to cut a pound offlesh from anywhere on his body. The pound of flesh has many interpretations, it binds Bassanio

and Antonios friendship and also reinforces Shylocks inflexible adherence to the law.

The casket testPortias father decreed in his will that she must marry the man who chooses the correct one of the

three caskets made from gold, silver and lead. He judged that Portia would love a man who candistinguished between apparent worth and real worth. The contest certainly suits Bassanio, whoknows he does not deserve his good fortune but is willing to risk everything on a gamble.

The elopementJessica, Shylocks daughter, has fallen in love with a Christian gentleman, Lorenzo. She decides

to elope, taking Shylocks money and jewels. She, with Launcelot who also leaves Shylocks house,

begins the gradual process of stripping Shylock of all that he possesses.The ring bondWhen Portia and Nerissa marry, they give rings to their husbands, who swear never to part with

them. Following the trial, both men are convinced to give the rings to the lawyer and his clerk.On return to Belmont, Portia and Nerissa ask where their rings are. They accuse their husbandsof being unfaithful to their vows, but finally admit that they were the lawyer and clerk in disguise,and forgive their husbands.

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Language

Like all dramatists writing in the Renaissanceperiod, Shakespeare wrote in blank verse, a formthat can also be known as Iambic Pentameter.

Blank verse is simply verse that doesntnecessarily rhyme.

Iambic pentameter is a form of verse thatfollowed certain rhythmic patterns and wasrecognisable to the Elizabethans of the day.

Iambic from iambus: a rhythmic foot ofstressed and unstressed syllables

di-Dum

Pent (Pentagon, pentangle) is the Latin wordfor five and tells us how many feet are in each

line. It sounds like this:

De-dum, de-dum, de-dum, de-dum, de-dum

The qual it tyof mer cy is not strained.

It drop peth as the gen tle rain from Heaven.To be or not to be that is the question.

Although this may seem like a rigid way ofwriting and may appear quite formal to us,actually, Blank verse, is very close to normalspeech patterns. By following the rhythm, itshows an actor which words of the text are most

important. These ones are usually emphasisedwith a heavy beat.

For example, the first line in the play saidby Antonio:In sooth I know not whyI am so sad.

If you take out the unaccented words we areleft with:

sooth, know, why, am, sad.

The rhythm of Iambic Pentameter was as familiarto Elizabethan audiences as the rhythm of alimerick is to us.

There was a young man from NorfolkWho got stung on the leg by a beeWhen asked if it smarts

He said why, not allHe can do it again of he wants

This doesnt rhyme but we know it is in versebecause it has a distinctive rhythm.

Shakespeare would also use language to draw

links between two characters in terms of paceand thought. This can be demonstrated in therepetitive exchanges of In such a nightthescene between Lorenzo and Jessica at thebeginning of Act 5.

Shakespeare did not always use verse and wouldsometimes break this rule to alert the audiencesattention to something. Sometimes Shakespeareuses prose (has no form, just like natural

speech). Prose speech is usually used by less

noble, more ordinary people to suggest a moreinformal way of speaking. Gobbo, for examplespeaks in Prose because he is a servant and acomic character. Salanio and Salerio wouldnormally speak in verse being from the city butin Act 3 Scene 1 they are just good pals having achat so they speak in prose.

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A conversation withNeve McIntosh who

plays PortiaHow are the rehearsals going?Really well. There is so much to discuss!We started off discussing and just exploring

the text and now we are starting to work in thespace. I come out rehearsals just buzzing. Myhead is so full of new ideas and different ways

that I could play it. Now we have explored loadsof ideas, its now time to start making firmdecisions about the characters and the play.

What attracts you to the role of Portia?First of all its Shakespeare and its actuallymy first Shakespearean role. Talk about goingstraight for the biggest one! Its an amazing partand probably one of the best roles Shakespearewrote for women. She seems so perfect and yetvery human. Shes a clever, witty and erudite

woman who can stand her own in a mans world.

How does she compare to the men around her?Is Bassanio worthy of her?Yes he is. She very much sees herself as all oftheir equals. And with Bassanio, she expresses

to Nerissa that she likes Bassanio and shemakes it clear shes not interested in the othersuitors. She asks for his respect when she giveshim the ring, and therefore theres an equalitythat she brings to it. But you see them

strengthening that bond as they go along. Yousee them laying down the ground rules, whichevery relationship has to have. Its just a verydifferent way of starting a courtship.

What physical and vocal changes do you usewhen you are disguised as the lawyer?Physically the way you walk is very different.To be a lady youre very poised and you glidemore, a mans walk has a very different rhythm.

I also deepen my voice a little. The language

the lawyer uses is very masculine and veryauthoritarian which provides a distance

between the two characters. The other cast

members help by giving me a different statuson stage as a male character. If they believe youare a man, then its easier for the audience tobelieve it.

Youve worked quite a lot on the television.Whats the difference between acting on TVand acting on stage?Same but different. When you walk on stageyoure playing to a live audience, real peoplewatching you. When youre acting on the camera,

youre playing to a small black box. The cameracatches everything, you can mumble or evenwhisper, it even picks up tiny changes in youreyes which people cant see on stage. Actingin the theatre, you have to expand thesemovements and broadcast it out. Its a biggerperformance on stage but it still needs to berooted in absolute truth. I love both, but there issomething about having a live audience there.

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Drama Exercises

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Practical drama activity is a great way to look further at some of the characters, text andthemes of the play. These exercises can be done in the classroom and need no previous

experience of drama.In pairs

Read the following extract from Act 2, Sc 8, where the Prince of Morocco chooses the gold casket.Discuss with your partner what the poem says about the Prince and his choice.

Portia: There, take it, Prince, and if my form lie there,Then I am yours.

He opens the golden casket.

Morocco: O hell! What have we here?A carrion of Death, within whose empty eye

There is a written scroll. Ill read the writing.All that glisters is not gold;Often have you heard that told.Many a man his life hath soldBut my outside to behold.Gilded tombs do worms unfold.Had you been as wise as bold,Young in limbs, in judgement old,Your answer had not been inscrolled.Fare you well, your suit is cold.

Cold indeed, and labour lost.Then farewell heat, and welcome frost.Portia, adieu, I have too grieved a heartTo take tedious leave. Thus losers part.

Exit with his train. Flourish of cornets.

Portia: A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.Let all of his complexion choose me so.

A Write your own rejection poem for your chosen situation. The situation does not have to beabout love, it could be about refusing someone a job or a place in a sports team. You canmake it as clever or as insulting as you like. Read it out to the class.

B IMPROVISE: to act something out without preparing beforehand or reading a script.Think about your character and what you think he/she would say. Try and respondto your partner/group as you think your character would.

Improvise the following:

A person trying to asking his friend to lend him some money.

A young couple discuss the idea of eloping with some of their parents money.

A father discovers his daughter has run away with some of his money.

A person getting the chance to get their own back on an enemy.

A person disguises themselves as a member of the opposite sex and has a disagreementwith their boyfriend/girlfriend.


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Study QuestionsHere are some questions to help students make an analysis of

the Royal Lyceums production of The Merchant of Venice.

Describe the set. How were the two different spaces represented? What did the design tell

us about the difference in atmosphere of the environments?

How were the different areas of the set used by the actors?

Describe one male and one female costume. What did the characters costumes tell us about

the kind of people they were?

Describe the physical changes in the actor playing Portia when she is in disguise as a male

lawyer. Was she convincing as a male?

What kind of music and sound effects were used? What kind of atmosphere did it make?

Describe the lighting in the two different settings. How did the lighting effect work with the set

to build up an environment?

Choose two characters that had a relationship on stage. What was their relationship like?

Did it change? What did the actors do to show this?

These questions are to help with further study of the play.

Compare the worlds of Venice and Belmont? What is the significance of these distinct settings

in the play?

How does Portia compare to the men around her? Is Bassanio a worthy suitor for her?

Do you think Shylock is simply an evil villain? Or a sympathetic character?

Discuss the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio. What does their friendship revealabout their characters?

What is the function of the characters Salerio and Salanio?

Discuss how the trial scene reveals a conflict between justice and mercy. Is the conflict resolved?

If so, how?

In the end, how comic is The Merchant of Venice? Does the final act succeed in restoring comedy

to the play?

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Acknowledgements

This pack was researched and compiled by Libby Brown,Temporary Education Officer

Thanks to Neve McIntosh, Jimmy Chisholm, Gregory Smithfor the photos of the set model and costume sketches,Emma Cunniffe, and the Royal Lyceum Staff.

Thank you to the Royal Shakespeare Company for thephotographs of Anthony Sher (Reg Wilson RSC) andIan Bartholomew (Hugo Glendinning RSC) as Shylock.

Designed by Emma Quinn

Photos by Euan Myles

This pack was produced by the Lyceum Education Department

Any part of the pack can be photocopied.

For further information on workshops, events and a backcatalogue of packs please contact 0131 248 4834 or emailus on [email protected]

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Merchant of Venice Resource Pack

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