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TEACHERS´ MATERIALS.
Please look at some samples of teachers materials for use in the classroom which are a great tool to help prepare your students before seeing the play
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The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s best-known plays written around 1597. It is sometimes classified in the Shakespearian sense as a “comedy” in that it has a happy ending for the characters involved in the romantic sub-plot. Nonetheless, it is often best remembered for its tensely dramatic scenes with the figure of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, one of the Bard’s most brilliant and ambiguous creations…
The “merchant” in the title is the empresario Antonio who helps financially his young friend Bassanio so that he can woo the beautiful Portia. As Antonio’s money is tied up, he seeks help from Shylock who lends him 3,000 ducats, but with a condition: Antonio must deliver one pound of his own flesh if he fails to return the money by the agreed date. There is a reason for the Jew’s cruel demand and his actions have sparked much discussion. Is he a tormented figure or is he a tormentor? Is he the victim, or the abuser? Whatever you believe, the words of the old Jew still manage to impress the sensitive reader today: Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, .....warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? ... And if you wrong us, shall we not take revenge?
Whether Shylock is to be hated or pitied is completely up to the audience. Shakespeare does not judge him and, in keeping with the Bard, The Lingua-Arts Theatre Company also allows young audience to decide for themselves.
SYNOPIS IN SPANISH
EL MERCADER DE VENECIA, escrita por Shakespeare alrededor de 1597, podría clasificarse como “comedia”, dentro del sentido shakesperiano, por su desenlace feliz en la trama romántica; pero contiene a su vez un elemento tremendamente dramático en las escenas que giran en torno a Shylock, el viejo judío usurero, una de las creaciones más brillantes y ambiguas del Bardo…
El joven Bassanio quiere conquistar a la bella y rica heredera Portia, y para ello necesita proveerse de dinero. Así que pide ayuda a su buen amigo Antonio (el “mercader” en el título), que se ve obligado a hacer un trato con el avaro Shylock, prestamista judío, que le pondrá una condición: la de devolverle una libra de su propia carne en caso de no pagarlo en el tiempo acordado.
Esta célebre obra gira en torno a dos historias entrelazadas: el amor entre Bassanio y Portia y el odio mutuo entre Shylock y Antonio, consecuencia del profundo desprecio de éste hacia los judíos, un desprecio que, por desgracia, aún persiste en nuestros días. Algunos dicen que el Shylock de Shakespeare es una víctima; otros lo ven como un verdugo. Sin embargo, las palabras del viejo judío impresionan siempre al lector sensible: ”¿El judío no tiene manos, sentidos, afectos, pasiones? ¿No es alimentado con la misma comida?... ¿No tiene calor en verano y frío en invierno, como el cristiano?... ¿Si nos pincháis, no sangraremos?... ¿Si nos hacéis daño, no nos vengaremos?"
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Bassanio, a young Venetian, would like to travel to Belmont to woo the beautiful heiress Portia. He asks his friend Antonio, a shipping merchant, for 3.000 ducats to make the journey. Antonio doesn’t have the money to lend as all of his ships are busy at sea, so Antonio approaches the Jewish moneylender Shylock for a loan.
Shylock, who hates Antonio because he insulted him for being a Jew, sets a condition. If Antonio cannot pay the loan by a certain date, Shylock will take a pound of flesh from the merchant's body. Antonio agrees and signs the contract. So now Bassanio borrows the 3.000 ducats from Antonio and leaves for Belmont.
At Belmont, Portia has many suitors. Portia's dead father, however, has indicated in his will that each suitor must choose correctly from one of three boxes – one gold, one silver and one lead. If he chooses the correct box, the one with a portrait of Portia inside, he can marry his daughter. If not, he must remain single forever. After two suitors, the Princes of Marbella and of Qatar, choose incorrectly, Bassanio selects the correct box. Portia is happy because Bassanio is the man she loves.
At Venice, all of Antonio’s ships are reported lost at sea, so he cannot pay back the money he borrowed from the old Jew. Shylock now has two reasons to be furious with Christians: his daughter Jessica has run away from home to convert to Christianity and marry her lover Lorenzo, taking with her part of her father's wealth. Shylock seeks revenge. He has Antonio brought to court insisting that the Christian merchant meet his condition: give him a pound of Antonio’s own flesh.
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At Belmont, Portia and Bassanio get married. They hear news that Antonio has been arrested. Shocked, Bassanio leaves with money from his wife to pay Antonio’s debts and try to save his life. Then Portia begins to plan in secret a way to help her husband’s friend.
Back in Venice, Shylock refuses Bassanio’s offer of 6.000 ducats (double the original sum.) The Jew insists on the pound of flesh. Then a strange young lawyer enters the scene. This mysterious “lawyer” asks Shylock to show mercy but again he refuses. The law is on the Jew’s side and Shylock can proceed. He takes a knife and prepares to cut into Antonio... |
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to woo = cortejar
heiress = heredera
to lend = prestar
moneylender = prestamista
loan = préstamo
Jew = judío
a pound of flesh = una libre de carne
body = cuerpo
to borrow = tomar prestado / pedir
suitors = pretendientes
will = testamento
box = caja
gold, silver, lead = oro, plata, plomo
portrait = retrato
to marry = casarse
to pay back = devolver
to run away = fugarse
wealth = riquezas
to seek revenge = vengarse
to bring to court = llevar a juicio
to arrest = detener / arrestar
to save his life = salvar su vida
to refuse = rechazar / negarse
lawyer = abogado
mercy = compasión / clemencia
The law is on his side = la ley esta de su parte
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ANTONIO is a wealthy shipping merchant who is owed money by his intimate friend Bassanio. He acts as guarantor for Bassanio when his friend wants to borrow three thousand ducats from Shylock. |
| BASSANIO owes Antonio a lot of money, but he wants to borrow even more so that he can court the wealthy heiress, Portia. Although he loves Portia, if he marries her, this will help him pay off all his debts to Antonio. |
| PORTIA is the heroine of the play. She is very wealthy and beautiful and is desired by many suitors. More importantly, she is extremely intelligent and her clever mind helps to save Antonio from Shylock. |
| SHYLOCK is a successful Jewish moneylender in Venice. Although he is successful, he is constantly treated badly by the Christians simply because he is a Jew. Antonio has often insulted Shylock. Shylock also suffers greatly when his daughter runs away to marry a Christian. |
| NERISSA is Portia’s lady-in-waiting (dama o doncella) and her loyal confidante. |
| JESSICA is Shylock’s daughter who hates life with her father. In secret, she converts to Christianity in order to marry her loved one, Lorenzo. |
| LEO is a servant in the house of Shylock, but he wants to leave Shylock to go and work for Bassanio. |
| THE PRINCE OF QATAR is an Arab Prince and one of Portia’s suitors. |
| THE PRINCE OF MARBELLA is a Spanish Prince and another of Portia’s suitors. |
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√ NOTES FOR TEACHERS |
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√ AN EXTRACT |
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TEACHERS’ MATERIALS.
Treatment We have decided to set our play in the PRESENT DAY so that your students can more easily identify with one of play’s major themes: RACISM (reflected in the Christians’ treatment of the Jew, Shylock). Racism is a problem which has existed since well before Shakespeare’s time, and setting the play in the 21st century helps to highlight the horrors of this universal problem. In addition, we have simplified the storyline slightly, reducing the original 18 characters to only 10 – these characters being played by 4 actors. We also decided that the actors will NEVER leave the stage - when an actor is not in a scene, he or she sits upstage, outside the main action. This way, the audiences better appreciate how the actors can change in a matter of seconds from one character to another.
Language We have simplified and modernized the 16th century Shakespearian English for the students. As such, there is very little left of the original text by the Bard as we realize it is very difficult for the majority of the students to understand (it is even difficult for natives speakers!). We have, however, maintained the famous monologue delivered by Shylock. (Please see THE EXTRACT.)
Bilingualism About 80% of the play is in English, and modern English at that. The rest is in castellano. In general the Jews in the play speak amongst themselves in Spanish (Shylock, his daughter, Jessica, and Túbal) and when they speak to the Christians, in English. All the other characters speak English, except the Prince of Marbella, who speaks both English (badly) and Spanish.
The Play’s Main THEMES:
RACE and RELIGION
MONEY and WEALTH
MERCY and JUSTICE
PARENT and CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
APPEARANCE versus REALITY
Our Material for the Classroom, prepared by experienced teachers, is aimed at highlighting these themes, as well as introducing the students - through well thought out exercises - to the important characters, plots and storyline. We also include many extracts with comprehension exercises, and fun exercises which practice the new vocabulary, such asgap-fillers, a crossword or word soups.
FOR A SAMPLE OF THE CLASSROOM MATERIAL, PLEASE CLICK HERE
TEACHERS’ MATERIALS.
Please look out the extensive teachers’ materials for use in the classroom. They are a great tool to help prepare your students before seeing the play (and for use AFTER seeing it). Read More
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AN EXTRACT FROM THE PLAY
The scene – Belmont, the home of Lady Portia. One of her many suitors, Bassanio, arrives to take part in a contest to win Lady Portia’s hand in marriage. He must choose the correct casket which contains Portia’s portrait. There are three caskets made of gold, silver and lead.
NERISSA: Lady Portia, an enormous yacht has just arrived in the harbour. Oh, it’s lovely! There’s a gentleman stepping onshore… I bet it’s another “ambassador of love.” (Enter Portia)
PORTIA: Another fool, you mean.
NERISSA: He looks very elegant. Quite young. Oh, my goodness. Quick, Madam, it’s him! It’s him!
PORTIA: Well who, for God’s sake?
NERISSA: It’s the Venetian, madam. Signior Bassanio.
PORTIA: Oh, my God! It’s him! How’s my hair? Should I wear it up? (doorbell). Damn! How is this dress? Should I change? (doorbell). Well, see him in, will you. (Enter Bassanio) Signior Bassanio, it is so good to see you again. Welcome to Belmont.
BASSANIO: A pleasure meeting you again, Lady Portia.
PORTIA: And how is Venice?
BASSANIO: Oh fine. Your home is splendid... such wonderful views.
PORTIA: I imagine you have come for the caskets.
BASSANIO: Yes. I have already signed the oath. (He produces the paper)
PORTIA: Good. Nerissa! (Portia hands her the oath) Signior Bassanio, why don’t you wait a day or two before choosing. If you choose the wrong casket, you will have to leave Belmont immediately and I’d prefer to enjoy your company first.
BASSANIO: I’m afraid I can’t. I must get back to Venice.
PORTIA: Just an idea. Well, the time has come...
Bassanio prepares to choose the casket.
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