The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare study (Part 3)

We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it?

The skin complexion issue and racism.

If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia’s suitors give up if they fail to win her?

If Portia's suitors pick the wrong casket, he must never marry another woman.

Shylock practices ‘usury’. What is this?

The practice of interest.

Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other?

Shylock is a Jew and Antonio is a Christian. There is also the matter of Antonio spitting on Shylock, calling him a dog and kicking him.

What is Portia’s opinion of the Prince of Morocco- give examples.

He is the favourite of her suitors so far.

What am I learning? I'm learning to be able to answer questions about a text.
How does this work show my learning?
It proves I can show evidence from the text.
What am I wondering? How much racism is still in the world?

The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare study (Part 2)

Shylock is a moneylender. Does he seem eager to do business with Bassanio? How do you know?

Yes. He is eager to see if Antonio will pay out.

Which does Shylock think is safe, his business or Antonio’s? Why?

His own. Because all of Antonio's cash is at sea, there's risk of him losing it all, while his own has no risk of losing his profit.

Why doesn’t Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio?

He can smell pork, which is cursed by Jew standards.

What strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Bassanio?

Lending money on interest.

Shylock tells a bible story to prove that the taking of profit is blessed, as long as thieving is not involved. Does he convince Antonio? Give evidence.

No. Antonio points out that it was the work of God, not Jacob.

Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole catalogue of nastiness. How does Antonio answer the charges?

Antonio admits to all of them and admits he will do it again.

How does Bassanio react to the proposed bond?

He immediately tells Antonio to drop it, but he accepts it anyway.

The Merchant of Venice: Shakespeare study

Act One, Scene One

Antonio is depressed without knowing why. What two possible reasons do his friends suggest?
That he's worried his ships will get lost/sink, or he is lovesick.

Do you think Gratiano’s contributions help Antonio’s mood?
Somewhat, although Bassanio wasn't impressed with Gratiano's speech.

What are your first impressions of Bassanio?
He seems very kind and anxious about ruining his friendship with Antonio.

Is he in love?
Yes, he is in love with Portia.

Why does he need to borrow money again now?
He wants to go and woo Portia, but he doesn't have the money to do so.

Act One, Scene Two

How do Portia’s first words compare with Antonio’s?
Antonio is sad, while Portia is just done with everything.

What is the reason for her mood?
She hates all of her suitors.
Do you think Nerissa is a help to her?
Kind of. She ups Portia's spirits but can be annoying sometimes.
Sum up, in a word or a short phrase, Portia’s attitude to her suitors so far.
Disappointed.

Bullroarer

This week at Wood Tech we made bullroarers, a device that Australian Aborigines used to frighten the enemy before a battle. It makes a haunting sound that gets higher-pitched the more the edges are tapered.

We used a belt sander to shape our wood, which I don't know the dimensions of. We marked the hole for the string 15mm down from the top of our wood. A can was used for a smooth, accurate curve. After we sanded down the sides and drilled a hole, nylon string was tied through the hole. This bullroarer isn't mine, it's Nishnit's. Mine is on the roof because my string came undone...

WONDER Essay

Do you have a little sibling that you love, but always outshines you? If your answer is yes, in Wonder by R.J. Palacio, you can empathise with Olivia Pullman, August’s older sister. The readers really admire Via, and her character helped us to understand the book as a whole. This essay will be explaining how Via is a kind but ignored person in the story that wants to outshine her brother, just once.

Via is a kind and understanding teenager but is constantly underestimated and ignored by her parents. She really loves her family, but she takes things that they do out of context to make it sound like they don’t love her back. This is seen in the play incident where Via snaps at her parents after stating that she doesn’t want August to go to the play she’s performing in. This helped develop the character of Via from someone who just sits back and lets August control everything to someone who will take control of a situation so she gets to spend more time with her mother. We admire her in this situation because it shows her relationship with her family is rocky, but she knows her family loves her and would do anything to make her happy. This situation is reversed when August snaps at Via and his mother about the play. This doesn't mean Via is before her brother, though.

In her parent's list of priorities, August is far beyond Via. She does, however, get the attention she needs from her boyfriend, Justin. Justin started dating Via while they were doing a play together. Justin cares for Via a lot. An example is by stating that she's not an awful person when she says she is in the chapter of Justin's part named 'Bird'. This shows that even though Via doesn't get much love from her family, she still gets love from Justin when she needs it and it develops her character more. An incident later in their relationship that makes us admire them more is after Our Town when Isabelle and Nate, her parents, were congratulating them and Justin complimented her performance.

In Our Town, Miranda was meant to be the actor of Emily, not Via. Miranda and Via had a very rocky relationship with each other since the start of high school, but they both wanted to fix them. Via described Miranda and her other friend Ella leaving her as them 'blasting off'. Miranda and Ella jumped ship to the popular group while Via was left behind. When Miranda got back from summer camp, she made plans with Ella, but not Via. This upset Via. Some of us can relate to Via here, as we watch our friends abandon us for glory. However, they make amends by Via and her parents insisting she come over for dinner.

Via is a very nice character but doesn't get the recognition she deserves. We can understand the book better by reading her version of events and see what it's like to be the sibling of someone who is different.

Pita Pockets!

In Home Economics, we made pita pockets. We used pita bread, grated carrots, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, chicken, onion, and spring onion(Although I'm the only one that used spring onion!). 

A few of us also used sauces, like mayonnaise and barbecue sauce.

Term 2 Week 2: Word Vomit

“He looks like an escaped mental asylum patient.” I burst into laughter at Kara’s comment. I look at the man they’re pointing to and he honestly does. A suit, long grey beard, monocle, top hat. I look back at Kara, who’s still holding back laughter. The man’s face looks calming, somewhat. “Wait, isn’t that Shirley Campbell?” I look at Kara. “Cam… pebell’s!” Kara laughs, quoting a Vine. I hold back laughter again. I look back over at Shirley. He looks confused, like everything he knew has changed. I wouldn’t be surprised, he’s been missing for 20-odd years. I can’t help but look at him. Something about him just draws me in. Maybe it’s his confused yet happy look. Maybe it’s his clothes. I don’t know. But I feel the urge to help him. I go to stand up, but Kara grabs my arm. “Dude, no! I don’t need another one of my roommates going insane! Seriously, Jay!” We both laugh and I sit back down. I hope he’ll do alright.

Word Count: 170