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Tuesday 12 June 2018

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.

Shyloc
k 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.

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