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Merchant of Venice Characters (Antonio (Bassanio (Able to influence him…
Merchant of Venice Characters
Shylock
Jewish moneylender
Antagonist
Motivation
Hates Antonio
Lends money without interest - usurps his business
Taunted and spat on by him
Blames his friends for his daughter's dissappearance
Love of wealth
Not primary motivation - passes up money in exchange for flesh
VILLAIN OR VICTIM?
Villain :imp:
Past interpretation
Refusal to show mercy
Joy in revenge
Victim :innocent:
More modern interpretation
A3 - Explanation of why he wants revenge
Does this justify his actions??
Was his punishment fair?
QUOTES
"Hath not a Jew eyes?"
3.1
"Thou call'dst me a dog before thou hadst a cause; / But since I am a dog, beware my fangs:" 3.3
"An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven; / Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?" 4.1
Portia
Young heiress
Originally a prize, takes power in Act 4
Obedient to father's wishes, but still questions and doubts them
Has to disguise self as man in order to save Antonio
Bassanio mentions how he would sacrifice her in order to save Antonio
Able to get ring off of Bassanio
Shows her as confident and clever
Motivation
Love for Bassanio
Desire for power
POWERFUL OR POWERLESS?
Powerful
Seems to control lots of the plot
Wealth = power
Powerless
Confined to wishes of her father
Becomes husband's property
QUOTES
"Away then, I am locked in one of them. / If you do love me, you will find me out." 3.2
"O love, be moderate, allay they ecstasy," 3.2
(By Shylock) "A Daniel come to judgement! Yea, a Daniel! / O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!" 4.1
Antonio
Titular character
Play centres around his actions
Not often considered protagonist
Sad, but doesn't know why
Love?
Money?
Generous, honest
Bassanio
Fatherly?
Romantic?
"Sweet Bassanio"
Able to influence him
Travels to Venice immediately
Gives over ring
Shylock
Borrows from him, despite mutual hatred
Has insulted him, spat on him etc.
Shows some mercy to him by not taking him property
Accepts his fate
QUOTES
"In sooth I know not why I am so sad." 1.1
(By Shylock) "You call be misbeliever, cut-throat dog, / And spit upon my Jewish garbedine," 1.3
(By Solanio) "...the good Antonio, the honest Antonio-" 3.1
Bassanio
Gratiano
Nerissa
Lorenzo
Jessica
Minor Characters
Suitors
Prince of Morocco :sparkles:
Prince of Aragon :second_place_medal:
The Duke
Gobbos
Launcelot
Old Gobbo
Solanio & Salerio