Hello all,Lots of you missed the fun of today's lesson, where we looked at one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches, because of the music recital. The contents from the lesson will be posted by SD overnight as he is today's blogger.
Thursday's lesson will involve looking at this scene (III, i) more closely. This is because some people think it is the key to understanding Shylock's actions (which you are going to examine in an essay soon enough!)
First, look again at I iii ll 40 - 130, and remind yourself of the injustices Shylock has already suffered. If you didn't write these down during an earlier lesson, do so now.
Next, find and copy out the line in II, iv which shows that Shylock loves his daughter and would make great sacrifices for her. Hint - it's after line 30! Remember towards the end of II viii we learn Jessica has left Shylock, leaving him crying "My Daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter ... My ducats and my daughter!"
Now answer the following questions from III i:
- How do you feel about Shylock's double loss - daughter and ducats? Copy out some of the lines which you think show his hurt, his rage, and his complete loneliness.
- Which of his losses does he mention first? Which do you think causes him more pain?
- Quote two further examples of his being insulted by Christians in this scene (hint- he says quite a few in his speech)
- Quote the line where Shylock first mentions "revenge".
- The main speech (ll 49 - 70) teaches us that we are all the same beneath our religions, that we are made from the same "flesh and blood". Do you agree with Shylock? Or is it more complex than that?
- Shylock has been bullied, abused and now his daughter and his money is gone. To what extent do you feel sorry for him? Justify your answer with your own opinions
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