Month: March 2017

It was a Saturday in the month of May. Westfield shopping centre was packed. The family of four had just been to look at the new release of the iPhone 7. The family consisted of The father, Michael, The Mother Tracy and the two sons Aaron and Joe. The sons were both 11 years of age and had a love hate relationship. They would argue for hours, refusing to speak with each other for days. It was like a competition, they both wanted to be better than the other.

All four of them walked around the shopping centre for a couple of hours poking their heads into different shops, seeing if anything caught their attention. In the distance the two boys instantly spotted a bundle of multi-coloured balloons, they looked at each other and sped off racing each other to see who could get their the first. The parents turned around to ask the boys if they wanted to grab something to eat but they had already disappeared into the crowd. They both started pushing and shoving everything in their way, sidestepping objects in their path. After minutes of anxiety overwhelming the two parents, they eventually found the two boys  carrying their balloons.

In extract 2 Shylock explains to Antonio that  he hates him for he is a Christian. This shows us that that Shylock has a disgust for Christian’s as maybe they judge him for he is a Jew and they are looked upon. Because he says this, it automatically presents himself as a villain and someone who dislikes people becuase of what they are. Throughout the play he is verbally assaulted by the rest of the characters becuase he is a Jew. I believe they do taunt becuase of his beliefs however his actions also play a part in why people dislike him. He is manipulative and tries to prevent people from achieving happiness. An example of this is where he gives Antonio a loan of 3000 ducats however Shylock sets a consequence if Antonio can’t repay the moneylender, knowing the merchant  is in debt because of the high maintenance of his ships. Out of everything he could choose from he decides to ask for a pound of flesh. This would cause Antonio great pain throughout the remainder of his life and make him partly disabled. In extract 3 Antonio calls Shylock a cut-throat dog. This is a metaphor meaning he would do anything for success. I believe Shakespeare uses this metaphor to explain the complex situation in a more understandable way and so the audience can see what Shylock is like from another characters point of view.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_gateway_pre_2011/forces/fallingrev1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_gateway_pre_2011/forces/fallingrev1.shtml

Act 1 Scene 1: Antonio complains to Salarino and Solanio that he has been struck by sadness and is clueless to why. His friends suggest reasons why he is feeling in such a way. One reason from Salarino and Salanio is his sadness is due to his investments into serveral ships which have been sent out to different ports. Salarino states that it is impractical for Antonio not to feel sad of the thought of the ocean sinking his whole investment.

Act 1 Scene 2:  In Belmont Portia explains to Nerissa  that she is weary of the world as her dead fathers will says she cant decide for herself who she marries. Instead the suitors (men who want to marry Portia) have to choose between three caskets made of lead, silver and gold. Whoever guesses right will take Portia’s hand in marriage no matter what.

Act 1 Scene 3: Antonio is in need of money and has asked Shylock for 3000 ducats. However Shylock has a lack of faith in the safety of Antonio’s Ships but has still agreed to lend him the money. Bassanio tries to convince Shylock that Antonio will guarantee the loan, but Shylock is uncertain because Antonio’s money is currently invested in his ships which may fail. Shylock eventually decides to go ahead and lend Antonio the money despite having hatred for the man which he later confesses.

Act 2 Scene 1: In Belmont the prince of Morocco arrives in an attempt to win Portia’s hand in marriage. The prince tells Portia not to judge him by the complexion of his skin, stating that he is no different to any other man with a lighter complexion. Portia reminds the prince that her own opinion doesn’t matter, since the process of winning her (picking the right casket) is the method of her fathers choice and she has no option or say. This also means the prince is equal to any other suitor and has the same chance as them. Portia strongly reminds Morocco that the penalty for choosing incorrectly is that he must remain unmarried for the rest of his life.

Act 2 Scene 2: Lancelot, who is a servant of Shylock, is deciding to flee from his keeper. Part of him wants to leave and run away while his good nature and concience convince him to stay. Launcelot has no problems with Shylock however he dislikes the fact that his master is jewish. Old Gobbo enters (Lancelot’s father) who is unfortunately blind. Seeing as Launcelot is seen as a clown he decides to pull a prank on his old man. Because his father cannot see he doesn’t recognise his son so Lancelot decides to give him false and confusing directions, he even goes to the extent as announcing he (Launcelot) is dead. When Launcelot admits he is present his father doubts him but soon after he persuades him that it is actually him. Launcelot explains to his father that he is leaving Shylocks enrolment in hope to work for Bassanio. Bassanio enters and after hearing young Gobbo’s offer he agrees on employing him.

Act 2 Scene 3: Jessica,Shylocks daughter, says her farewells to Lancelot and tells him that his existence made life more tolerable. She then hands him a letter to give to Lorenzo,her future husband, and Lancelot exists. Jessica then performs dramatic irony by confessing she feels guilty for being embarrassed of Shylock. Jessica hopes to leave her relationship with her father behind by marrying Lorenzo and convert into a Christian.

Act 2 Scene 4: Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salarino and Solanio debate on a plan to get Jessica with Lorenzo. Gratiano is worried as he thinks they are not ready to assemble, but Lorenzo promises they have enough time to complete their mission. Lancelot enters with the letter. Lorenzo then orders Lancelot to return to Jessica to tell her that her that Lorenzo will not let her down and his plan will be a success. Jessica will escape by disguising herself as a man.

Antonio explains that he is depressed. Solanio and Salerio volunteer reasons why he is acting in such a way; They suggest that he is worried about the safety of his ships, in which he has spent a large sum of money on their maintenance. “And such a want-wid sadness makes of me, that i have much ado to know myself”. He then replies with ” Your mind is tossing on the ocean, there where your argosies with portly sail”. This means that Antonio is overthinking about his ships and worrying too much.

Act 1 Scene 3: Shylock doubts the security of Antonio’s ships, but seems willing to lend the money. He tells the audience that he hates Antonio for a variety of reasons, and intends to harm if he can.

Act 2 Scene 1:  The prince of Morocco arrives to attempt to win Portia’s hand in marriage. Portia stresses that she must obey her dead fathers will and marry the man who solves the riddle of the caskets. Portia reminds Morocco that he must make his choice of the caskets after dinner.

Act 2 Scene 2: