TMOV: 1.2-1.3

• Look at upcoming homework (acting!)

Scene 2
Observation --> Patriarchal Society and filial piety (duty from son or daughter) meant more to Elizabethan society than to ours. Always keep that in mind.

1. Does Portia have control of her situation or is she helpless? What does the language tell us?

Acting -->  How might staging influence what we see and learn from Portia?

Scene 3
Observation --> In Scene 2, the stereotypes are mentioned but then disregarded. In Scene 3, the stereotype of the Jew is brought to fruition. Interesting.

1. Is the offer of flesh in jest or serious? Is offer of friendship serious?
2. How does Shakespeare build empathy for Shylock? How does Shakespeare destroy that empathy?
3. How is Antonio becoming a Christ figure?
4. How is Shylock his own worst enemy?
5. How does Shakespeare use language to show Shylock's difference?

Acting --> How How are Shylock and Antonio working together on stage? What does their interaction look like?

End of Act 1 & beyond ...
Notice how Shakespeare has set absolute polarities: Christian/Jew, Venice/Belmont, male/female. Shakespeare takes advantage of these apparent differences in order to put in question the whole issue of difference. How are others, and otherness, related to oneself? To the notion that one has a self?