The subject matter of Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence

154 sonnets The Fair Youth sequence (sonnets 1–126) (The Rival Poet 78-86) The Dark Lady sequence (sonnets 127–152) Cupid –Greek little love god (sonnets 153–154) Love, beauty and mortality The extraordinary range of emotions explored


5. The Merchant of Venice is a play mainly highlighting the conflict between ? A. merchants and usurers B. Jews and Christians C. Men and women D. Friends and foes
Venice, Italy. A place of fabulous wealth, royal merchants, richly attired gentlemen, and refined culture. The cruel commercial and legal side of Venice, where ships are sunk at sea, fortunes are won and lost, moneylenders haggle for increased interest on the loans needed by businessmen, and the law is interpreted literally without mercy.
Key to quiz
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

C Hamlet; Othello; King Lear; Macbeth B C B
Three Notions
Renaissance 15th and 16th century England via Italy Rebirth Greek and Latin culture Humanism Humanism This life or after life Man or God Shakespearean Sonnet three quatrains (4 lines each×3) a closing couplet (2 lines) rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg) Compare it with Petrarchan sonnet (Italian)
Sonnet 29
Questions

What was the poet’s situation described in Sonnet 29? What changes everything?
The Merchant of Venice (1598)
William Shakespeare
Setting
Poet & Muse

Berger’s analysis in Ways of Seeing about the relationship between the person who sees and the person who is seen during the artistic process may shed more light on our understanding of the myth of Muse: On the one hand the individualism of the artist, the thinker, the patron, the owner: on the other hand, the person who is the object of their activities—the woman—treated as a thing or an abstraction…spectator-owners were usually men and the persona treated as objects, usually women. This unequal relationship is so deeply embedded in our culture that it still structures the consciousness of many women. They do to themselves what men do to them. They survey, like men, their own femininity. (62-63)

Protagonist and Antagonist

Antonio A merchant of Venice. A model Christian gentleman. Dignity and generosity Esteemed and loved by many friends.

Shylock Jew stereotype moneylender miserly and mean alienated from society hatred for Christians injustice and cruelty for him
William Shakespeare
He was not of an age, but for all time! --Ben Jonson
Quiz

1. The word ―Renaissance‖ means: A. refreshment B. prosperity C. rebirth 2. Do you know William Shakespeare’s four great tragedies? Write the titles down.
4. In the closing couplet of sonnet 18, ―So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.‖ Shakespeare means that A. the beloved will live in his heart forever B. the beloved will gain eternity in his poem C. both his poetry and his beloved would gain eternity
Shakespeare’s breakthrough
Artificial Direct Conventional Urgent Very literary Sincerely passionate treatment of emotionsSonn源自t 18Questions
Questions
Do you think Shylock’s insistence on his right of the flesh is rooted in his humor as he announced? Why couldn’t even 6000 ducats quench his fury? How do you understand Portia’s theory on mercy? Do you think the Christians in the play are men of mercy? Is there a tension between mercy and justice? For such Christian husbands as Bassanio and Gratiano, who is more important, their wives or their friends? Where is the climax of the play? What is justice? Is there justice for everyone in this play? What do you think of the law in Venice? Could you understand Shylock’s revenge? Do you sympathize with Shylock? Why or why not? Comment on Antonio and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. What is Shakespeare’s attitude? Yours?


3.What is Hamlet trying to decide in his ―To be‖ soliloquy?
A. If the ghost of his father is real B. If he is ready and willing to die C. If he should ask for Ophelia’s hand in marriage D. If he should confront Gertrude about her rash remarriage
Other Characters





Bassanio A beloved friend of Antonio. He is a member of the nobility. Not shown as being remarkably intelligent or imaginative. Goodness and his good nature Portia A noble woman of Belmont. Intelligent and witty Generosity and chastity Thoughtfulness and a reflective nature Nerissa Portia's maid. She acts as a cameo for Portia. Wit in her conversations. A loyal servant. Duke of Venice The ruler of the state of Venice. He is concerned about the trade and the well-being of the citizens. A merciful man.