This scene is known as the trial scene and is the most important scene of the play. The balance of power shifts throughout this scene and it is a scene that you should be able to direct for exam paper questions. The scene begins with the duke apologising to Antonio for the situation that he Read More …
Act 4 Scene 1 (The Trial Scene) NB: Most important scene in the play Act 4 Scene 2
Another short scene, with very little impact on the action of the play. This is a scene that lowers the tension of the play and gives the audience some respite before the action of the trial scene commences. Launcelot, who left Shylock’s service in order to serve Bassanio is now, ironically, serving his daughter Jessica Read More …
The scene moves back to Belmont again, where Portia asks Jessica and Lorenzo to rule in her absence. She tells them that she will go to a monastery along with Nerissa and stay there until their husbands return. Note that it is Lorenzo that is given the reins and not Jessica, highlighting the gender roles Read More …
This short scene takes us back to Venice, where Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh. He calls Antonio a fool that gave out interest free loans and it is clear that Shylock will take nothing but his bond. “I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. Antonio asks Shylock to hear what he Read More …
We are back in Belmont, where Bassanio is about to pick his casket. Portia is asking him to take his time, as she could lose him, if he picks the wrong casket. It is clear that Portia wants Bassanio to pick the right casket. Bassanio ignores her pleas to wait and says that waiting like Read More …
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, My name is Eoin O’Driscoll and this evening, I am here to talk to you about our new campaign to eradicate stereotyping from our society. Throughout this speech, I will give you, the audience, examples of stereotyping within our society and more importantly, the dangers of stereotyping. Let me first Read More …
After the drama of Bassanio appearing in Belmont, Shakespeare moves the focus of the play back to Venice, where Salerio has confirmed that one of Antonio’s ships has been wrecked ‘on the narrow seas.’ Shylock interrupts Salanio and Salerio, accusing them of knowing the whereabouts of his daughter. They mock the fact that his daughter Read More …
Act 3, Scene 1 Act 3, Scene 2 (Key Scene) Act 3, Scene 3 Act 3, Scene 4 Act 3, Scene 5
In the final scene of Act 2, we are brought back to Belmont, where the Prince of Arragon has come to try his luck with the lottery for Portia’s hand. Portia tells the Prince to make his pick and that if he picks the right casket, they will be married immediately, but if he chooses Read More …