Tuesday May 20

Today we are going to official start Merchant of Venice.

Here are the questions we are going to work on in class together:

1. Usually, Shakespeare opens his plays with something exciting. Is this an exciting opening? Why choose to open a comedy like this?

2. Why is Antonio so sad, by the way?

3. What does Salerio actually say in the opening scene anyway?

4. Judging by what is mentioned, where has Antonio sent ships to?

5. Why is Bassanio there? What promise is he fulfilling in this scene?

6. What is an “allusion” again? To what is the reference of “Prodigal”?

7. Wait… Who does Bassanio owe money to?

And hold on to them, I will be publishing the due dates and the unit for tomorrow!

We will be going through the script togehter, and watching at least one version of the film, too!

Woot Shakespeare!