Author: ad3gg

Final Forwards

Portia is first mentioned in act one scene one, by Bassanio as being beautiful and sought after.  Antonio says he will help Bassanio win her affections.  Two forwards are set up here, one in that the audience wants to see Portia themselves and see exactly what Antonio will do to help Bassanio succeed.

Scene three, the last scene of act one ends with a rhyming forwarding couplet

          Antonio: Come on, in this there can be no dismay,/My ships come home a month before the day.

Scene one of act two introduces the prince of Morocco, a suitor for Portia.  He and Portia discuss the famed test that all the others have failed but we do not get to see it until later in the act.

In scene two, Grantiano insists on accompanying Bassanio to meet Portia.  It is pointed out that Grantiano is not the most civil man.  Grantiano promises to be on his best behavior.  A forward is set up to see if Grantiano will keep his promise or create trouble for Bassanio with his behavior.

In the last scene of act 2, Bassanio's arrival is announced.  We have to go to the next act to see if he passes the test we've already seen two suitors fail.

Act 3 begins with the news Antonio has been unsuccessful at sea.  Shylock hears this news at around the same time he hears about his daughter Jessica running off with a Christian.  A forward is created here to see how Shylock will exact his revenge now that he has the opportunity.

This is followed with Bassanio hearing about Antonio's misfortune just as he's won the hand of Portia.  The forward here being how Bassanio plans to save his friend.

At the end of act 4 after the major conflicts have been resolved we are propelled to read the next act when Gratiano and Bassanio, are tricked by their wives, who are in disguise, into giving up the rings they have sworn never to take off.

       Dramatic irony-the audience knows that the €˜judge' is Portia dressed as a man, and they are waiting to see when the other characters will figure this out. 

The nature of Antonio's sadness

       "In sooth I know not why I am so sad" (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 1)

The result of Shylock's grudge towards Antonio: Shylock's attitude towards Antonio is immediately negative

       "If I can catch him once upon the hip,

      I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him." (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 43-44)

Religion debate

       "I hate him for he is a Christian." (Act 1 Scene 1 line 39)

Antonio and Shylock's eventual final battle.  From their first meeting it is made clear that these two characters truly hate each other.

       "the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

      An evil soul producing holy witness

       Is like a villain with a smiling cheek." (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 95-97)

Shylock's forced conversion

       "Hie thee, gentle Jew

      The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind." (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 174-175)

Portia's wedding: she is unable to decide for herself, so she must settle for whoever her father chooses. 

       "Besides, the lott'ry of my destiny

      Bars me the right of voluntary choosing." (Act II Scene 1 Lines 15-16)

Portia hints at the three caskets in act one, but we don't actually find out what they contain until act two.

Shylock spends an entire scene deliberating before he reveals his condition for the loan.

Jessica's scene with Lancelot lets the audience know about her plan to elope with Lorenzo ahead of time, creating a sense of anticipation.

During the trial itself, there is anticipation relating to the verdict.  The audience does not know if Shylock will be punished or if he will get away with his scheme. 

Final Exposition

The differences in Shakespeare’s tests

The exposition in "The Merchant of Venice" is based on a short story: "The tale of Giannetto of Venice and the Lady of Belmont", part of the collection "Il Pecorone".  In the short story, the suitors must spend €˜a successful night in bed' with the woman as their test and the Portia character tricks them with drugged wine.  In this production both the character of Portia and the test itself are changed, and since Portia needs to be portrayed as a more wholesome Christian woman it seems fit that her test is more virtuous. 

Where are we?

                Venice, a Street

            Shylock's House

            Portia's House (Belmont)

What is it like?

                There are references that they are rich, so the location is lavish.

                Antonio: "€¦I thank my fortune for it,

                My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,

                Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate

                Upon the fortune of this present year." (Act I Scene I lines 41-44)

            Authority figures are all Christian

            Predominantly Christian society with a Jewish minority

What's the situation?

                Antonio is in a sad state, and his friends are trying to aid him. 

Bassanio is in love with Portia, but cannot marry her because of the restraints that her father has placed on her ability to marry. 

            Portia's father set up a trial for any of her potential suitors.  They must choose the correct casket: either gold, silver, or lead. 

            Shylock is a rich money-lending Jew who causes rifts within the Christian Merchants of Venice. 

            Shylock's daughter Jessica and Lorenzo wish to be married against the wishes of Shylock. 

            Bassanio already owes Antonio money.  This sheds light on their relationship, that Antonio would give Bassanio money even when he already has a debt to pay. 

What are the time and period?

            They mention trade with Asia and the Americas

            Mid 1500s-Shakespeare's time

Who are all these people?

Antonio-A merchant of Venice

Bassanio – Antonio's friend, in love with Portia;

Gratiano, Salanio, Salarino, Salerio – friends of Antonio and Bassanio;

Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica;

Portia – a rich heiress

Nerissa – Portia's waiting woman

Balthasar – Servant to Portia

Stephano – Servant to Portia

Shylock– a rich Jew, father of Jessica

Tubal – a Jew; Shylock's friend

Jessica – daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo; Jewess,

Launcelot Gobbo – a foolish man in the service of Shylock

Old Gobbo – father of Launcelot

Leonardo – servant to Bassanio

Duke of Venice – Venetian authority who presides over the case of Shylock's bond

Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia

Prince of Aragon – suitor to Portia

What have they to do with each other?

                As is stated above, they are either in business with each other or in love with each other.  Generally speaking, Antonio and Shylock are in business with each other and mortal enemies.  Portia and the rest of the women have fallen in love and try to test their lovers. 

What are they doing here?

                Many of these characters were either born into wealth or attained wealth through their own hard work, so their motivations are generally related to monetary gain.  

Exposition in The Merchant of Venice

These are the questions in Ball.  I can certainly go into more detail, but these are a good jumping-off place I think.  If anyone wants to take these questions and find more things, feel free.

Where are we?

                Venice, a Street

What is it like?

                There are references that they are rich, so I'm assuming that the location is relatively lavish.

                Antonio: "€¦I thank my fortune for it,

                My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,

                Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate

                Upon the fortune of this present year." (Act I Scene I lines 41-44)

What's the situation?

                Antonio is in a sad state, and his friends are trying to aid him.  He is in love with Portia, but cannot marry her because of the restraints that her father has placed on her ability to marry. 

What are the time and period?

Who are all these people?

Antonio-A merchant of Venice

Bassanio – Antonio’s friend, in love with Portia;

Gratiano, Salanio, Salarino, Salerio – friends of Antonio and Bassanio;

Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica;

Portia – a rich heiress

Nerissa – Portia’s waiting woman

Balthasar – Servant to Portia

Stephano – Servant to Portia

Shylock– a rich Jew, father of Jessica

Tubal – a Jew; Shylock’s friend

Jessica – daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo; Jewess,

Launcelot Gobbo – a foolish man in the service of Shylock

Old Gobbo – father of Launcelot

Leonardo – servant to Bassanio

Duke of Venice – Venetian authority who presides over the case of Shylock’s bond

Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia

Prince of Aragon – suitor to Portia

What have they to do with each other?

                As is stated above, they are either in business with each other or in love with each other.  Generally speaking, Antonio and Shylock are in business with each other and mortal enemies.  Portia and the rest of the women have fallen in love and try to test their lovers. 

What are they doing here?

                Many of these characters were either born into wealth or attained wealth through their own hard work, so their motivations are generally related to monetary gain.  

Initial Forwards in Merchant

Hey guys, I've found a few forwards in "The Merchant of Venice" and these are my initial thoughts about the production.  I think we should probably start looking farther into this play and see if we can define the exposition more. 

1.       The nature of Antonio's sadness

a.       "In sooth I know not why I am so sad" (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 1)

2.       The result of Shylock's grudge towards Antonio: Shylock's attitude towards Antonio is immediately negative

a.       "If I can catch him once upon the hip,

b.      I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him." (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 43-44)

3.       Religion debate

a.       "I hate him for he is a Christian." (Act 1 Scene 1 line 39)

4.       Antonio and Shylock's eventual final battle.  From their first meeting it is made clear that these two characters truly hate each other.

a.       "the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

b.      An evil soul producing holy witness

c.       Is like a villain with a smiling cheek." (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 95-97)

5.       Shylock's forced conversion

a.       "Hie thee, gentle Jew

b.      The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind." (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 174-175)

6.       Portia's wedding: she is unable to decide for herself, so she must settle for whoever her father chooses. 

a.       "Besides, the lott'ry of my destiny

b.      Bars me the right of voluntary choosing." (Act II Scene 1 Lines 15-16)

That's all I have for now. I hope this helps!

Given Circumstances relation to themes

Many of the given circumstances are found later on in the play as they pertain to the major characters.  This follows the theme of deception throughout the play and the idea of keeping secrets from other people to hide who you truly are.  Blanche does not want people to know who she truly is, so she hides her past and puts on a façade of the exact opposite ideals.  Stanley hides his true identity from Stella and does not tell her that he raped Blanche. 

The locations are also important in Streetcar.  The Elysian Fields reference the Grecian ideals of heaven.  This brings into question the ideas about perfection or paradise in the play.  Everyone has an ideal that they would like to reach, but it is not clear whether everyone reaches this ideal by the end of the play.

Polar Attitudes for Blanche, Stanley, and Stella

Hey guys, I decided to focus in on the Polar Attitudes and make sure we have that correct for the main three characters.  Feel free to add anything that can develop the given circumstances with the characters more clearly. 

Polar Attitudes: principal character does not change in character, but his attitudes change under pressures from forces beyond his control.  We might want to focus on the Polar Attitudes a little bit more, because they are the aspect that will really drive the play forwards.  For us to truly get all of the given circumstances for the play we need to understand the given circumstances for the characters as well. 

Stanley Kowalski

1.       How do I (the character) feel about my world?

a.       I have the ambition and drive to go where nobody else can go.  I may seem crude to some people, but they just don't understand me.  I've always been lucky and I know that that will make me successful later on in life.  I live in the now, I never think in the future and I don't let events in the past bother me. 

2.       How do I feel about my relationships?

a.       Stella is the only thing I care about.  I'm going to do whatever it takes to take care of her, but sometimes she doesn't understand that I'm in charge and I have to remind her.  Sometimes I get a little out of control, but it's what I'm supposed to do.  I don't trust Blanche and I think that she's trying to cut Stella out of the Belle Reve money.  She's a drunk and a liar and I'm going to figure out what's happening behind her Southern Belle mask. 

3.       How do I feel about myself?

a.       I'm pretty proud with what I've been able to accomplish and I know that there's something special and unique about me. 

4.       How do I feel about my prospects?

a.       The future is bright for me.  I know what I want and I know how to get it, and there's never anything that stands in my way.  I know that I'll eventually end up on top no matter what. 

Determined -If you know what you love then you'll be able to get it in the end Unmotivated-Social class has nothing to do with internal class: money is not important. 
Passionate-The love between a man and a woman will never die. Brutish-Sex is nothing more than an animalistic urge. 

 

Blanche DuBois

1.       How do I (the character) feel about my world?

a.       The world is for the socially elite.  As long as one has some semblance of dignity and one can truly maintain your reputation, the world will be fine.  Social class is of utmost importance, along with every aspect of class.  The money, appearance, and knowledge of the upper classes should not be ignored and I must make sure that I can continue my reputation as a lady; I know that everyone will respect me and take care of me.  At this point in my life I don't exactly know where I can turn; my family connections are dead or in poverty and my estate is ruined.  I have had my weak moments in the past, but I know that I am still a woman to be respected and treated daintily and nothing can change that. 

2.       How do I feel about my relationships?

a.       As far as men are concerned, they should pay attention to me and provide for me simply because of who I am and where I came from.  I love Stella and I only want the best for her, but I'm still angry that she left Belle Reve.  Stanley is low class and Stella deserves better.  Even so, I want to know what makes him tick.  Mitch is sweet, but will never be any more than just a friend.  He lacks the true qualities of a gentleman.  Shep Huntleigh, on the other hand, is everything that I ever dreamed that he would be, and if I can make sure that he is my husband, then we can live the perfect life together. 

3.       How do I feel about myself?

a.       I am sweet and sensitive and I always want to put my best foot forward.  I can only hope that people feel the same about me, and I hope that my social standing will remain constant throughout the rest of my life. 

4.       How do I feel about my prospects?

a.       At this point, prospects do not look so promising.  My husband has committed suicide and I must now live with my freshly impoverished sister.  As soon as I can find a husband who can provide for me I will be able to live the rest of my life comfortably. 

Naïve-If you appear to be innocent and naïve, no one will question you.  Untrue-Living in lies will end your reputation. 
Innocent: Women should not give in to their desires.  Guilty: Once women have given in to their desires, the attempts to cover them up will be futile. 
Hopeful: It is still possible to live in the past. Desperate: Once you have crossed certain boundaries, there is no going back. 
Beautiful-The art of being a southern belle will bring me a future.  Ashamed and Disheveled- Southern gentility is dead. 

 

Stella Kowalski

1.       How do I (the character) feel about my world?

a.       I used to live in the Laurel, Mississippi on a grand estate, but now I essentially live in the slums of New Orleans.  I know this life isn't what was supposed to happen to me, but I don't mind it at all.  I'm madly in love with Stanley and I know, no matter what he does, that he loves me back.  It annoys me that Blanche feels that she can judge my life based on what she thinks I should be.  I am perfectly fine where I am. 

2.       How do I feel about my relationships?

a.       Stanley is the most important person in my life.  I don't like being out of his presence for a second and I feel horrible when he's not with me.  Blanche is my sister and of course I love her, but she needs to figure out what's going on in her life and not judge me. 

3.       How do I feel about myself?

a.       I feel like I'm doing all right with my life as of right now.  I couldn't move away from here even if I needed to.  I love Stanley and I need to be with him and I'm carrying his child, so there's no way that I could leave this alone. 

4.       How do I feel about my prospects?

a.       Stanley is going places.  He knows that he's going to be somebody important and I believe him wholeheartedly.  I'll be there for him when he becomes successful. 

Imagination-Living the dream is possible.  Determination- Reality is difficult but you must learn to live with it.
Floating-Devotion is given to the person who loves me the most.  Loyalty-I must support everything that Stanley stands for.