William Shakespare

a cura di J. Pignet
 In order to help his friend Bassanio court beautiful and rich Portia, Antonio asks Shylock, the Jewish money-lender, for a loan. As he is unable to return the sum in the arranged time, Antonio is forced to accept the agreed terms: a pound of his flesh will be cut off by Shylock! But Portia, disguised as a young lawyer, will save him very cleverly.
 This famous Shakespearian play deals with several themes, such as racial hatred, love and friendship, which are developed at the end of each chapter. 
 
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Key to Summing-up Activities.
 
 Per aiutare l'amico Bassanio a corteggiare la bella e ricca Porzia, Antonio chiede del denaro in prestito all'usuraio ebreo Shylock. Poiché non sarà in grado di restituire la cifra nei tempi stabiliti, dovrà sottostare al patto stipulato con l'usuraio: il prelievo di una libbra di carne dal proprio corpo. Ma sarà proprio Porzia, travestita da giovane avvocato, a salvarlo con astuzia e intelligenza.
 Questa famosa opera shakespeariana tratta diverse tematiche quali l'odio razziale, l'amore e l'amicizia, sviluppate nei dossier che arricchiscono il reader.

William Shakespeare

Chapter 1 – A great challenge

Extension: Cultural London

Chapter 2 – In search of happiness

Extension: Composition and Sources

Chapter 3 – The winds of fortune

Extension: Complex personalities

Chapter 4 – Claiming the penalty

Extension: The Serenissima

Chapter 5 – The trial

Extension: The Merchant of Venice on stage

Chapter 6 – Back to life

Extension: The Merchant of Venice on screen

Summing-up Activities

Glossary

1 A great challenge Chapter BEFORE READING 1 What do you know about venice? tick the appropriate answers. a. Where is Venice situated? In central Italy In southern Italy In north-eastern Italy b. What is Venice also known as? La Serenissima La Bella La Fiera c. What is typical of Venice? Avenues Canals Squares d. What is Venice famous for? Gondolas Pigeons Bridges e. Which is the heart of Venice? The Arsenal Piazza San Marco The Rialto f. What was the head of the state called in the past? Prince Doge Magnifico 2 insert the correct word choosing among the following. Crete   East   Europe   maritime   Mediterranean   metals   military   spices Venice was an important (1)............................ republic. It controlled commerce from the (2)......................................... and had important (3).......................................... bases in the (4)..................................... sea, like Cyprus and (5)................................... . Venetian merchants sent (6)............................................... and silk to England and northern (7).......................................... and imported (8)........................................ like gold, silver and lead. 3 match each word in the first column with its opposite in the second. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. living weep departure shut sad credit lend quickly 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. debt happy borrow slowly arrival dead laugh open 6 

The Merchant of Venice A great challenge 1 Chapter 1   (Act 1, Scenes I, II, III) Belmont was a large estate2 in the verdant3 hills of Veneto. On it an old gentleman had built a lovely Palladian4 villa, surrounded by a park full of trees and multicoloured flowers. At the time of our story, Belmont was famous not only in the entire region but even across the Alps and the Mediterranean sea. Portia, in fact, the only daughter of the old gentleman, was a rich heiress5 and a beautiful girl of rare virtues. So many suitors6 visited Belmont to win her hand.  Ah, Nerissa, I m very sad,  Portia complained one morning, while walking through the park with her lady-in-waiting.  I can t choose the man I like and I can t refuse the man I dislike! I am a living daughter conditioned by the will of a dead father!   Don t say so, my sweet lady,  replied Nerissa comfortingly.  Your father was a virtuous man and before dying, he was inspired by God to take a wise7 decision.  Portia s father had, in fact, thought of a lottery for his daughter s suitors: each of them had to choose from three caskets8   one made of gold, one of silver and one of lead9. One casket contained a portrait of Portia. Only the suitor who selected this casket would become Portia s husband.  Don t worry,  Nerissa went on,  the man who truly loves you will understand your father s meaning and choose the right metal.   Let s pray you re right!  answered Portia, embracing Nerissa. Then she asked the girl how many suitors were still at Belmont 1. challenge: confrontation. 2. estate: land property, domain. 3. verdant: fresh and green (of grass, plants, fields, etc.). 4. Palladian: in the neo-classical style of architect Andrea Palladio (15081580). 5. heiress: (here) woman who succeeds another in the possession of property. 6. suitor: a man who courts a girl to marry her. 7. wise: prudent and judicious. 8. casket: decorated box with locks. 9. lead: heavy grey metal. 7 

Narrativa inglese, livello B1 pre-intermedio. Questa famosa opera shakespeariana tratta diverse tematiche quali l'odio razziale, l'amore e l'amicizia.

The Merchant of Venice - Collana RAINBOWS

Level B1 • Pre-Intermediate - Collana RAINBOWS

The Merchant of Venice

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