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

great actors like laurence olivier, Alec guinnes, John gielgud, peter o toole up to Dustin Hoffman and Al pacino tested their ability in this problematic role. especially after the Second World War and the Holocaust, Shylock has been viewed as the victim of a hostile society, the object of prejudice and scorn1. Bill Alexander s royal Shakespeare company production in 1987 showed venice as a cauldron of religious hate, where christians and Jews John Gielgud were equally fanatic and aggressive. Whereas, loveday ingram set his royal Shakespeare company play (2001) in victorian times and offered a more romantic interpretation. portia has attracted a number of stars, too, from Sarah Siddons in the 18th century, Fanny Kemble and ellen terry in the 19th, to Katharine Hepburn, peggy Ashcroft, claire Bloom and Dustin Hoffman with Leigh Lawson Joan plowright in the 20th. Sometimes she was presented as a spoiled2, rich girl, as a detestable hypocrite, sometimes as a woman ahead of her time and self assured and even as a quasi-divine heroine. The Merchant of Venice has inspired a variety of works and artists. in the 1880s, the French playwright and poet edmond Haracourt made a French verse adaptation of it and called the play Shylock. in the 20th century, playwright Arnold Wesker wrote his memorable adaptation The Merchant (first performed in november 1977 Katharine Hepburn in new york) where Shylock and Antonio are close friends who are forced to become enemies by the venetian laws. in Act v, Scene i   where lorenzo and Jessica are in the garden under the moonlight and discuss music   the music of the spheres inspired Serenade to Music (1938), a choral work by British composer ralph vaugham Williams. Before Testatina 2. indulged. 1. scorn: (n.) lack of respect. 2. spoiled: indulged. (n.)and lackJoan of respect. Laurence1.Olivier Plowright 72 

6 Back to life Chapter BEFORE READING 1 let s sum up the main points of the story. tick ( ) true (t) or false (F) and correct the false statements. t F a. Antonio and Shylock are at the Rialto. b. A trial is taking place there. c. Shylock s daughter is defending her father in Court. d. Doctor Balthazar is doing the cross-examination. e. Shylock is demanding his penalty for the unpaid loan. f. Antonio had to repay two thousand ducats. g. He borrowed the money to help Gratiano. h. The young man needed the money to go to Belmont. i. The lady of Belmont is a poor orphaned girl. j. Bassanio chose the right casket and married Portia. 2 Write each of the following words next to its definition. claim   Court   merchant   penalty   praise   ship   suitor   thief a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. 3 Person who buys and sells goods: ......................................................................... Means of transport by sea: ........................................................................................ Man courting a woman: .............................................................................................. Group of judges administering justice: ................................................................ Punishment for breaking a contract: .................................................................... Person who robs someone: ...................................................................................... To express admiration and good opinion: ........................................................ To demand something because you think it is your right: .............................. How many words can you find hidden in the box? they may read across, backwards or down. L O T T E R Y A M A Z R E V E N G E W H I S T L E X R Y E A R S E S A C E F L O A N S E Y R A T E S T A E S 73 

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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