MERCHANT OF VENICE ENGLISH PROJECT

ASSIGNMENT The conflict between Shylock, the Jewish moneylender and Antonio, the Christian merchant in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” is both religious and economic. Dwell on their enmity and explore the ways in w ...

ASSIGNMENT The conflict between Shylock, the Jewish moneylender and Antonio, the Christian merchant in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” is both religious and economic. Dwell on their enmity and explore the ways in which Shakespeare portrays the two characters to show their differences and similarities. Task 1 :- Ten things I hate about you : ➢ Write in modern English ten reasons why Shylock hates Antonio. Justify it with the corresponding quote from the text. ➢ Give five arguments on Antonio’s behalf. Task 2 :- Investigate and write a profile on both of them. Task 3 :- Research one region in the world currently suffering from religious intolerance. Determine the main causes of hatred leading to discrimination and violence in these areas. What efforts have been made to create peace between the religious groups? Present your findings in an essay of 150 words. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I, Anoushka Prasad would like to thank the school for giving me this wonderful opportunity to showcase my interest in Literature through this project. I would also like to thank my Educator, Mrs Anjali Lumba, for helping me understand the project better and guiding me throughout the making of this project. Lastly I would like to thank my Family and Friends in helping me with the material for the project and assembling of it. CONTENTS 1. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 2. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 3. BACKGROUND TO THE “MERCHANT OF VENICE” 4. JEWS IN SHAKESPEARE’S ENGLAND 5. VENICE IN SHAKESPEARE’S TIME 6. SHYLOCK’S ENMITY TOWARDS ANTONIO 7. ANTONIO’S HATRED FOR SHYLOCK 8. THE CHARACTERS : a) Shylock b) Antonio 9. SYRIA – Country of Growing Religious Intolerance 10. ANALYSIS 11. BIBLIOGRAPHY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright and actor, widely regarded as both the greatest writer in the English language, and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 39 plays. 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated