1. THEMES
1.1. 1.Prejudice and hatred are cyclical and difficult to escape
1.1.1. 1. "If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good a heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach."
1.1.2. 2. "Mislike me not for my complexion, the shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun, to whom I am a neighbor and near bred."
1.2. 2.Mercy is a necessary quality and should be freely given
1.2.1. 1. "The quality of mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath."
1.2.2. 2. "But mercy is above this sceptered sway; it is enthroned in the hearts of kings, it is an attribute to God himself."
1.3. 3 Love and loyalty can be hard to overcome personal gain (money)
1.3.1. 1. "I'll have this bond; I will not hear thee speak: I'll have my bond:; and therefore speak no more."
1.3.2. 2. "If every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond."
2. ACTS
2.1. Act 1
2.1.1. 1.Antonio and his friends are discussing him recently losing one of his ships.
2.1.2. 2.Princess Portia is discussing which of 6 men to marry as her husband.
2.1.3. 3.Shylock is trying to convince Antonio to buy a very expensive ship.
2.2. Act 2
2.2.1. 1.The prince of Morocco talks to Portia about his skin color and not to judge him for it.
2.2.2. 2. Lancelot asks himself if he should leave his master Shylock with his father Gobbo talking with him.
2.2.3. 3. We meet Shylock's daughter Jessica saying goodbye to Lancelot. After this Gratiano and friends despise a plan to hook Lorenzo up with Jessica
2.2.4. 4. Scenes 5 to 9 portray Shylock as a greedy, but not mean master.
2.3. Act 3
2.3.1. 1. Salerino and Solanio help catch us up as narrators about what has happened.
2.3.2. 2. Bassanio chooses between 3 caskets winning Portia's love.
2.3.3. 3. After scene 3 it's hard to sympathize with Shylock even more that before.
2.4. Act 4
2.4.1. 1.It starts with a court room where Antonio is on trial. He didn't make up the deal with Shylock so he shall be killed.
2.4.2. 2. As Portia comes in as a doctor she convinces Shylock to take exactly one pound of flesh or he would also be put on trial. In the end Shylock decides not to kill Antonio but gets all his money taken away and turns into a christian instead.
2.4.3. 3. The act ends as Gratiano gives Portia (in disguise) Bassiano's ring breaking Portia's trust.
2.5. Act 5
2.5.1. 1. It starts with Lorenzo and Jessica comparing their love to a folktale. Stephano comes to Portia's house to tell them that she's coming back and they play music for her.
2.5.2. 2. Bassonio, Antonio, and Gratanio come in and talk about the ring.
2.5.3. 3. Everyone realizes how stupid they have been and start making up.
3. Vocab
3.1. 1. Chaste
3.1.1. Definition: Abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse.
3.1.2. Synonym: Virgin
3.1.3. Sentence: Most people decide to Chaste before marriage.
3.2. 2. Cur
3.2.1. Definition: An aggressive dog or one that is in poor condition, especially a mongrel.
3.2.2. Synonym: Mutt
3.2.3. Sentence: The man was fighting back as a Cur
3.3. 3. Usance
3.3.1. Definition: Another term for usage
3.3.2. Synonym: Usage
3.3.3. Sentence: The Usance of my money varied a lot.
3.4. 4. Continuance
3.4.1. Definition: The state of remaining in existence or operation.
3.4.2. Synonym: Existence
3.4.3. Sentence: The man was in Continuance while meditating.
3.5. 5. Cudgel
3.5.1. Definition: A short thick stick used as a weapon.
3.5.2. Synonym: Club
3.5.3. Sentence: He knocked him out over the head using a Cudgel
3.6. 6. Civility
3.6.1. Definition: Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
3.6.2. Synonym: Courtesy
3.6.3. Sentence: The man was treated with great civility
3.7. 7. Mirth
3.7.1. Definition: Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter.
3.7.2. Synonym: Merriment
3.7.3. Sentence: The party was filled with mirth
3.8. 8. Varnish
3.8.1. Definition: Disguise or gloss over (a fact)
3.8.2. Synonym: Disguise
3.8.3. Sentence: They are varnishing over the fact of the matter
3.9. 9. Withal
3.9.1. Definition: In addition; as a further factor or consideration
3.9.2. Synonym: Addition
3.9.3. Sentence: The death brought anger, but sadness withal
3.10. 10. Carrion
3.10.1. Definition: The decaying flesh of dead animals
3.10.2. Synonym: Carcass
3.10.3. Sentence: You could smell the carrion from a mile away
3.11. 11. Synagogue
3.11.1. Definition: The building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction
3.11.2. Synonym: Temple
3.11.3. Sentence: We visited a Synagogue when we visited Israel.
3.12. 12. Terry
3.12.1. Definition: A fabric with raised uncut loops of thread covering both surfaces, used especially for towels
3.12.2. Synonym: Cloth
3.12.3. Sentence: People love to use terry as fabric
3.13. 13. Surfeit
3.13.1. Definition: An excessive amount of something
3.13.2. Synonym: Excess
3.13.3. Sentence: There was a surfeit of food at the buffet
3.14. 14.Betwixt
3.14.1. Definition: At, into, or across the space separating (two objects or regions)
3.14.2. Synonym: Between
3.14.3. Sentence: He lived betwist two lives
3.15. 15. Intercessor
3.15.1. Definition: A person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer
3.15.2. Synonym: Preist
3.15.3. Sentence: I was an intercessor for my friends crush
3.16. 16. Semblance
3.16.1. Definition: The outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different
3.16.2. Synonym: Facade
3.16.3. Sentence: There was a new semblance of my life
3.17. 17. Accoutre
3.17.1. Definition: Clothe or equip, typically in something noticeable or impressive.
3.17.2. Synonym: Wear
3.17.3. Sentence: I love to accoutre before I go dancing
3.18. 18. Commiseration
3.18.1. Definition: Sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; compassion.
3.18.2. Synonym: Sympathy
3.18.3. Sentence: People need a lot of commiseration for their family
3.19. 19. Decree
3.19.1. Definition: An official order issued by a legal authority.
3.19.2. Synonym: Order
3.19.3. Sentence: The president announced his final decree on that Sunday morning
3.20. 20. Beseech
3.20.1. Definition: Ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
3.20.2. Synonym: Implore
3.20.3. Sentence: My parents kept beseeching me about my chores