1. New words
1.1. Word 1: Mayst
1.1.1. Definition: archaic second person singular present of may.
1.1.2. Synonym: may
1.1.3. Modern sentence: You may go to the bathroom
1.2. Word 2: Gaberdine
1.2.1. Definition: a smooth, durable twill-woven cloth, typically of worsted or cotton
1.2.2. Synonym: Garment
1.2.3. Modern sentence: Remember to wear your gaberdine
1.3. Word 3: Notary
1.3.1. Definition: a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions.
1.3.2. Synonym: Recorder
1.3.3. Modern sentance: The notary created the contract for the big case
1.4. Word 4: Spurn
1.4.1. Definition: reject with disdain or contempt.
1.4.2. Synonym: Reject
1.4.3. Modern sentence: I spurned his offer for an investment
1.5. Word 5: Cudgel
1.5.1. Definition: a short thick stick used as a weapon
1.5.2. Synonym: Club, baton
1.5.3. Modern sentence: I hit my enemy with my cudgel
1.6. Word 6: Halter
1.6.1. Definition: a rope or strap with a noose or headstall placed around the head of a horse or other animal, used for leading or tethering it.
1.6.2. Synonym: Leash
1.6.3. Modern sentence: I put the halter on my dog so I could walk him
1.7. Word 7: Follies
1.7.1. Definition: lack of good sense
1.7.2. Synonym: Foolishness
1.7.3. Modern sentence: His follies got us into a lot of trouble
1.8. Word 8: Gormandise
1.8.1. Definition: indulge in good eating; eat greedily.
1.8.2. Synonym: Engorge
1.8.3. Modern sentence: When my favorite food was for dinner I gormandised
1.9. Word 9: Amiss
1.9.1. Definition: not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.
1.9.2. Synonym: Wrong
1.9.3. Modern sentence: Your judgement is amiss
1.10. Word 10: Anon
1.10.1. Definition: Soon, shortly
1.10.2. Synonym: Soon
1.10.3. Modern sentence: I'll see you anon
1.11. Word 11: Incarnal
1.11.1. Definition: Embodied in flesh
1.11.2. Synonym: In the flesh
1.11.3. Modern sentence: The knife was incarnal
1.12. Word 12: beseech
1.12.1. Definition: ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
1.12.2. Synonym: Beg
1.12.3. Modern sentence: I beseeched him to give me more money
1.13. Word 13: Entreat
1.13.1. Definition: ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
1.13.2. Synonym: Implore
1.13.3. Modern sentence: It was almost time for the party to start so I entreated my dad to drive me there
1.14. Word 14: impart
1.14.1. Definition: make (information) known; communicate
1.14.2. Synonym: convey
1.14.3. Modern sentence: I imparted the location and time of my party to my friends
1.15. Word 15: Vehement
1.15.1. Definition: showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense. "her voice was low but vehement"
1.15.2. Synonym: Forceful
1.15.3. Modern sentence: I am very vehement about animals
1.16. Word 16: virtue
1.16.1. Definition: behavior showing high moral standards.
1.16.2. Synonym: Goodness
1.16.3. Modern sentence: I showed virtue at the dinner party last night
1.17. Word 17: Epitaph
1.17.1. Definition: a phrase or statement written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone
1.17.2. Synonym: elegy
1.17.3. Modern sentence: His daughter in-scripted her dead dad's gravestone with a charming epitaph
1.18. Word 18: Dram
1.18.1. Definition: a small drink of whiskey or other spirits (often used in humorous imitation of Scottish speech).
1.18.2. Synonym: Drink
1.18.3. Modern sentence: I got to the bar and took a dram
1.19. Word 19: Rasher
1.19.1. Definition: a thin slice of bacon.
1.19.2. Synonym: Bacon
1.19.3. Modern sentence: for breakfast I had toast eggs and 4 rashers
1.20. Word 20: Solemnize
1.20.1. Definition: duly perform (a ceremony, especially that of marriage).
1.20.2. Synonym: Perform
1.20.3. Modern sentence: After they got married, Alice Solemnized for the crowd.
2. Themes
2.1. 1. Prejudice and hatred is cyclical and difficult to escape
2.1.1. Quote 1: How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe, If I forgive him! - Shylock p.12
2.1.2. Quote 2: Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse; and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts, that he can shoe him himself. I am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith.- Portia
2.2. 2. Mercy is a necessary quality and be freely given
2.2.1. Quote 1: So please my lord the Duke and all the court. To quit the fines for half of his goods- Antonio p. 74
2.2.2. Quote 2: Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty; And where thou now exact'st the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh, Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principal; Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, Enow to press a royal merchant down And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint, From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd To offices of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.- Duke p.64
2.3. 3. It is difficult to emphasize love and loyalty over person gain
2.3.1. Quote 1: Go Gratanio, run and over take him. Give him the ring and bring him, if thou canst- Bassanio
2.3.2. Quote 2: Thou stickest a dagger in me: I shall never see my gold again: fourscore ducats at a sitting! fourscore ducats!- Shylock p.44
3. Acts
3.1. 1.
3.1.1. Event 1: Bassanio wants Portia's hand in marriage and gets credit from Antoonio
3.1.2. Event 2: Portia wants a husband, but believes that none of the lords are good enough for her to marry. However, she thinks that Bassonio is worthy of her
3.1.3. Event 3: Shylock gives Antonio a 3000 ducat bond for 3 months. If he is unable to pay this back Shylock will cut off 1 pound of his flash
3.2. 2.
3.2.1. Event 1: Portia gives the Moroccan prince a chance to marry her. He fails this when he chooses the wrong box. The same thing happens again to the prince of Arrogon.
3.2.2. Event 2: Lancelot Gobbo doesn't like the way Shylock treats him, so he strikes a deal to start serving Bassonio
3.2.3. Event 3: Jessica and Lorenzo are in love and Shylock doesn't approve because Jessica stole his expensive stones, stole 2 bags of ducats, and Lorenzo is a christian
3.3. 3.
3.3.1. Event 1: Bassonio picks the correct casket in Portia's game and they make plans to marry. At almost the same time Gratiano and Nerissa confess that they too are in love and want to marry.
3.3.2. Event 2: Antonio lost all of his ships and money. Bassanio and Portia want to pay off his debt but Shylock is more interested in the revenge than the money
3.3.3. Event 3: Shylock puts Antonio in jail and Portia wants to pay off his debts.
3.4. 4.
3.4.1. Event 1: The Duke ask Shylock to show mercy and not take a pound of Antonio's flesh, and Bassonio offers to pay double the bond to Shylock, but he denies both offers.
3.4.2. Event 2: Right before Shylock is about to take Antonio's flesh Portia dressed as Balthazar states that Shylock is not allowed to let a drop of blood spill so Shylock stopped and accepted Bassanio's offer, Bassonio takes his offer off of the table. Shylock then drops the case. Portia brings up that since Shylock threatened an Venetian's life he must give up half of his estate to the government and the other half to Antonio. He pleaded to the Duke for mercy and the duke gave it to him. Shylock only owes a fine
3.4.3. Event 3: Bassonio gives dressed up Portia the ring he promised Portia he would never part with
3.5. 5.
3.5.1. Event 1: Portia and Nerissa make their husbands feel bad about giving up their rings
3.5.2. Event 2: Portia and Nerissa reveal that they were the clerk and lawyer in the court
3.5.3. Event 3: Lorenzo is happy to hear that he and Jessica get Shylock's inheritence