1. Vocabulary (4 words from each act or 20 words in total)
1.1. Rialto
1.1.1. Definition
1.1.1.1. a central area of Venice, Italy, in the sestiere of San Polo; it is and has been for many centuries the financial and commercial heart of the city
1.1.2. Synonym
1.1.2.1. Forum (?)
1.1.3. Modern Sentence
1.1.3.1. While we traveled to Venice, we walked through Rialto.
1.2. borne
1.2.1. Definition
1.2.1.1. past participle of bear
1.2.2. Synonym
1.2.2.1. carry (can be figuratively)
1.2.3. Modern Sentence
1.2.3.1. I have borne too much on my shoulders.
1.3. gaberdine
1.3.1. Definition
1.3.1.1. a smooth, durable twill-woven cloth, typically of worsted or cotton
1.3.2. Synonym
1.3.2.1. smock
1.3.3. Modern Sentence
1.3.3.1. Drill and gabardine are fabrics made with a twill weave.
1.4. rheum
1.4.1. Definition
1.4.1.1. a watery fluid that collects in or drips from the nose or eyes.
1.4.2. Synonym
1.4.2.1. none
1.4.3. Modern sentence
1.4.3.1. His eyes filled with rheums as he spoke.
1.5. spurn
1.5.1. Definition
1.5.1.1. reject with disdain or contempt
1.5.2. Synonym
1.5.2.1. reject
1.5.3. Modern Sentence
1.5.3.1. He spurned me when I asked for a big favor.
1.6. scimitar
1.6.1. Definition
1.6.1.1. a short sword with a curved blade that broadens toward the point, used originally in Eastern countries
1.6.2. Synonym
1.6.2.1. sword
1.6.3. Modern Sentence
1.6.3.1. He stabbed me with his scimitar.
1.7. fiend
1.7.1. Definition
1.7.1.1. an evil spirit or demon
1.7.2. Synonym
1.7.2.1. demon
1.7.3. Modern Sentence
1.7.3.1. The fiend killed the children.
1.8. scorn
1.8.1. Definition
1.8.1.1. the feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable; contempt
1.8.2. Synonym
1.8.2.1. mock
1.8.3. Modern Sentence
1.8.3.1. He was incarnal.
1.8.4. Modern Sentence
1.8.4.1. I scorned him because he already failed.
1.9. reverence
1.9.1. Definition
1.9.1.1. deep respect for someone or something
1.9.2. Synonym
1.9.2.1. admiration
1.9.3. Modern Sentence
1.9.3.1. We have reverence for the first president.
1.10. incarnal
1.10.1. Definition
1.10.1.1. embodied in flesh; in human form
1.10.2. Synonym
1.10.2.1. fleshly
1.11. usurer
1.11.1. Definition
1.11.1.1. a person who lends money at unreasonably high rates of interest
1.11.2. Synonym
1.11.2.1. interester
1.11.3. Modern Sentence
1.11.3.1. The loaner was an usurer so I didn't get a loan from him.
1.12. synagogue
1.12.1. Definition
1.12.1.1. the building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction
1.12.2. Synonym
1.12.2.1. Jewish church
1.12.3. Modern Sentence
1.12.3.1. The Jew went to the synagogue to worship.
1.13. gondola
1.13.1. Definition
1.13.1.1. a light flat-bottomed boat used on Venetian canals, having a high point at each end and worked by one oar at the stern
1.13.2. Synonym
1.13.2.1. boat
1.13.3. Modern Sentence
1.13.3.1. We sailed on the gondola.
1.14. vantage
1.14.1. Definition
1.14.1.1. a place or position affording a good view of something
1.14.2. Synonym
1.14.2.1. high view
1.14.3. Modern Sentence
1.14.3.1. We got a good vantage on the summit.
1.15. notwithstanding
1.15.1. Definition
1.15.1.1. in spite of
1.15.2. Synonym
1.15.2.1. despite
1.15.3. Modern Sentence
1.15.3.1. I continued to play notwithstanding my injury.
1.16. knapped
1.16.1. Definition
1.16.1.1. shape (a piece of stone, typically flint) by striking it so as to make stone tools or weapons or to give a flat-faced stone for building walls
1.16.2. Synonym
1.16.2.1. crack
1.16.3. Modern Sentence
1.17. forsworn
1.17.1. Definition
1.17.1.1. agree to give up or do without (something)
1.17.2. Synonym
1.17.2.1. renounce
1.17.3. Modern Sentence
1.17.3.1. I have forsworn my belongings.
1.18. wedlock
1.18.1. Definition
1.18.1.1. the state of being married
1.18.2. Synonym
1.18.2.1. married
1.18.3. Modern Sentence
1.18.3.1. We have been wedlock together forever.
1.19. contrived
1.19.1. Definition
1.19.1.1. deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously.
1.19.2. Synonym
1.19.2.1. forced
1.19.3. Modern Setnence
1.19.3.1. We contrived the thing.
1.20. ingratitude
1.20.1. Definition
1.20.1.1. a discreditable lack of gratitude
1.20.2. Synonym
1.20.2.1. ungrateful
1.20.3. Modern Sentence
1.20.3.1. He showed ingratitude towards his enemies.
2. Themes (3 quotes per theme)
2.1. 1.
2.1.1. Prejudice and hatred is cyclical and difficult to escape.
2.1.1.1. 1,
2.1.1.1.1. You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own.
2.1.1.2. 2.
2.1.1.2.1. Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.
2.2. 2.
2.2.1. Mercy is a necessary quality and should be freely given.
2.2.1.1. 1.
2.2.1.1.1. The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute to God Himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this: That in the course of justice none of us Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea, Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence ’gainst the merchant there.
2.2.1.2. 2.
2.2.1.2.1. Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for?
2.3. 3.
2.3.1. It is difficult to emphasize love and loyalty over personal gain (money).
2.3.1.1. 1.
2.3.1.1.1. My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring: Let his deservings and my love withal Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment.
2.3.1.2. 2.
2.3.1.2.1. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts. An if your wife be not a mad-woman, And know how well I have deserved the ring, She would not hold out enemy for ever, For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!
3. Acts (3 key events & summarize)
3.1. I
3.1.1. 1.
3.1.1.1. Bassanio is in debt, and wants to marry Portia (to help him get out of debt), and Antonio wants to help Bassanio woo Portia i.e. raising money or credit etc.
3.1.2. 2.
3.1.2.1. Nerissa and Portia can't chose a husband for Portia, however Bassanio seems like an okay choice.
3.1.3. 3.
3.1.3.1. Shylock loans Antonio 3000 ducats (for Bassanio), and must pay them back in 3 months, otherwise Shylock gets a pound of Antonio's flesh.
3.2. II
3.2.1. 1.
3.2.1.1. Prince of Morocco went to win Portia through the caskets and chose the gold one, which was wrong so he lost.
3.2.2. 2.
3.2.2.1. Lancelot stops being a servant to Shylock and leaves for Bassanio instead.
3.2.3. 3.
3.2.3.1. Prince of Arragon went to win Portia, chose the silver casket and lost, then Bassanio arrives at her place
3.3. III
3.3.1. 1.
3.3.1.1. Solanio and Solarino have heard that one of Antonio's ships didn't make it, and Shylock gives a speech to them about how a pound of flesh from Antonio would feed his revenge (and fish bait).
3.3.2. 2.
3.3.2.1. Bassanio wins Portia through the caskets, and reveals his situation with Antonio. Portia wants them to marry first, and then she will let Bassanio go to take care of business.
3.3.3. 3.
3.3.3.1. Portia and Nerissa make a plan for Antonio's situation; they're going to dress like guys for it.
3.4. IV
3.4.1. 1.
3.4.1.1. Antonio, Shylock, the Duke, and others are at the court of justice for the case.
3.4.2. 2.
3.4.2.1. Portia and Nerissa (disguised as guys) come and trick Shylock into pretty much losing the case and owing Antonio money instead.
3.4.3. 3.
3.4.3.1. Portia and Nerissa (still disguised) trick their spouses to give the ring to them (they weren't supposed to give it away to anybody),
3.5. V
3.5.1. 1.
3.5.1.1. Portia and Nerissa confront Bassanio and Gratiano for losing the rings.
3.5.2. 2.
3.5.2.1. They give it back to their spouses, to their surprise.
3.5.3. 3.
3.5.3.1. Antonio gets the news that three of his ships have made it safely.