Introducing Shakespeare (English) ACT 1 SCENE 1,2,3,

Notes

1. Back in Shakespeare time, People had to stand during a play as there were no chairs to sit on.
2. There were drunk and sober people watching

3. Women were not allowed to act on stage as back then it wasn't found appropriate. 

4. Props were included as well as costumes.

5. Didn't really have makeup, except for the men who had to play as women.

6. To get in to watch the play they needed to pay a penny which back then was worthwhile for a skilled worker.

7. If you paid 1 penny you were allowed in to watch but had to stand. If you paid 2 penny's you were given a seat to sit on and a roof and if you paid 3 pennies then you were given a seat in an enclosed 

8. Shakespeare plays are breaking up into ACTS and SCENES. 

9. Antonio Borrows money from Shylock who says that he won't do an interest but instead if Antonio doesn't payback for the money he borrowed in the right time then Antonio would have a pound of flesh cut out from him.

Characters

Antonio - Merchant, Christian, Lends Bassanio money he has borrowed from Shylock.
Bassanio - Wants to Mary Portia
Portia - Rich, Dresses up as a man to save Antonio
Shylock - Jew, Moneylender, Lends money to Antonio for Bassanio to marry Portia.
Gratiano - Bassanio man, Marries Nerissa
Nerissa - Portia's Maid

Act One, Scene One:

1. Antonio is depressed without knowing why. What two possible reasons do his friend suggest?
2. Do you think Gratiano's contributions help Antonio's mood?
3. What are your first impressions of Bassanio?
4. Is he in love?
5. Why does he need to borrow money again now

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1. His friends suggest that he may be depressed because all his money is at sea and he has no idea what has happened to ship with his money. They also suggest that he may be in love.

2. I would say yes and no, No because he was told to stop being a grumpy man and that it's not good for your health and yes because Gratiano was trying his best to cheer up his sad friend.

3. (Well Our English teacher picked a couple of students to read the lines of the character, I read Bassanio... this is my impression of him) A man who is not rich but yearns for a beautiful lady named Portia, so he goes to Antonio who he asks for money. My imPression on that is someone who is poor but whishes for money so he could get what he wants.

4. Is Bassanio in love? - Yes because he's head over heels for a woman named Portia's Reason of proof is that Bassanio says a line which relates to a piece of cloth which can bring back the dead, the line he said was "And her sunny locks hang on her temple like a golden fleece"

5. Bassanio needs to borrow money from Antonio So he can win over Portia and marry her

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Act One, Scene Two

1. How do Portia's First words compare with Antonio's
2. What is the reason for her mood?
3. Do you think Nerissa is a help to her
4. Sum up, in a word or a short phrase, Portia's Attitude to her suitors so far
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1. Portia's compares with Antonio's first words with mood, Both sentences gives off the same feeling, a person who is in need of help or freedom. Antonio's words are about how he is sad (Unknown why he is sad) and Portia is in a sad and mad state as she has to deal with all the suitors who are trying to marry her.

2. Portia is in a mad state as she is forced to marry a man who her father picks for her with no choice but to obey and say yes.

3. Well with the deal with the husband problem she can't really do much as she's a maid and guessing back then since women were not allowed to act or go to court, then I'm guessing maids were very limited on what they could do or say. So Nerissa wouldn't be much of help towards the husband problem. But on a

4. If I could describe one word for how Portia's attitude is towards her suitors I would say unamused
Because she knows every word to say right on the spot to insult her suitors and she's gotten sick of them.
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Act One Scene Three

1. Shylock is a moneylender. Does he seem eager to do Business with Bassanio? How do you know?
2. Which does Shylock think is safe, His business or Antonio's? Why?
3. Why doesn't Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio?
4. What strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Bassanio
5. Shylock tells a bible story to prove that the taking of profit is blessed, as long as thieving is not involved. Does he convince Antonio? Given Evidence.
6. Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole catalogue of nastiness. How does Antonio Answer the charges?
7. How does Bassanio react to the proposed bond?
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1. No, Becuase Shylock is certain that he won't get any money back as Antonio's investments are uncertain right now and anything could happen to them

2. His business becuase Antonio's has nothing to do with him, and Antonio's money is on ships which so far have not been heard from

3. Because Jews don't eat pork and the jews believe that pork its self is the devil.

4. To never lend or borrow money with interest

5.  No, he didn't convince Antonio as Antonio gave this answer from the story he was told "That Business Venture you're referring to happened... Because God made it happen like that, Jacob didn't have any control over what happened?" Meaning a reference as Shylock is saying that it was just luck that helped Jacob.

6.  He admits and Says he will do it again.

7. Bassiano disagrees with Antonios answer as he doesn't want his friend risking his life over money