The Merchant of Venice

What this unit covers

The page follows Shakespeare's play from start to finish. The summary notes are split by act: Act 1 Scenes 1 to 3, Act 2 Scenes 1 to 9, Act 3 Scenes 1 to 5, and a combined note for Act 4 and Act 5. Act 4 holds the trial, which the notes describe as the longest and most emotional scene in the play.

Where to start

If you are new to the play, begin with the notes on Act 1 Scenes 1 to 3 summary, then work through the later acts in order. Slide sets on the plot of each act sit alongside them, and there is a slide set on the background to the play.

1. Read the act summary for the section you are studying.
2. Open the slides on that act's plot to check the order of events.
3. Turn to The Merchant of Venice Character Analysis to see how Shylock, Portia, Antonio, Bassanio, Jessica and Lorenzo, and Gratiano and Nerissa fit together.

Themes, quotes and relationships

The slide set Merchant of Venice Themes opens with friendship, shown through Antonio's loan for Bassanio. Mind maps go further, with titles on mercy and justice, prejudice and discrimination, gender inequality, appearance and reality, and the courtroom scene. A flowchart called The Merchant of Venice Relationships shows who owes money to whom, who loves whom and who is related.

Flashcard decks cover quotes, vocabulary, the casket choices of Morocco, Arragon and Bassanio, and Shylock's presentation in Venice, at home and in court. Some decks are aimed at essay questions.

Using quizzes with maps

Try Merchant of Venice Key Quotes, a fill-in-the-blank quiz, after you have read a map or deck. Note which quotes you missed, then go back to the matching map or flashcards. Resources mention GCSE English Literature, so GCSE students will find plenty to use. Teachers can pick out summaries, slides and maps to share with a class.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Shakespeare strand of Literature. When you are ready, choose one act and give yourself a short quiz on it.