Play Card #4: Merchant of Venice

saw on Saturday, February 4, 2012; 11am at BYU

Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare
A wealthy merchant, Antonia, borrows money from a minority moneylender, Shylock, with the promise of a pound of flesh if she cannot return the money. Meanwhile, there is a princess named Portia that is searching for the right suitor to pick the right box: one is made of gold, another of silver, and the last of lead. Antonia's close friend Bassanio is a young man that wants to marry Portia. Shylock takes Antonia to court when she cannot pay back the money she borrowed. Bassanio who has picked the right box, now married to Portia, goes to defend his close friend. Portia dresses up like a lawyer and saves Antonia by putting Shylock in a strange predicament. All ends well, but Shylock--the minority--is left unsatisfied.
3 Characters:

• Shylock -- a moneylender who is disliked by many
• O: to receive justice
• T: 1) refuses to lend money to Antonia; 2) lends money only based on satisfaction that he'll get a pound of her flesh; 3) takes Antonia to court and demands justice
• Bassanio -- a young man who spends too much money and who wants to marry Portia
• O: to keep his relationships good
• T: 1) convinces Shylock to lend money to Antonia; 2) to decide wisely which box to pick to marry Portia; 3) returns to Antonia to help her in court
• Portia -- a very wealthy and beautiful young woman
• O: to marry who she wants; and to be happy with him
• T: 1) sets up elaborate box-picking choice; 2) to give Bassanio the money he needs to free his friend from bonds; 3) to dress up like a lawyer, travel, and defend Antonia in trial

Scenes/Monologues/misc:

-- i enjoyed so many monologues but could not keep track of them

-- Portia's lines were all good: when she was monologuing about how and who she wants to pick the right box; also when she is defending Antonia is impressive

-- i liked Shylok's passion when he was demanding justice

This was a very unique performance. It was in an all-around theatre where the audience is on all 4 sides and the actors perform in the center. Very entertaining. Also, because this play is a traveling play and was directed for a child audience, key aspects of the setting are improvised by the audience. For this performance:
          --Dominant Culture: Tharian                   --Money: Spices
          --Non-Dominant Culture: Curan              --Place of Business: DI
          --Town: Narnia                                         --Far Away Place: Andalasia