The Merchant of Venice

    AQA
    GCSE

    William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' is a complex comedy that intertwines three plot lines: the bond between the merchant Antonio and the Jewish moneylender Shylock; the courtship of Portia by Bassanio involving a test of three caskets; and the subplot of Jessica's elopement with Lorenzo. The play explores the tension between justice and mercy, culminating in a dramatic trial scene where Portia, disguised as a lawyer, saves Antonio from Shylock's demand for a 'pound of flesh'. While structurally a comedy ending in marriage, the play is often categorized as a 'problem play' due to its unsettling depiction of anti-Semitism and the forced conversion of Shylock.

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    • Understand key concepts related to The Merchant of Venice
    • Apply knowledge of The Merchant of Venice to exam questions

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    • "You have a good understanding of the key themes, but could strengthen your analysis with more specific textual evidence."
    • "Your points are clear, but ensure you are directly addressing the question asked in each paragraph."
    • "Well done on using relevant quotations; now focus on explaining their significance in more detail."
    • "Consider exploring the presentation of prejudice in more depth, using Shylock's speeches as evidence."
    • "Your essay shows a strong grasp of character, but remember to also consider the play's wider context."

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