Knowledge
2) Shylock - A Jewish moneylender in Venice. Angered by his mistreatment at the hands of Venice’s Christians, particularly Antonio, Shylock schemes to eke out his revenge by ruthlessly demanding as payment a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
Portia - A wealthy heiress from Belmont. Portia’s beauty is matched only by her intelligence. Bound by a clause in her father’s will that forces her to marry whichever suitor chooses correctly among three caskets, Portia is nonetheless able to marry her true love, Bassanio.
Antonio - The merchant whose love for his friend Bassanio prompts him to sign Shylock’s contract and almost lose his life. Antonio is something of a mercurial figure, often inexplicably melancholy and, as Shylock points out, possessed of an incorrigible dislike of Jews.
Bassanio - A gentleman of Venice, and a kinsman and dear friend to Antonio. Bassanio’s love for the wealthy Portia leads him to borrow money from Shylock with Antonio as his guarantor. An ineffectual businessman, Bassanio proves himself a worthy suitor, correctly identifying the casket that contains Portia’s portrait.
Gratiano - A friend of Bassanio’s who accompanies him to Belmont. A coarse and garrulous young man, Gratiano is Shylock’s most vocal and insulting critic during the trial. While Bassanio courts Portia, Gratiano falls in love with and eventually weds Portia’s lady-in-waiting, Nerissa.
Jessica - Although she is Shylock’s daughter, Jessica hates life in her father’s house, and elopes with the young Christian gentleman, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo - A friend of Bassanio and Antonio, Lorenzo is in love with Shylock’s daughter, Jessica. He schemes to help Jessica escape from her father’s house, and he eventually elopes with her to Belmont.
Nerissa - Portia’s lady-in-waiting and confidante. She marries Gratiano and escorts Portia on Portia’s trip to Venice by disguising herself as her law clerk.
Launcelot Gobbo - Bassanio’s servant. A comical, clownish figure who is especially adept at making puns, Launcelot leaves Shylock’s service in order to work for Bassanio.
The prince of Morocco - A Moorish prince who seeks Portia’s hand in marriage. The prince of Morocco asks Portia to ignore his dark countenance and seeks to win her by picking one of the three caskets. Certain that the caskets reflect Portia’s beauty and stature, the prince of Morocco picks the gold chest, which proves to be incorrect.
The prince of Arragon - An arrogant Spanish nobleman who also attempts to win Portia’s hand by picking a casket. Like the prince of Morocco, however, the prince of Arragon chooses unwisely. He picks the silver casket, which gives him a message calling him an idiot instead of Portia’s hand.
Salarino - A Venetian gentleman, and friend to Antonio, Bassanio, and Lorenzo. Salarino escorts the newlyweds Jessica and Lorenzo to Belmont, and returns with Bassanio and Gratiano for Antonio’s trial.
Solanio - A Venetian gentleman, and frequent counterpart to Salarino.
The duke of Venice - The ruler of Venice, who presides over Antonio’s trial. Although a powerful man, the duke’s state is built on respect for the law, and he is unable to help Antonio.
Old Gobbo - Launcelot’s father, also a servant in Venice.
Tubal - A Jew in Venice, and one of Shylock’s friends.
Doctor Bellario - A wealthy Paduan lawyer and Portia’s cousin. Doctor Bellario never appears in the play, but he gives Portia’s servant the letters of introduction needed for her to make her appearance in court.
Balthasar - Portia’s servant, whom she dispatches to get the appropriate materials from Doctor Bellario.
7) The story took place in Venice and Belmont.
9) All's Well That Ends Well
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Cymbeline
Love's Labours Lost
Measure for Measure
The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Merchant of Venice
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Troilus and Cressida
Twelfth Night
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Winter's Tale
Henry IV, part 1
Henry IV, part 2
Henry V
Henry VI, part 1
Henry VI, part 2
Henry VI, part 3
Henry VIII
King John
Richard II
Richard III Antony and Cleopatra
Coriolanus
Hamlet
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Macbeth
Othello
Romeo and Juliet
Timon of Athens
Titus Andronicus
Comprehension
12) Shylock demanded a pound of flesh from Antonio when his ships did not return to port on time and was rumored to have been wrecked, despite the fact that many people plead to spare Antonio's life. I did not like this as it showed that Shylock was a very cruel and inhumane person, and I was also disgusted by what he demanded.
18) In the first illustration, Antonio was holding Bassanio's hand with one hand and putting his other hand on his shoulder, and it looks like Antonio is assuring Bassanio that he would lend him the money he needed to woo Portia.
20) The merchant in "The Merchant of Venice" refers to Antonio, a prominent businessman in Venice with a good reputation, who is also the main character of the book. The title is titled so as it revolves around Antonio being unable to pay off his debt.
Application
27) I learnt to appreciate and cherish friendships more, as I may lose them anytime. I learnt what true friends really are like, true friends should be willing to take risks for their friends' sake, and help them whenever they need, just like Antonio willing to risk one pound of flesh to borrow some money to help Bassanio woo Portia. I learnt not to discriminate against other people of a different religion, as hatred will start to grow and spread, causing a lot of trouble, just like the hatred between Antonio and Shylock.
29)
Dear Jack,
I hope you have been well. It has been some time since we last met. Today, I am writing to you to recommend you a good book that I have just finished reading. The book is titled "The Merchant of Venice", a play written by William Shakespeare, a famous playwright and actor in the 16th century. This book is about Antonio, a venetian merchant, borrowing some money from a sly moneylender, Shylock, to lend his friend, Bassanio, to go and woo Portia, the daughter of a rich man. Shylock demands for a pound of Antonio's flesh if Antonio fails to pay him back. Soon after, Antonio realised he could not pay him back and Shylock demands for the pound of flesh, and both of them goes to court to settle the dispute. I will not tell you how the play ended, so go and read the book yourself. I can promise you that once you start reading, you will not be able to put down the book. So go and have fun reading the book, and maybe you can share with me what you think of the book after you have finished reading it!
Regards,
Leow Wei Sheng
32) If the book occurred two hundred years ago, the book would have to be filled mainly with pictures and made up of few and simple words or phrases. This is due to the fact that the people at that time had no or little education and most of the people could not read. However, they would be able to understand the play through the detailed pictures in the book. There would also be no need to include annotations on facing pages, as people at that time were still using the same kind of english that Shakespeare used during the Elizebethan era.
Analysis
34) The Elizebethan era is very different from today. The most obvious difference may be the fact that we have modern technology and a general cleanliness in where we live today. Our standard of living is also much higher than the Elizebethans. Another difference is that now we are not governed by a single king or queen, instead we are governed by a group of people in the parliament. However, there are still similarities. Today, the society still consists of social classes which divides the society unfairly, in which the rich can live a luxurious life while the poor must work very hard to even earn enough to support themselves.
40) Antonio's friend Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress who lives in the city of Belmont. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan in order to travel in style to Portia’s estate. Antonio agrees, but is unable to make the loan himself because his own money is all invested in a number of trade ships that are still at sea. Antonio suggests that Bassanio secure the loan from one of the city’s moneylenders. In Venice, Antonio and Bassanio approach Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, for a loan. He offers to lend Bassanio three thousand ducats with no interest. Shylock adds, however, that should the loan go unpaid, Shylock will be entitled to a pound of Antonio’s own flesh. Despite Bassanio’s warnings, Antonio agrees. Shylock later rejoices in the fact that Antonio’s ships are rumored to have been wrecked and that he will soon be able to claim his debt. Bassanio arrives at Portia’s estate, and they declare their love for one another. Bassanio immediately picks the correct casket, which is made of lead. He and Portia rejoice, and Gratiano confesses that he has fallen in love with Nerissa. The couples decide on a double wedding. Portia gives Bassanio a ring as a token of love, and makes him swear that under no circumstances will he part with it. The celebration, however, is cut short by the news that Antonio has indeed lost his ships, and that he has forfeited his bond to Shylock. Bassanio and Gratiano immediately travel to Venice to try and save Antonio’s life. Shylock ignores the many pleas to spare Antonio’s life, and a trial is called to decide the matter. In the end Shylock lost and he converts to Christianity. Finally, news arrives that Antonio's ships have in fact made it back safely.
41) The last book I read was "The Floating Islands". The book is a story while "The Merchant of Venice is a play. The book was written in the 21st century while the play was written in the 16th century. The book is a fantasy while the play is a comedy. The two main characters in the book are Trei and Araene, and I will compare them. Trei is a very practical boy while Araene is a very sarcastic girl. Trei dreams to be a kajuraihi while Araene dreams to be a chef. Trei achieved his dream while Araene did not. However, there are similarities too. Trei and Araene, are both in their own way caught between dueling cultures. Trei is literally caught between two nations, his mixed heritage keeping him from truly belonging to either, and yet he feels a conflicted loyalty towards both; Araene is caught between her abilities and her gender, in a society where women are not supposed to exercise their ambitions, she is both driven by her talent and stifled from exercising it freely. Both Trei and Araene are very brave and smart too.
Synthesis
48)
Act 1 Scene 1 to Act 2 Scene 9 -- Portia, My Love
Act 3 Scene 1 to Act 4 Scene 1 -- Saving Antonio
Act 4 Scene 2 to Act 5 Scene 1 -- The Truth Is Revealed
50) Hi little boy, I am a librarian. Do you like this book, "The Merchant of Venice"? I strongly recommend you to borrow this good book. "The Merchant of Venice", a play written by William Shakespeare, a famous playwright and actor in the 16th century. It is about Antonio, a venetian merchant, borrowing some money from a sly moneylender, Shylock, to lend his friend, Bassanio, to go and woo Portia, the daughter of a rich man. Shylock demands for a pound of Antonio's flesh if Antonio fails to pay him back. Soon after, Antonio realised he could not pay him back and Shylock demands for the pound of flesh, and both of them goes to court to settle the dispute. I will not tell you how the play ended, so borrow this book and read it! I read this book before and I can promise you that once you start reading, you will not be able to put down the book! I need to go and work now, so bye little boy!
52) Hi listeners! Today, I am going to recommend you guys a book! The book is titled "The Merchant of Venice", a play written by William Shakespeare, a famous playwright and actor in the 16th century. This book is about Antonio, a venetian merchant, borrowing some money from a sly moneylender, Shylock, to lend his friend, Bassanio, to go and woo Portia, the daughter of a rich man. Shylock demands for a pound of Antonio's flesh if Antonio fails to pay him back. Soon after, Antonio realised he could not pay him back and Shylock demands for the pound of flesh, and both of them goes to court to settle the dispute. I will not tell you how the play ended, so go and buy the book. The book is available in many major bookstores. I have read this book before and I can promise you that once you start reading, you will not be able to put down the book! Maybe you guys can even call the radio station and share with everyone what you think of the book after you have finished reading it!
Evaluation
59) I will save Antonio in the event of a disaster. Antonio is a very helpful person and is willing to risk himself to help his friends, as shown in "The Merchant of Venice", when he risked his life to borrow money from Shylock to help Bassanio woo Portia. If I save him, I may become friends with him and in the future, he may help me when I am in need of help.
60) The title is a good one. The merchant in "The Merchant of Venice" is Antonio and the whole book revolves around the main conflict of Antonio borrowing money from Shylock and finding himself unable to pay him and Shylock wanting his life in exchange for the money. Since Antonio is the main character, the title should be related to him. The title "The Merchant of Venice", also makes the reader be interested in the book as the reader will be curious to find out who the "merchant" is and thus read the book to find out.
61) I will choose Antonio as a friend. Antonio is a very helpful person and is willing to risk himself to help his friends, as shown in "The Merchant of Venice", when he risked his life to borrow money from Shylock to help Bassanio woo Portia. If I become his friend, he might treat me just like how he treated Bassanio, and help me when I need help.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Environmental Studies
Environmental studies are about studying human interaction with the environment. It is a broad field of study which includes the natural environment and the built environment, and the relationships between them. I agree that environmental studies should be made a compulsory part of the science curriculum, as we should start from young in the saving of Earth. If we realise the consequences of global warming since young, we can go green earlier too.
Firstly, environmental studies can help to teach students about global warming, both the consequences and the solutions. Students will be more aware about global warming and they can even start to go green from a young age. When they grow up they will know even more what they can do to save the Earth. The students, knowing the consequences and solutions of global warming, may be motivated to save the Earth and also motivate other people to save it. There will be a chain reaction and soon there will be many people trying to save the Earth by going green. We can also think up of better solutions to aid in saving the Earth, thus contributing even more.
Secondly, environmental studies can help students develop good habits that can help to save the Earth by conserving energy. The habits may develop after the students decide to save the Earth. The habits include turning off electrical appliances when not in use, taking a shower instead of a bath and walking or cycling to a place instead of riding a car there. The good habits may even follow someone for life.
Thirdly, environmental studies can develop students into more responsible people. They will be instilled with the sense of responsibility to save the Earth from global warming, and will do their part to help. The sense of responsibility may not only be only for saving the Earth, but rather, it can be extended to other parts of their lives too.
In conclusion, I agree that environmental studies should be made mandatory in the science curriculum as there are many advantages of this. Everyone should also start from young in saving the Earth.
Firstly, environmental studies can help to teach students about global warming, both the consequences and the solutions. Students will be more aware about global warming and they can even start to go green from a young age. When they grow up they will know even more what they can do to save the Earth. The students, knowing the consequences and solutions of global warming, may be motivated to save the Earth and also motivate other people to save it. There will be a chain reaction and soon there will be many people trying to save the Earth by going green. We can also think up of better solutions to aid in saving the Earth, thus contributing even more.
Secondly, environmental studies can help students develop good habits that can help to save the Earth by conserving energy. The habits may develop after the students decide to save the Earth. The habits include turning off electrical appliances when not in use, taking a shower instead of a bath and walking or cycling to a place instead of riding a car there. The good habits may even follow someone for life.
Thirdly, environmental studies can develop students into more responsible people. They will be instilled with the sense of responsibility to save the Earth from global warming, and will do their part to help. The sense of responsibility may not only be only for saving the Earth, but rather, it can be extended to other parts of their lives too.
In conclusion, I agree that environmental studies should be made mandatory in the science curriculum as there are many advantages of this. Everyone should also start from young in saving the Earth.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Global Warming
1) There are many solutions to global warming, and the main idea is about using renewable energy and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, since carbon dioxide contributes the most to global warming. Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat that will naturally replendish and never run out. We can build more solar power plants, wind farms, geothermal stations or hydroelectric dams to harness the energy. To reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we can plant more trees and stop deforstation. We can also reduce, reuse and recycle. This way we will be able to stop global warming from getting worse and maybe even reverse the effect of global warming.
2) Singaporeans can play an active role in saving the planet. We can reduce, reuse and recycle. We can do our individual part too to reduce our carbon footprint. We can reuse plastic bags, walk or cycle whenever possible, turn off electircal appliances when not in use, or just switching to public transport instead of driving our own cars. All these will help in saving the planet.
3) The school can organise talks for the students to educate them on the consequences of global warming and how to play a part in saving the planet. Being educated since young will enable students to put to use their knowledge when they grow up. The school can encourage students to reuse, reduce and recycle more. Posters can also be put up all around the school to remind students. This way the students can also protect the planet.
2) Singaporeans can play an active role in saving the planet. We can reduce, reuse and recycle. We can do our individual part too to reduce our carbon footprint. We can reuse plastic bags, walk or cycle whenever possible, turn off electircal appliances when not in use, or just switching to public transport instead of driving our own cars. All these will help in saving the planet.
3) The school can organise talks for the students to educate them on the consequences of global warming and how to play a part in saving the planet. Being educated since young will enable students to put to use their knowledge when they grow up. The school can encourage students to reuse, reduce and recycle more. Posters can also be put up all around the school to remind students. This way the students can also protect the planet.
Diary Entry
Dear Diary,
My sister was arrested yesterday for driving. I feel so depressed. Why should she be arrested just for driving? Why is driving even inappropriate for women? If women knows how to drive, why not? Even though my religion forbids women from driving, I still allowed my sister to drive yesterday, as I thought I should support my own sister's cause for achieving more rights for women. If she really helped women achieve more rights, she will be regarded a national heroine by women! However, what happened yesterday was a complete disaster, and she is no closer to achieving more rights for women...
Yesterday she wanted to borrow my car to drive around the city to protest. I agreed of course as since I am her brother, I must support her. With me accompanying her, she set off in my Prius. We drove around the metropolis, and she waved at women during red lights. Probably this attracted the attention of the police, as soon after there were police cars chasing after us. Eventually we were surrounded by the police cars and we came out of the car, raising both hands in the air. There were a huge crowd of people around us, watching the commotion. Some people were even jeering at us, though I think they were jeering mostly at me for supporting women's rights when I should be against it, and at me for being unfaithful towards my religion. Anyway, we were taken to a police station and detained and strangely released soon after. However, last night the police officers came again and took my sister away. My sister tried to put up a fight but was eventually overcame by the police officers. I could only watch in utter hopelessness as I saw my sister being taken away with my own eyes, right in front of me.
I feel so guilty and angry with myself! I should have protected my sister! She did nothing wrong! She merely drived! I am beginning to doubt my faith in my religion. My religion is so unfair! Women are as capable as men, the religious leaders must be able to see that! They are so stubborn in their views! I wonder when my sister will be released, but I hoped she will be released soon! There must be equality!
My sister was arrested yesterday for driving. I feel so depressed. Why should she be arrested just for driving? Why is driving even inappropriate for women? If women knows how to drive, why not? Even though my religion forbids women from driving, I still allowed my sister to drive yesterday, as I thought I should support my own sister's cause for achieving more rights for women. If she really helped women achieve more rights, she will be regarded a national heroine by women! However, what happened yesterday was a complete disaster, and she is no closer to achieving more rights for women...
Yesterday she wanted to borrow my car to drive around the city to protest. I agreed of course as since I am her brother, I must support her. With me accompanying her, she set off in my Prius. We drove around the metropolis, and she waved at women during red lights. Probably this attracted the attention of the police, as soon after there were police cars chasing after us. Eventually we were surrounded by the police cars and we came out of the car, raising both hands in the air. There were a huge crowd of people around us, watching the commotion. Some people were even jeering at us, though I think they were jeering mostly at me for supporting women's rights when I should be against it, and at me for being unfaithful towards my religion. Anyway, we were taken to a police station and detained and strangely released soon after. However, last night the police officers came again and took my sister away. My sister tried to put up a fight but was eventually overcame by the police officers. I could only watch in utter hopelessness as I saw my sister being taken away with my own eyes, right in front of me.
I feel so guilty and angry with myself! I should have protected my sister! She did nothing wrong! She merely drived! I am beginning to doubt my faith in my religion. My religion is so unfair! Women are as capable as men, the religious leaders must be able to see that! They are so stubborn in their views! I wonder when my sister will be released, but I hoped she will be released soon! There must be equality!
Women's Rights
1) The treatment of women's rights in Saudi Arabia is very unfair. It should allow women to drive, or vote, or simply have more freedom like the other countries in the world. Not letting women to have more rights is like looking down on them, thinking that they cannot take care of themselves. Women can not only take care of themselves, but also lead people too. A good exmple will be Angela Merkel, the current Chancellor of Germany. Since men have rights, women should have equal rights too, and not be treated unfairly, thus I do not agree with the treatment of women's rights in Saudi Arabia.
2) I think the use of social media has been an advantage to the women in Saudi Arabia. It helped to gather women together and plan and prepare about the strikes that they want to hold. It can also help to garner the support of other people, such as human rights activists. The social media thus also becomes a platform for the women to voice their anger and their thoughts to the public.
3) The women's rights problem can be solved by making the religious leaders and the government meet together and reach a compromise regarding the rights of women. Both parties should give in to each other instead of being stubborn in their views. The men should be more open to change. In the end everyone will lose some, and both parties should be honorable enough to accept the change.
2) I think the use of social media has been an advantage to the women in Saudi Arabia. It helped to gather women together and plan and prepare about the strikes that they want to hold. It can also help to garner the support of other people, such as human rights activists. The social media thus also becomes a platform for the women to voice their anger and their thoughts to the public.
3) The women's rights problem can be solved by making the religious leaders and the government meet together and reach a compromise regarding the rights of women. Both parties should give in to each other instead of being stubborn in their views. The men should be more open to change. In the end everyone will lose some, and both parties should be honorable enough to accept the change.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Reflection on Research
My impression of Shakespeare and his works is that he is someone who writes plays and acts in them just to entertain people and earn a living for himself. However, I must agree that he is very creative and full of imagination to be able to write such interesting plays, be it tragedy, romance or comedy plays. There must be a reason why he bacame so famous! His usage of English is also great, thus helping to standardize the English Language. He is so famous that his plays are still acted again and again long after his death. Even though I do not really understand what he is writing, some of the meaning of the words or descriptions he used are pretty obvious to me and I can comprehend them without the use of the guide (in the case of "The Merchant of Venice").
The Elizebethan era is very different from today. The most obvious difference may be the fact that we have modern technology and a general cleanliness in where we live today. Our standard of living is also much higher than the Elizebethans. Another difference is that now we are not governed by a single king or queen, instead we are governed by a group of people in the parliament. However, there are still similarities. Today, the society still consists of social classes which divides the society unfairly, in which the rich can live a luxurious life while the poor must work very hard to even earn enough to support themselves.
Shakespeare's works can be applied in the modern day context. The themes in his works are closely related to the modern day, themes such as love and racism. Love can be seen most prominently in "Romeo and Juliet" while racism can be seen in "The Merchant of Venice", between the Jew, Shylock and the Christian, Antonio.
The Elizebethan era is very different from today. The most obvious difference may be the fact that we have modern technology and a general cleanliness in where we live today. Our standard of living is also much higher than the Elizebethans. Another difference is that now we are not governed by a single king or queen, instead we are governed by a group of people in the parliament. However, there are still similarities. Today, the society still consists of social classes which divides the society unfairly, in which the rich can live a luxurious life while the poor must work very hard to even earn enough to support themselves.
Shakespeare's works can be applied in the modern day context. The themes in his works are closely related to the modern day, themes such as love and racism. Love can be seen most prominently in "Romeo and Juliet" while racism can be seen in "The Merchant of Venice", between the Jew, Shylock and the Christian, Antonio.
Friday, June 10, 2011
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