Months of the lunar calendar

For the last few weeks in Social Studies we have been doing a topic that we got to choose. I chose Months of the Lunar Calendar but there were heaps of other interesting topics. For instance there was Weaving, poi, Maori food, Hangi and others that other people in my class did for this unit.

I really enjoyed learning about the lunar calendar. The whole reason I chose this topic was because I hadn't learned about it and thought I would be able to learn things that I didn't already know. This was interesting for me as I learned what happened in every month of the year. For instance, In late September-early October the people of the land star

Health Resilience

         

I learned that you have to try and cope with things, even when they change. Change is a good thing even when you believe that it is a bad thing. Everything that we have done so far has been very easy for me to understand and I understood the message that the video was trying to convey. I related to the video "Who moved my Cheese". I sometimes find it hard to focus and to do my work but I will still try and accomplish the goals/targets we are set. I can apply what I have learned to my Business and Enterprise Kete by continuing my project even when I find it hard and challenging to do. 

Act Five, Scene One

1. Why do Lorenzo and Jessica remind each of the stories of classical lovers?
2. What are Portia's feelings as she approaches the house?
3. What is the first argument to break out?
4. How do Gratiano and Bassanio try to justify parting with the rings, are they successful?
5. Was Bassanio right to give away the ring, give reasons for your thinking?
6. How can the newly-weds threaten to sleep with the men who took their rings- and mean it?
7. What effect do these arguments have on Antonio?
8. Portia and Nerissa have the rings. What does this prove to Antonio, Gratiano, and Bassanio?
9. How do Antonio, Lorenzo, and Jessica benefit from news that Portia brings?

The Merchant of Venice: Act Four Scene One and Two

Act Four, Scene One

1. What does the Duke believe Shylock intends to do?
That he intended to cut out the flesh right by Antonio's heart so he dies.

2. What does Shylock intend to do, and what reasons does he give for his decision?
He intends to cut out a pound of flesh from Antonio because he hates Antonio since Antonio hasn't paid him back his money.

3. Why must the law be allowed to stand (why can’t the judge dismiss this case)
Because the president has been set and if they let Antonio go then they will have to let everyone who breaks the law go.

4. Shylock is very clear about the restrictions in the wording of the deed, how does Portia use these loopholes?
Portia says that Shylock can have his pound of flesh but he cannot shed blood as that is not in the bond. Shylock has to take exactly a pound, not any less or any more or else he dies.

5. What penalties does Shylock now have to pay? Are they fair? Why/why not.
That he has to cut out exactly 1 pound of flesh and if it is more or less than that he will have to die.

6. How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result?
Antonio says that Shylock must give his money to Lorenzo when he dies so that he and Jessica can live.

7. What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant?
Portia has got Bassanio to give her the ring that she had given him. This is of significance because Portia had told Bassanio to never take it off or give it to anyone

8. Portia tells Shylock ‘The quality of mercy is not strained’. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him (line 345-362)
She won't show him mercy and won't let him take the money as he had the chance to but wouldn't as he was being too greedy.

1. A4S1 L 70-80. Antonio gives us three short images of how useless any attempt by Bassanio to save his life will be

• What are they?

It would only mean that someone else was dying for his mistake. And that Portia would be without a husband.

• What do they tell us about one of Shakespeare's interests

During these lines, the comparisons that Antonio makes are usually towards the outdoors. This shows the Shakespeare liked the outdoors.

• Do you think this is an effective way of demonstrating the problem?

Yes. I think it is. 

• Each example is an extreme and impossible, what influence does this have on how you expect the rest of the scene to develop.

I expect that the scene will turn on Shylock and make him seem like the bad guy. 

2. A4S1 L90-100, Shylock uses vivid comparisons when he wants to make a point.

• What example does he use to illustrate the fact that the pound of flesh is his: ‘tis mine and I will have it’

• It is much longer comparison than the three used by Antonio but does you think it is more striking/effective/convincing?

I do think that the way that Shylock worded it was more effective.

Act Four, Scene Two

1. What invitation does Portia refuse and why?

To dine with Antonio and Bassanio

1. What does Nerissa plan to get, why do you think this is important?

The ring that she gave her husband.

1. Do you admire Portia after these scenes, or do you find her actions cruel. Use examples to support your thinking.

I do. She stood up for her husband and friends and it was really good on her.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 4

Act Three, Scene Three:

1. Antonio is now convinced that he knows the reason for Shylock’s insistence on claiming his bond. What is it, use a quote from the text to support your answer.

Antonio thinks that Shylock hates him because he is a Christian. I believe this because Shylock gives a little speech.

I’ll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.

I’ll have my bond and therefore speak no more.

I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool

To shake the head, relent and sigh, and yield

To Christian intercessors. Follow not.

I’ll have no speaking. I will have my bond.

This is what Shylock said to Antonio after Antonio asked for forgiveness. 

2. Why can the Duke not ‘deny the course of law’ according to Antonio?

Because if he did he would impeach the justice of the state

3. What does Antonio seem resigned to his fate? What two important realizations is this based on? Use lines 8, 21-24, 26-31 to help you.
That he often give people money so that they can pay back their debts to Shylock

4. Do you think Antonio’s feelings towards Bassanio have changed since the beginning, why?

Yes. I think that at the start of the book Antonio thought that all Bassanio wanted was money that he couldn't pay back. And now I believe that Antonio thinks that Bassanio is helpful and willing to help a friend in need.

5. Shylock refuses to consider the idea of Mercy but demands Justice. Consider the following ideas:

• Is mercy the same as forgiveness?
• Is it easier to show mercy or look for revenge?
• Is justice the same as fairness?
• Is true justice possible in this case?

Act Three, Scene Four

1. What is Lorenzo’s opinion of Antonio?

That he is needy and does things even if he can't pay them back.

2. What does Portia tell Lorenzo she intends to do?

That she intended to dress as a man and help Antonio

3. What does she ask Lorenzo and Jessica to do for her and why?

Stay and housesit her house.

4. Why does Portia think Antonio and Bassanio must be alike?

5. Why do Portia and Nerissa intend to travel dressed as men?

Because they told their husband that they were going to a nunnery when they were really going to the court to help out Antonio.

6. In A3S4 L 60-78, how does Portia describe the behavior and attitudes of young men?

That they tell lies, that their voices change, and that they are accourted. 

7. Does it seem likely that Portia is going to follow the expected behavior of a wife?

No, because she wants to help her husband and his friends. 

Act Three, Scene Five 

1. In his jokey conversation with Jessica, why is Launcelot against the conversion of Jews to Christianity?
He is against it because if Lorenzo went around changing all the Jews into Christians then the price of pork would go up.

2. What is Jessica’s opinion of Portia?
That she feels sorry for her sort of and that she is 'pawned with the other, for the poor rude world.'

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 3

Act Three, Scene One

1. Why does Shylock assume Solanio and Salerio know of Jessica’s flight?
Because they are friends with Lorenzo, Antonio and Bassanio.

2. What is the second suggestion of misfortune for Antonio- find a quote.
That his ship has been run down by a sandbar in the English Channel.

4. Where do Shylock and Tubal arrange to meet and with what purpose?

They are going to meet an a synagogue so they can devise a plan to arrest Antonio. 

Act Three, Scene Two

1. Why does Portia want Bassanio to delay his choice?

To make sure that he picks the right one

2. What makes Bassanio choose lead over the silver and gold caskets?, find the quotes in the text to support your thinking.
Because he believes that the gold in gaudy and that the silver may look nice but he will not choose it

3. What does Portia’s speech A3S2 L166-174 reveal about the expected roles of a woman in marriage?
That everything that she owned-including herself- are now Bassanio's.

4. What did Gratiano’s and Nerissa’s wish to marry depend on?
Their relationship was based on whether Portia and Bassanio got married. If they do then they can get married as well.

5. How does Portia know that the letter contains bad news?
Because Bassanio goes white and pale

6. What help does Portia offer straightaway?
She offers him ducats so that he can get Antonio out of the trouble that he's in

7. Why do we not expect this help to be successful?
Becasue Shylock is set on getting the pound of flesh and he won't do a trade with anyone.

8. Do you think Portia would still be in love with Bassanio if she knew he had lied about his wealth?
Yes I do. I believe this because she was the first man that she actually liked and when she realised that she liked him she didn't know if he was rich or not

THE MERCHENT OF VENICE 2

Act Two, Scene One

1. We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it?
The complexion of his skin.

2. If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia’s suitors give up if they fail to win her?
Portia's suitors have to give up marrying anyone else if they fail to pick the right casket.

3.Shylock practices ‘usury’. What is this?
Usury is where you lend money and then when they pay it back they give you more than you lent to them. This nowadays is called interest.

4. Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other?

Shylock hates Antonio because of what he did to him and Antonio hates Shylock because of the fact that he is a Jew.

Act Two, Scene Two

1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Launcelot wants to leave Shylock because he's a Jew. Launcelot thinks that Shylock is a devil because of this.

2. Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

Because of Gratiano is a bad drunk and Bassanio doesn't know what Gratiano will do if he is drunk. 

In lines 114-142...

3. Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to:
a. frequent interruptions.  b. contradictions c. misuse of words to impress.

      Find examples of each of these in the text.

Launcelot and Gobbo keep interrupting each other.


Act Two, Scene Three

1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.
She is ashamed because she is the daughter of a Jewish man and she wants to be Christian.

2. Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry?

Jessica is planning to marry Lorenzo.


Act Two, Scene Four

1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover?
Jessica gets Launcelot to deliver a letter Lorenzo

2. How will she be disguised for the elopement?

Jessica is going to dress up as a man so that no one will recognize her.

Act Two, Scene Five

1. Why is Shylock uneasy about going out for the evening? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Because of the Christians that are parading in the street. He is worried that they will come into his house while she is home so he told her to lock up her doors of his house.

Act Two, Scene Six

1. How does Launcelot manage to tell Jessica that Lorenzo will be there that evening?
Launcelot says to her 'There will come a Christian by will be worth a Jewe's eye." That's how he tells her.

2. What does Jessica throw down to Lorenzo?
A Rope for him to climb up to her room

3. Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano?
Becasue it was getting late and he was getting annoyed

Act Two, Scene Seven

1. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait. Use evidence of the text to justify your answer.
The gold casket. He thinks this because of what the casket says on the front of it. It says 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.' He thinks that this means that since many men desire her that her face will be in that casket.
2. How is Portia feeling in A2S7 -at the beginning, -while the Prince is making his choice, at the end
By the way the words are written it makes me suspect that she is over all of the suitors coming and asking for the caskets.

3. What was Portia's father trying to achieve through the use of the caskets? Does this seem to be working?
He was trying to make sure that the husband that she marries is worthy of her and not just in it for the money.

Act Two, Scene Eight

1. What double disaster has struck Shylock?
That he has lost not only his only child but he has also lost all of his money.

2. Where did Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica might be?
On Bassanio's boat

3. How did Bassanio and Antonio part?
Bassanio said that he would be back as fast as he could but Antonio said that he should not rush away from Portia

4. What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? Find a quote that tells you this.
That there is a rumor going around that his boats have shipwrecked and he might have to give up a pound of flesh to Shylock since he doesn't have any money

Act Two, Scene Nine

1.What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?

They show what the person is like. The Prince of Morroco choose what many men desire because he thinks that this is the one since many men want her

2.Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden caskets. What does his interpretation of the inscription tell us about his character?

He says that he will not pick the casket that most people will probably go for.

3.What is Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival?

She is very happy to see a man that she actually likes