ENG2D: The Merchant of Venice Story Board

Taya Polidano, Ainsley Bartlett and Sydney Berthelette

Bassanio Needs Money

Portia & The Three Caskets

Bassanio Goes To Shylock To Make The Loan Agreement

• The next major scene we wanted to incorporate into our movie was when Bassanio went to Shylock to inquire about and finally settle the loan agreement. Evidently, this is one of the most vital scenes in the story.

"'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,/How much I have disabled mine estate,/By something showing a more swelling port/ Than my faint means would grant continuance:/ Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd/ From such a noble rate; but my chief care/ Is, to come fairly off from the great debts/ Wherein my time, something too prodigal,/ Hath left me gag'd. To you, Antonio,/ I owe the most, in money and in love;/ And from your love I have a warranty/ To unburden all my plots and purposes/ How to get clear all of the debts I owe."

• We chose to put emphasis on Portia and the gold, silver and lead casket because it is a vital factor in the story. If it weren't for her, Bassanio wouldn't have asked Antonio for the money, therefore never having to run into any trouble with Shylock.

Aspects of the Play We Would Remove/Minimize

• "Go with me to a notary, seal me there/ You're single bond; and, in a merry sport,/ If you repay me not on such a day,/ In such a place, such sum or sums as are/ Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit/ Be nominated for an equal pound/ Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me."

• "The first, of gold, who this inscription bears:/ 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire'./ The second, silver, which this promise carries:/ 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves'./ This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt:/ 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath'." Act II, scene vii.

• We thought this was a good way to begin the story. We felt that we could put less emphasis on Antonio's sadness and more on the money Bassanio asks for as this is what begins the chain of events that occur soon after.

• Launcelot Gobbo
• Old Gobbo
• Leonardo
• Solanio and Salerio

Antonio is in Trouble

Portia Disguises Herself

• The scenes in which Antonio was in trouble were a turning point in the story. Antonio received news that none of his ships returned to port resulting in no funds to pay his bond with. Shylock refuses to give him mercy and sticks by his bond. We decided that these scenes should be highlighted because a massive problem occurs and Antonio must rely on his friends to help him in his time of need. In addition, drama takes places making the story more interesting for the audience allowing for the movie to become more exciting.

• We decided to draw attention to the fact that Portia disguises herself because she displays her intelligence and comes to the defense of Antonio. Portia's compelling argument and clever points ultimately save Antonio's life.

Bassanio and Portia Get Married

• "Tarry a little. There is something else./ This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood./ The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh'./ Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,/ But in the cutting, if thou dost shed/ One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods/ Are by the laws of Venice confiscate/ Unto the state of Venice."

• Again, we included this scene because it is very important to the plot. Bassanio is very excited he passed the casket test, and even more so that he was able to compete with some of the suitors that had previously tried to woo Portia. Portia is also excited because Bassanio was the suitor she liked the best.
• "Here's the scroll,/ The continent and summary of my fortune. You that choose not by the view,/ Chance as fair, and choose as true!/ Since this fortune falls to you,/ Be content and seek no new./ If you be well pleas'd with this/ And hold your fortune and your bliss,/ Turn you where your lady is/ And claim her with a loving kiss."

• "I have have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:/ I'll have my bond, and therefore speak no more." - Shylock ACT III: iii

Actors

Ryan Gosling as Bassanio

The Rings are Returned

• We wanted to end the movie with this scene because it was a more humorous end in contrast to the rest of the story. All ended happily and we wanted that to be noticed.

• "...Here is a letter, read it at your leisure,/ It comes from Pauda, from Bellario:/ There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,/ Nerissa there her clerk..." Act V, scene i

Seth Rogen as Antonio

Steve Buscemi as Shylock

Amanda Seyfried as Portia

Lea Michele as Jessica

The Merchant of Venice:

The Movie

&

America Ferrera as Nerissa