Compare Jessica’s attitude towards cross dressing Portia ( Karn Newman) Discuss the relationship between Antonio and Shylock. (James Orrork) In William Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice, two of the main players, Antonio and Shylock, have an unexplainable hatred for one another. There are many speculations to why these characters despise one another such as religion (Christian vs. Jew), social status (Jew vs. merchant), cultural differences (Vincian vs. Possibly an Immigrant but refered to as an alien in the courtroom), financial stabilities (Shylock- stable w/ ability to lend large sums vs. Antonio- comfortable but without having a much excess), and professions (lender of funds vs. merchant/ ship owner) Shylock agrees to lend 3000 ducats (to Basonio) with the understand if it is not repaid within 3 months he will have a lb of Antonio’s flesh Shylock is offered to dine with Antonio and Basonio to confirm that Antonio is willing to make the agreement for the flesh, even though he agrees to dine he refuses to be part of the “pleasures of the body”( drinking, dancing, eating of pork flesh, stuffing himself). Antonio agrees because his ships are scheduled to return one month prior to the date the money in to be repaid Shylock refuses the repayment of funds hoping to be repaid in Antonio’s Flesh because the taking of the flesh could ruin or possibly kill Antonio Discuss the Ending, focus on the rings ( Karen Newman) Pg 44 act 3 scene2- giving of the ring- Portia: “I give them with this ring….” Refrence to Narissa giving the ring to Gratciano but it is not dramatized…