The Merchant of Venice Learning Guide: Table of Contents

Introduction
Analysis
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
The Pound of Flesh
Rings
The Turquoise Ring
Portia's Ring
The Lottery
Who Gets to Choose
Risky Business
Gold, Silver, and Lead Caskets
The Story of Jacob and Laban
Music
The Transforming Power of Music
Music During the Lottery
Setting
Narrator Point of View
Genre
Tone
Writing Style
What’s Up With the Title?
What's Up With the Ending?
Plot Analysis
Three Act Plot Analysis
Trivia
Steaminess Rating
Allusions
Brief Summary
Events Quotes
Act 1, Scene 1
Act 1, Scene 1 Quotes
Act 1, Scene 2
Act 1, Scene 2 Quotes
Act 1, Scene 3
Act 1, Scene 3 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 1
Act 2, Scene 1 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 2
Act 2, Scene 2 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 3 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 4
Act 2, Scene 4 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 5
Act 2, Scene 5 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 6
Act 2, Scene 6 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 7
Act 2, Scene 7 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 8
Act 2, Scene 8 Quotes
Act 2, Scene 9
Act 2, Scene 9 Quotes
Act 3, Scene 1
Act 3, Scene 1 Quotes
Act 3, Scene 2
Act 3, Scene 2 Quotes
Act 3, Scene 3
Act 3, Scene 3 Quotes
Act 3, Scene 4
Act 3, Scene 4 Quotes
Act 3, Scene 5
Act 3, Scene 5 Quotes
Act 4, Scene 1
Act 4, Scene 1 Quotes
Act 4, Scene 2
Act 5, Scene 1
Act 5, Scene 1 Quotes
Characters
Characters Quotes
Shylock
Shylock's Timeline
Shylock Quotes
Antonio
Antonio's Timeline
Antonio Quotes
Portia
Portia's Timeline
Portia Quotes
Bassanio

Bassanio Quotes
Jessica
Jessica Quotes
Lorenzo
Lorenzo Quotes
Graziano (a.k.a. Gratiano)
Graziano (a.k.a. Gratiano) Quotes
Nerissa
Nerissa Quotes
The Duke of Venice
The Duke of Venice Quotes
Lancelot
Lancelot Quotes
Study Questions
Character Roles (Protagonist, Antagonist...)
Protagonist
Antagonist
Foil
Tools of Characterization
Themes
Quotes
Race
Race Quotes
Wealth
Wealth Quotes
Friendship
Friendship Quotes
Marriage
Marriage Quotes
Justice
Justice Quotes
Love
Love Quotes
Isolation
Isolation Quotes
Choices
Choices Quotes
Best of the Web
Module Quizzes
Quotes (What was Said)
Quotes (What was Said) True or False
Themes (For the Most Part)
Themes (For the Most Part) True or False
Symbols
Symbols True or False
Hope He Has a Good Spot on the Boardwalk
Hope He Has a Good Spot on the Boardwalk True or False
That’s Why You Should Always Sign a Contract
That’s Why You Should Always Sign a Contract True or False
Charts
Modern English
Essay
Teaching The Merchant of Venice
Current Events & Pop Culture
Challenges & Opportunities
Assignments & Activities
Characterization
Chew On This
Character Journal Entry
Facebook Plot Summary
Archetypes
Symbolism, Allusion, and Irony
Literary Devices
Adaptation
Why Should I Care?
Exploring Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice
Justice for All or Justice for Some
This Is a Comedy? Really?
Discussion & Essay Questions
Reading Quizzes
Related History & Literature on Shmoop
Photos