Download Shakespeare Pre-reading Research

The Merchant of Venice
Pre-reading Research
Eng 11
Research the following topics/questions and record on a separate piece of
paper. (Total: 15 points)
1. Give a short (paragraph or two) about William Shakespeare – birth,
death, number of plays/sonnets/poems, family life (wife, children),
theatre life, interesting facts. (2 points)
2. Who were the two Monarchs (one Queen and one King) during the
time that Shakespeare was writing in England? Which one was in
power when The Merchant of Venice was written?
3. What are the three different types of plays that Shakespeare wrote?
How many of each did he write?
4. What are the differences between and Shakespearean comedy and a
Shakespearean tragedy? Find specific examples/reasons.
5. Do experts believe that Shakespeare really wrote all of his plays?
Explain why they thought he did and they some think he did not.
6. What are/is The Globe? The Rose? And The Theatre? Explain how
they relate to Shakespeare.
7. What is The Chamberlain’s Men? What are The King’s Men? Explain
Shakespeare’s connection to them.
8. Did Shakespeare ever perform in his plays? Did he perform in any
other plays? Which characters would Shakespeare portray?
9. Why were women not allowed to perform during Shakespeare’s time?
How did this affect the performances?
10.When was The Merchant of Venice written? When and where was The
Merchant of Venice first performed?
11.What is a Merchant? What was their job? How popular and important
was being a merchant in Venice in the 1600’s?
12.What was the city of Venice like during the 1600’s? Research the
poverty level, populations, and the people in power. (2 points)
13.How did the people of England and the people of Venice treat Jewish
people during the 1600’s? Why were the Jewish people not well liked
(i.e. what did other religions have against them)?