Directing William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Directing William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

I am going to set my theatrical production of "Merchant of Venice" act

1 scene 3 in a building in a street in Venice. The building in which

this scene is set should be lit by candle light creating a slightly

dark, gloomy atmosphere to give the audience a sense of mischief and

wrong doing on Shylock's part. Costume wise I would make a clear

distinction between the clothes of Shylock and the Venetians. Shylock

will wear old dirty looking, dull coloured clothes whilst the

Venetians wear colourful, more elegant looking clothes to portray

their higher stature and importance. This will show that at the time

the play was written Shylock, because of his religion, is regarded as

being less important and has a low economic status. I will make

Shylock around 30 years old with typical Jewish features including

uncut facial hair and skullcap. He should generally approach his

speeches with a slightly spiteful and mocking tone of voice. Antonio

will also be around 30 years old and taller than Shylock wearing more

elegant and colourful clothing to show his dominance. He should

approach his speeches putting over to the audience an attitude of

hatred for Shylock and his religion. Bassanio will be slightly younger

than Shylock and Antonio, about 25 years old. His clothes should be

more fashionable with a smart appearance. Bassanio should be slightly

skinny and smaller than the other two characters in the scene so that

he stands out as being younger and fashionable. Bassanio should

generally approach his speeches with a desperate voice, which turns to

anger towards Shylock when he starts taking his...

... middle of paper ...

... bond and so is happy that Shylock is lending them

the money. Antonio should jokily say the phrase,

"The Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind."

To slightly mock Shylock and make Bassanio feel more confident about

the bond. Antonio should make often eye contact with Shylock to

display to the audience that he has hatred for him.

My presentation of act1 scene 3 will prepare the audience for later

developments in the play because it introduces Shylock who is a very

important character in the play. It also gives the audience a better

understanding of Bassanio and Antonio's personality and there hatred,

especially Antonio, 4 the Jews. This scene is also very important

because it sets out the bond, and the condition of the bond which

later in the play result in Shylock being ready to cut the flesh from

Antonio.