Key points
For Eduqas, The Merchant of Venice is examined in Section A of Component 1 of your English Literature exam 鈥 Shakespeare and Poetry.
The question is in two parts. You will be asked an extract question and a separate essay question about the play as whole.
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Remember
This is a closed book exam, so you will not be allowed to take a copy of the text in with you.
GCSE exam-style question
The question for Eduqas is broken down into two parts:
an extract-based question
and an essay on the wider text.
For this guide, we will focus on the extract-based question only.
Example question
Read the extract below. Then answer the following question.
(a) Look at how Shylock and Antonio speak with one another in this extract.
- How do you think this extract shows Antonio鈥檚 prejudice and intolerance?
Refer closely to details from the extract to support your answer.
Inspecting the question
Before you start writing your answer, make sure you understand the question properly by asking yourself:
2. What language can you see in this extract that provides evidence of prejudice and intolerance
There is significant evidence of prejudicial language and behaviour in this extract. Shylock remembers being called "misbeliever" and a "dog". He remembers being spat at and kicked. Antonio agrees that he did these things and says that he would do them again.
Assessment Objectives (Eduqas)
Your exam response will be marked using Assessment Objectives (AOs).
The ones for this question are below.
What is the objective? | How do I do well? |
---|---|
AO1: The quality of your ideas, understanding of the text and use of supporting evidence | Stay focused on the question and show that you understand the text and the writer鈥檚 messages well. Use evidence clearly and carefully to support your answer. |
AO2: Analysis of the writer鈥檚 methods and effects | Explain how the writer uses different tools to create meaning. Use the correct language to explain these techniques and their effects on the audience. |
AO4: Accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. | Check your writing carefully for errors. Paragraph your work and try to make sure your meaning is clear. |
Looking at the extract
As part of your answer you will need to analyse how Shakespeare shows prejudice and intolerance in this specific extract.
For suff鈥檙ance is the badge of all our tribe.
鈥淪uffrance鈥 means to tolerate something and not to object. Shylock says that Jewish people 鈥 his 鈥渢ribe鈥 鈥 have always had to tolerate abuse. It is so common they don鈥檛 even complain about it.
Shylock uses a metaphor to say that suffrance is like a "badge" - an identifying feature of Jewish people. This shows how much prejudice and intolerance there is against Jewish people in Venice.
Misbeliever, cutthroat dog.
This is an antisemitismAntisemitism is a type of prejudice or discrimination towards Jews individually or as a group. It is based on unfounded stereotypes that target Jews as a people or their religious practices and beliefs. insult from a Christian character. Antonio believes in Jesus Christ as the son of God, as told in the New Testament of the Bible. Shylock does not believe in this. Antonio considers Shylock鈥檚 views to be wrong rather than just different - and insults him because of it.
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur.
Antonio treats Shylock as less than human. He spits at him and kicks him like an unwanted dog.
Question
Look at the extract again. Shylock describes the way he is expected to behave in his interactions with Antonio. He describes some of the physical reactions he gives or is expected to give. Can you find any examples?
Answers
Shylock says that he reacts to Antonio鈥檚 insults with 鈥渁 patient shrug鈥.
He asks if he should gratefully 鈥渂end low鈥 when Antonio asks him for money.
He asks if he should speak to Antonio with 鈥渂ated breath鈥 and 鈥渨hisp鈥檙ing humbleness鈥.
Structuring your answer
At the start of your answer, it is helpful to have a short introduction.
An effective introduction should give a summary of the ideas you are about to present, and link to the question and the writer鈥檚 message.
After your introduction, each paragraph should include:
A topic sentence, which uses some of the language of the question, to introduce your argument
Evidence that supports your argument
Analysis of the effects of language or dramatic techniques
A final sentence that acts as a mini-summary.
You could include a short conclusion at the end of your answer to summarise the points you have made.
Example answers
Part (a)
Example question
Read the extract below. Then answer the following question.
(a) Look at how Shylock and Antonio speak with one another in this extract.
- How do you think this extract shows Antonio鈥檚 prejudice and intolerance?
Refer closely to details from the extract to support your answer.
Answers could include:
In this extract, Shylock remembers and is subjected to antisemitismAntisemitism is a type of prejudice or discrimination towards Jews individually or as a group. It is based on unfounded stereotypes that target Jews as a people or their religious practices and beliefs. abuse from Antonio. The extract shows the prejudice that many Christians had towards Jewish people during Shakespeare鈥檚 time.
Antonio is intolerant of Shylock鈥檚 views and calls Shylock a "misbeliever". Antonio considers Shylock鈥檚 religious views to be wrong rather than just different to his own. The treatment given to Shylock here mirrors the treatment given to him by other Christians in the play, who call him 鈥渄og Jew鈥, 鈥渦surer鈥 and 鈥渢he Jew鈥 rather than by his own name.
Another element of Antonio鈥檚 prejudice against Shylock, seen in this extract, arises from him being a moneylender who charges interest. Some Christians at the time accused Jewish people of 鈥渦sury鈥 - the lending of money at extortionate rates. This is why Antonio suggests it is better for Shylock to lend money to his enemy rather than his friend, as he will enjoy penalising his enemy with interest and charges for non-payment.
In addition to being verbally insulted for his religion and business practices, the extract shows that Shylock is physically abused by Antonio too. He is spat at and kicked, and treated worse than a dog: "You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, / And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur."
Shockingly, Antonio acknowledges his behaviour, and says that he would do the same again if he had the chance.
In the extract, Shylock uses a metaphor to describe Jewish suffrance as a "badge". He says that Jewish people have been forced to put up with so much prejudice and intolerance that they have become used to it and respond with 鈥渁 patient shrug鈥. Shylock mocks this state of affairs when he asks if he should be grateful that Antonio wants to do business with him. He asks if he should 鈥渂end low鈥 and speak with 鈥渨hisp鈥檙ing humbleness鈥.
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