(Recorded Course) William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Catholic Shakespeare Series) with Henry Russell (Elizabethan, Drama, Renaissance)

NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

 

How to get the most out of The Merchant of Venice with Dr. Henry Russell:

  • First, read the course details below.
  • Prepare a notebook for note taking and homework.
  • Students begin the course by clicking on the "Recording" and watching the instructor's lecture for Class One.
  • Complete the Week One Activities.
  • If you need review, go back and watch the recording again and/or go to the PowerPoint.
  • Repeat until all classes are complete.
  • Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping.

 

Total Classes: 6

Prerequisite: Ability to read the text comfortably

Suggested Grade Level: 10th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Literature or English

 

Instructor: Henry Russell, Ph.D.

 

Course Description: Shakespeare combines the themes of world-weariness and youthful love as he presents us with two cities: Venice and Belmont. In Venice the cruel and legalistic Shylock seeks a demonic revenge on Antonio, the Merchant of Venice. In Belmont, love and hope create an almost-paradisial world. But both must combine as Portia leaves her beautiful mountain to save the life of Antonio in Venice. At the heart of the play is the Eucharist.

 

Course Outline:

  • Week One—The Catholic Shakespeare: Bio and method
  • Week Two—The Merchant of Venice  Act I
  • Week Three—The Merchant of Venice  Act II
  • Week Four—The Merchant of Venice  Act III
  • Week Five—The Merchant of Venice  Act IV
  • Week Six—The Merchant of Venice  Act V

 

Course Materials: Any copy of The Merchant of Venice which is complete and has line numbers.

 

Homework: The homework will be to have read the Act that we will discuss on that class day. There will be self-grading quizzes available after each class and a final.