Jessi’s AP Blog

Friendship is a mirrored image of love, when you are engaged in a friendship you find love within. In The Merchant of Venice we are confronted with two characters that portray the concept of friendship and love. Antonio and Bassanio share a unique bond that carries them through hardships and times of triumph. There friendship is obvious and apparent throughout the play, which shows that the friendship can become love. Antonio and Bassanio are willing to sacrifice everything they have to keep their friendship strong and alive. Both characters show a true sense of selflessness, for they look to the one they “love” before themselves. The classification of their friendship is more than its meaning its self, but what it means to love. In the first act, the friendship motif is raised towards Antonio and Bassanio. Antonio was sad for the reason not only him could answer. Salarino and Solanio posed the statement that his “mind was tossing on the ocean” (7), without the guarantee his ships would return in their original condition. But, Antonio disagreed and spoke the truth that he was not sad, or worried about his ships return. Solanio states, “why then, you are in love” (9). That too he admitted wasn’t the reason for his sheer and emotional sadness. He responds with, “Fie, fie” or “Oh, give me a break” (9)! Antonio jokingly shies away from the true meaning Solanio is trying to state, referring to a girl. But, it shows that Antonio may not exactly be in love with a girl, but someone else in a different friendly manner. Although, Salarino and Solanio, dear friends of Antonio tried to cheer up Antonio and cure him from his sadness, they couldn’t fill his void, if it wasn’t for his “worthier friends” (11) that had showed up. One of his more noble friends was Bassanio, who was his friend whom he thought qualified as his best friend. Again, at the end of Act I Scene III, Bassanio states back to Antonio when he needs to borrow money he “owes the most in money and in love” (15). Bassanio is now returning the statement of love back to Antonio, referring to the fact that their friendship is more towards love.

As Antonio and Bassanio’s characters progress and grow further into the scenes, their relationship of friends starts to fade into love relationship. Thus, this relationship between them consits of sacrifices they make for the good of the other person. This action is possessed in the later scenes when Antonio is more than willing to lend a helping hand to a friend in need, Bassanio. Bassanio needs to borrow money from Antonio, but for this to occur Antonio needs to pay a visit to Shylock for the money. Shylock charges interest for his money lent out, but Antonio disagrees with the position he is taking. For this Shylock agrees that he will not charge interest if Antonio does not return all the money lent to him, he will receive “an equal pound of fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me” (37). Bassanio immediately takes charge and disagrees with Shylock’s shady implications by stating “you shall not seal to such a bond for me, I’ll rather dwell in my necessity” (37). Antonio shakes off his actions and seals the deal with Shylock for the better of his friend Bassanio, whom desperately needs the money.

 Once the end of the play approaches and comes to a close, it is apparent that Antonio and Bassanio’s bond has expanded. They have close-knit relationship of not only a true friendship, but also a valuable piece of each other’s love they share for that friendship. They have a connection that cannot be replaced with any other characters in the play and this shown numerously through their actions, words, and sacrifices they make for each other. Antonio and Bassanio know the true meaning of a friendship and what exactly it takes to excel to the level of love within that friendship.

A. The act starts out with Shylock’s thoughts of his daughter, Jessica running away to marry her love Lorenzo. Along with marrying him, she became a Christian to comply with his wishes of Lorenzo, who is a Jew. She stole ducats, jewels, diamonds and stones from her father. Bassanio finally meets his true love Portia who wants to have the same feelings for him if he chooses the right casket. Portia pleads to Bassanio to make a wise choice and take his time choosing between the three caskets for she truly loves him and she would be lost without him. He makes a small speech about each casket and decides that looks can be deceiving, just like appearances. For this statement, he chooses the lead casket for it does not shine like the other too, but he believes this is the one that holds Portia’s heart. He makes the most important decision in his life, for he chooses the right casket and shall marry Portia. Portia then gives Bassanio a ring that symbolizes her love she has for him and the possessions they will share once they are married. After they embrace there love for each other, Bassanio receives devastating news. A letter from Antonio states that his ships have all been wrecked at sea and not one ship survived. Therefore, he will not have the money to pay back Shylock and he will receive his wish of obtaining one pound of flesh. Portia’s says that she will pay any amount of money to pay of the debts and she will do anything for Bassanio and his friend in need, but first they have to be married. In Antonio’s letter he wished that Bassanio and him meet once more before he dies. At the end of the act the characters are further explained and no more information is reviled, therefore this is comic relief and releases some tension from the previous scenes.

B. Carrion: dead and putrefying flesh.

Monastery: a house or place of residence occupied by a community of persons.

Tarry: to remain or stay, as in a place.

C. Why does Lorenzo and Jessica need to watch Portia’s house when she will still be living there, but scecluded? How do Gratiano and Nerissa fall in love? Does Jessica come back in contact with her father, Shylock?

A. At this point in the play, most all the characters have been introduced. Each character has a distinct and strong personality traits that set them apart from one another. Although, some seem almost overwhelming the reader of the play  can develop his or her own opinions about the characters. But, right from the start of the playing the Shakespeare makes it evident that the reader/audience member needs to pay attention. He grabs the audience’s/readers attention by having a conflict between Bassanio and his money or love. Bassanio is in desperate need to get money so he can go find his love, Portia. His good friend Antonio is more than willing to help a friend out and lend him as much money as he needs. But, when he goes to Shylock to ask for money he is very keen and stern and he wants to charge interest. Antonio disagrees and wants the money to be interest free since he is a friend. Shylock agrees, but instead he wants a pound of flesh of his choosing from Antonio’s body if the money isn’t returned on time. Antonio who hates Shylock invites him to a Christian dinner, which he knows Shylock can’t attend because he is a Jew, but he goes forth anyway. Shylock is mad and he states that he hates Antonio for three reasons; he is a Christain, he lends money without interest and Antonio hates Jews. Portia is in a delima because she can’t choose a man for herself. She still has to comply by the wishes of her dead father. A man has to choose the right casket from gold, silver or lead and if they find the right one they will find a picture of her and they will be married. If they don’t choose the right box they must follow the three rules that are set for all men: he will never tell anyone what box he chooses, if he chooses the wrong box he will never propose to anyone for the rest of his life and he will leave immediately if he chooses the wrong box. Launcelot and his father Gobbo are the comic characters in the play. They portray these characters when talking to Bassanio and they are both talking over each other and both of them can’t get to the point. Also, Gobbo uses malaprops and misuses some words like infection instead of affection and defect instead of effect.

B. Trafficker: the movement of vehicles, ships, persons, etc., in an area, along a street, through an air lane, over a water route.

Alabaster: a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc.

Visage: The face or facial expression of a person; countenance.

C. Does Antonio charge interest for people who arn’t his friends? Does Antonio love his ships more or Bassanio? Is Shylock more worried about his money, jewels and stones than his own daughter marrying a Christain?

A. Jonah and Mona stayed awhile in ‘Papa’s’ underground dungeon for shelter from the tornadoes. The oubliette was stocked full of supplies from two beds and food to the Book on Bokonon. They didn’t need anything else to survive the tornadoes, they thought. After, awhile underground they decided to venture out to see the damage the tornadoes had created and the result of the ice-nine. When they got out of the hole it was competely different from what they thought it would be. There wasn’t a wisp of wind in the air, the tornadoes had diminished and the earth looked like it was covered in ice-nine. Jonah and Mona then explored among what was left to see if there was any life left on the earth. A mile from there oubliette, not one dead person was to be found, but as there adventure continued they found a circle of men, women and children practicing boko-maru and with there fingers to there mouths on top of Mount McCabe. They found a boulder with a letter underneath it from Bokonon. Then Mona thought the Calypso was funny and started laughing. She then touched the ice-nine with her finger and touched it to her lips and died instantly.  Later, they became acquainted again with H. Lowe Crosby, Hazel and Newt in a Bolivar’s only taxi cab. Jonah was still crying from Mona’s death and was nestled in his “Mom’s” arms once she approached him, he was still in shock. They took him to see Frank at was remained of his house, who was still alive. After six months, they were all still very much alive. The remaining people Crosby, Hazel and Newt called the had themselves the Swiss Family Robinson’s for they had everything they could possibly need on such a long, rough journey. Hazel kept busy making a flag, Frank kept busy with his amusing ant farm and Newt painting. Jonah then meets Bokonon, who he admitted to Newt that he saw him.

B. Reticent: disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.

Gnashed: To grind or strike together.

Corona:  a white or colored circle or set of concentric circles of light seen around a luminous body, esp. around the sun or moon.

C. How did  Newt, Crosby and Hazel find a place to stay during the tornado? What was the reason for Mona to kill herself? Was the ice-nine the cause of the tornadoes?

A. Sadly, two people died from the deadly ice-nine; ‘Papa’ and the doctor. Jonah, Frank, Angela and Newt all gathered supplies to clean up the mess the ice-nine left and making sure not one crystal was left because that could turn into another whole disaster. They kept the secret between them, among who died and put the doctor in the closet. They returned to the celebration normally, not mentioning a word about the previous events that had just occurred. As they were cleaning up Jonah demanded the Hoenikker’s to tell him how the ice-nine got divided up among them. The children told him the story when Dr. Hoenikker died on Christmas Eve. They found the kitchen a mess with pots and pans and water all over the floor from the ice-nine their father had been experiencing with. They brought in a black lab they had found on he beach and when they were cleaning up the mess Newt held down a rag for the dog to sniff and he licked it and instantly became stiff. Newt then went to share the news about the stiff dog, and their he found his stiff father.  Ambassador Minton gave a lengthy, heartfelt speech to San Lorenzo for the presentation of the wreath being tossed in the water. The planes were then flying all around in the sky when all of a sudden the smoke that they thought was trailing from the plane, actually was smoke from a fire on the plane. The plane went down on a part of ‘Papa’s’ castle and exploded. Everything started to degrade from here and as people tried to hop across the island to save their lives, the sea turned into ice-nine and the sky filled with worms, tornadoes.

B. Reticule: a small purse or bag, originally of network but later of silk, rayon, etc.

Pyre: a pile or heap of wood or other combustible material.

Tableau: a picture, as of a scene.

C. When the plane goes down, why doesn’t anyone check on the pilot? Why is the only was you can die from ice-nine is touching it to your lips? Is it because it is moist? Did the tornadoes occur from the ice-nine?

A. Once Mona and Jonah finished their Boko-maru ritual, Jonah immediately expressed his love to Mona. Mona had loved him too, but he wasn’t the only man in her life that she loved, she simply loved everyone. But, Jonah didn’t agree with her way of life, he wanted only her to love him. She didn’t agree and as she said her good-byes he stopped her by saying that he wanted to be apart of her religion and he too loved her no matter what. Once there love was declared Frank suggested that he get ‘Papa’s’ blessing before he marry Mona. ‘Papa’ was extremely sick and it took every breathe for him to speak a word. As Frank told ‘Papa’, Jonah would be the next President, ‘Papa’ requested he was to kill Bokonon. Around ‘Papa’s’ neck was a necklace with a piece of ice-nine, whom only Jonah knew what it was. ‘Papa’ then preformed a ritual with the doctor to let him go, but he was still alive only more sick then he was before the ritual. Jonah then had to prepare his speech to announce his presidency at the celebration of the Hundred Martyrs to Democracy. The doctor interrupted Jonah during the celebration and pleaded to him that ‘Papa’ had died from what had been in the bottle around his neck. He was as hard a rock, literally. As, the doctor was washing his hands, he became the second person to die from ice-nine. Jonah invited the three Hoenikker child into ‘Papa’s’ room and insisted they tell the truth about holding the ice-nine captive in their possession.

B. Betrothed: engaged to be married.

Balistrariae: (in a medieval fortification) an opening, usually in the form of a cross, through which a crossbow could be fired.

Oubliette: a secret dungeon with an opening only in the ceiling, as in certain old castles.

C. Is Frank’s true love the lady at Jack’s Hobby Shop? How did ‘Papa’ become so fataly sick? Why was ‘Papa’ in such an odd, but distict position when he passed away?

A. Julian Castle, the doctor who is supposivly taking care of ‘Papa’ Monzano reviles to Jonah that they don’t even speak. They merely don’t get along because ‘Papa’ doesn’t agree with the patient treatment at The House of Hope and Mercy in the Jungle. He then tells Jonah stories about McCabe and Bokonon and how their new religion became outlawed slowly, but surly. Bokonon wanted the religion outlawed himself and asked McCabe to do so with adding the zest of the hook. Julian Castle also tells Jonah that ‘Papa’ still kept the hook and one dies about every two years. Jonah learns that San Lorenzo is a very poor country and the waterfall ends at a little village where they catch everything that falls down the waterfall in a net and use those resources. A conversation arose about Dr. Hoenikker and Angela started to get frazzeled so Newt suggested she go play her clarinet to calm done. Frank never showed up to ask questions for Jonah and Frank refused to tell what he wanted to talk about over the phone. Later, the power went out for a while and they used gas generators. They were awakened by a loud noise where they all rushed outside to see what it was and in Newt and Angela’s hands were Thermos jugs, with ice-nine. Since they were awake it was a good time for Frank and Jonah to talk. Frank boasted to Jonah that he wanted him to be the next President of Lorenzo, which he later accepted with an incentive of marring his love, Mona. They also participated in the Bokonon ritual of putting to soles of their feet together to spark their love.

B. Treason:  the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.

Chagrin:  a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation.

Apoplexy: stroke.

C. How can everyone still practice Bokonism secretly when it is outlawed and they could all be hooked? Why does Newt end two chapters say ” See the Cat” “See the Cradle” (179)? How does the President of San Lorenzo get payed so much when Julian Castle admits they are such a poor country?

A. Jonah is still on the plane on his way to San Lorenzo and fascinated when reading the manuscript that the Mintons lent him to read. As he is reading he looks up “Aamons, Mona” and there was a vast list of trials and tributes about his life. Claire Minton happened to be an indexer and she could decode his character by just looking at the index. She thought such a enormous index was ridiculous and insulting to the reader. With further reading he learned more about the island of San Lorenzo and the history behind it. Before the plane descends he sits in the bar with Newt and Crosby and converse about Newt’s ex-dancer girlfriend, Zinka and pissants. As the seven of them exited the plane Jonah caught a glance of very disturbing signs about Bokonism that rattled him. As they looked out there was a sea of oatmeal colored people among them and out of them came a black Cadillac limousine and “Papa” Monzano and his clan. Papa is at the midst of death as he falls many times and orders everyone to leave. Papa isn’t dead and he speaks of Frank being the next president of San Lorenzo. Jonah and the Crosbys make there way to the hotel, the Casa Mona where they see a white man making a mosaic of Mona. Later in the conversation, Jonah finds out he is Philip Castle, who wrote the manuscript. After Crosby questions him he decides he is a pissant and he is a Bokonist. When Jonah returns, he finds two painters who are exercising a Bokonist ritual by putting their soles of their feet together, which signifies true love. They bagged him not to say anything as Bokonism was outlawed in San Lorenzo and they would be hooked as a punishment. When he went to Frank’s house he say Newt painting an odd picture of black scratches, which Newt explained it to be a Cat’s Cradle. Julian Castle thought it wasn’t anything at all and he trashed it by throwing it in the waterfall.

B. Amiability: having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities.

Gall: impudence; effrontery.

Heresy: opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine.

C. Why does Jonah question Claire Minton about her indexer knowledge? Does he not like her? Why wasn’t McCabe and Johnson introduced earlier in the book? What happened to Jonah’s focus on the atomic bomb?

A. When leaving the cemetery Jonah stopped by Jack’s Hobby Shop, where Frank supposedly worked. He became acquainted with Jack himself, the owner who boasted and bragged about Frank. Rather than telling him in words about Frank he showed him who he was through his enormous model city he made of Rome. Jack told Jonah he was murdered, but later while reading the New York Sunday Times to his surprise Frank was alive! On the cover of this article was a girl, Mona Aamons Monzano who Jonah immediately fell in love with. Jonah then took a plane to San Lorenzo to find out more about the island’s dictator “Papa” Monzano. On his plane ride he met some very distinct characters of people. The Minton’s who were madly in love, the “love birds”, H. Lowe Crosby and his wife Hazel who also was a Hoosier and Angela and Newt! While reading the “scholarly” book on San Lorenzo from the Minton’s, Jonah was extremely interested in he finding more information about Bokonism in the manuscript. To his surprise he then met Angela and Newt on the plane where he finds out that they are flying to see Frank and he is engaged to  his love Mona, Jonah was devastated. He later finds out that Angela is married to Harrison C. Conners a very handsome man, her fathers work partner.

B. Copiously: large in quantity or number; abundant; plentiful.

Disenchant: to rid of or free from enchantment, illusion, credulity.

Pissant: slang or vulgar.

C. What does Jonah end of doing about his apartmant that Krebbs completely destroyed? Was Jonah assigned to go to San Lorenzo or did he choose to go? Did Harrison Conners marry Angela just because of her father’s fame?

A. When Dr. Breed introduced the idea about clearing the Mud with ice-ninefor the Marines, Jonah was fascinated. Dr. Breed said ice-ninewasn’t in existence, but later Jonah found out that Dr. Hoenikker actually did create ice-nine and it was in the possessions of the three children. Jonah asked too many questions, which irritated Dr. Breed and he asked him to leave. On his way out Miss Faust gave him a tour of Dr. Hoenikker’s lab room where the door was blocked off by a purple cord and a brass plate on the wall, that was a script of who Dr. Hoenikker was to those around him. To Jonah’s amazement the room was cluttered with children’s toys. Before he left Ilium he wanted to photography Dr. Hoenikker’s tomb, but that also came to be a surprise to Jonah. The mother’s tomb was immense compared to his tomb which was extremely small.

B. Portentous: of the nature of a portent; momentous.

Mawkishly: characterized by sickly sentimentality; weakly emotional; maudlin.

Winsome: sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging.

C. What is the yellow press? Does Dr. Breed not know that ice-nine was really created by Dr. Hoenikker or does he just not want to admit it? Why was Jonah able to enter Dr. Hoenikker’s lab room if it was so “sacred” (55)?