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Discuss the following questions in groups, and write your answers down on foolscap paper. You will be asked to present in class. Questions: The Ring Plot** Why do Portia and Nerissa deceive Bassanio and Gratiano into handing over their rings?
 * TERM 3 WEEK 8

What significance does the ring plot have on the themes of
 * love and friendship;
 * money and worth?

Apart from rings, we also see other motifs in the play. Discuss the symbolism of each of these motifs.
 * precious stones
 * caskets
 * rings

by Miss Huang Si Jian
 * The Merchant of Venice Online Lessons**


 * TERM 3 WEEK 1**

Go to your respective class discussion board to post your responses to the discussion questions. Post your video presentation on the Life and Times of William Shakespeare on your respective class wiki here (2I1 or 2I4)
 * Instructions **

**Pre-lesson Preparation** You should have
 * read The Merchant of Venice over the June holidays
 * annotated the text for plot, character, setting and theme

**LESSON ONE** **Activity One: Who was William Shakespeare? ** What was his impact on history and culture? Why do we even bother to study him in Literature class? Click on the following links to find out more about Shakespeare's life his enduring influence on our lives today.


 * Source 1:** //All the world's a secret admirer// video

media type="youtube" key="a8A7d7wiHDE" height="344" width="425"


 * Source 2**: //[|William Shakespeare's biography]//


 * Source 3**: [|News article]

Reflect on the following questions and post your ideas on your class discussion board found at. You may choose to respond to a classmate’s post (agree or disagree with him). You can also pose any interesting questions that relate to the topic at hand.

1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)? 2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare’s works were not included in the syllabus? 3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare’s work and genius without knowledge about his background?

**Activity Two: Diagnostic Quizzes** Attempt either Quiz to check for knowledge of factual details in the text. No interpretation or analysis is required. Note that Quiz 2 is more difficult than Quiz 1.

[|Diagnostic Quiz 1] [|Diagnostic Quiz 2]

How did you fare in the quiz? Enter your results in the EMB message your teacher has posted. Please be honest. The score will not affect your final grade in any way. Instead, it will tell me your teacher whether you need more help.

Reflect on your results and reread //The Merchant of Venice// if you got any of the answers wrong.

**Homework** (need not be completed within the 1-hour period) Complete your group presentation (that was assigned over the June holidays) on the //Life and Times of William Shakespeare//. You should either 1) digitally recorded your presentation so that it can be uploaded onto Youtube or 2) use a software such as Voki ([|www.voki.com]) to create a presentation. 3) Upload / Embed the video onto your class wiki here (2I1 or 2I4) by 1700h, Thursday, 2 July 2009.

Remember to keep to the topic your group has been assigned.

**LESSON TWO** **Activity One : The** **Life & Times of William Shakespeare ** View the group presentation of each group in your class (found at 2I1 or 2I4). Download and fill it in before and as you view the presentation of each group. Bring the reflection to class next week.