User:Mosborne Ashs School Nz/Temp/Worksheet-conversion.odt

Conversion and rebirth in The Merchant of Venice

How does Portia describe the process of Bassanio ‘winning’ the lottery of the caskets? What sense does the word ‘converted’ have here?

Why does Jessica convert to Christianity? Why do the Christians helping her flee respond the way they do?

Jessica’s use of the word ‘converting’ (Act III, sc v) is at first glance comic, but is there a deeper criticism on Shakespeare’s part?

Another sense of conversion is to be reborn, or to live again after death. How does Portia’s imagery during the trial scene reflect this idea? How does it connect with Shylock? Antonio?