A fully-resourced one hour lesson to support students in exploring the casket test in Act 2 Scene 7 of The Merchant of Venice. Students will be guided through the reading of the scene and then creatively respond by predicting what they believe will be in the other incorrect casket.
Learning Objective: Explore the casket test for Portia’s suitors.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will read summaries of Act 2 Scenes 4-6 and complete recall questions.
-Students will be guided through the reading of Act 2 Scene 7 and consider the reasons the Prince gives for rejecting or choosing each casket.
-Students will creatively respond to the scene by predicting what will be in the remaining incorrect casket.
Lesson Outline:
Do it now: Match the character description to the name.
Starter: Summary of Act 2 Scenes 4-6 followed by recall questions and think-pair-share to consider Shylock’s reaction.
Activity one: Guided reading of the scene with student questions interspersed.
Activity two: Students creatively predict what will be inside the other incorrect casket.
Plenary: Act 2 Scene 7 ends with Portia saying “a gentle riddance” as she is happy to see the Prince leave. Why do you think she says this? Is it because she doesn’t want to marry the Prince specifically or is there another reason?
More Resources for The Merchant of Venice
Freebies:
- For character revision posters for your classroom, click here.
- For an English/Drama lesson based on Portia’s choice in Act 1 Scene 2, click here.
- For a Scheme of Work overview for the unit, click here.
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£3.50