The Merchant of Venice

What role does blood play as a symbol in the text? How do characters like Shylock think of blood compared to how Christian noblemen think of it? As a concept, how does blood unite humanity? How does it divide it?

How do you view Bassanio’s courtship of Portia? Clearly, it financially benefits him to marry her. Moreover, doing so will help his best friend Antonio. Do you think Bassanio has true affection for Portia? What about Portia for Bassanio? Is the relationship entirely transactional or perhaps somewhere in-between?

What is the broader thematic relevance of the three caskets? And how do deceptive appearances play into the behavior of the Christian noblemen? Are their appeals to Christian mercy truly Christian or merely self-serving?