Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Merchant of Venice: Brief Summary

Original by; William Shakespeare

Bassanio a gentleman of Venice requires 3000 ducats to pay for his travel expenses to Belmont. Bassanio wishes the money as he is seeking to wed the Heiress Portia. Bassanio turns to his good friend Antonio, who is a wealthy merchant.

Unfortunately, Antonio's money is tied up on Ships doing business. He, however has offered to be Guarantor, they attempt to borrow money from a wealthy Jew, Shylock. Shylock reluctantly agrees, but on the condition that if he doesn't pay the 3000 Ducats by three months than, Antonio has to give up a pound of his flesh, closest to the heart. They agree to the Bond.

Portia, in her home at Belmont has been visited by many suitors. From her dead fathers wishes her suitors were required to choose between a lead, silver, or a gold casket. The one who chooses the casket containing her portrait, would be her husband. No man has yet chosen the correct casket.

Jessica, the daughter of Shylock wishes to change into Christianity, against her father's will and marry the Christian Lorenzo. She runs away with him, and takes some of her father's fortune. Shylock is furious and vows revenge.

Bassanio with friend Gratiano travel to Belmont to, Portia is delighted to hear this, as he is the one she wants to marry. Before hand the prince of Morocco and the prince of Aragon had tried but failed to choose the correct casket. Bassanio takes his time in choosing the casket - he chooses the lead casket; the correct one. Gratiano, woes Nerissa, and the four prepare to be wed.

Bassanio's friends arrive with a messenger, he receives a letter from Venice, it said that Antonio's ship had not yet arrived and Shylock was demanding his pound of flesh, as the money had not been paid. Bassanio is extremely upset about this news. Portia reassures him and offers to pay any amount possible or do anything she can. The men set off back to Venice.

Portia along with Nerrissa conduct a plan to help Antonio, they tell Lorenzo and Jessica to mind the house while they wait for their husbands in a monastery. They plan to dress up as Lawyers in order to defend Antonio in court.

The two women enter the courtroom with a message that the doctor Balthasar (Portia) has being sent to replace the original doctor, Bellario. Portia begins her case with a plea for mercy, she begs him to forfeit the bond and accept three times the amount. Shylock refuses, as he wants to take his revenge on the Christains who have criticized him because he is a Jew.

Shylock:
Most learnèd judge, a sentence! Come prepare!

Portia:
Tarry a little, there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;
The words expressly are "a pound of flesh."

The Merchant Of Venice Act 4, scene 1, 304–307


Portia then reads the bond and discovers that Shylock is only allowed to take one pound of Antonio's flesh. She tells him that he can take his pound of flesh on the condition that he takes exactly one pound of flesh and only flesh. No blood shall be shed. Shylock is forced to forfeit the bond, if he does go outside the conditions than he too will be punished. Since he forfeited the bond, but threatened the life on a Venetian, Shylock was forced to give up his money, half to Antonio the other half to the general state. Antonio takes pity on the Jew and declines his half of the money, he tells the court that Shylock can keep his money, but on the condition that he change into Christianity and leave his money to his daughter on his death. The Jew painfully agrees.

The men gratefully thank doctor Balthasar and her clerk, they offer them anything they desire. Portia and Nerissa both ask for Bassanio's and gratiano's rings. Reluctantly they hand it to them, as it was a present from their wives who told them never to lose it.

Portia and Nerissa return home, soon after Bassanio, Antonio, and Gratiano return with the good news. Portia and Nerrissa demand to know what happened to the rings, the men apologized and explained the situation. Portia and Nerissa show them the rings and explain that they were the two doctors.

source: http://marialou.tripod.com/summary.html

Friday, December 17, 2010

School Break

KRINGGG!!!!
It's school break. HOORAYYY!!!
They're so happy. Who??? Of course my cute little armies. I'm just wondering how they might spend the boring time?? Now I'm home and keep my eyes- just to judge on them. It's out of my mind!!

Asilah- she'd make 2 small chairs (I'll post the pic one day- unbelievable but it's true!!!)
Farhan- today is his "Merdeka" day (of course after struggling for SPM)
Afiq- do the laundry in the morning, hang up all the clothes and he's a young bilal for zohor and asar prayer (that's my boy...)
Izzat and Aiman- attending Hafazan class everyday (I mean working day- 5 days in a week)



I'm so proud of them. I've thought that I miss a lot as I'm very busy in campus. It's a dissapointing as I can't (maybe never) be a good sis to them. I take a good care for tamhidians in Camellia but I'd forget my duty as the eldest- sorry guys...

Whatever it is, I'm proud of them. They're my sweet little ribena. I thank Allah for having this beautiful family. It's not perfect- I know but for me, this is my best.

I remember what our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said;

"Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent." (Al-Tirmidhi)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

BTN: Percutian Penuh Makna

Hari Pertama

Assalamualaikum w.b.t, salam hormat dan salam 1 Malaysia buat anda kesemuanya...
Pada hari ini kita akan mendengar ceramah kedua yang bertajuk 'Gagasan 1Malaysia'. Dijemput penceramah undangan untuk menyampaikan ceramah beliau. Dengan segala hormatnya dipersilakan...

*********
Hari Terakhir

"Lepas program ni jumpa saya," kata KF.
"Ada apa tuan nak jumpa saya?"
"Saya berminat dengan awak."
"Maksud tuan?"
"Saya tawarkan awak untuk jadi fasilitator."
"Tapi banyak yang saya tak tahu."
"Kami akan latih. Tak perlu berikan jawapan sekarang. Balik nanti fikir dulu, bila2 rasa berminat just call me."
"Baik, terima kasih tuan."

Ya Allah...Beratnya tanggungjawab ni. Mampukah untukku laksanakan sepenuh hati. Bukan mudah untuk mendidik masyarakat. Apatah lagi nak sampaikan kebenaran, kebenaran mengikut pandangan Islam, bukan menurut nafsu dan kehendak manusia semata-mata. Hakikatnya, kebenaran itu pahit. Masih berkira2 untuk terima atau tidak. Peluang yang datang hanya sekali. Namun memikirkan komitmen sedia ada, dengan tugas2 di fakulti dan kolej kediaman, saya perlu berfikir secara rasional.

Apa yang penting, biarlah saya buat keputusan atas redha ibu bapa, agar setiap langkah lebih bermakna. Percaturan Allah tak siapa tahu. Biarlah Dia takdirkan yang terbaik, dan saya redha akan setiap ketentuanNya. Kerana saya yakin Dia takkan pernah tinggalkan saya sendirian dan saya yakin sesungguhnya takdirNya itu bukan sia2.

"If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full."
(At-Tirmidhi)