The following activities will help you explore some of these scenes with students using the RSC’s rehearsal room approaches.

Hath not a Jew eyes? (2015)

This activity looking at Shylock’s speech in Act 3 Scene 1 can be found on pages 6-7.

Shylock and public bullying (2011)

This activity exploring Shylock in Act 3 Scene 1 can be found on page 8.

Portia’s Speech to Bassanio (2015)

This activity exploring Act 3 Scene 2 and Portia’s words to Bassanio before he chooses a casket can be found on page 8.

Each activity can take between 20 and 40 minutes depending on time allowed for exploration and reflection.

You can also watch RSC actors exploring key scenes on this page. After completing the above activities you might want to share these videos with students and ask them to think about why the actors have chosen the interpretation they have.