Parnter Questions: Lennon and Ryan

1.)   The play opens with Antonio, the merchant, admitting that he is sad, but not knowing why.  Think of times when you’ve been sad.  Have you always understood exactly why, or has your sadness sometimes seemed strange to you?  Explain.

2.)   In Shakespeare’s time, lending money for interest was called “usury” and was generally considered immoral.  How have attitudes changed since then?

3.)   Think of the recent banking crisis and the state of today’s economy.  Do you think it’s all right to lend someone a large amount of money based on their word and reputation even though they may not have any concrete evidence of being able to pay you back?

4.)   This play includes romantic love stories and also ethnic and religious conflict.  How well do you expect these elements to blend?

1. Sometimes when we are sad, at most times, we know why we are sad. I remember a time when i was sad. But it wasn't cause i didn't know why, but because of the actual topic. And even when we don't know the actual problem then we are able to figure out why we are actually sad. We believe that when you are sad because you don't know, that just means you don't truly understand yourself and how you react to certain situations. Both of us, when we don't know why were sad, at least try to figure out what is making us feel down. 
2. We have noticed that now, it is okay to lend money to other people. Friends, even banks do this. But the problem now is whether or not you can trust that person to pay back the loan. People who don't pay back usually get into a lot of trouble. The thing that is immoral today is not paying back. But with that, some people today believe it is still wrong because not everyone can be trusted, but these people are usually the paranoia or the cautious. 
3. We think that in places of economic crisis, that is isn't okay to lend money to other people. Not because the people are bad, but because is could cause companies and the state to loose even more money. It is because not everyone pays the loan back immediately. Also, you don't know if someone could potentially change their way of thinking. They could be nice one day, but then show resentment the next. 
4. We think that through romance between two people of different religion or race could help societies of different beliefs live in harmony. An example could be Romeo and Juliet. Their love brought the to families to not hating each other anymore. So through this romance, a conflict could be resolved and no longer exist. 

1. Don’t rely on outward appearances when making judgments. 
2. Justice is always blind.
3. A brotherly love between two friends can be just as strong as an intimate love between a man and a woman.
4. You can break a promise as long as you have a good excuse
5. Love is blind.
6. Stereotypes are often right.
7. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is a good motto to live by.

1. Agree. The reason I agree is because most people's, or things outward or physical appearance can be deceiving. You cant just look at a person and tell whether or not they are happy, sad, or cool or not. An example is when I was in 6th grade. Some of my classmates, even me sometimes, would make fun of a person based on the way he looked. But later through 7th and 8th grade, I got to know him better, and it turned out he was a good friend and a nice person to be around.
2. Disagree. The reason I say this is because if you do something bad, no matter how well you try to hide and cover it up, justice will always appear you will always be punished for something wrong. An example is when I was younger. When I would lie or do something bad, I would always think that I would get away with it and not get in trouble. But i would eventually get in trouble. Not once, did i get away with doing something wrong. Justice always came through no matter what.
3. Agree. The reason I say this is because these two types of relation ships although very different, still show the same types of relations and values. The bonds between each person can be equally the same. Whenever I am with my friends, I never feel intimate passionate love, thats just gross. But I feel something equal to that, a sort of brotherly bond.
4. Disagree. A promise is your true word no matter what. If its between life or death, I feel is when is when you can break a promise. But when its a small excuse, it is inexcusable. I remember when i broke a promise to my friend and I had a "good" excuse, even though he forgave, the friendship never felt the same.
5. Agree. You cant love someone because of the way they look. Like my answer for #1, looks can be deceiving. You have to bas e your love on a persons personality. When I younger, I thought I liked a girl, but i was only paying attention to her looks. In the end i didn't like her personality. 
6. Disagree. Stereotypes are judging people. And like my answers for #1 and 5, looks are deceiving. People could think different from the way they look. My personal experience for this is the same as 31, because we would tease that person because of his appearance. 
7. Disagree. Revenge, although very satisfying, can be very dangerous and distressful. I think revenge is only necessary in dire situations. It can cause people to get hurt and feel bad and also, it could out you in a position you don't want to be. I remember when i was young, when someone hurt, instead of taking revenge, i just let it go. And eventually justice got that person without me getting in trouble. 

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