Merchant of Venice quiz Act 3-5

Does this play have a "happily ever after" ending? Why or why not? What contributes to that feeling? What detracts from it?

• This comedy does qualify as a comedy because all the characters are happy in the end and everyone gets what they want. • We know these characters are very deceptive with each other. • Shylock doesn't get his happily ever after. • We feel bad for Shylock and has been a victim of some abuse through the story.

What is Shakespeare's intent in bringing in the ring plotline here? What purpose does it serve?

• This ring plot line is supposed to bring more comedy to the story.

Why would Portia ask Bassanio for the ring he had promised not to give away? What does this say about her character?

• This shows that Portia is testing Bassanio. • She tests her and tries to be tricky.

Examine the argument about the ring (ll.192-208). What is the tone of that argument? How do you know this? How has Shakespeare molded the language to convey this tone?

• To the audience it is comical but to the boys they are upset. • The reason it is comical is because we knew that Portia and Nerissa had this planned.

What comparisons does Antonio make concerning Bassanio's arguing with Shylock?

• You can't change a person's nature.

What is Antonio's mood going into the trial? How does this compare with his mood in I, i? Why do you think this is?

• He doesn't feel sorry for himself and wants to take the punishment. • He does express great sorrow. • Were showing a comparison of why he's sad. He's sad in the beginning of the story because he doesn't know himself. But here his sadness is coming from the fact that he knows he will be found guilty.

Based on how Shylock has been treated by Christians, is it wrong for him to want revenge? If positions were reversed, would Antonio demand fulfillment of the bond according to the terms that were set?

• He is going behind people's backs to get revenge. • A Jew should have the right to seek revenge because the Christians treated them wrong. • Antonio wouldn't demand the pound of flesh. He doesn't really care about the money. He lends Bassanio money and doesn't seek anything in return.

How does Portia save Antonio's life?

• He is not allowed to shed an once of blood. • He cant have less or more or a pound of flesh. • Shylock is stuck with nothing.

How does Gratiano respond to the proceedings?

• He mocks Shylock through out the proceedings, once Portia shows the loop whole Gratiano says "Daniel" so he is mocking Shylock.

What does Antonio's letter indicate about his feelings for Bassanio?

• He only cares about seeing Bassanio as his friend before he dies. • He will forget all the debt he owes him. • He says only if Bassanio truly cares for him, Should he come to visit? • Shows he truly cares about his friendship.

Why does Launcelot use wordplay as humor? What effect does his humor have?

• He uses wordplay to joke around with people. He jokes with his master to build a friendly relationship with him. • This is supposed to be another example of farce. • Because of the intensity of the climax Shakespeare wants to lighten the mood.

Why does Shylock refuse to get a doctor to attend to Antonio?

• He wants Antonio to suffer. • Shylock specifically says its not in the contract.

What is Antonio's reaction to the trial?

• He wants the verdict and wants the killing. • He thinks that his life has been okay.

Which does Shylock miss more: Jessica or his money? How would his grief and anger affect the way he talks about the losses?

• He wishes his daughter were dead with the Jewels that she stole. • All the grief and anger he is having has a stronger affect by the way he talks. • Shylock is an unmerciful character. • Shylock is more concerned that Jessica spent 80 ducats then Jessica never coming back again.

What do Jessica and Lorenzo think of Portia? Why is their opinion important enough for Shakespeare to show?

• Her personality is like no one else's. • She thinks that Bassanio is very lucky to have her. • We learned that Portia can change her ways regarding racism.

Why is Shylock so adamant about the law and in his refusal to grant mercy, despite the offer of double and triple repayment? What is greater than his religion and his love of money?

• His word is more important and he wants to keep the contract. • Its no longer about the money or the religion its about his pride. • He says he made an oath in heaven and isn't going to break it.

How is others' treatment of their slaves comparable to Shylock's treatment of his 'pound of flesh,' according to Shylock? How does this argument test Venetian law?

• This argument tests the validity of Venetian law. • The Christians did not treat their slaves well and because the slaves are expensive and the pound of flesh is expensive then why cant he do anything with his expensive pound of flesh. • Validity actually means truth. • The argument tests whether the Venetian law is true or not.

Look at the circumstances under which Bassanio has come to court Portia. Is he the type of man Portia's father would have chosen for her? Does he have an unfair advantage in her hints?

• The 2 of them shouldn't be together because it wasn't determined by faith. • They're both lying to each other. • His speech about what's going on the outside is against Portia's judgmental nature. • Its ironic that he is also faking it. He is presenting himself as someone he is not.

What mercy does the Duke show? Before he gives his punishment, the Duke tells Shylock that he will "see the difference of our spirit" (l.367). What is the spirit of the Venetians, and by extension, Christians?

• The Duke spears his life and only has to give half his goods. • The Venetians are merciful people.

Shakespeare calls this play a comedy. How does the outcome of this trial help the play qualify?

• The disguise or deception that Portia and Nerissa do. • The whole situation was reversed around and Shylock is made a joke of.

How do those in the courtroom react to Shylock? How would you describe their behavior? How is their behavior similar to and different from behavior towards him in the streets of Venice? Find evidence from the text for your comparison.

• The duke is trying to be retinol with Shylock, he's trying to talk him out of it. • The duke tries to appeal to Shylocks sense of mercy. • Overall the duke treats him with respect. • They are very cruel and call him many names, they also argue with him. • Overall with the people who are disrespecting him he still has his case and to obey the law.

What excuse does Bassanio give the disguised Portia for not initially giving her his wedding ring?

• The first thing he says is the ring is not worth much. • The second thing he says it's a ring that his wife gave.

What effect does music have on the characters specifically, and on the scene in general?

• The music reflex's the harmony and happiness of the people coming together at the end.

What does the fact that both Bassanio and Gratiano give their rings away say about relationships between men and relationships between men and women?

• The role of men was to be faithful more towards other men then being more faithful then other women.

How does the dramatic shift in setting affect the tone of the play at this point?

• The shift is from Venice to Belmont. • The tone is happier showcasing a fairytale happily ever after.

Antonio quips that the devil can cite scripture for his own purpose (I, iii, l.95). How does the scriptural debate between Launcelot and Jessica serve each character's purpose? This debate has the potential to explode the harmony of Belmont. How does Shakespeare diffuse this?

• The spiritual debate between Jessica and Launcelot is whether or not Jessica is becoming a Christian is a good thing for her soul. • This is a breaking free from her fathers sins. (Jessica) • Launcelot worries about the price of poor. • The way Shakespeare defuses this situation is through comic relief.

Why is the loss of the ring even more agonizing to Shylock?

• The wealth of the ring works on 2 levels . • Works on the level of it being expensive $. And the sentimentality of it is also very important to him. • Jessica is sneaky she is acting like her father. • Makes Jessica a very round character.

What new insights do Portia and Nerissa have into their husbands' natures as a result of this trial?

• Their husbands are not as true as the husbands had confessed they are.

How does Shylock feel about the outcome of the trial? How do you feel about it? Was this a fair trial? Explain.

• Them turning this trial around and having Shylock get most of the chargers is unfair. • The trial went both ways, Portia did everything honestly. • He's begrudgingly satisfied.

How has the relationship between Jessica and Launcelot changed since Launcelot became Bassanio's servant and not Shylock's? Has his change in master changed his personality? Explain.

• There relationship hasn't changed much since his time with Shylock. • He still uses word play and still speaks his mind. • Launcelot seems to be more willing to work and seems to be a better servant to his new masters.

Why does Shakespeare return us to Lorenzo and Jessica? What can we glean about their relationship? Are they a good match? Explain your answer.

• They are very happy with one another. • They are joking around and comparing themselves to different lovers. Those lovers include Troiluse and Jessica talks about thesabe Lorenzo talks about dido and Jessica talks about media. • All the lovers they talk about actually all betrayed the ones they love but on page 207 Lorenzo says he will always forgive Jessica this is what makes them a good match.

What does Jessica's cross-dressing have in common with Portia and Nerissa's? What purpose does each serve?

• They do it to help the people they love. • Portia and Nerissa need to escape Belmont without being noticed. • Men are more accepted in society then women are. • The way to get to places and get more information is to dress up like a man.

What news do Gratiano and Nerissa have? What bet do they make with Bassanio and Portia?

• They fell in love like bassanio and Portia did and they want to get married. • There bet is that they will have a son before Bassanio and Portia do.

How serious will the consequences of giving the rings away be? How do you know?

• They're probably not going to go through with the strong consequences.

The act starts in moonlight and ends as morning comes. Why?

• Symbolically the birth of a new day and a new life for all the characters.

Who says "So may the outward shows be last themselves. The world is still deceived with ornament."

Bassanio

Who says "To entrap the wisest. Therefor then,thou gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas,I will none of thee. Nor none of thee,thou pale and common drudge 'Tween man and man. But thou, thou meagre lead, Which rather threaten'st than dost promise aught, Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence and here choose I. Joy be the consequence!"

Bassanio

Why is it such a crisis for Shylock that his daughter converted and married a Christian?

He's ashamed of his daughter. Thinking of the shame she brought him(His daughter is converting to be a Christian) To Shylock Christians are his sworn enemies.

Who says "I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands organs dimensions senses affections passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?If you tickle us,do we not laugh? If you poison us,do we not die?"

Shylock

Who says "This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood. The words expressly are "a pound of flesh." Take them thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh."

Portia

Who says "Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

Portia

Why does Solanio think the Duke will forgive the forfeiture? Why doesn't Antonio?

• Antonio believes that if the duke does not in force the law it would "threaten the security of all foreign merchants in Venice." • If the law doesn't step in and say u have to pay back his contract then other merchants may not get paid. • Salonio believes that the duke will never allow such an outrages contract to be enforced.

What about Antonio's mercy? What are his conditions?

• Antonio says instead of giving your money to me give it to your daughter and Lorenzo and Shylock has to become a Christian. • Antonio's mercy is very unselfish and very selfish.

What effect do Bassanio's pleas have?

• Bassanio is showing how true of a friend he is to Antonio. • It has no effect because Shylock still has no mercy.

What do the Venetians gain from Shylock's conversion to Christianity? Why would this punishment be viewed as a virtuous one?

• By converting Shylock into a Christian he is outcast by his Jewish religion and people are able to mock him about this situation.

What is the legal punishment for conspiring against a Venetian's life?

• Death • The victim receives half the foreigners goods and the other half goes to the state.

Why does Shylock insist on the punishment for forfeiting the bond?

• Shylock wants revenge because Antonio believes Shylock hates him because he gives money to people who can not pay Shylock back.

Portia gives Bassanio the ring with a warning, and Bassanio accepts the ring with his own pledge. How is this contract or bond similar to and different from the one made in Venice? What significance did rings have in Elizabethan England? Do they have the same significance today?

• If he looses the ring she has the right to be mad at him and there love will be doomed. • The ring represents commitment. • The day he will take his ring off he will die. • The 2 contracts are similar because if Antonio doesn't pay back Shylock he will die. • One is made out of love and the other is made out of hate. • They make themselves to be a contract or a promise and a serious commitment or a serious promise. • Some people don't take it seriously for a variety of reasons.

Much of this play has to do with Christian vs. Jewish standards of morality. What takes precedence in Venetian law, where commerce is king?

• If the city doesn't have laws that protect the merchants the cost will go down. • It supports business. • The Venetian law is better.

Examine the end rhymes of Portia's song as well as the images it includes. How might these be construed as hints?

• It rhymed with lead (red, shad, head) • Ding Dong Bell, Bells were made out of lead during that time period which helped pushed Bassanio towards the lead box. • All these hints are made to push Bassanio in the direction of the Lead Box.

What does it mean for Shylock to call Portia a "Daniel"?

• It says Daniel in the bible showed great wisdom so Shylock is calling Poria a Daniel because shes showing great wisdom for her age.

Look at the "welcome" given to Jessica (ll.218 and 237). How does she try to fit into Belmont society? What will life be like for her?

• It seems that all of the friends are openly welcomed. • She gets a very brief hello. • She tries to jump into there conversation and she is trying to stick up for Antonio in this situation but really everyone else ignores her. • She is always going to judged and ignored from where she originally came from. • She doesn't care that he doesn't have the money. • She's more impressed that he cares more about his friend. • It doesn't seem to affect her. • She is impressed that he came clean. It shows that he is a loyal and honest character.

How easy is it for Antonio to change Bassanio's mind? What does Antonio say Bassanio should value more than the ring?

• It's a token of his appreciation.

Why the new emphasis on music?

• It's supposed to express emotion. • Expresses the emotion of the seriousness in this situation. • The song is giving hints. • The song that Portia wanted to play had helped Bassanio pick the correct box.

Compare Bassanio's logic in selection with Morocco's and Aragon's. How does his elimination process differ from theirs? How does his description of the world also describe himself? Would he have been able to choose without Portia's hints or encouragement? Why or why not?

• Morocco focused on social class. • Bassanio focused on what's on the inside. • This is an example of situational irony. • He is professing that there is always something deeper yet he himself is faking whom he really is, going back to our theme.

What does she tell Lorenzo that she and Nerissa will do? What is their actual plan?

• Nerissa and Portia are locking themselves away in a monastery. • A monastery is where nuns or priests live. • She is locking herself in prayer. In actuality Portia and Nerissa plan to dress up like men to see if they can help Antonio. • She is going to dress up like a male lawyer to see if she can help Antonio and Bassanio. • She is going to dress up like a man and help out the situation (looks may be deceiving play a part here.

What appeals does Portia make in petitioning Shylock to have mercy? What effect do these appeals have on Shylock?

• Nobody gives mercy because he has to, people show mercy because of the benefits. • Mercy lesses twice. It blesses the person who gives and blesses the person who receives. • It doesn't have any affect on him, Shylock still wants his penalty.

How is Portia's intelligence an asset to her marriage? How is it a hindrance?

• Portia allows herself to maintain her independence, However her intelligence also puts Bassanio down and makes him look foolish.

Why would Portia even consider helping Antonio?

• Portia decides to help Antonio because he is Bassanio's friend which means they must be similar men. • Portia seems to value friendship in her life.

How is she equipped to portray a man?

• Portia is also good at being deceivable.

Does it surprise you that Portia upholds the law instead of bending it in this case? Why or why not?

• Portia would twist peoples words through out the story. • She needs to maintain her disguise. • Portia is pretty clever through out the story, by not bending the rules we think she has a trick up her sleve. • I'm not surprised she seems to always have a trick up her sleeve. • Portia knows how important it is to maintain the law.

What does Portia's speech about their disguises (ll.60-78) say about her opinion of men?

• She says that men ram about there youth and talk about fights. • She thinks that men are very arrogant when it comes to love. • She also implies that they lie and are un trust worthy. • She seems men as immature.

How is Portia's demeanor with Bassanio different from that with her other suitors? What new side of Portia are we seeing? Give support for your answer from the text.

• She wants Bassanio to win! Shes even willing to break the oath she has and tell him what box. • Appearances can be deceiving. • We as an audience in this moment have trouble understanding where Portia is telling the truth and where Portia is not telling the truth.

Is Shylock a villain or a victim of persecution?

• Shylock is a victim of Persecution because the Christians have treated him wrong. • No reason to spit or call someone a dirty dog because of his or her religion. • Jessica has no regard for his feelings.

Why does Shylock channel his grief over Jessica's leaving into anger at Antonio?

• Shylock is able to channel his anger because he has control of Antonio. • He's spending a lot of money to try and find Jessica. • He sent friends to try and find her or hear about her. • Shylock is upset that he's loosing his daughter and his money and he can't control it. • Shylock is preparing the Police officer for the worst, he wants to arrest Antonio and give him the worst.