The Merchant of Venice Q's
How does Shylock initially describe his demand for a pound of flesh to Bassanio and Antonio?
a harmless prank
Why does the prince of Morocco fear that Portia will dislike him?
his dark complexion
define Anti-semitism
hostility to or prejudice against Jews.
What must Portia's suitors do if they fail the casket test?
leave, never come back and can't get married
What are Portia's "manly" virtues?
- Overwhelming generosity - wants to share her wealth - A sharp & logical mind - sends Bassanio back with 3x his loan; when that doesn't work, disguises herself as a man and goes into court to save him and Antonio (whom she has never met)
From what character flaw does Bassanio believe Gratiano suffers?
A lack of depth
According to Tubal's report, for what did Jessica trade Shylock's most precious ring?
A monkey
Why does Shylock hate Antonio?
Antonio hates Jews, so he is rude to him and spits on him
Which of the following is not a reason Shylock gives for hating Antonio? a. Antonio is in love with Jessica b. Antonio has insulted Shylock in the past c. Antonio hates Jews d. Antonio lends money without interest, which damages Shylock's business.
Antonio is in love with Jessica
What might be considered a bit hypocritical about Antonio's attitude towards Shylock?
Antonio thinks he's a model Christian but he has been rude and very cruel to Shylock
How does Portia prevent Shylock from taking his pound of flesh from Antonio?
Dresses up as a lawyer and tells him the contract says he can't shed blood; it is against the law to spill Christian blood.
Whom does Bassanio agree to bring with him to Belmont?
Gratiano
What reason does Antonio give for being sad in the opening scene of the play?
He gives no reason.
How is Shylock punished for seeking to take Antonio's life?
He must convert to Christianity and will his possessions to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his death
What complaint does Launcelot make regarding the conversion of the Jews?
He says that the price of bacon would soar.
How does Shylock react to losing Launcelot as a servant?
He tells Launcelot that Bassanio will be a harder master
In court, how does Antonio react to Shylock's insistence on collecting his pound of flesh?
He vows that he will meet Shylock's hatred with patience.
What words does Shylock utter after accepting the court's sentence?
I am not well.
Why does Portia pretend to be angry at Bassanio at the end of The Merchant of Venice?
In her disguise as a lawyer, Portia persuades Bassanio to give her a ring he'd promise Portia would never take off. - In a way, acting as if she is the intelligent one
What do Portia's suitors show about Renaissance Italy's relations with the rest of the world?
Italy dealt with all parts of the world through trade including all people from christians to muslims
What does Portia vow to do when she learns that Bassanio no longer has the ring she gave him?
Make her husband a cuckcold (the husband of an adulterous wife)
What act does Jessica believe will solve the misery of life with Shylock?
Marrying Lorenzo
What does Lorenzo order when he learns that Portia is on her way to Belmont?
Music
Who enters the court disguised as a young doctor of Law named Balthasar?
Portia
Portia's strength and intelligence might be considered a compliment to what real-life powerful woman in Shakespeare's England?
Queen Elizabeth
Why is it a comedy?
Shakespeare's target audience was the Englishmen in the late 1500s...There's a handful of puns throughout the text with a clever & witty dialogue..
How does Portia react to the prince of Morocco's failure as a suitor?
She prays that no one with such dark skin ever wins her hand.
What is the trick that Portia pulls?
She reveals that Shylock's contract has a loophole - it doesn't entitle him to Antonio's blood. The words expressly specify "a pound of flesh." So if he sheds one drop of Christian blood, the state of Venice will confiscate his land and property under Venetian law.
What does Portia risk by disguising herself as a man and arguing a case in a public courtroom?
She risks her reputation, status, and also execution.
According to Lorenzo's plan, how will Jessica escape from her father's house?
She will disguise herself as Lorenzo's torchbearer and slip out undetected.
What loophole in Shylock's bond allows Portia to stop him from taking a pound of Antonio's flesh?
Shylock is entitled only to flesh, but not blood
What happens to Shylock at the end of the play? Why would this have seemed a happy ending in Shakespeare's time?
Shylock transferred to Christianity; happy because audience was Christian and doesn't like Jews
What does the textbook section on vendetta suggest about Shylock's behavior?
Shylock's behavior was moral because he was taken advantage of because Antonio didn't pay back his loan. Shylock isn't allowed to get public revenge because he is a jew..
What news does Antonio receive at the play's end?
Some of the ships he supposed were lost have arrived in port
What course of action does Portia suggest when she learns that Shylock wishes to collect his pound of flesh?
That the bond be paid many times over
Who loses the opportunity to marry Portia by choosing the silver casket?
The Prince of Arragon
How has Portia's father decided she must choose her husband?
The suitors need to pick a casket (gold, silver or lead) and if it was right they get to marry Portia
What does Bassanio offer the young law clerk who saves Antonio?
The three thousand ducats originally due to Shylock.
Where does Portia instruct her servant Balthasar to hurry?
To Padua to visit Doctor Bellario
Who played women's roles in the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries?
Young boys who have not had their voice change yet.