The Merchant of Venice

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The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

In the next slide you find a link to a modern English translation of 

The Merchant of Venice

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Act 1 Scene 1

1. How do Salerio and Solanio explain Antonio’s melancholy state?

2. Describe Bassanio’s financial condition and how it came to be.

3. Why does Bassanio want to borrow again from Antonio?

4. How does Antonio respond to Bassanio’s plan?

answers Act 1 Scene 1

1. How do Salerio and Solanio explain Antonio’s melancholy state?

The gentlemen assume Antonio worries about the welfare of his ships at sea (1.1.15-40). When Antonio rejects their assumptions, Solanio wonders if Antonio is in love (1.1.46).

2. Describe Bassanio’s financial condition and how it came to be.

Bassanio admits to economic distress. He has lived lavishly without the means to support his lifestyle. He refers to his lifestyle as “prodigal,” a Biblical allusion to the prodigal son. He speaks all this to Antonio because they are good friends and because Bassanio has already borrowed a sum of money from Antonio. (1.1.122-134)

answers Act 1 Scene 1

3. Why does Bassanio want to borrow again from Antonio?

Now Bassanio is in love and believes he may have a chance to win Portia’s heart. Courtship, however, requires money. Bassanio needs a loan so that he may follow his heart. (1.1.161-176)

4. How does Antonio respond to Bassanio’s plan?

Antonio tells his friend that his money is tied up at sea, but Bassanio may go into Venice and use his name as a guarantee on a loan. Antonio will also seek a loan for his friend.

Act 1 Scene 2

5. Why is Portia upset about choosing a husband? Explain the test devised by her deceased father.

6. What do readers learn about Bassanio when Nerissa speaks about him to Portia?

answers Act 1 Scene 2

5. Why is Portia upset about choosing a husband? Explain the test devised by her deceased father.

Because of the “casket test” devised by her deceased father, Portia is upset about the possibility of ending up with a husband she would not choose. She cannot pick who she wants, nor can she declin someone she would not love. Her father’s test requires the suitor to choose amongst three caskets: one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead.

6. What do readers learn about Bassanio when Nerissa speaks about him to Portia?

Nerissa calls Bassanio “a scholar and soldier” and declares he is the only man her eyes have looked upon that is deserving of Portia. (1.2.112-114 and 1.2.117-119)

Act 1 Scene 3

7. What does Bassanio ask of Shylock?

8. Explain why Shylock feels justified in disliking Antonio.

9. What are the terms on Bassanio’s loan?

answers Act 1 Scene 3

7. What does Bassanio ask of Shylock? Bassanio asks to borrow 3,000 ducats and wants three months to repay the loan.

8. Explain why Shylock feels justified in disliking Antonio.  At first Shylocks says he hates Antonio because he is a Christian. Then he says that what he dislikes more than Antonio’s Christianity is Antonio’s policy not to charge interest on loans. Antonio not charging for loans drives down the interest Shylock can charge when he lends money. Shylock then elaborates on his first grudge against the merchant: Antonio hates Jewish people and he speaks unkindly about Shylock to the other merchants.  Shylock says forgiving Antonio would be a betrayal of the Jewish nation. (1.3.42-51)

9. What are the terms on Bassanio’s loan? If the loan is not paid, the balance must be paid by an equal amount of flesh (1.3.149-150).

Act 2 Scene 1

1. What is the dramatic purpose (significance - which means apply a literary analysis to this line by applying literary devices and/or elements) of Portia’s statement: “Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair/ As any comer I have look’d on yet/ For my affection” (II.i.20-22).

2. What is the penalty a suitor must suffer if he chooses the wrong casket?

answers Act 2 Scene 1

1. What is the dramatic purpose (significance - which means apply a literary analysis to this line by applying literary devices and/or elements) of Portia’s statement: “Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair/ As any comer I have look’d on yet/ For my affection” (II.i.20-22).

Dramatic irony - we know how Portia felt about the suitors that have come so far – she mocked and laughed at them

Word play - she puns on the word “fair” – meaning fair as in good looking and receiving a fair chance like the rest of her suitors

2. What is the penalty a suitor must suffer if he chooses the wrong casket?

He can never marry(!)

Act 2 Scene 7

1. What is Morocco’s reason for his choice of the gold casket?

   

2. What is the significance of the Death’s head and the poem that the Prince finds in the casket?

answers Act 1 Scene 7

1. What is Morocco’s reason for his choice of the gold casket?

Lead being a base metal is surely not worth hazarding all for: “I’ll not give nor hazard aught for lead,” he decides.

He is choosing based on the outward appearance and monetary value of the caskets and not actually paying attention to the true meaning of the inscription.

2. What is the significance of the Death’s head and the poem that the Prince finds in the casket?

Act 2 Scene 8

1. Explain how Solanio’s rendering of Shylock’s words can be considered mockery.

‘My daughter! Oh my gold coins! Oh my daughter!

Fled with a Christian! Oh my Christian coins!

Police! The law! My coins, and my daughter!

A sealed bag, two sealed bags of gold coins,

Of much money, stolen from me by my daughter!

And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,

Stolen by my daughter! Police! Find the girl;

She has the stones with her, and the coins.’

2. What is the purpose of the conversation between Salerio and Solanio? Apply a literary device and/or element.

answers Act 2 Scene 8

1. Explain how Solanio’s rendering of Shylock’s words can be considered mockery.

‘My daughter! Oh my gold coins! Oh my daughter!

Fled with a Christian! Oh my Christian coins!

Police! The law! My coins, and my daughter!

A sealed bag, two sealed bags of gold coins,

Of much money, stolen from me by my daughter!

And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,

Stolen by my daughter! Police! Find the girl;

She has the stones with her, and the coins.’

Shylock seems to be more concerned about his ducats (i.e. money) than his daughter because he is angry that she stole them.

2. What is the purpose of the conversation between Salerio and Solanio? Apply a literary device and/or element.

- To give us information that an English ship full of merchandise was lost at sea, perhaps Antonio’s

- Provides foreshadowing

Act 2 Scene 9

1. We finally learn all three conditions that a suitor agrees to when he makes a choice of caskets. What are these three conditions?

2. What is Arragon’s reason for his choice of the silver casket? What does this reveal about his personality?

3. What news does the servant girl bring, and what is Portia’s witty response?

answers Act 2 Scene 9

1. We finally learn all three conditions that a suitor agrees to when he makes a choice of caskets. What are these three conditions?

A. They would never reveal their choice to anyone

B. They would never ask any other girl for marriage

C. If they choose, they must immediately leave the place be gone

2. What is Arragon’s reason for his choice of the silver casket? What does this reveal about his personality?

Silver: he decides that only those deserving honor should receive it and since he himself is full of merit, he deserves the prize of Portia’s hand. He is FAR TOO ARROGANT.

3. What news does the servant girl bring, and what is Portia’s witty response?

Her servant speaks so highly about Bassanio.

His arrival is like the first day of spring – sweet!

Portia says that she hopes he’s not related to her servant because she speaks so highly of him

Act 3 scene 1

1. On the third page, Shylock repeats the words “look at this bond” twice. What does this suggest about Shylock’s intentions?

2. What are the effects of Shylock’s “hath not a Jew eyes” speech? How is it intended to make the reader feel about him?

3. What is the prevailing mood as the scene ends?

answers Act 3 scene 1 

1. On the third page, Shylock repeats the words “look at this bond” twice. What does this suggest about Shylock’s intentions?

He is adamant to keep to the word of the bond and will not mitigate (=reduce) his claim.

2. What are the effects of Shylock’s “hath not a Jew eyes” speech? How is it intended to make the reader feel about him?

At first the reader may pity Shylock, as he portrays himself as an human being, equal to the Christians. However, it must be stressed that Shylock only quotes the Old Testament of the bible, in which revenge is accepted or even endorsed. However, Christians believe the New Testament supersedes the Old Testament. In the NT Jesus teaches “to turn the other cheek” rather than revenge as a reaction to wrongdoing. Shylock, the Jew, does believe in the OT (as Jews do) and uses this to make his argument, even though it is NOT what Christians are taught to do.

3. What is the prevailing mood as the scene ends?

Ominous - it foreshadows trouble

Act 3 scene 2

1. What are Bassanio’s reasons for rejecting the gold and silver caskets?

2. Why does Portia give Bassanio a ring? What does it symbolize?

3. Summarize the contents of Antonio’s letter to Bassanio. How does Antonio prove he is a true friend to Bassanio?

answers Act 3 scene 2

1. What are Bassanio’s reasons for rejecting the gold and silver caskets?

- Outward appearances are deceiving

- He also says that since everyday coins are made of silver, Portia is more worthy of that

2. Why does Portia give Bassanio a ring? What does it symbolize?

- It a symbol of her commitment to Bassanio and to let him know that she is giving him everything

- If he takes the ring off, he is destroying their love

Act 3 scene 3

1. What reason does Antonio give for Shylock’s insistence on the fulfillment of the bond?

answers Act 3 scene 3

1. What reason does Antonio give for Shylock’s insistence on the fulfillment of the bond?

- Shylock hates Antonio because he is ruining his money lending business

- He has prevented people from borrowing from Shylock, being in his debt, and owing extra money

Act 3 scene 4

1. What is Portia’s plan (as far as mentioned in this scene)?

answers Act 3 scene 4

1. What is Portia’s plan (as far as mentioned in this scene)?

She and Nerissa will dress up as men and pretend they are learned men. She will use hers intelligence to outwit (the) men.

Act 4 scene 1

1. What is the Duke’s opinion of Shylock’s suit to enforce the bond? What does it foreshadow?

2. Shylock demands justice. What does Portia demand?

3. How does Portia frustrate Shylock’s attempt to have his bond enforced?

4. What penalties does the Duke impose on Shylock for deliberately seeking

5. Do you think that the Duke’s sentence is just or merciful? Why?

answers Act 4 scene 1

1. What is the Duke’s opinion of Shylock’s suit to enforce the bond? What does it foreshadow?

- The Duke of Venice sympathizes with Antonio: “I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer/ A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch.”

- Will Shylock get a fair trial? FORESHADOWING

- The duke tells Shylock that everyone expects him to have mercy at the last moment

- Shylock is also expected to reduce the amount of money owed to him

2. Shylock demands justice. What does Portia demand?

- Portia demands mercy

- This is difficult for people after they’ve been treated so poorly = the theme of empathy and compassion can be applied here (to put ourselves in Shylock’s shoes)

- Portia is concerned with her duty to effect salvation wherever she can

- Her pleas to show mercy are really attempts on her part to save the damned Shylock

- She wants him to abandon his Old Testament belief to justice

answers Act 4 scene 1

3. How does Portia frustrate Shylock’s attempt to have his bond enforced?

- The bond does not stipulate that he can have any blood – only a pound of flesh

- According to law, if he sheds even one drop of blood, than Shylock’s lands and goods will be confiscated by the state

- Shylock reverses his stand and will take three times the amount owed to him

- Portia does not accept this and tells him that he will have his bond

- She tells Shylock to cut it off, but only one pound

- Shylock feels defeated and prepares to leave

- Portia stops him and tells him that the law has another hold on him; if any alien attempts to directly or indirectly “seek the life of any citizen,” that citizen is entitled to half his goods and the state entitled to another half (the oppression of “the other”)

- He lies in the mercy of the duke

- SHE WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TO HAVE ANYTHING BUT FULL “JUSTICE” = TOTAL DEFEAT

answers Act 4 scene 1

4. What penalties does the Duke impose on Shylock for deliberately seeking Antonio’s life?

- The duke pardons Shylock’s life and offers to reduce his debt to the state to a mere fine

- Antonio asks the duke to relieve Shylock of his debt to the state and he himself be given use of the half of the estate, which upon his death will be passed on to Lorenzo and Jessica

- Shylock must become a Christian and all of his goods will be left to Lorenzo and Jessica in his will

- Shylock accepts the conditions and leaves the court

answers Act 4 scene 1

5. Do you think that the Duke’s sentence is just or merciful? Why?

- These “reduced” punishments on Antonio’s part are sill calculated to inflict misery and humiliation on Shylock

- They strip him of his WEALTH and FAITH

- Is Antonio a merciful Christian?

Act 4 scene 2

1. At the end of this scene, what does Portia’s aside to Nerissa foreshadow for Act V?

answers Act 4 scene 2

1. At the end of this scene, what does Portia’s aside to Nerissa foreshadow for Act V?

- Foreshadows marital problems to come between Portia and Bassanio and for Lorenzo and Jessica

Act 5 scene 1

1. What do you suppose is the purpose of this scene?

answers Act 5 scene 1

1. What do you suppose is the purpose of this scene?

- Restores the mood of romance, comedy, and harmony

- Characters are free to celebrate their good fortunes in the peaceful world of Belmont

- A perfect example of an ending to a comedy: love, music, wit, good fortune, and sexual innuendos (suggestions)

- Everyone is happy except for one person – Shylock

summary, background and analysis

films and plays of The Merchant of Venice