Merchant of Venice
Questions
Act I Scene i
1. What is Antonio’s emotional condition at the beginning of the play?
2. What do Salanio and Salario give as the reason for Antonio’s sadness?
3. When Antonio denies this, what is their reply?
4. Why will Gratiano “play the fool” and what impression does his speech give you of
his character?
5. a)Why does Bassanio say to Antonio “I owe you much” b) why does Bassanio need
Antonio’s help again?
6. a) How does Bassanio describe Portia?
b) What is Bassanio’s motive for wooing Portia?
Act I Scene ii
1. What is the cause of Portia’s weariness?
2. How does Nerissa defend Portia’s father’s will?
3. Briefly describe each of the men who have come to woo Portia.
4. How do Portia and Nerissa feel about Bassanio?
5. At the close of the scene, who is arriving?
6. What characteristics of Portia are evident in this scene?
Act I scene iii
1. Why has Bassanio come to see Shylock?
2. How does Shylock respond to Bassanio’s dinner invitation?
3. a) What is an aside?
b) In Shylocks aside, lines 41-52, he gives three reasons for his hatred of
Antonio. What are these reasons?
4. How does Antonio justify his application for a loan?
5. According to Shylock, how has Antonio treated him in the past?
6. Describe the exact conditions of the loan agreement?
7. How do Bassanio and Antonio feel about the conditions of the loan?
8. What two main plots have been introduced?
Act II scene i
1. Prove that the Prince of Morocco is very boastful.
2. In lines 40-44, Portia states one of the most important conditions of the “lottery”.
a) What is this condition?
b) Why did Portia’s father probably impose this condition?
Act II scene ii
1. At the beginning of the scene, what is Launcelot Gobbo’s problem?
2. What is his solution?
3. What creates humour in this scene?
4. What request does Gratiano make of Bassanio?
5. When Bassanio agrees to this request, what conditions does he insist upon?
Act II scene iii
1. Point out the details of this scene that are intended to give the audience a favourable impression
of Jessica?
Act II scene iv
1. What is a masque?
2. How did the plan of the masque farwell for Bassanio adapt to the needs of Lorenzo and Jessica?
3. Do you approve of Jessica’s decision to take some of her father’s money and jewels with her when
she elopes with Lorenzo?
Act II scene v
1. Why has Shylock accepted Bassanio’s invitation to supper?
2. Describe Shylock’s dream and the effect it has on him?
3. What instructions does Shylock give Jessica?
4. Describe Shylock’s feelings toward Jessica?
5. How does Shylock feel toward Launcelot and his leaving to work for Bassanio?
6. Explain the importance of what Jessica says after Shylock’s departure?
Act II scene vi
1. Describe the situation at the beginning of the scene?
2. How is Jessica dressed?
3. How does she feel about this?
4. What does Jessica take with her when she elopes?
5. What tribute does Lorenzo pay Jessica upon her exit?
6. Why is the masque cut short?
Act II scene vii
1. State in your own words the inscriptions on the three caskets.
2. Why did Morocco reject the lead casket?
3. Why did Morocco reject the silver casket?
4. Why did Morocco choose the gold casket?
5. What is the lesson on the scroll in the gold casket?
Act II scene viii
1. What two incidents do Salanio and Salario describe at the beginning of the scene?
2. Describe the behaviour of Shylock when he discovered his daughter’s elopement.
3. What suggestions is there that disaster is closing in on Antonio?
4. What tribute does Salario pay Antonio?
Act II scene ix
1. What three conditions were imposed on the suitors choosing the caskets?
2. Why does Arragon reject the lead casket?
3. Why does he reject the gold casket?
4. Why does he choose the silver casket?
5. What does the silver casket contain?
6. Paraphrase Portia’s speech.
7. Describe the ending of Act II
Act III scene i
1. What information do we learn from Salario and Salanio about Antonio?
2. How do Salario and Salanio feel about Antonio and his troubles?
3. Summarize Shylock’s speech ll. 46-65
4. What does Shylock learn from Tubal about his daughter and how does he react to the news?
5. What does Shylock learn about Antonio and how does he react to this information?
6. From what Shylock says in this scene, what were his motives in wishing to torture Antonio?
Act III scene ii
1. Portia says to Bassanio “I pray you tarry; pause a day or two before you choose.”
a) Why does she wish him to pause?
b) Why is he not willing to do so?
2. Compare Portia’s behaviour towards Bassanio before he makes his choice of the caskets with her
behaviour towards morocco and Arragon.
4. What bearing does the song have upon his choice of caskets?
5. Why did Bassanio reject the gold and silver caskets and then choose the lead one?
6. Describe the contents of the lead casket.
7. What description of herself does Portia give to Bassanio?
8. What announcement do Nerissa and Gratiano make?
9. What are the contents of the letter from Antonio to Bassanio?
10. How do Bassanio, Jessica and Portia react to the news of the letter?
11. What do we learn about Shylock from Salerio’s speech ll 266-278?
Act III scene iii
1. What reply does Shylock make to Antonio’s request for mercy?
2. How does Antonio explain Shylock’s hatred of him?
3. Why couldn’t the Duke interfere to save Antonio?
4. Prove that Antonio is resigned to meet his fate.
Act III scene iv
1. State Lorenzo’s opinions of Portia and Antonio which he expresses at the beginning of this scene.
2. Why does Portia believe Antonio is a good man?
3. Why is Portia leaving Belmont?
4. What arrangements for the control of her affairs does Portia make?
5. When Portia and Nerissa are left alone, what plan for the salvation of Antonio is revealed?
6. What impression of Portia’s character do you form from her speech and her actions in this scene?
Act III scene v
1. What is the purpose of this scene?
2. How does Jessica feel about Portia?
Act IV scene i
1. What does the Duke ask of Shylock at beginning of the scene?
2. What is Shylock’s response?
3. Describe the contents of the letter the Duke receives from Bellario.
4. Describe what Portia hopes for from Shylock in her speech ll 175-197
5. What “hitch” does Portia find in the terms of the bond?
6. What effect does this “hitch” have on the outcome of the trial?
7. What is Shylock’s penalty?
8. What is Antonio’s request?
Act IV scene ii
1. Describe the dramatic purpose of this scene.
Act V scene i
1. Before revealing their roles in the trial, Portia and Nerissa drop hints that they
know what went on. What are these hints?
2. How does Bassanio feel about having given away the ring?
3. What welcome news does Antonio receive at the end of the scene?