Name _____________________________________________________
The Merchant of Venice (2005)
Answer the following questions with the shortest correct answer. Your answers will be used for
both verbal discussion and submitted for credit.
1. Verona, Italy is called “the most powerful and liberal city-state in Europe.” List two
examples of the endemic anti-Semitism that exists in this city.
2. What are the priests in the gondola yelling about?
3. Antonio receives a blessing from the priests at the same ceremony where they are burning
what?
4. Antonio complains to his friends that he is melancholy; some critics argue that it is
because of his love for Bassanio, and in this scene we do see Bassanio on a gondola
coming to see Antonio. If that were not the cause, what would Antonio, the responsible
merchant be melancholy about?
5. Bassanio clearly knows that Antonio is attracted to him, and he shows it by going into
Antonio’s chambers and saying what to Antonio?
6. Bassanio tells Antonio that not only is Portia gorgeous, she is also __________________.
7. The receipt of the Promise-to-Pay note from Antonio makes Bassanio do what to
Antonio?
8. Bassanio goes into the “geto” to see Shylock. Shylock is in the market overseeing what?
9. Although Antonio does not have to follow Bassanio to see Shylock, he does. Why?
10. Before agreeing to the terms of the loan, Shylock lists the complaints he has against
Antonio’s previous actions. How does Antonio react?
11. The pound of flesh that would be taken from Antonio if Bassanio fails to pay back the
loan has a qualifier attached. What does Shylock say about which pound of flesh will be
taken?
12. After Bassanio tells Antonio not to agree to the pound of flesh penalty, Shylock claims
that Christians automatically distrust Jews, and that he values the pound of Antonio’s
flesh as less than what? This is an anti-Semitic example of what?
13. After the whole discussion about the Prince of Morocco’s complexion, what does Portia
say about marrying a man with dark skin?
14. We know that Launcelot has quit working for Shylock and will work for Bassanio
instead, when Launcelot tells the food merchant (his father) looking for Shylock to do
what?
15. Bassanio thinks that Launcelot might be sent as a spy by Shylock, but is convinced that
Launcelot is there for the right reasons when Launcelot says what?
16. Shylock says he feels something ominous is afoot and does not want to go into Verona,
especially with all those masked Christians running around. Launcelot tells Jessica,
Shylock’s daughter, what as he and Shylock leave?
17. Jessica is in love with Lorenzo, friend of Antonio. What does she do that sends Shylock
into hysterics? (List both reasons).
18. Lorenzo says that Jessica is “wise, fair, and true.” What is the religious play Shakespeare
is making here?
19. Shylock moans over and over “My Jessica, my _______________.”
20. The Spanish Prince of Arragon chooses unwisely, and is offended when he finds what in
the casket?
21. Shylock accuses Antonio’s friends, Salarino and Solanio, of helping conspireg to steal his
daughter and money. What do they say to him?
22. When told that he would not take a pound of flesh even if Antonio defaults, Shylock
gives the famous “Does a Jew” speech. What is his point?
23. When the Jewish messenger tells him he does not know where Jessica is, Shylock says it
is a “loss upon a loss.” What does he mean?
24. When told that at least two of Antonio’s ships have wrecked, Shylock says “Thank God!”
Why?
25. After moaning about Jessica spending 80 ducats in one night, Shylock says he will take
what pound of Antonio’s flesh?
26. How does Bassanio spend the 3,000 ducats to impress Portia (and Nerissa)?
27. Bassanio says he has to choose so he can get off the rack? What does that mean?
28. How does Bassanio choose? Which casket is it?
29. Bassanio speaks in rhyming couplets after he and Portia kiss. What does that signify?
30. Gratiano asks Bassanio for a favor? What is it?
31. Lorenzo and Jessica arrive with Salarino at Portia’s house, where Bassanio reads a letter
from Antonio that says all his ships were wrecked, and what?
32. Portia offers to pay 12 times the amount of the loan to Shylock, but is told the offer will
not be accepted. She claims that after their wedding, she would even pay 20 times the
amount of the debt. Before that offer is given, Shylock turns down the offer of
repayment from whom?
33. Portia sends the Bassanio and Gratiano to fight for Antonio, then follows secretly with
Nerissa. What is her plan?
34. When the court is convened, the Duke tells Shylock that he wants a “gentle answer” to
what his purpose is concerning collecting the penalty from Antonio. What does the Duke
expect in the form of a “gentle answer”?
35. Bassanio begins a war of words with Shylock, but is interrupted by Antonio, who tells
Bassanio what?
36. Bassanio brings in a chest full of golden ducats – 6,000 ducats – Shylock says what?
37. Shylock’s speech about the pound of flesh sounds like a contract. That contract to give a
bloody pound of flesh sounds like what anti-Semitic claim?
38. Who is the boy that arrives from Padua? Who is the doctor (Juris Doctor, no doubt)?
39. “Balthasar’s” argument for mercy claims what?
40. After reviewing the contracts (bonds), the lawyer finds that Shylock can take the pound
of flesh, but that what must be present while he does it?
41. Bassanio claims that he would trade his own life and who else’s life to save Antonio?
42. As Shylock prepares to cut Antonio, the lawyer suddenly claims that the contract only
allows for a pound of flesh, not what?
43. Clearly, the contract violation patterns the anti-Semitic claim that all Jews want to take
what from Christians?
44. Shylock says fine, that he will take what instead of the pound of flesh?
45. Because Shylock was prepared to kill Antonio, he is now charged with attempting what?
46. What is the technical penalty for Shylock’s crime?
47. Shylock is supposed to beg the judge for his life, but after the judge spares it, says he
wants to be killed anyway, since the judge decrees what?
48. Although Shylock showed no mercy, what does Antonio specifically offer?
49. What does Shylock agree to do?
50. Why does Bassanio give his wedding ring to the lawyer/judge from Padua? What is the
significance of this exchange?
51. Eventually, the women give the rings back, but claim they did what to get the rings back
from the “doctor”?
52. After Bassanio references an act he wants to do with Portia, what does Antonio do?
53. When we last see Shylock, his appearance is different. What does he look like?
54. Why is the last image we have of Jessica? What is she doing?