Merchant of Venice Reading Questions Group 2(Tanille Shandro, Matt Went, Jacob Karas, Megan Alexander)

……. Jacob Karas……. Tanille Shandro……. Matt Went……. Megan Alexander

Shakespeare- Merchant of Venice (Pre- Reading )

1. In our society, friendship is valued very highly. So is money. Which do you value more? What differences in personality and behavior do you notice between those who value friends above all else and those who value money most?

2. “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” What do you think this common saying means? What personal experiences have made you more aware that appearances can be deceptive? What happens to those who put their trust in appearances?

3. It is generally agreed that children should obey their parents. Why is this so? Under what circumstances might a parent not deserve obedience from his or her children? When is a young person old enough to replace blind obedience with independent thought?

4. When many members of a society share a prejudice, they often discriminate against those who are in some way different. Have you ever been the victim of someone else’s prejudice? What form did that prejudice take? How did you deal with it?

Act I, Scene i: Venice1. What contrast in moods is shown in this scene? /2

The contrast in moods in this scene were beginning with Antonio’s very sad and self-absorbed state. Antonio was unsure of why he felt sad all of the time. “But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,” quickly says how Antonio feels about how he is depressed and doesn’t know why he is so(1.1.3). When Bassanio showed up Antonio was much happier and interested in Bassanio’s life. Antonio wanted to help Bassanio find love and happiness with a small loan.

2. What two different causes do Salanio and Salerio suggest for Antonio’s mood? /2 How does Antonio answer each of their suggestions? /2

Salanio suggests that he is worried about losing all of his wealth at sea because his money is invested in boats full of fine goods, and Salerio thinks that Antonio is in love. Antonio replies saying that he is not worried about the boats because he has money invested elsewhere and not just the one ship, and his reply to Salerio is a swift dismissal of the question.

3. Re-read lines 69-72. How would we say this today? /1In modern day it would be: We should get together again, name a time and a place

4. What is the essence of Gratiano’s speech, lines 84-99? /1 How is Grantiano less than complimentary to Antonio in lines 100-105 /1

The essence of his speech is trying to cheer Antonio up. Antonio is trying to look for things to make him sad rather than looking for something to make him happy in the beginning of his speech he is trying to cheer him up and toward the end he is saying that Antonio does not have anything to be sad about. Antonio's seriousness is affecting his way of life.

5. Think abut how you feel and react when someone asks you for money. Assume that Antonio and Bassanio are living in the present. What circumstances might lead Antonio to ask for money? Would the request change the relationship in anyway? /2

In present day some circumstances that might lead to Bassanio asking Antonio for money because he might need money to pay his rent, buy food or pay for your car. The request might change their relationship in the sense that Antonio and Bassanios relationship would change if Antonio didn't get paid back when Bassanio had the money. If Bassanio never paid Antonio back it would wreak their relationship. Antonio wants to help his friend but all his money is tied up in his ships

6. What dramatic purpose is served by Bassanio’s description of Portia? /1Portia’s an attractive lady she is rich and not married and it is dramatic to make her sound super desirable.

Act I, Scene ii: Belmont1. Recall a situation in which you felt you had no freedom of choice. How did you feel? What did you do? /4

I have been in many situations in which I have felt that I’ve had no freedom, such as what I say or express. It made feel condescended and I could do nothing because It was being enforced by a person in a higher authority.

2. What does the audience learn of the “casket plot” in this scene? /2How did we learn about the casket plot in this scene. It introduced the casket plot on page 21 line 9 when Nerissa says there for the lottery that he has devised of three chest of gold silver and lead. And basically says that the person who chooses the right casket will be the one right for you. It is also said that she didn’t like many of the men who had a chance to get her other than Bassanio.

3. Prejudices are beliefs we hold about groups of people, especially racial, cultural or national groups different from ourselves. Prejudices are like very dark glasses we wear when looking at individual members of these groups: they may even blind us totally to what is there. Prejudices force us to assume that what we believe about a group must be true of every individual in that group.

When Portia describes her suitors, she reduces each one to a comic stereotype of his nationality.

a. With a partner, make a list of the six suitors described in this scene, and outline Portia’s observations about each. As you work, speculate upon the prejudices Shakespeare’s audience might have held about French, German and Scottish people. /6

b. What features of Portia’s descriptions of the suitors make you suspect that she is not accurately describing the European noblemen she had met, but is embellishing her descriptions to match her prejudice? Give examples of where she might have used hyperbole, insult, biased selection of detail, uncomplimentary metaphor, etc. /4

c. Are you willing to forgive Portia her prejudice in this scene? Explain. /2

Neapolitan Prince: obsessed with his horses and she even mocks him about it saying he is “a colt indeed”. She also says that because he can shoe his horse himself that his mother must have slept with a blacksmith. In Act 1, Scene 2 “Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse ... I am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith.”

County Palatine: overly morbid and very melancholy. He says the lacks general interest in happy activities and is completely unaffected by storytelling. “He doth nothing but frown, as who should say ... He hears merry tales and smiles not: I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old, being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth Monsieur Le Bon: arrogant and far eager to outdo all his competitors. He has no personality whatsoever and lacks in all areas of true individualism. She says in Act 1, Scene 2, line 56: “why, he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine; he is every man in no man.” Shakespeare is stereotyping the French as a conceited people with no true personalities or character.

Falconbridge: he is attractive enough but because he has no knowledge of the common noble languages, he is useless to her. She dislikes his clothes, saying his dress is a cross continental concoction that baffles her, whereas he behaves like a man without a country, a barbarian. “You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian, and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English. He is a proper man's picture, but, alas, who can converse with a dumb-show? How oddly he is suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany and his behavior everywhere.” (Act 1,Scene 2, line 68) The Scot: has no backbone. She says he was slapped by the Englishman, but didn’t defend himself. He simply let the Frenchman hit the Baron back for him. “That he hath a neighborly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman and swore he would pay him again when he was able: I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another.” (Act 1, scene 2, line 79)

The German: Portia describes the Duke of Saxony`s nephew as a vile drunkard who is horrid when sober and worse when intoxicated. “Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.” Shakespeare here is illustrating all German people as disgusting, crude, violent, barbaric, and all too loving of alcohol.

b) Portia’s description of almost all of her failed suitors were very negative and she certainly used many cultural stereotypes to describe them. For example, her depiction of the Frenchman as an egotistical, non-person with no personality. Portia said in Act 1, Scene 2, line 63: “if I should marry him, I should marry twenty husbands.” This is a strong over statement on Portia’s part. Portia uses literary devices to insult the character of the Duke of Saxony’s nephew. She takes the typical German stereotypes of Elizabethan times and uses them to describe this suitor. No matter how rude and insensitive the man may be at his worst, he certainly couldn’t be described as “when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.” (1.2.89) Regardless of how terrible a man this German is, Portia is definitely using similes to her advantage in painting him with cultural typecasts. c) I forgive her for her discrimination because nobody should be forced to marry someone they aren’t in love with. If she discriminates everyone then it makes her feel a bit better about the situation she is in. The only downside to her saying all these bad things if that if one guy does choose right then she will be force to marry a guy she thinks poorly of. Speaking of her suitors in 1.2.21 is a great example of this when she says: “But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. O me, the word 'choose!' I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none?”

4. By the end of this scene, we suspect that Portia is in love with Bassanio. What obstacles can you see to their eventual marriage? Predict how these obstacles might be overcome. /4

Portia and Bassanio might face some obstacles when they want to married because it was Portia’s father wish to only allow someone to marry her it he choose the correct casket. If they choose the wrong casket that man is not able to marry her. This obstacle might be overcome if Portia does not obey her father’s wishes and married Bassanio even if he chooses the wrong casket. Or Portia might know what casket is the correct one and when Bassanio goes to pick one she would tell him which one to pick in order to marry her.

5. Why might Shakespeare have written this scene in prose? /1To show that Portia respect Nerrissa enough to talk casually to her.

Act I, Scene iii: Venice1. How do you know who your real friends are? What are the essential characteristics of a good friend? Would you be prepared to make commitments or take risks for a good friend? What risks would you be unwilling to take for this friend? /4

You know who your real friends are when they will tell you the trust even if they know it's going to hurt you. They will stand up for you when you can't for yourself. Essential characteristics that a good friend should have are honesty, trustworthy and commitment. I would be willing to take risks for a good friend because they have come to me for help and I will do my best to help them. The only risks I would be unwilling to take for a friend would be doing anything illegal.

2. What, specifically, is Shylock’s position in the Venetian community? /3In the Venetian community Shylock is a Jewish moneylender. Shylock is Jewish and this would mean he is dealt with for business but not favored.

3. How does Shylock feel towards Antonio? State two reasons why he would feel this way. /2 What emotion prompts Shylock to deal with Antonio? /2

Shylock hates Antonio. Shylock feels so strongly towards Antonio for three reasons. First, Antonio is a Christian and hates all notions of Israel and Zionism. Second, Antonio gives money lends money away for free, without interest, and so Shylock, a loan shark, is forced to lower his interest rates to compete. Third, Antonio is very nasty towards him. Antonio often spits on Shylock and calls him a dog and cur, terrible insults motivated by racial prejudice. Shylock says of Antonioin 1.3.41: “I hate him for he is a Christian/But more for that in low simplicity/He lends out money gratis and brings down/The rate of usance here with us in Venice./… He hates our sacred nation, and he rails/Even there where merchants most do congregate/On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift/Which he calls interest.” Later, Shylock also details an earlier account between him and Antonio where he was treated poorly, “You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog/And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine/And all for use of that which is mine own./… Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key/With bated breath and whispering humbleness/Say this: 'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;/You spurn'd me such a day; another time/You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies/I'll lend you thus much moneys'?” (1.3.121) The emotion that prompts Shylock is pure revenge.

4.What are the details of the start of the “bond plot”? /2 How does Shylock get Antonio to agree to the bond? /2

The details of the loan is that Shylok will loan Antonio 3000 ducats for 3 months and if Antonio doesn’t pay him back in time Shylok is entitled to a pound of Antonio’s flesh . Antonio sweetens the deal for Shylok by assuring him his ships will be back a month prior to the loan being up and he will definitely have enough money.

5. Bassanio’s final comment in this scene (line 192) uses the device of foreshadowing. Make a list of possible events that might happen in this play. /4

Possible endings are Shylock may become the villain, Shylock’s sanity might be questioned, and the terms they agreed might soon come back to haunt Antonio.

Act II, Scene i: Belmont1. Why do people gamble? When they gamble, do people ever risk more than money? What role does luck play in gambling? What role does intelligence play in gambling? /4

People gamble for the chance to win more money than originally had with little to no effort involved. People sometimes bet more than money such as personal affects, people or their life. Gambling is almost entirely based on luck depending on the contents of such a gamble.

o2.Why could this scene be described as “rising action”? /1

This scene could easily be seen as rising action because of the importance of conversation between the Prince of Morocco and Portia and the advancement of the casket plot. Portia is ensuring that the fate which the Prince will endure if the incorrect casket is chosen. “You must take your chance,/And either not attempt to choose at all/Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong/Never to speak to lady afterward/In way of marriage. Therefore be advised.” (2.1.40-44) We get to know more of Portia’s view of her situation and know her better.

3.What additional conditions of the lottery is learned? /1What additional information was learned about the lottery? It has been pointed out if you choose the wrong casket in the lottery you can never marry a woman or even speak of marriage. Act2.sc.1 line40 you must take your chance and either not attempt to choose at all or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong never speak to lady afterward in way of marriage.

4. Contrast Portia’s comment to Morocco in lines 20 – 22 with what she said to Nerissa at the end of Act I scene ii. /2

"Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair. As any corner I have looked on yet. For my affections” Portia say to the prince of Morocco in lines 20-22 in act 2 scenes 1. She is telling him that she likes him even though his skin color is dark. In act 1 scene 2 Portia says “If he has the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me.” Portia is saying she does not want to marry Morocco because he has such a dark complexion. In scene 2 she is lying to Morocco.

Act II, Scene ii: Venice 1. Who are your favorite comedians? How do they make you laugh? What are the skills or techniques of a good comedian? /4

Favorite comedians are Jerry Seinfeld, and Will Ferrell, both have very different styles of comedy which proves there are many different ways to be great comedians Seinfeld has a stand up style of clean comedy that uses a lot of situational humor and background knowledge on the characters. Will Ferrell uses a more crude style of comedy with more dirty jokes and one liners.

2. A malapropism is the unintentional and humorous misuse of a word in place of another word which it closely resembles in sound. The term is derived from Mrs. Malaprop, a character in an 18th century play, who was constantly using expressions such as “illiterate him” for “obliterate him.”For each of the contemporary examples of malapropisms, select the misused word and determine the word which was intended:

a. Trespassers will be persecuted!b. The bullet rickshawed off the wall and hit him in the leg.c. He finished the race, dripping with inspiration.d. I like all types of books, but particularly hysterical fiction. /4

A) Trespassers will be persecuted! It should be prosecuted not persecutedB) The bullet rickshawed off the wall and hit him in the leg. The bullet ricocheted off the wall not rickshawedC) He finished the race, dripping with inspiration. Perspiration not inspirationD) I like all types of books, but particularly hysterical fiction. It should be historical fiction not hysterical fiction.

3. There is a difference between laughing at a character and laughing with a character. How is this shown in this scene? /4

The humor in this scene does not come from laughing at Lancelet, because the humor comes from what he does and says as a character. For example when he tricks his father, it is meant to be humorous.

4. What does Gratiano promise if Bassanio will let him accompany him to Belmont? /1

Gratiano promises to behave civil if Bassanio takes him along to Belmont. "Signor Bassanio, hear me. If I do not put on a sober habit, Talk with respect and swear but now and then, Wear prayer books in my pocket, look demurely-- Nay more. While grace is saying, hood mine eyes Thus with my hat, and sigh and say, "Amen"-- Use all the observance of civility Like one well studied in a sad ostent To please his grandam, never trust me more."

Act II, Scene iii, iv, v, v, vi: Venice1.Why do some teenagers run away from home? What might be some justifiable reasons? How would you counsel a fried who was planning to run away? /3

Some teenagers run away from home because they don’t like the environment that they are living in or they have something against their parents and or siblings. If your father drug deals or abuses you and goes out and drinks every night. Or if your mom party’s all of the time and stays out late and sleeps all day. Then you might be able to run away with it being kind of okay. How you would counsel a friend who is planning to run away is ask them why and see if you can help them. If it is a serious reason why they are running away then offer them a place to stay.

2. What new plot was introduced in scene iii? /2The new plot introduced in scene three is Jessica, shylock’s daughter wants to marry Lorenzo who isn’t Jewish and she is ashamed of her father’s ways.

3.What inner conflict does Jessica reveal? /2The inner conflict Jessica reveals is her decided whether to leave her father and her Jewish heritage to pursue Lorenzo who she love but is a Christian and even though she does not like her father she still has guilt for leaving him.

4. At the beginning of scene iv, Gratiano, Salerio, and Solanio seem reluctant to go along with Lorenzo’s masquerade plans, but are later eager. What probably changes their minds? /2

They quickly change their minds when they find out that the Jew Shylock would be hurt from by having his daughter marry a Christian.

5. Why might a Shakespearian audience have viewed Jessica’s character somewhat differently than would have a modern one? /2

In time that the play was written the character might seem heroic for leaving her evil Jew father and stealing his money, in comparison to now where she is shun in a negative light for the same reasons.

6. How does the exchange at the beginning of scene v between Jessica and her father create suspense? /1 What is the reason Shylock finally decides to ignore his premonition of evil and his religion principles, and go to supper at Bassanio’s? /2 What line (quotation) near the end adds further suspense? /1

The exchange between Jessica and her father creates suspense because it shows that Jessica and her father don’t get along very well, which could lead to problems further down the road. Shylock cares more about his money than his daughter. Shylock finally decides to ignore his premonition of evil because he just wants to make Bassanio waste money and food. Lines 57-58 create suspense because it shows the end of Shylock and Jessica's relationship.

7.What was Shylock’s real reason for suggesting to Bassanio that he hire Launcelot? /2

The real reason shylock wants lancelet to become Bassanio’s servant is to make him spend more money so his debts are harder to pay off.

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8. Dramatic Irony occurs frequently in Shakespeare’s plays. It often springs from the contrast between the knowledge of the audience and ignorance of a character or characters. What is the dramatic irony in scene v? /2

Dramatic irony is provided in this scene two ways. The first way is the fact that Shylock is trusting Jessica to lock up his house and keep his money safe while he is away at dinner; in the meantime she is planning on stealing him. The second way is when Shylock clearly shows his negative opinion towards lancelet while all this time Jessica is planning to marry him.

9. What observations about lovers do Gratiano and Salarino make? /2 State any 2 parallels that Gratiano draws. (Act II, scene vi, l. 9 – 20) /2

“Who riseth from a feast, with that keen appetite that he sits down?”(Act 2 scene 6 line 8-10) Means that romance doesn't last its better in the beginning than it is in the end. “Where is the horse that doth untread again, his tedious measures with the unbated fire.”(act 2 scene 6 line 10-11) States that love will not be the same as the first time around, as it progresses the passion dissipates.

10. What change of plan is told at the end on scene vi? /1 The change of plans is that there is going to be no party for their departure. He is also sailing to Belmont and they decide to leave without having a get together first.

Act II, Scene vii: Belmont1. What is the possession that you value most? Why do you value it? Is it value obvious to the eye? If not, how would others come to know its importance to you? /4

The procession I value most is my house because it holds all of my personal belongings and obviously acts as a shelter and is obviously valuable to the eye.

2. In what 2 ways is the casket plot advanced? /2Casket plot is advanced with the descriptions on the different caskets and it is shown that it is no longer a true coincidence of what casket wins but now more of a personality test, the silver casket will be chosen by the person who feels deserving, the lead casket will be chosen by the risk taker and the gold casket will be chosen by the cocked and entitled feeling person.

o3. What admirable quality does Morocco display? /1

Morocco is not a sore loser; he is not going to wallow in his sorrow. Even though Morocco picks the wrong casket he does not storm out of the room, he say goodbye to Portia and then leaves quickly as losers do. “Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart, To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part” (Act 2 Scene 7 Line 80-81)

Act II, Scene Viii: Venice1. Why do people sometimes laugh at the misfortunes of others? How do comedians take advantage of this human tendency to make an audience laugh? Have you ever felt uncomfortable about sharing this sense of humor? Why or why not? /4

People Sometimes laugh at the misfortunes of others because when someone gets hurt or something they can look foolish when they fall and its just reflex to laugh. Comedians take advantage of this by using everyday misfortunes that could be really embarrassing for someone to get there audience to laugh. Sometimes I can get embarrassed by this because sometimes you laugh at things you really shouldn’t and people can get mad like if someone slips and you hysterically laugh because they fell really funny then people considered it incredibly rude because they hurt themselves so then you can get embarrassed.

2. What is the dramatic purpose of this scene? ( What type of information is provided by this scene?) /1

What is the dramatic purpose of this scene, the dramatic purpose of this scene is to show how much Antonio values Bassanio’s friendship, he tell Bassanio to take him time and treat Portia right while in Belmont and by doing that he is putting himself in a hard place. It show the theme of love and friendship in the play

3. How might the events retold affect the bond plot? /1The events retold might affect the bond plot because one of Antonio's ships has crashed and he has lost some money so he might not be able to pay back Shylock with money. Shylock hate is deepening towards everyone and everything. He is going to the law for everything he is doing.

Act III, Scene i: Venice1. “Revenge is sweet!” Recall a situation in which you seriously contemplated taking revenge on someone. Why did you want revenge? How did you plan to seek revenge? What finally determined your decision to put your plan into action or abandon it?

I wanted revenge because they did something to me that I didn't’ like and I wanted to get payback. I planned to get revenge by doing to them what they did to me. I decided to abandon my plan because I thought that it wasn’t a very good idea in the end.

2. How much time has passed since the end of Act I? /1We don’t know exactly how much time had passed between acts one and three because it never said. We can infer about a couple weeks had passed because it would take some time for Bassanio to get the Venice from Belmont.

3. What is the news of Antonio’s fortunes? /1The news about Antonio is that his ship has been wrecked in the English channel.

4. In lines 52 – 72:a. What is Shylock’s intention regarding the bond? /1 He wants revenge against the Christian Antonio.b. Why is there pathos in this speech? /2 To make the audience feel pity for Shylock.c. Why are the sentiments that Shakespeare expresses unusual for the

time? It is unusual for the time because he writes Shylock in this scene as

a slightly sympathetic character.

5. Shylock’s talk with Tubala. In his talk with Tubal, between what two emotions does Shylock

move? What is the cause of each emotion?

b. This is the only scene in which Tubal appears. What kind of person does he seem to be? If you were directing the role of Tubal, would you make him:

Old or young? Clever or slow? Comic or serious? Sympathetic or indifferent to Shylock’s feeling? Be sure to think about the way in which Tubal’s personality and

attitude may affect the audience’s perception of Shylock. /4A) Shylock expresses anger about Jessica stealing from him and then he feels happy that Antonio’s ships never came in so he can retrieve his bond of one pound of flesh.B) I read him as old because he is talking to Shylock like they are on even ground, serious because he speaks only in short direct bursts, and indifferent towards Shylocks plans because he never really sys he has a problem with it or supports it.

6. What might Shylock’s violent rages foreshadow? /1Shylock’s violent rages might foreshadow that he might get extremely mad and end up seeking revenge, but by doing that he could end up doing something he might regret.

********Act III, Scene ii, Belmont1. “Rules are meant to be broken.” Do you agree with this old saying? Are there any rules which should never be broken? What are they? Are there any rules which could be broken without loss of integrity? Under what conditions might the breaking of rules be justified? /4

“Rules are meant to be broken.” I agree with that statement to some extent. sometimes people need to experience what it’s like to break rules but only to a certain extent. Rules that should never be broken are ones that can cause harm to you or others, or rules that could, if you were to get caught could allow you to get arrested. Rules can be broken without loss of integrity depends on who you are. If you don’t have a guilty conscience then you won’t feel a loss of integrity.

2. What does Portia’s opening speech reveal? /1In Portraits opening speech she is saying that some people do not own their own rights. She is also saying that she loves Bassanio, and Bassanio is like her other half that makes her whole.

3. What, specifically, is Portia’s hint to Bassanio? /2 Portia: I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,I lose your company: therefore forbear awhile. …”(3.2.31)On the lead casket: "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath" (2.7.5) She hints him by using the word hazard in her speech right before he opens the casket and the lead box is the only one that hazard is written on.

4. What point in the casket plot does Bassanio’s choosing mark? /1It marks the end because he chose the correct casket and won Portia's hand in marriage.

5. How is the “Ring plot” introduced? /1Ring plot is introduced by Portia giving Bassanio a ring and saying keep it and if he gives it away she can make the decisions in the relationship.

o6. What further news adds to the general happiness? /1

General happiness was increased through all the characters when Bassanio pick the right casket, and when gratanio and nerissa confess their love.

7. How is the bond plot advanced? /1 Why is Portia’s wealth of no benefit in regards to the bond plot? /2

Antonio's bond is forfeit and Shylock is now allowed his pound of flesh. Shylock will not accept any money for he wants only his pound of flesh.

8. What is Portia’s decision at the end of the scene? /2At the end of the scene, Portia decides tells Bassanio to pay six thousand ducats or double, even triple that. Then Portia tells Bassanio to call her his wife and pay the debt twenty times over with gold.

9. In this scene, Shakespeare interweaves four main storylines or plots of his play: the casket plot, the bond plot, the elopement plot, and the ring plot. Devise a diagram or chart in which you show how these four plots connect with one another in this scene. /4

The four plots are connected because when something happens in one plot it affects the other one.

Act IV, Scene i: Venice1. Is the Duke, as presiding judge, impartial? Explain. /2 Why can he not “throw the case out of court?” /1

The judge is all in favor of Antonio and shows a prejudice nature, but Antonio cannot be set free because the bond is legally bound.

2. How many ducats are mentioned in lines 85 & 86? /136000 ducats

o3. What was to have been Ballario’s role? How does Portia take his place? /2

Ballario’s was going to be the judge who determined what happened with the bond between Antonio and Shylock. Portia takes his place because she pretends to be Balthazar, a lawyer sent by Ballario.

4. Portia’s speech on the “quality of mercy” (line 190 – 212) is based upon the Christian belief that, since no one is free of sin, everyone requires God’s mercy to be saved from eternal damnation. In other words, no one is perfect, but we can aspire to godliness through “God-like” acts of mercy. Shylock misunderstands: he has done nothing illegal, and so, he feels, he has no need of mercy. Paraphrase Portia’s speech on mercy. /10

What Portia is saying is that mercy is not a policy a person is forced to enact. No one forces someone into being merciful, mercy simply happens, like rain falling from the heavens. Mercy has no disadvantages, for it blesses both those who send it and receive it. It cleanses the soul and makes one a better person. Mercy also can increase one’s standing’s in righteousness. A king, for instance, wears a crown and carries a scepter to prove his office, but his mercy looks better on him than his crown, and makes him a better man than his scepter could. When a king decides to be merciful, his royal authority becomes akin to Godly power and thus he is seen to share the attributes of God himself. A truly pious and good king mixes justice with mercy.

She then turns her attention to Shylock personally and tells him that although he asked the Duke to deliver justice in its most brutal form, he should consider granting Antonio mercy. She gives Shylock a forewarning of her plan to come saying: “That in the course of justice none of us/Should see salvation.” Taking literally this means that if one takes the most logical, ruthless approach to justice without using mercy in any way, then eventual you will get your penalty. When one considers what Portia is planning, though, it can be interpreted as her private warning to Shylock that should he pursue the penalty of his bond then he will be led to disaster. Portia ends her speech by informing Shylock of the seriousness of his case. She tells him that Shylock should end his suit. Antonio’s fate is in his hands. Shylock can choose to drop his case and receive the deductible, or he could press Antonio to deliver the penalty of one pound of his flesh. The court of Venice must respect the law and thus, if Shylock choses to pursue his case, Antonio will die and Shylock will ever be the villain.

5. With what allusion does Shylock praise Portia’s wisdom? /2 Shylock alludes to the bible and the book of David, he gets mocked later by Gratanio

6. From what part of Antonio’s body is the flesh to come? /1 Quote the pun Antonio used to later refer to this. /1

The pound of flesh is to be taken from over his heart. Antonio later says, “For if the Jew do out but deep enough, I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart.” Act 4 Scene 1 Line 292-293.

7. What consolation does Antonio state he has for his early death? /1Antonio states that it is better that he die instead of Bassanio live on wealthy and not in poverty.

8. What note of ironic humor does Shakespeare add at the height of the scene? /1 How does Shylock react? /1

Shakespeare adds ironic humor to the scene because the judge (Portia) makes it seem that Shylock is going to get to take a pound of Antonio's flesh, but she tells him he is not allowed to spill any blood. Shylock seems very upset about what Portia has said and he said he would take the money now instead.

9. By what two points of law does Portia save Antonio? /2Portia saves Antonio by saying that Shylock cannot take any blood because it is not in the contract. Shylock must also take exactly 1 pound of flesh. Once Shylock finds out he cannot take blood he tries to back out and take only the money but Portia insisted on following the court. Also since Shylock threatened to kill a Venetian and was not Venetian himself, Shylock can be charged with have threatened and the outcome is choice of the judge.

10. What does Gratiano’s treatment of Shylock throughout show of his character? /2

Gratiano's treatment of Shylock shows how his hatred of Jews is large and is not shy about it all making him now seem like an evil character but back then he would been seen as heroic.

11. By what point of law does Portia impoverish Shylock? /1 Have the Duke and Antonio heeded Portia’s mercy speech? Explain. /2

Portia impoverish Shylock when she states that the law says that when someone makes a direct or indirect threats on someone’s life, that person he tried to kill gets half his wealth and the other half goes to the state.

12. What fee does Portia claim from Bassanio? /1Portia claims the ring she gave to Bassanio when he picked the correct casket. He at first denied it but after sent someone after her to return it.

Act V, Scene i2. What mood is created by the setting? /1 How is the mood reinforced by the allusions? /1

The scene is meant to display a romantic tone between Bassanio and Portia, Gratiano and Nerrissa, and Lorenzo and Jessica. This is proven through allusions of tails of romance including Troilus scaling the walls of Troy to meet his love Cressida.

3. What news is brought by Stephano and Launcelot? /1

The news brought from Stephano and lancelet was that 3 of Antonio’s ships had returned safely from sea and they were full of riches. This is a major deus ex machina in the play because the ship plot had been gone for a while and magically it has just resolved.

5. What is the philosophy expounded by Portia and Nerissa in lines 98 – 119? Give one of the examples in your own words. /3

If something is in the wrong context then that something may be better than it seems.

6. What is the meaning of lines 140 – 141? Why does Bassanio say this? /2 Explain the pun with which Portia answers. /2

He says where ever she is the sun shines even if the sun is up at another side of the world; he is basically saying that she is the light of his world.

7. How is the ring plot resolved? /2 What is the difference in tone between this bond and the one earlier in the play? /2

The ring plot is resolved because Nerissa and Portia tell Bassanio and Gratiano that they were the ones who had the ring and they return the rings to Bassanio and Gratiano. This plot is different in tone because it has a loving undertone to it and we know that it will eventually be resolved.

8. What would be the audience reaction to the final couplet? /1

The audiences reaction to the final couplet, “Well while I live I’ll fear no other thing so sore as keeping safe Nerrisa’s ring.” because he is saying he will never let any one “touch” Nerrisa and when he’s talking about “pens” and “rings” he’s actually hinting at something else so the audience would be an uproar of laughter!