The Merchant of Venice - Act 1
What 3 reasons do Salerio and Solanio suggest for Antonio's sadness?
Ships at sea, in love, not happy
What does Portia disguise herself as in the courtroom
A young male lawyer (a "doctor of law"), named Balthazar.
Antisemitism
Hatred of Jews
"There I have another bad match: a bankrupt, a prodigal, who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto, a beggar that was used to come so smug upon the mart."
Who is Shylock referring to?
Antonio
What are the terms of Shylock's bond? How does he convince Bassanio that he does not have any ulterior motives?
3000 ducats for 3 months, or a pound of flesh to be given.
Flesh of humans is not profitable.
Which character dresses as a law clerk and helps Portia in the courtroom?
Nerissa
Empathy
is the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, and perspectives of another person.
What prized possession of Shylock's has Jessica spent in Genoa?
What reasons does Shylock give for hating Antonio?
He is a Christian.
He lends out money gratis.
He insults Shylock in public.
Which character leaves Shylock's service to become Bassanio's servant?
Launcelot Gobbo
Who is the second person to choose a casket? What casket does he choose and what is the result?
Prince of Arragon chooses the silver casket because he thinks he deserves Portia. It is incorrect.
Volta
A volta is the Italian term for the "turn" in the argument or mood of a sonnet .
Tubal: Antonio as I heard in Genoa - ... hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis.
Shylock: I thank God. I thank God. Is it true, is it true?
What new does Tubal bring?
One of Antonio's ships from Tripoli has been shipwrecked.
Why does Shylock lend money to Antonio despite the ill treatment he has received from him? What does he tell Antonio and what does he think in his mind?
Sees an opportunity to take revenge.
Tells Antonio that he wants to forget the past and be his friend.
Actually, he intends to incorporate a clause in the contract which will allow him to take a pound of Antonio's flesh if the money is not repaid on time.
Which character gives up a wedding ring to thank the "lawyer" Balthazar?
Bassanio
Petrarchan sonnet
is a 14-line poem that divides into two distinct parts: an eight-line octave followed by a six-line sestet.
Why does Portia send Balthazar with a letter to Padua?
She needs to arrange to get a letter and lawyer's clothes from her cousin, Dr Bellario so that she can appear in court for Antonio's trial.
Give a brief character sketch of Antonio and Bassanio.
Antonio - gullible, loyal friend, racist, stubborn, overconfident
Bassanio - loyal friend, cynical, spendthrift, foolish
What is the name of Portia's famous speech?
quality of mercy
Who is Morocco and what does he request of Portia? What is her response?
An African prince who has come to try to win Portia's hand in marriage by attempting the casket test.
Asks her not to judge him by the colour of his skin.
She reassures him that she will consider him in the same way she does all her other suitors.
Iambic Pentameter
Iambic pentameter is the most common metrical pattern in English poetry, especially in sonnets, and is the rhythm Shakespeare used for most of his plays and sonnets.
one unstressed followed by one stressed(da-DUM).
Tubal: Antonio as I heard in Genoa - ... hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis.
Shylock: I thank God. I thank God. Is it true, is it true?
Account for Shylock's reaction to the news.
Shylock is delighted at the news because he is hoping that Antonio won't be able to repay him so that he can get the pound of flesh.