Act 1
What is the philosophical/theological "difference of opinions" between Shylock and Antonio
Antonio does not believe in charging interest on a loan (he believes it a sin); Shylock believes charging interest is "good business"
Who is the clownish servant of Shylock who wishes to "defect" to serve Antonio AND what comic interaction occurs between him and his father (Act 2 Sc. 2)
Lancelot. His blind father cannot identify him and son briefly decieves father pretending to be a stranger to him.
Which is the longest scene in Act 3? What happens in this scene?
Act 3 Sc. 2. (8 pages)
1. Portia appeals to Bassanio to "pause a day or two".
2. Bassanio chooses correctly - the Lead casket.
3. Portia and Bassanio pledge commitment to each other and exchange rings.
4. Grationo and Nerissa also pledge commitment and exchange rings.
5. Bassanio receives letter from Antonio indicating his bond is forfeit and his life in danger - they resolve to leave immediately to offer aid.
What name does Portia go by when masquerading as a lawyer.
Balthazar
Translate/explain: "With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come".
Be merry despite the coming of old age
What appears to be Antonio's chief motivation/s in the play.
1. He wants to be loved (especially by Bassanio)
2. He wants to be considered generous.
3. He wants people to feel sorry for him.
Who does Shylock send warning to when he hears there are masked Christians about in the streets/waters of Venice? What does he say?
Jessica is warned.
1. "Clamber not you up to the casements...Nor thrust your head into the public street".
2. "Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter my sober house".
What phrase/statement is repeated 6 times in Act 3 Sc. 3?
"I'll have my bond"/"Speak not against my bond"
(Shylock says to Antonio and the Jailer as Antonio pleads for mercy)
How many times is Shylock referred to as "The Jew" in the play? Which important character delivers the lines "..call the Jew into the court" and "We all expect a gentle answer, Jew"
"The Jew" is a phrase used 58 times in the play (Shylock is referred to by name 17 times). The Duke delivers these lines.
What is the inscription on the gold casket?
"He that chooseth me shall gain what many men desire".
How is Portia's sadness different to Antonio's? (What is a more accurate way of classifying her "sadness")?
Portia knows the reason for her sadness (caskets); Antonio does not (if he even is genuinely sad). Portia's "sadness" could be better classified as conflicted feelings - she wants to be loyal to her father's vision but would also like to be free to choose her husband.
How do Morocco and Arragon fail in their quest for Portia?
Morroco chooses Gold and Arragon chooses Silver.
1. Revenge 2. Hindered 3. Laughed 4. Mocked 5. Scorned 6. "I am a Jew".
What reason does Shylock give for pursuing "a weight of carrion flesh (over) three thousand ducats"?
1. "I'll not answer that - but say it is my humour: is that answered?"
2. "Some men there are who love not a gaping pig...as there is no firm reason to be rendered...so can I give no reason...more than a lodged hate and certain loathing I bear Antonio"
What inscription is shown on the silver casket?
"Who chooseth me shall shall get as much as he deserves".
In Act 1, Sc. 3 Shylock repeats back to Bassanio each line of dialogue he offers - "Three thousand ducats"..."And Antonio bound"...What assumptions might we make about Shylock through this "mirroring" of Bassanio's speech? (Scene 3)
1. He is contemplating the proposition being put to him.
2. He is up to "no good" (scheming).
3. He is a shrewd negotiator.
How do Salarino, Gratiano and Lorenzo know Jessica has consented to "eloping"?
Lancelot travels between Shylock's house and Bassanio's house giving Lorenzo a letter (in Act 2 Sc. 4) indicating she wants to elope and Lorenzo sends a verbal message back to Jessice (via Lancelot) "I will not fail you".
Identify 3 techniques in the "To bait fish withal" monologue.
1. Cumulative listing 2. contrasting sentence length 3. Stress of 1st person pronoun 4. Rhetorical questioning 5. drawing a parralel (between Christians and Jews) 6. Logic/logos 7. Carnal imagery (body parts) 8. Shifting tone/perspective
Complete the quote: "The quality of mercy is not _____. It droppeth as the gentle _____ from _____ upon the place beneath. It is twice _______ it blesseth him that ____ and him that ______.
1. Strained
2. rain
3. heaven
4. blessed
5. gives 6. takes
What inscription is on the lead casket?
"Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath".
"Her sunny locks hang on her temples like golden fleece,...many Jasons come in quest of her." What does this intertextual reference foreshadow?
That Bassanio will face perils and learn humility in his suit.
In Act 2 Sc. 5 Shylock has "a sense" of bad luck/misfortune coming his way - why does he feel this?
Shylock had a dream of "money bags". "There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money bag tonight."
How does Solanio foreshadow Shylock's entry in Act 3 Sc. 1?
"Let me say "amen" betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew."
What is the loophole through which Portia "turns the tables" on Shylock? What verdict is thus delivered?
Shylock can take the pound of flesh but must "shed no drop of Christian blood". He must also claim the exact penalty "not a hair more or less" than a pound. As Shylock sought Antonio's life he is now subject to Venetian law and is charged - "the offenders life lies in the mercy of the Duke only". "I pardon thee thy life"/"half thy wealth...is Antonio's; the other half comes to the general state"/"that for this favour he presently become a Christian"
What scene does the quote - "I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you" - appear in?
Act 1 Sc 3