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
"If you choose that wherein I am contain'd" - what part of speech is 'choose'?
Finite verb
Identify the type of poem that 'Love poem for my country is'.
A praise poem.
"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.
Active: He eventually chose the lead casket.
Provide the passive form of this sentence.
The lead casket was eventually chosen by him.
'we shall celebrate' is the last line of "Love poem for my country.
What is the tone of this line and the poem?
Proud, praising and optimistic tone. 'Shall' is a determined and positive word, suggesting that they will celebrate.
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.
'I don't get it' is a colloquial phrase.
Provide this statement in formal English.
I do not understand.
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.
"I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper."
Identify and explain the figure of speech.
Metaphor, comparing an onion to a moon in brown paper. The onion skin is the brown paper and the moon is the white flesh inside. The moon is associated with love.
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.
Arragon asked, "Do I really deserve this?"
Give this in reported speech.
Arragon asked if he really did deserve that.
'I am trying to be truthful.'
Identify and comment on the sound device in this line.
Alliteration of 't' - harsh sound emphasising that the truth can be harsh.
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
She had a vague idea of what was required of her.
Provide an antonym for 'vague' in context.
Clear, definite
Explain the overall message of Valentine.
The speaker is not concerned with the fake romanticism the commercialisation of Valentine's Day but wants to give a gift that is an accurate symbol of love - an onion. It represents both the good aspects of love as well as the heartache that comes with love.
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.