Characterization
What does the passage reveal about the character speaking and how does it connect to major themes/events of the play?
PORTIA (to Bassanio): “This house, these servants and this same myself are yours my lord’s.”
Portia is eager to give "control" of her possessions, servants and her own self to Bassanio, indicating women's subordination to men. Contrasts with her independent actions at the end of the play.
Identify the major conflict of the plot.
Antonio borrows money from Shylock, to help Bassanio. The problem is that the bond states that Shylock has the right to 1 pound of Antonio's flesh, in the case the money is not paid back on time.
Identify figurative language and its effect.
SHYLOCK: "Hath / not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, / dimensions, senses, affections, passions?"
Rhetorical questions to instigate reflection. Asyndeton and parallel structure to enumerate/show in just how many ways Jews and Christians are the same. Overall, humanizes Shylock.
How does this line reflect one of the themes of the play?
MOROCCO: "All that glisters is not gold;/ Often have you heard that told."
The quote reflects the theme of appearances versus reality.
What does the passage reveal about the character speaking and how does it connect to major themes/events of the play?
ANTONIO: "I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano:/ A stage where every man must play a part,/ And mine a sad one."
This passage reflects Antonio's pessimistic and melancholic view of his role in life and foreshadows his misfortune later in the play.
Why is Portia not able to marry a man of her choice?
In Portia’s father will, it states that only the person that chooses the right casket can marry Portia.
Identify figurative language and its effect.
SHYLOCK (to Antonio): "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."
Use of parallel structure and asyndeton reflects the tensions between Christians and Jews in Venice and exposes the extent of their interactions.
How does this line reflect one of the themes of the play?
ANTONIO (to Bassanio): "[...] be assured / My purse, my person, my extremest means / Lie all unlocked to your occasions".
Antonio expresses his loyalty to his dear friend Bassanio, basically saying: Hey, I'd do anything for you and you can always count on me!
What does the passage reveal about the character speaking and how does it connect to major themes/events of the play?
SHYLOCK (to his servant, about Portia): "I would my daughter dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear!/ would she hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin!"
This line shows Shylock's motivation for money that outweighs the problems that his daughter is facing and contributes to the stereotype towards Jews in the novel as being very wealthy people.
What causes Portia to be angry towards the end of the play?
Antonio gave away the ring that Portia gave him, which was a symbol for their love, that he promised to keep.
Identify figurative language and its effect.
"When he is best he is little worse than man, and he is worst he is little better than a beast".
Uses antithesis and contrasts (best/worst; better/worse; man/beast) to emphasize the negative qualities of the character being described.
How does this line reflect one of the themes of the play?
SHYLOCK (to Antonio): "The villainy you teach me I will execute - and it shall go hard, but I will better the instruction."
Shylock displays his revenge against Antonio hopes to better the examples of what we could identify as a Christian privilege to discriminate against Jews.
What does the passage reveal about the character speaking and how does it connect to major themes/events of the play?
BASSANIO (about Portia): “In Belmont is a lady richly left, / and she is fair, and fairer than that word.”
We learn Bassanio's motivations to seek out Portia: she is rich and good-looking. Seems like he gives a lot of importance to outer appearances and possessions (materialistic), two themes of the play.
What was the legal loophole that Portia found to save Antonio from his fate?
The bond stated that Shylock had the right to 1 pound of Antonio's flesh, but didn't mention anything about blood. Shylock was allowed to get Antonio's flesh only if he did so without spilling any blood.
Identify figurative language and its effect.
BASSANIO (to Portia): "Therefore, thou gaudy gold, / Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee."
Allusion to Greek mythology. All that Midas touched, including food, became gold. Bassanio explains his logic of choosing the correct casket by referencing this.
How does this line reflect one of the themes of the play?
PORTIA: "It is twice blessed; / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
Portia tries to convince Shylock to have mercy and accept the money instead of the bond by highlighting the benefits of mercy.