The Merchant of VeniceAct 1

Depression strikes Merchant

He does not know where it comes from.

It makes him sad.

1. How does Antonio describe his sadness?

He is worried about his merchandise at sea.

2. What reason does Salerio and Solanio give for Antonio’s sadness?

Strong winds can destroy them.

Run aground on sandbanks.Run into rocks.

3. What could happen to Antonio’s ships at sea?

You don’t look well. You take life too seriously. If you worry too much you will loose everything. You look very different.

4. Say in your own words what Gratiano says when he sees Antonio for the first time?

Make him laugh by acting like a comedian.

5. How does Gratiano want to help Antonio?

He wants to marry Portia who inherited a lot of money.

6. What is Bassanio’s plan to make money?

Bassanio can borrow money in Antonio’s name from anybody in Venice.

7. How will Antonio help Bassanio?

Female Millionaire entertains strange suitors

Act 1, Scene 2

She is very rich and should be happy.

1. Why is it strange that Portia should be troubled?

She can not choose or refuse who must marry.

2. What predicament does Portia find herself in?

Whoever chooses the casket with Portia’s picture in it, may marry her.

3. What did the will of Portia’s father say?

The Prince from NaplesCount PalatineMonsieur Le BonFalconbridge, Baron from EnglandScottish LordDuke of Saxony’s nephew

4. Name the people who already came to court Portia.

Not one.

5. Which suitor made an impression on Portia?

The Prince of Marocco6. Who was announced at the door?

A horse

7. What does Portia compare the Neapolitan Prince with?

The Prince’s mother must have slept with a blacksmith, that is why the prince likes horses.

8. What joke does she make about his mother?

Frown9 What does the Count do all the time?

He shows no emotion.10. How does he react to funny tales?

He would be crying all the time.11. How will he be when he is old?

He must be a man because God made him a man.

12. How does Portia describe Monsieur le Bon?

He has a bigger horse, a bigger frown. He is always better than somebody else.

13. How does Monsieur le Bon brag?

It would be as if she married twenty husbands.

14. What would happen if she marries him?

He only speaks English, no Italian or Latin.

15. Why doesn’t she understand the Baron of England?

He wears strange clothes.His jacket comes from Italy, his tights from France, his cap from Germany and his behaviour from everywhere else.

16. How is he dressed? What is funny about his clothes?

He will take revenge on the English.17. How does he feel about the English?

He is sober in the morning but drunk in the evening.

When he is sober he is rude and when he is drunk he behaves like a beast.

18. What is his drinking habit and how does he behave?

3000 Ducats for a pound of flesh

Act 1 Scene 3

3000 ducats

1. How much money did Bassanio want to borrow from Shylock?

Antonio will pay the debt.

2. What insurance did Bassanio give Shylock that he will be paid?

He has ships going to:◦India◦Tripolis◦England◦Mexico

3. How do you know Antonio was very rich? Make a list of all the ‘irons’ he had in the fire.

Shylock is Jewish and does not eat pork.

4. Why would Shylock not eat with Antonio and Bassanio?

Antonio is a ChristianHe lends out money without asking interest.Antonio has insulted Shylock.Antonio has spat on Shylock.Antonio has kicked Shylock and called Shylock a dog.

Antonio insulted the Jewish race.

5. Why does Shylock hate Antonio?

He wants to help Bassanio6. Why will Antonio borrow money this time?

Antonio is his enemy so if Antonio cannot repay the sum of money Shylock will not pity him when Shylock must punish him to get the money.

7. For which reason does Antonio say must Shylock lend him the money?

Shylock will cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if Antonio can not repay the 3000 ducats in three months’ time. Shylock will ask no interest.

8. Under which conditions will Shylock lend Antonio the money?

Antonio’s ships will return a month before he has to repay the debt.

9. Why is Antonio not worried about the terms?