The Merchant of Venice

-by William Shakespeare

READ AND ANSWER

A. 1. Answer these questions.

a. Who was Antonio and why was he unable to give Bassanio the 3000 ducats?

Answer: Antonio was a merchant of Venice. He had invested his money is many trade ships that carried goods to be sold in different countries so he couldn't give 3000 ducats to Bassanio.

b. Who lent the money to Bassanio, on what terms and who was the guarantor?

Answer: Shylock lent the money to Bassanio, and the guarantor was Antonio. His terms were if his money was not returned, he would be entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh, nearest to his heart.

c. Why did Bassanio want the money?

Answer: He wished to marry Portia and wanted to show that he was a rich nobleman.

d. Why was the money not returned on time?

Answer: The money was not returned on time because Antonio lost his money as the ships had b een wrecked.

e. What did Portia and Nerissa plan to do?

Answer: Portia and Nerissa decided to go to Venice dressed as men to attend the court case and help Antonio if they could.

f. How does the Duke describe Shylock?

Answer: As a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch incapable of pity, a merciless person.

g. Why did Shylock want a pound of flesh from Antonio?

Answer: Shylock wanted a pound of flesh from Antonio because he hated him and knew since Antonio had no chance of winning the case, Shylock was sure he could get rid of his enemy for good.

h. How did Bellario introduce Balthazar to the Duke?

Answer: Bellario requested the Duke not to think that Balthazar was too young and that he had never met anyone as mature for his age as Balthazar. He even said he would recommend Balthazar even more that himself.

i. What was likely to happen if a decree was altered?

Answer: It would be recorded as a precedence and people would use it as an example to get similar results. It would result in many wrong decisions.

A. 2. Read these quotes and answer the questions that follow.

a. 'taken pains to make him change his rigorous course'

(i) Who said these words and to whom were they said?

Answer: Antonio to the Duke of Venice

(ii) Who is the person being spoken about?

Answer: Shylock

(iii) What 'rigorous course' is being spoken about?

Answer: To take Antonio's pound of flesh that the bond entitled to him

(iv) Who had taken pains' and why had he done so?

Answer: The Duke, To discourage Shylock from what he wanted and encourage him to be merciful.

b. 'I want a judgment."

(i) Who said these words and to whom were they said?

Answer: Shylock to the Duke.

(ii) What judgment was the person looking forward to?

Answer: To be allowed to take Antonio's pound of flesh entitled to him by the bond.

(iii) Who was to make this judgment?

Answer: The Duke of Venice.

(iv) What would happen if the speaker won his case?

Answer: Antonio would die.

c. 'The way he handles the trial will commend him even more than I can."

(i) Whose words are these?

Answer: Bellario's words.

(ii) Who is the person he is talking about?

Answer: Balthazar

(iii) What would make the person being spoken about more respected?

Answer: The way in which he would handle the trial.

(iv) How did the person handle the trial? (A very brief answer)

Answer: He saved Antonio's life and got Shylock punished.

d. Is it so nominated in the bond?

(i) Who is speaking and to whom is he speaking?

Answer: Shylock to Balthazar.

(ii) Why was this question asked?

Answer: This question was asked because he was asked to pay for a surgeon.

(iii) What does this question tell you about the person who is speaking?

Answer: This question tell us that he is merciless, cruel and vindictive.

(iv) What does this tell you about the person who asked the speaker a question before this one?

Answer: This tells about the person who asked the speaker a question before this one that he is mature beyond his age, compassionate and just.

e. You will feel sorry that you have lost a friend for if ...cuts deep enough I shall die, but I am not sorry that I am giving my life for you.

(i) Who said these words and to whom were they said?

Answer: Antonio to Bassanio.

(ii) Why is the speaker ready to die?

Answer: The speaker is ready to die because he felt he would be saved from living in his old age without wealth and was lucky to lay his life for the sake of his friend.

(iii) What does this tell you about him?

Answer: This tells us about him that hi is a faithful and a good friend.

(iv) Why was there a likelihood of him dying?

Answer: There was a likelihood of him dying because the wound left open after Shylock took his pound of flesh would cause him to bleed to death.