Act 5 Merchant Of Venice

Act Five, Scene One

1. What are Portias feelings as she approaches the house? Happy because she knew that she was going to fool them
2. What is the first argument to break out? How they gave away the rings
3. How do Gratiano and Bassanio try to justify parting with the rings, are they successful? They were succseful because they ended up sleeping together.
4. Was Bassanio right to give away the ring, give reasons for your thinking. No because he made an oath.
5. How can the newly-weds threaten to sleep with the men who took their rings- and mean it? Because they broke their oath
6. What effect do these arguments have on Antonio? He feels bad because he influenced him to give the "men" the rings
7. Portia and Nerissa have the rings. What does this prove to Antonio, Gratiano and each a  Bassanio? That they all broke oaths and cannot be trusted
8. How do Antonio, Lorenzo and Jessica benefit from news that Portia brings? Antonio's still alive and Lorenzo and Jessica are together.

The Merchant Of Venice: Act 4

Act Four, Scene One

1. What does the Duke believe Shylock intends to do? Show no mercy
2. What does Shylock intend to do, and what reasons does he give for his decision? Cut a pound of flesh from Antonio because he just dosent like him
3. Why must the law be allowed to stand (why can’t the judge dismiss this case) He must cut exactly one pound no more or no less
4. Shylock is very clear about the restrictions in the wording of the deed, how does Portia use these loopholes? No blood and Mercy
5. What penalties does Shylock now have to pay? Are they fair? Why/why not. Half his wealth to Antonio and the other half to the general state
6. How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result? Antonio would go along with Shylock punishment if his money was given to Lorenzo and Jessica
7. What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant? She gets half of Shylock's property when he dies
8. Portia tells Shylock ‘The quality of mercy is not strained’. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him (line 345-362) Portia gives a speech about mercy, she saying No one shows mercy and that's because he has to.

Act Four, Scene Two

1. What invitation does Portia refuse and why? The duke asked her to dinner and she said no because she had to leave to Padua straight away.
2. What does Nerissa plan to get, why do you think this is important? He husbands ring
3. Do you admire Portia after these scenes, or do you find her actions cruel. Use examples to support your thinking. Cruel.

Merchant of Venice Act 2:

Act Two, Scene One

1. We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it? He dosent want people to judge him on his race and wants people to accept him.
2. If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia’s suitors give up if they fail to win her? Can't talk about marriage to any other women.
3. What is Portia’s opinion of the Prince of Morocco- give examples. Agrees that he is right and people should accept him for who he is and dont judge him because of his race.

Act Two, Scene Two

1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. Launcelot feels like Shylock does not feed him enough because he can fit his finger in between his ribs.
2. Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

In lines 114-142... He thinks Gratiano will drink too much

3. Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to

a. frequent interruptions-He hath a great infection sir, as one would say, to serve-

b. contradictions- Here's my son sir, a poorboy- Not a poor boy sir, but the rich Jew's son.

Act Two, Scene Three

1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. She thinks it''s hell.
2. Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry? Lorenzo

Act Two, Scene Four

1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover? Sends a note
2. How will she be disguised for the elopement? Wear a page (Man's suit)

Act Two, Scene Five

1. Why is Shylock uneasy about going out for the evening? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. He has a feeling that something bad is going to happen. He says: And they have conspired together, There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money bags tonight.

Act Two, Scene Six

1. How does Launcelot manage to tell Jessica that Lorenzo will be there that evening? From the note
2. What does Jessica throw down to Lorenzo? A casket
3. Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano? Gratiano said he wants to come with them.

Act Two, Scene Seven

1. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait. Use evidence of the text to justify your answer. Gold beause he thought that was the richest. "He unlocks the golden casket"
2. How is Portia feeling in A2S7 -at the beginning, -while the Prince is making his choice, at the end. Nervous because she dosent want to marry him and at the end revealed
3. What was Portia's father trying to achieve by the use of the caskets. Does this seem to be working? To try to impress Portia, Not Really working because she dosent like any of them

Act Two, Scene Eight

1. What double disaster has struck Shylock? His daughter ran away with a Christian and She stole his money and jewels.
2. Where did Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica might be? On Bassanio's ship
3. How did Bassanio and Antonio part? Antonio's ship
4. What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? Find a quote that tells you this. His boats sunk at sea with all of his money on them "I thought upon Antonio when he told me, And wished in silence that it were not his"

Act Two, Scene Nine

1. What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets? To teach people a lesson.
2. Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden caskets. What does his interpretation of the inscription tell us about his character? Because he wants what he deserves, Greedy.
3. What is Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival? Surprised, Happy, Excited.

The Merchant Of Venice Act One

Act One Scene One:

1. Antonio is depressed without knowing why. What two possible reasons do his friends suggest? He worried about his boats and He's sad because hes not happy

2. Do you think Gratiano’s contributions help Antonio’s mood? Not really
   
3. What are your first impressions of Bassanio? He's poor
   
4. Is he in love? Maybe
   
5. Why does he need to borrow money again now? To get Portia

Act One, Scene Two

1. How do Portia’s first words compare with Antonio’s?  One’s depressed ones tired
2. What is the reason for her mood? All of the men chasing them.
3. Do you think Nerissa is a help to her? Not really, I feel like she was just annoying her
4. Sum up, in a word or a short phrase, Portia’s attitude to her suitors so far. Ungrateful.

Act One, Scene Three:

1. Shylock is a moneylender. Does he seem eager to do business with Bassanio? How do you know? Yes because he knows what he gets if he dosent get payed back
2. Which does Shylock think is safe, his business or Antonio’s? Why? Because its a win, win situation for him.
3. Why doesn’t Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio? Hes a Jew and Jews dont eat pork
4. What strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Bassanio? He agreed to get a pound of flesh cut out instead of getting charged interest
5. Shylock tells a bible story to prove that the taking of profit is blessed, as long as thieving is not involved. Does he convince Antonio? Give evidence. No because Antonio never likes charging Interest
6. Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole catalogue of nastiness. How does Antonio answer the charges? He says he may do that stuff again
7. How does Bassanio react to the proposed bond? He dosent want Antonio to do it

Can Do Tasks:

Vocabulary: Find the definition of the following words, Venture, Vessel, Signor, Mortifying, Profound, Exhortation, Virtuous and Squandered.

Venture-Something new which involves the risk of failure or of losing money.

Vessel-Ship or large boat

Signor-Italian for sir

Mortifying-Embarrassing or Humiliating

Profound-Great in degree or intensity

Exhortation- An address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.

Virtuous- Behaving with showing moral virtue

Squandered- Waste something especially money or time.

Character Web: