The Merchant Of Venice

Act 1 Scene one
1. Antonio is depressed with knowing why? what two possible reasons do his
friends suggest?
It could that he thinks his boat sunk with all his money and he's in love.

2. Do you think that Gratonio's contributions help Antonio's mood?
He is nagging him for answers.

3. What are your first impressions of Bassanio?
I think he is broke and needing money.

4. Is he in love?
Bassanio is in love with Portia.

5. Why does he need to borrow money again now?

Bassanio needs the money to impress Portia.

Act one scene 2

6. How do Portia's first words compare with Antonio's?

She was a lot more whiney compared to Antonio, who was a lot sadder.

7. What is the reason for her mood?

She doesn't like any of the men that her Dad chose for her.

8. Do you think Nerissa is a help to her?

She kind of helps her, she laid out Portia's options for her.

9. Sum up in one word or phrase, Portia's attitude towards the suitors

Bitter.

Scene 3

1.Shylock is a moneylender. Does he seem eager to do business with Bassanio?
How do you know?
No. Because Bassanio, going through Antonio, isn't confident he's able to pay it back
in time, or at all.

2.Which does Shylock think is safe, his business or Antonio’s? Why?
His business, Antonio doesn't have the money on hand and his boats could sink
at any second

3.Why doesn’t Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio?
Because of their religions. Bassanio and Antonio would most likely have food that
Shylock isn't allowed to eat, due to religion

4.What strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Bassanio?
Never lend or borrow money with 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.
Not sure

6.Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole catalogue of nastiness. How does
Antonio answer the charges?
Antonio admits to them and says that he has done it once, he will do it
again.

7.How does Bassanio react to the proposed bond?
Bassanio doesn't like it, he thinks it is dumb. He doesn't want Antonio to take it for
him because he can find another way.

We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it? Racism. He says "Mislike me not for my complexion," Meaning, "don't hate me for the colour of my skin," which is brown. We know that because he says "The shadowed livery of the burnished sun.To whom I am a neighbour and near bred." He believes that Portia won't like him due to the colour of his skin..

1. 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?
2. There hand is in marriage to any women. If you choose wrong. Never to speak to lady afterwards In way of marriage. Therefore be advised."
3. Shylock practices ‘usury’. What is this? Lending money with intrest
4. Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other? Because their own difference in religions and values. Antonio has teased and picked on Shylock for these same reasons.
5. What is Portia’s opinion of the Prince of Morocco- give examples. She thinks as highly of him as she does her other suiters "Yourself, renownèd Prince, then stood as fair As any comer I have looked on yet For my affection." Meaning, "then you’d have had as good a chance to marry me as any of the suitors I’ve met so far, prince."

Scene Two

1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. Because of their different values. Another reason is that Shylock treats Launcelot very mean. We know this because he said the very truth is that the Jew, having done me wrong   which means the truth is that the Jew has done me wrong.
2. Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?
3. Because Bassanio is afraid that Gratiano will do something stupid and the blame will fall on Bassanio.
4. 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.
   b. contradictions
   c. misuse of words to impress.
   Find examples of each of these in the text.A. Many times in this scene this sort of thing happens: LAUNCELOT To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having done me wrong, doth cause me, as my father, being, I hope, an old man, shall frutify unto you— GOBBO I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship, and my suit is— B. GOBBO Here’s my son, sir, a poor boy- LAUNCELOT Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man that would, sir, as my father shall specify— (Their words go against each others) C. Not exactly sure of this one..

Scene Three

1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. She hates it she think it’s a hell hole. She said “Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,” Meaning “It’s hell in our house, and you helped cheer it up, like a funny devil”
2. Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry? Lorenzo

Scene Four

1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover? Through Launcelot, she gave him a letter to give to Lorenzo
2. How will she be disguised for the elopement? She will be dressed a page boy

Scene Five

1. Why is Shylock uneasy about going out for the evening? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. Not sure

Scene Six

1. How does Launcelot manage to tell Jessica that Lorenzo will be there that evening?
2. Through vague messages. He says to Jessica "Mistress, look out at window, for all this. There will come a Christian by will be worth a Jewess' eye." In short, that means, there will be a christian worth your viewing, referencing Lorenzo
3. What does Jessica throw down to Lorenzo?
4. A box/casket thing with gold ducats inside.
5. Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano?
   To tell him that the masque has been canceled

Act Two Discussion Questions:

1. In A2S2, Launcelot deceives his father. In A2S6, Jessica deceives hers, What does each of them hope to achieve? Revenge and Freedom
2. In A2S5 Lines 11-18 & 28-39. In both speeches Shylock is speaking to his daughter, Jessica. What is his attitude to her? Give supporting examples from the text. 
3. Not sure
4. In A2S5 Lines 11-18 & 28-39. What do Launcelot and the audience know, that Shylock does not? How does this show dramatic irony.
5. Not suree

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. 
2. i don't know 

1. How is Portia feeling in A2S7 -at the beginning, -while the Prince is making his choice, at the end
   At the beginning she’s partly nervous, while he’s making his choice, she’s annoyed with the process. At the end, she’s relieved.
2. What was Portia’s father trying to achieve by the use of the caskets. Does this seem to be working?
   To see who is worthy of Portia. It’s not really working, because Portia doesn’t like any of them...

Scene Eight

1. What double disaster has struck Shylock? His daughter ran away, with a christian, and took some of his money and jewels.
2. Where did Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica might be? On Bassanio’s ship.
3. How did Bassanio and Antonio part? With a short conversation and handshake
4. What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? Find a quote that tells you this. Don't Know

Scene Nine

1. What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?
   To make fun of and mock the choices of the suitors.
2. Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden caskets. What does his interpretation of the inscription tell us about his character?
   Because it says “He who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” He believes that it may be that some people are as foolish as to not see past looks, the expensive look of the gold.
3. What is Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival?
   She doesn’t realise it’s him, she believes it’s the messengers relative because of how highly they think of him