Act 1 Quotes

Question 1

My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,
Nor to one place

Answer 1

Antonio to Salarino and Salanio (wise and alert to dangers)

Question 2

‘Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate,
By showing a far more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance:

Answer 2

Bassanio to Antonio

Question 3

To you, Antonio,
I owe the most, in money and in love

Answer 3

Bassanio to Antonio (theme of money and love)

Question 4

be assured,
My purse, my person, my extremest means,
Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.

Answer 4

Antonio to Bassanio

Question 5

In Belmont is a lady richly left;
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
Of wondrous virtues: sometimes from her eyes
I did recieve fair speechless messages:
Her name is Portia

Answer 5

Bassanio to Antonio

Question 6

therfore go forth;
Try what my credit can in Venice do:

Answer 6

Antonio to Bassanio

Question 7

I may neither choose whom I would nor I would refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father

Answer 7

Portia to Nerissa

Question 8

ere I’ll be married to a sponge.

Answer 8

Portia to Nerissa that she’d marry the German Duke of Saxony’s nephew, a drunk

Question 9

unless I be obtained by the manner of my father’s will.

Answer 9

Portia to Nerissa saying she’ll live as long as Sybylla and die as short as Diana unless she objects

Question 10

chests of gold, silver and lead

Answer 10

Nerissa to Portia referring to the game her father devised

Question 11

pirates
the peril of waters, winds and rocks

Answer 11

Shylock to Bassanio referring to the danger of having ships cross with your goods (Shylock is practical and realistic)

Question 12

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.

Answer 12

Shylock to Bassanio

Question 13

[Aside] How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian,
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis and brings down
The rate of usable here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed him fat the ancient grudge I bear him.

Answer 13

Shylock to himself

Question 14

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart:
O, what a goodly sum outside falsehood truth!

Answer 14

Antonio to Bassanio about Shylock (appearance vs. reality)

Question 15

many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my moneys and usances:

Answer 15

Shylock to Antonio (rated means given out to)

Question 16

I am as like thee to call thee again,

Answer 16

Antonio to Shylock (as likely to)

Question 17

But lend it rather to thine enemy,
Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face
Exact the penalty.

Answer 17

Antonio to Shylock

Question 18

merry sport

Answer 18

Shylock to Antonio

Question 19

the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleasesth me.

Answer 19

Shylock to Antonio

Question 20

there is much kindness in the Jew

Answer 20

Antonio to Bassanio