Common Mod: The Merchant of Venice

Question 1

All the Quotes for Shylock

Answer 1

“You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, and all for use with that which is mine own.”

“Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, but since I am a dog, beware my fangs. The Duke shall grant me justice.”

“If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.”

“I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a jew hands, organs.., passions?”

“The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard, but I will better the instruction.”

“I am content.”

Question 2

What act and scene is this from?

“You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, and all for use with that which is mine own.”

Answer 2

Act 1 Scene 3

Question 3

What act and scene is this from?

“Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, but since I am a dog, beware my fangs. The Duke shall grant me justice.”

Answer 3

Act 3 Scene 3

Question 4

What act and scene is this from?

“If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.”

Answer 4

Act 1 Scene 3

Question 5

What act and scene is this from?

“I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a jew hands, organs.., passions?”

Answer 5

Act 3 Scene 1

Question 6

What act and scene is this from?

“The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard, but I will better the instruction.”

Answer 6

Act 3 Scene 1

Question 7

What act and scene is this from?

“I am content.”

Answer 7

Act 4 Scene 1

Question 8

2 topic sentences for shylock:

Answer 8

Shakespeare’s depiction of a religiously segregated society, introduces marginalisation by illustrating how Shylock’s intense need for revenge arises from the deep emotional wounds inflicted by societal exclusion and prejudice.

Shakespeare further develops the exploration of individual marginalisation from a collective society, by demonstrating its psychological impact, leading to a dehumanised quest for revenge and ultimately one’s own downfall.

Question 9

Thesis statement

Answer 9

Texts have the power to expose audiences to the representation of human qualities and emotions, consequently shaping our ideas about the human experience of prejudice and individual marginalisation from a collective society. In his tragicomedy, “The Merchant of Venice”, Shakespeare explores the psychological impacts of oppression borne from marginalisation, leading to a dehumanised quest for revenge and ultimately, self-destruction.

Question 10

Quotes for Portia:

Answer 10

“O me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.”

“They shall think we are accomplished with that we lack… And wear my dagger with the braver grace.”

“If you had known the virtue of the ring…you would not then have parted with the ring.”

Question 11

What act and scene is this from?

“O me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.”

Answer 11

Act 1 Scene 2

Question 12

What act and scene is this from?

“They shall think we are accomplished with that we lack… And wear my dagger with the braver grace.”

Answer 12

Act 3 Scene 4

Question 13

What act and scene is this from?

“If you had known the virtue of the ring…you would not then have parted with the ring.”

Answer 13

Act 5 Scene 1

Question 14

Topic sentence for Portia:

Answer 14

Shakespeare also demonstrates the psychological impacts of the relentless struggle for agency due to the individual marginalisation of women. Portia is an oppressed woman under the control of a dead but paternal, benevolent father. She faces constraints on her freedom and agency, which compel her to navigate these challenges creatively, often resorting to disguise and deception to achieve her goals. This oppression influences her actions throughout the play as she strives to assert her intellect and independence within the constraints of a patriarchal society.

Question 15

Analyse this quote:

“You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, and all for use with that which is mine own.”

Answer 15

The motif of the dog creates a bestial image of Shylock, highlighting the extent of his discrimination and presenting him as an alien within society. The accumulation of the injustices contribute to Shylock’s complexity as a character, portrayed as a caricatural villain, but made that way by the prejudice of a Christian society.

Question 16

Analyse this quote:

“Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, but since I am a dog, beware my fangs. The Duke shall grant me justice.”

Answer 16

The motif and simile of the dog, along with animal and bestial imagery, emphasise how Shylock is perceived as less than human by the Christian society. By using the Christians’ own words against them, Shylock portrays himself as a product of the isolation and inhumane treatment he endures. Although portrayed as a villain, Shakespeare uses this speech to urge the audience to feel pity for Shylock, as his vengeful actions are shown as a direct consequence of the prejudice and social exclusion he has faced.

Question 17

Analyse this quote:

“If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.”

Answer 17

The personification of Shylock’s grudge, sated by exploiting Antonio, shows how his quest for vengeance overthrows his humanity, becoming a living thing, and turning Shylock into a cruel figure. Thus, Shylock’s internalisation of his oppression transforms his vengeance into a dehumanising force, illustrating the profound psychological impact of societal exclusion.

Question 18

Analyse this quote:

“I am content.”

Answer 18

This simple, yet powerful, statement reflects Shylock’s acceptance of his fate and is resigned to his melancholy state. The irony is palpable as Shylock, who has lost everything; his daughter, faith and money, proclaims contentment. This contrasts with Antonio’s earlier declaration of “I am content,” emphasising the disparity between their situations. Shakespeare’s repetition underscores Christianity’s triumph and suggests Shylock’s quest for revenge has been futile, leaving him worse off than at the beginning of the play.

Question 18

Analyse this quote:

“I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a jew hands, organs.., passions?”

Answer 18

Shylock employs pathos to evoke sympathy from the audience, pleading for mercy by emphasising that Jews are no different from others. However, Shylock’s speech is paradoxical; while he pleads for mercy, he simultaneously declares his intent to replicate his oppressors’ actions and even surpass them in cruelty.

Question 19

Analyse this quote:

“The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard, but I will better the instruction.”

Answer 19

The double entendre of “execute” foreshadows Shylock’s revenge on Antonio by taking his pound of flesh, further highlighting the irony of Shylock’s vengeful actions, while asking for mercy himself. Shylock’s relentless pursuit of revenge highlights how oppression can turn victims into perpetrators, losing morality, and continuing cycles of suffering.

Question 20

Analyse this quote:

“O me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.”

Answer 20

This emphasises Portia’s experience of a lack of agency due to her marginalisation from the collective society because she is a woman. Portia emphasises her lack of power through contrasting herself as a “living daughter” to her “dead father” showing the absurdity that a dead man has more power than her. The epistrophe highlights her frustrated and desperate tone, conveying her desire to resist her father’s will.

Question 20

Analyse this quote:

“If you had known the virtue of the ring…you would not then have parted with the ring.”

Answer 20

The ring, symbolising love, trust, and loyalty, becomes a tool for Portia to assert control and reveal Bassanio’s intentions. Her disguise, again, serves as her means of gaining agency which she lacks as a marginalised woman. Shakespeare underscores the complexity of Portia’s pursuit of agency, highlighting how she must resort to deception to assert control and influence in a patriarchal society.

Question 21

Analyse this quote:

“They shall think we are accomplished with that we lack… And wear my dagger with the braver grace.”

Answer 21

The diction of “accomplished” suggests that being a man is a favourable, advantageous attribute. The masculine imagery of the dagger underscores the restrictions Portia experiences due to her gender. She feels powerless, even as a high class woman, desiring the freedom and bravery she associates with men. By disguising as a male she obtains greater power, being able to save Antonio, thus transcending the barriers of marginalisation she experiences being a woman.