Merchant Of Venice

Question 1

Give some quotes about money.

Answer 1

• “’Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate.” - Bassanio (Act 1 Scene 1) He’s in debt monetarily and in terms of love to Antonio

• “I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear.” - Shylock (Act 3 Scene 1) He values his jewels over his daughter.

• Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond.
Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.” - Portia (Act 3 Scene 2) Portia is extremely wealthy, and shows her love for Bassanio.

Question 2

Give some quotes about justice.

Answer 2

• “The Duke cannot deny the course of law.” - Antonio (Act 3 Scene 3) Antonio recognises he’s on the wrong side of justice.
• “So is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.” - Portia (Act 1 Scene 2) She questions whether the patriarchal society she lives in is fair.
• “I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool.” - Shylock (Act 3 Scene 3) He considers mercy a weakness.

Question 3

Give some quotes about love.

Answer 3

• “My purse, my person, my extremest means
Lie all unlocked to your occasions.” - Antonio (Act 1 Scene 1) Antonio cares deeply for Bassanio

• “Your father was ever virtuous; and holy men at their death have good inspirations.” - Nerissa (Act 2 Scene 2) She explains the ‘good intentions’ her father had for her love status
• “But love is blind, and lovers cannot see.” - Jessica (Act 2 Scene 6) About how she’s wearing men’s clothes

Question 4

Give some quotes from the courtroom scene (Act 4 Scene 1).

Answer 4

• “I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch.” - Duke
• “If every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond.” - Shylock
• “Take then thy bond, take then thy pound of flesh, but in the cutting of it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice.” - Portia

Question 5

What are the different kinds of love?

Answer 5

Friendship:
• Philia (affectionate love, converse in deep conversation)
• Storge (familiar love, like nostalgia)
• Philautia (self love)

Significant other:
• Pragma (enduring love)
• Eros (romantic love)
• Ludus (playful love)

Family:
• Storge (familiar love)
• Agape (selfless love)
• Philia (affectionate love)

Question 6

What are the features of a Shakespearean comedy?

Answer 6

• Mistaken Identity and/or Misconceptions
• Reason versus Emotion
• Fate and the Fantastical
• Idyllic Settings
• Separation and Reconciliation
• Happy Endings