Merchant of Venice Act 1-2 Flashcards
Where is merchant of venice set act 1?
a street in venice, italy
Who is Antionio?
one of the main characters; a wealty and respected merchant. He is somber and generous, and loyal to his friend Bassanio.
he asks Shylock for a loan, and he must repay it in 3 months or he must give him a pound of his flesh.
Who is Bassanio?
Antonio’s best friend; in love with Portia. He is romantic, reckless, and impulsive, and loyal to antonio.
He asks Antonio for a loan which results in Antonio’s life being in danger.
who is Salerio?
A nobleman and close friend of Antonio. He is witty and intelligent.
who’s the friend group
antonio, bassanio, gratiano, salerio, and lorenzo.
Who is solanio?
storyteller. friend of antonio. tries to uplift his spirit. very good friend of solerio.
quick witted. gossipy.
who is portia?
the woman Bassanio is in love with; she is beautiful, rich, nice, and intelligent.
Who is Nerissa?
Portia’s lady in waiting (her best friend); she’s smart, has good judgment, and is nice.
Who is Shylock?
the antagonist of the story, hated by antonio.
who is the prince of morocco?
he judges based on appearance.
he opens the golden casket, and finds a skull instead of portia’s photo.
who is launcelot gobbo?
a house servant; indecisive, comical. comic relief character.
who is gratiano?
friends with antonio, wants to marry nerissa.
who is lorenzo?
a young christian man, friends with bassanio and antonio.
in lofe with jess. he helps her escape his house.
who is jessica?
typical teenager; shylock’s daughter. wants to elope with lorenzo, who is a non-jew.
she disguises herself as a boy to travel.
who is the prince of aragon?
he chooses the silver casket.
what happens in act 1 scene 1?
antonio’s friends notice that he’s been out of sorts recently. they guess he’s worried about his investments, in love, or wallowing in his melancholy. Gratiano tries to cheer him up.
Bassanio asks antonio if he can borrow some of his money so he can compete with portia’s other suitors.
what happens in act 1 scene 2?
Portia tells Nerissa of her frustration at the suitors and her dead dad’s plan to choose his daughter’s husband. She hoes Bassanio will return to woo her.
what happens in act 1 scene 3?
Bassanio negotiates with Shylock, a jewish moneylender, to borrow 3000 ducats for 3 months in Antonio’s name. Shylock worries bc he knows much of antonio’s wealth is at sea, and he might not be able to repay him.
shylock talks about how antonio has spit on him, called him a dog, and criticized his business in public.
shylock lends antonio the money free of interest given that he promises a pound of his own flesh to secure the bond.
what happens in act 2 scene 1?
the prince of morocco greets portia upon his arrival, and says “mislike me not for my complexion”.
he agrees to the challenge for her hand but must sweat to never speak to a lady afterward in way of marriage if he loses.
what happens in act 2 scene 2?
launcelot gobbo works for shylock as a servant, but debates leaving his job and seeking a new master. he remains with shylock.
he asks bassanio for a job and gets a job. he tells shylock.
gratiano finds bassanio and asks to accompany him to belmont. he worries gratiano’z silly nature will ruin his chances with portia. they go.
what happens in act 2 scene 3?
Jessica bids launcelot goodbye as he gets ready to leave shylocks service. she says he’s been fun in their serious house.
launcelot predicts she will marry a christian and they both cry at parting. Jessica wishes to marry Lorenzo.
what happens in act 2 scene 4?
lorenzo, gratiano, solerio, and solanio plan to “slink away in supper time” and appear for a masquerade at bassanio’s dinner. launcelot delivers jessica’s message to lorenzo, and he replies that he will not fail her.
jessica plans to get away from her farher’s house by disguising herself and carrying gold and jewels
what happens in act 2 scene 5?
Launcelot brings shylock an invitation to bassanio’s dinner. shylock tells jess to lock all the doors and windows, not look outside.
Launcelot tells jess to keep an her out for lorenzo. Jessica wishes her father farewell.
what happens in act 2 scene 6?
gratiano salarino and lorenzo meet outside shy picks house. jessica appears disguised as a boy. she throws down a chest of gold and jewels. she is embarrassed by her appearance.
gratiano says she is no jew. everyone except gratiano leave. bassanio’s masquerade had been cancelled bc he’s ready to depart, gratiano joins the voyage.
