merchant of venice Act IV Scene I Flashcards
Why has the Duke sent for Bellario?
Expected to face difficulty in this case - Shylock was adamant in wanting his bond and the Duke wanted to save Antonio, who was a friend and fellow Venetian. Bellario was an experienced lawyer - the Duke hopes that Bellario’s expertise would save Antonio.
What is an ‘epitaph’? Why does Antonio want Bassanio to write his epitaph?
An epitaph is the inscription on a tombstone. In response to Bassanio’s passionate outburst “The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones and all/ Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.” Antonio says that he is ready for death. Bassanio should not throw away his life, instead he should remain alive and write a befitting epitaph for him.
Who was Daniel?
Daniel was a biblical character mentioned in the Old Testament who was noted for his judgement when he was still a young man.
The name Daniel is of Hebrew origin and it means ‘God is my judge’.
Why does the Duke address Portia/ Balthazar as ‘learned doctor’ when she appears in court?
Portia was introduced by Bellario in his letter to the Duke as a “learned/ young doctor (of Law) from Rome”.
Why is Shylock not happy when the Duke pardons his life?
When the Duke pardons Shylock his life, he has already lost everything - his home, possessions had been confiscated and shared between Antonio and the State. He was left with no means of earning a livelihood (He was a moneylender). So, these words are spoken in bitterness.
Why does Portia refuse to have dinner with the Duke?
She explains to the Duke that she has to return to Padua the same night. Actually, she and Nerissa need to hurry home to Belmont to be there when their husbands returned.
Why does Portia ask for Bassanio’s ring?
It was a sort of test of his love for her. She was annoyed when Bassanio declares earlier in the scene, that he was prepared to sacrifice his life and beloved wife to save Antonio.
Why does Bassanio give away his ring?
Bassanio gives away his ring in response to Antonio’s words, “Let him have the ring:/ Let his deserving’s and my love withal/ be valued ‘against your wife’s commandment.”
Does Mercy triumph over justice in The Merchant of Venice?
Every single one of the main characters in the play has an opportunity to show mercy but doesn’t.
Shylock is asked repeatedly by the Duke, Antonio, Portia and Bassanio yet he stubbornly demand his bond.
Although Portia seems to believe very much in the qualities of mercy, she herself has none to spare for Shylock.
Antonio could have shown Shylock mercy but in a particularly cruel punishment, he insists Shylock abandon his Jewish faith and become a Christian and leave his wealth to Lorenzo when he dies.
Though throughout the play most of the characters constantly talk about the virtues of mercy, it seems that none of them are merciful enough to forgive Shylock. Overall, the only mercy Shylock receives is being able to escape with his life.
Why does Antonio agree to Shylock’s terms for the loan?
When Shylock states the terms he proposes for the loan, Antonio immediately accepts without any questions and agrees to offer a pound of his flesh if he cannot pay the loan back. Bassanio is the one to hesitate, urging his friend not to accept these dangerous terms, but Antonio is confident that the terms of the loan are irrelevant because he will easily be able to repay it. As he explains, “I do expect return / Of thrice three times the value of this bond” (I.iii.157-158). Because Antonio has always been prosperous and enjoyed good returns on his investments, he is lured into a false sense of security and does not worry about the risks he assumes. His intense devotion to Bassanio also makes him willing to accept almost any risk in order to help his friend, whom Antonio has an almost romantic obsession with.
Why does Shylock demand Antonio’s flesh instead of money?
Bassanio offers large sums of money to Shylock in exchange for Shylock’s forfeit of the original conditions of his bond. Shylock refuses to accept this offer, and he also refuses to justify his decision. As Shylock explains, “You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have / A weight of carrion flesh than to receive / Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that / But say it is my humour” (IV.i.40-43). Shylock argues that he does not have to explain or justify his decision because he has the force of law on his side. However, some of his extreme insistence on Antonio’s flesh likely comes from his desire to have revenge against a member of the Christian community that he blames for discriminating against him and stealing his daughter. As he tells Salarino in Act III, Scene i, “If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.”
Who does Bassanio give Portia’s ring to?
Bassanio gives Portia’s ring to someone he believes is a lawyer named Balthazar, but who the audience knows is actually Portia herself in disguise as a man. Balthazar/Portia asks for the ring as a thank-you gift in exchange for having saved Antonio from Shylock, but Bassanio is initially reluctant because he promised Portia never to take the ring off. However, after Balthazar/Portia rebukes him and Antonio encourages him to give the ring away, Bassanio relents.
How does Portia save Antonio?
After Antonio loses his ships and forfeits his bonds to Shylock, Bassanio and Gratiano return to Venice to save him. Secretly, Portia decides to go too, along with Nerissa, both dressed as men. At the trial, the disguised Portia intercedes, playing the part of a lawyer’s apprentice named Balthazar. Thus granted the necessary authority, she exploits a legal loophole—though she accepts that Shylock is entitled to Antonio’s flesh, as per their agreement, she explains that nowhere in the contract does it say Shylock is entitled to Antonio’s blood. If he spills any, it will be Shylock who is liable, causing Shylock to change his mind.
Why do Portia and Nerissa trick Bassanio and Gratiano into giving away their rings?
The deception proves Portia to be cleverer and more competent than any of the other characters, and it allows the play to return to a comparably lighter and more comedic tone after the emotional intensity of the trial. For her part, Portia views this plan as a way to test the loyalties of Bassanio. That he fails this test suggests the play’s happy ending is tempered somewhat by the possibility of future strife between the lovers.
What is the significance of much of the play taking place in Venice?
In Shakespeare’s time Venice had long served as a point of commerce and trade, with merchants traveling there from all over the world, most notably between residents of Western European lands and nations further in the East. Then an independent city-state, Venice was home to many nationalities and religions, and played host to a large Jewish population. This mixture of cultures, along with the city’s many waterways, giving ships easy access and merchants many opportunities to make or break their fortunes, makes it an ideal setting for the play.
