Merchant of Venice Character Quotes

Question 1

Antonio

Answer 1

In sooth I know not why I am so sad

Your mind is tossing on the ocean… where your argosies… overpeer the petty traffickers

The wind is come about (referencing the party with Shylock being cancelled)

He presently become a Christian (referring to Shylock)

Question 2

Bassanio

Answer 2

In Belmont, there is a lady richly left, and she is fair, and, fairer than that word

hang on her temples like a golden fleece… many Jasons come in quest of her

May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? (to Shylock)

Let me choose; For as I am, I live upon the rack (telling Portia to leave him alone while he chooses the caskets)

a song, the whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself

by thine own fair eyes, / wherein I see myself

[Gratiano] speaks a great deal of nothing

courtly love

Question 3

Portia

Answer 3

my little body is aweary of this great world

I am much afear’d his mother play’d false with a smith

devilish complexion

Let all of his (Morocco) complexion choose me so

Myself and what is mine to you and yours / is now converted

if you spill one drop of Christian blood

quality of mercy is not strained

Question 4

Nerissa

Question 5

Shylock

Answer 5

Shylock the Jew (stage direction)

peril of waters, winds and rocks

I hate him for he is a Christian (aside)

you call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, / and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine

void your rheum

Hear you me, Jessica; / Lock up my doors… clamber not you up to the casement then

I would my daughter dead at my foot

I say my daugher is my flesh and blood

If it will feed nothing else, it will feed nothing else (referring to taking revenge)

If you prick us, do we not bleed? / If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

I’ll have my bond; speak not against my bon. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond

Since I am a dog, beware my fangs

if you deny me, fie upon your law (referring to his bond)

Question 6

Launcelot + Old Gobbo

Answer 6

is indeed deceased

in the end truth will out

he hath a great infection

Question 7

Gratiano

Answer 7

I must go with you to Belmont

I have a wife, … / I would she were in heaven… to change this currish Jew

Question 8

Jessica

Answer 8

give him (Lorenzo) this letter; do it secretly

what heinous sin it is in me to be asham’d to be my father’s child!

Enter Jessica, above, in boy’s clothes

Question 9

Lorenzo

Answer 9

We have not yet spoke of torch-bearers.

what page’s suit she hath in readiness

in converting Jews to Christians you raise the price of pork

Question 10

Solerio + Solanio

Answer 10

The villain Jew… rais’d the Duke… to search Bassanio’s ship

My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!

Question 11

Smaller Characters

Answer 11

Morocco - long speech - adds suspense and tension “pause there” further adds to this

“gold”

“mislike me not for my complexion”

Arragon - his name

Duke - “I am sorry for thee… come to answer / a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, / Uncapable of pity, void and empty”