merchant of Venice overview

Question 1

What are they key themes in the merchant of Venice?

Answer 1

Love, money, racism, appearance vs. Reality, loyalty and betrayal

Question 2

Who is Antonio?

Answer 2

The merchant

Question 2

Who is Bassanio?

Answer 2

A prodigal fool in love with Portia

Question 3

Who is Portia?

Answer 3

A smart, racist and rich heiress

Question 4

Who is Nerissa?

Answer 4

Portias maid and Gratianos love interest

Question 5

Who is Shylock?

Answer 5

A vengeful, business Jew

Question 6

Who is Jessica?

Answer 6

Shylock daughter and Lorenzos love interest

Question 7

Who is Lorenzo?

Answer 7

Bassianos friend and Jessica’s love interest

Question 8

Who is Gratiano?

Answer 8

Bassanios chatty friend who wants Nerissa

Question 9

Who are Salanio and Salarino?

Answer 9

Bassanios friends, interchangeable characters

Question 10

Who is Gobbo?

Answer 10

Lancalots blind father

Question 11

Who is Lancelot?

Answer 11

Gobbos son, used to work for Shylock, now works for Bassanio and is friends with Jessica

Question 12

Who is Tubal?

Answer 12

Shylocks Jew friend

Question 13

Who is the prince of Aragon?

Answer 13

Spanish prince that wanted Portias hand in marriage

Question 14

Who is the Morocco?

Answer 14

Prince of Morocco who wanted Portias hand in marriage

Question 15

How to produce a play

Answer 15

When and where would your scene be set? Would it be classical or modern?
* What type of stage would you use?
* How would you design your set?
* What props would be required?
* What lighting and/or sound effects would be needed to bring your scene to life?
* How would you position the characters on the stage?
* What advice would you give to the characters about how they should deliver their lines?
* What facial expressions or gestures should they use?
* Your answer should include quotation from the play where relevant.

Question 16

Describe the plot of this play.

Answer 16

Include:
- Who is Antonio, Portia, Bassanio, Shylock and Nerissa
- Bassanio’s debt
- Shylock’s injustices
- Bassanio and Portia’s relationship (3 caskets)
- Antonio’s near-death experience
- Portia’s cunningness (loyalty test on Bassanio and saving Antonio)