Merchant of Venice Discussion Questions

Transcription

1 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Merchant of Venice Discussion Questions Act 1, Scene 1 1. For someone who should be happy, why is Antonio so sad? Explain why Antonio does not realize the cause of his depression. What do Solanio and Salerio think might be the cause(s)? What lifts his sadness? 2. What information does Bassanio come to give Antonio? 3. Why does Bassanio target Portia? What is in his way? What is his plan to defeat these obstacles? 4. Why does Antonio lend money to Bassanio, even though Bassanio never repays him? Would you lend money to Bassanio? 5. How does Bassanio plan to repay Antonio? 6. What does Antonio gain from giving the loan to Bassanio? 7. How does Antonio benefit from his relationship with Bassanio? Act 1, Scene 2 1. How are Belmont and Venice different from each other? 2. Compare and contrast Portia s relationship with Nerissa to Antonio s relationship with Bassanio. How are the relationships similar? How are they different? Examine their speech. How is dialogue used to show differences in their personalities and social stature? 3. Compare Portia to Antonio at the start of Act 1, Scene 1? How are they similar? 4. What is Portia s opinion on how her dead father decided to choose a suitor for her? Has the method been effective so far? 5. What faults does Portia find in each of her suitors? What can you learn about the Elizabethan viewpoints of each of these cultures? How does her criticism of Morocco differ from the others? 6. How do Bassanio and Portia first encounter each other? What is his social status? 7. Examine Portia s final lines. Does her racism surprise you? Act 1, Scene 3 1. What are the terms of Shylock s loan to Bassanio? What does it mean for Antonio to be bound to a loan? 2. According to Shylock, what are the risks of him making the loan? What outweighs those risks? 3. Why does Shylock refuse Bassanio s invitation to dinner? Why is he so bitter? 4. What wrongs have Antonio committed against Shylock in the past? 5. How does Antonio react to Shylock s accusations? What reasons does Antonio give for Shylock to approve the loan? 6. How does Shylock raise the stakes on the terms of the loan to Antonio? How do Antonio and Bassanio react?

2 7. Would Bassanio do the same for Antonio if their roles were reversed? Act 2, Scene 1 1. What issues does Morocco address in his opening lines? 2. Look at Morocco s language in Lines 1-12 and How does his use of imagery reflect the Elizabethan view of Moors (people with darker skin)? 3. What is Portia s reaction to Morocco s first monologue? Based on her lines from Act 1, Scene 2, do you believe that Morocco would have a chance equal to the other suitors? Explain your answer. 4. Starting with line 38, what ultimatum does Portia give to Morocco? Why does she do this, and what does this say about her intelligence? 5. Why do you think this scene uses mythological imagery instead of religious imagery? Act 2, Scene 2 1. What decision is Launcelot trying to make? 2. Why doesn t Launcelot reveal his identity to his father? 3. What purpose does Shakespeare have in including the scene between Launcelot and his father? 4. Why does Launcelot desire to escape Shylock? How does his comments impact the reader s perception of Shylock? 5. Why does Bassanio accept Launcelot as his servant so quickly? Can he afford a servant? 6. Why does Gratiano want to go to Belmont with Bassanio? 7. What requirements does Bassanio give in order for Gratiano to go? Under what terms does Gratiano agree? Act 2, Scene 3 1. What does Jessica give Launcelot? 2. How does Launcelot try to complement Jessica? What is ironic about his speech in lines 10-13? 3. Why is Jessica ashamed be a Jew? 4. Is Jessica s desire to leave more about her faith or her father? Give proof for your answer. 5. How is the relationship between Launcelot and Gobbo similar to the relationship between Jessica and Shylock? How is it different? Act 2, Scene 4 1. What two things does Jessica s letter detail to Lorenzo? 2. What is Jessica s plan for getting out of her father s house? 3. Who is going to be the torchbearer?

3 Act 2, Scene 5 1. How does Shylock first react to Launcelot leaving? 2. Why does Shylock decide to accept Bassanio s invitation? 3. At the end of the scene, why does Shylock say that he is glad to be rid of Launcelot? 4. How does Shylock see himself as a master and a father? Give proof from the play to back this up. 5. How accurate were Launcelot s and Jessica s past descriptions of Shylock s household? How does this impact the audience s understanding of Shylock? Act 2, Scene 6 1. Why are Gratiano and Salarino concerned? 2. What are Gratiano s opinions on love? How would he be in a romantic relationship? 3. Why is Jessica embarrassed? 4. Do you agree with Gratiano? Is the thrill of love in the chasing or the having? Explain. Act 2, Scene 7 1. What is Morocco s reasoning for not choosing lead? 2. Is it possible that death is something that all men desire? Explain. 3. Is Portia racist? Give evidence. Act 2, Scene 8 1. Do you think Solanio s reports of Shylock s reaction to Jessica leaving is accurate? Why or why not? Give proof from the play. 2. What rumor has Salarino heard about Antonio s ships? 3. What can you learn about Antonio s relationship to Bassanio based on the description of their last meeting? Act 2, Scene 9 1. What is Aragon s logic for choosing silver? 2. Why is the messenger so excited regarding Bassanio? 3. How does Portia respond to the messenger? Act 3, Scene 1 1. Why does Shylock direct his grief and anger over Jessica s leaving toward Antonio? 2. Is Shylock more upset about losing Jessica or his money? How does his reaction affect your opinion of him? 3. Based on his treatment from Christians, is it wrong for Shylock to want revenge? Do you think that Antonio would demand the pound of flesh if the positions were reversed? Explain your opinion.

4 4. What is so important about the ring that Jessica stole? 5. In your opinion, is Shylock a villain or a victim? Explain your answer. Act 3, Scene 2 1. How is Portia s attitude with Bassanio different from her attitude with her other suitors? What new side of her are we seeing? Back up your answer with proof from the play. 2. How does Bassanio s strategy in the coffin game differ from Morocco s and Aragon s? Which coffin does he ultimately choose? Why? 3. What information do Gratiano and Nerissa bring? What bet do they make with Bassanio and Portia? 4. What is Bassanio s true financial status? How does this impact Portia s opinion of him? 5. What can we learn about Antonio s feelings for Bassanio from his letter? Act 3, Scene 3 1. Why is the real reason that Antonio believes that Shylock wants him dead? 2. Why doesn t Antonio think that the duke will forgive the forfeiture? Act 3, Scene 4 1. Why is Portia intent on helping Antonio? 2. What does Portia tell Lorenzo that she and Nerissa will do? What is the true plan? Act 3, Scene 5 1. Has Launcelot s change in master changed his personality? How is Launcelot different than from in his scene with Shylock? 2. What do Jessica and Lorenzo think of Portia and her relationship with Bassanio? Act 4, Scene 1 1. How is others treatment of their slaves comparable to Shylock s treatment of his pound of flesh? 2. Describe how the people in the courtroom react to Shylock and his demands. 3. Why does Shylock refuse to get a doctor to attend to Antonio? 4. How does Portia save Antonio s life? 5. What punishments are laid on Shylock for his attempted murder? 6. In your opinion, was this a fair trial? Is the outcome just? Explain your opinion with examples from the text. Act 4, Scene 2 1. What does the fact that both Bassanio and Gratiano give their rings away say about relationships between men and relationships between men and women? 2. How serious do you think the consequences for giving away the rings will be? Why?

5 Act 5, Scene 1 1. What is Lorenzo s feeling about men who can t be moved by music? 2. What reason does Gratiano give for why Nerissa shouldn t be upset about the ring? 3. What is ironic about Nerissa s swear that the clerk will never grow a beard on his face? 4. What do Portia and Nerissa threaten their husbands that they will do to get the rings back? 5. What good fortune does Antonio find in the letter at the end of the play?