Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers

Act I Scene 1

Extract – 1
ANTONIO: ANTONIO:
In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. The truth is that, I don't know why I am
It wearies me; you say it wearies you. so sad. I'm tired of being sad, and you
But how I caught it, found it, or came by say you're tired of it, too. But I don't
it, know how I caught, found it, or came by
What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is this sadness and what is it’s origin. And
born, I am to learn. since I do not know anything about this
And such a want-wit sadness makes of sadness, maybe
me, I don’t understand myself very well.
That I have much ado to know myself.

i) Where are Antonio and his friends? What does Antonio says about his
sadness?
(i) Antonio and his friends are in a street in Venice. Antonio says that his
sadness makes him depressed and dull. He further says that he is yet to learn
about the origin and nature of his sadness.
ii) Give the meaning of:
(a) whereof it is born: how it originated / what is its source.
(b) a want-wit sadness: a dull and absent-minded sadness whose reason is
unknown.
(c) That I have much ado to know myself: That I have much difficulty in
recognising myself.
iii) What reason does Salarino give as the probable cause of Anonio’s
melancholy?
(iii) Salarino tells Antonio that he is sad because his mind is preoccupied with
his ships filled with cargo, which are out at sea.
iv) State in your own words the scene on the ocean as described by Salarino,
when Antonio’s ship were sailing.
(iv) Salarino compares Antonio's ships sailing on the waves with the great lords
and wealthy citizens, who look down on lesser men as they walk along the
street. According to him Antonio's ships move swiftly on the sea with
their canvas sails and look like grand spectacles or pageants of the sea .

v) The play begins with the atmosphere of melancholy. Why do you think that
Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character?
(v) Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character mainly for
three reasons.
1. By portraying Antonio as a whimsical person, who is least bothered
about the consequences of his actions, justifies his signing the bond-
agreement.
2. Antonio's melancholy creates a tragic atmosphere suitable for
a comedy which floats on brink of tragedy.
3. Antonio's melancholy creates a sense of mystery for the audience.
Extract - 2.
SALANIO: SALANIO:
Believe me, sir, had I such venture Believe me, sir, if I had such risky
forth, business ventures like yours, I would
The better part of my affections always think about my ships at the
would sea. I'd be pulling up the grass in order
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be to check in which direction the wind
still flows, and looking at maps of ports
Plucking the grass to know where sits and piers and roads. And any little
the wind, thing that might make me worry that
Peering in maps for ports and piers something bad would happen to my
and roads. ships would make me sad, without a
And every object that might make me doubt.
fear
Misfortune to my ventures out of
doubt
Would make me sad.

i) Where would Salanio’s attention be if he had business ventures abroad

? Why would he be plucking the grass ? What else he would be doing in
that context ?
(i) If Salanio had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed on
the dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. He would be
plucking the blades of grass and casting them in the air to know the direction
of wind, to see if it was blowing in a direction favourable to the course of his
ships or not. Further, he would look into maps for harbours, channels and open
road-steads near to the shore where his ships could anchor in case of need.
ii) What would make Salanio fear some dangers in his ventures ? Give two
examples.
(ii) Every thought of Salanio would make him fearful of danger to his business
ventures. Two examples which reminded Salarino of the danger to his ships
were:
 1. While cooling his soup by blowing on it, reminded him of the stormy
winds at sea causing terrible damages to his ships.
2. The sandy hour-glass reminded him of the richly laden vessels
wrecked on the sandy shore.
iii) Give meaning of :
(a) Plucking the grass to know where sets the wind : Plucking of grass and
casting them in the air to see which way the wind blew.
(b) Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads : Looking into maps for
harbours, channels and even open road- steads near the shore.
iv) In spite of the danger to his ships , why Antonio is not worried about his
financial security ?
(iv) Despite danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial
security because his business is neither dependent on any one ship nor on any
single location or commercial transactions of the current year.
v) What light does the opening scene throw on the danger that sea could pose
to ships ?
(v) The opening scene describes the possible dangers that the sea could pose
to ships such as strong winds, dangerous shallow waters, sand banks and
dangerous rocks.

Extract - 3.
SALERIO SALERIO
My wind cooling my broth I would get sad while blowing on my
Would blow me to an ague when I hot soup, because it would make me
thought think of what a strong wind at sea
What harm a wind too great at sea could do to my ships. If I would see
might do. the sands running in an hourglass, I
I should not see the sandy hourglass would think of flat shallows where my
run, ship, "The Andrew," run aground with
But I should think of shallows and of all its riches flipped over.
flats
And see my wealthy Andrew docked
in sand,
Vailing her high top lower than her
ribs
To kiss her burial.

i) Where does the scene takes place ? Name the people who are present there.
In what mood Salarino is in this scene ?
(i) This scene takes place in a street in Venice. Antonio, Salarino and Salanio are
present in the scene. Salarino is in a talkative mood and wants to know the
reason for Antonio's melancholy. He says that he too would be feeling
melancholic if his ships were sailing on the sea.
ii) What would the wind cooling the broth reminds Salarino of?
(ii) It would remind Salarino of the stormy winds at sea and of the terrible
damages they might cause to the ships.
iii) Give meaninf of :
“And see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand, Vailing her high top lower than
her ribs To kiss her burial. “
(iii) Wealthy Andrew refers to a Spanish ship called Andrea captured by the
British sailors in 1596. It ran aground when it was being brought to England.
Since then Andrew refers to a big cargo ship. In the above lines Salarino
imagines that his rich cargo ship is grounded in sand and her mast dipped
down lower than her sides as if trying to kiss the sands that surround her.
iv) What is sandy hour glass? What would it remind Salarino of ?
(iv) Sandy hour-glass is an apparatus used to indicate time. It would remind
Salarino of the dangers from hidden banks of sand at sea, on wihch a ship may
run aground.
v) What is referred as wealth Andrew ? Why it is referred so ?
(v) Salarino refers to his richly laden ship as wealthy Andrew. It is so referred
because Salarino feels that like the Spanish ship Andrea captured by the British
in 1596, his ship too is majestic and rich with cargo.
vi) When Salarino would goto church what would he see? What would scene
make him imagine ?
(vi) When Salarino would go to the church he would see the holy building
made of stone. This scene would make him think of the dangerous rocks of the
sea and imagine that a collision of his ship with these rocks would be sufficient
to break his vessel into pieces and scatter all her spices and silks on the sea.
Extract - 4.
SALANIO SALANIO
Not in love neither? Then let us say You're not in love either? Then let's
you are sad just say you are sad because you are
Because you are not merry— and not happy. It would be just as easy for
’twere as easy you to laugh and jump around and
For you to laugh and leap and say you just say you are happy because you
are merry are not sad. I swear, by two-headed
Because you are not sad. Now, by two- Janus (a roman god) , nature has
headed Janus, made all kinds of different people.
Nature hath framed strange fellows in Some people are always happy and
her time. could even laugh at a funeral, while
Some that will evermore peep through others are so sour they don't even
their eyes crack a smile at anything, not even at
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper, a joke that Nestor called the funniest.
And other of such vinegar aspect
That they’ll not show their teeth in
way of smile
Though Nestor swear the
jest be laughable.

i) Who has just said that Antonio was in love ? What was reaction of Antonio ?
(i) Salarino has just said that Antonio was in love. Antonio calls the remark as
nonsense and completely denies that he is in love.
ii) What explanation does Salarino give in extract for Antonio’s Sadness ?
(ii) Salarino concludes that Antonio is sad because he is not happy. He remarks
that there are some curious creatures in the world. He swears by Janus, the
two-headed Roman God that some people have merry natures and are
continuously laughing whether the things they see are subject for mirth or not.
Again there are others with the sourest countenance who will not laugh at any
thing though the gravest old warrior Nestor himself confirms the joke as most
amusing.
iii) What is meant by two headed Janus ? Why is he referred to in the extract ?
(iii) Janus is a Roman god usually depicted with two heads looking in opposite
directions — one frowning and the other smiling. He had received from god
Saturn, the gift to see both the past and the future. He is referred to in the
extract to show that there are two types of people — one happy and the other
sad.
iv) Describe the stange fellows framed by nature ?
(iv) Nature has two types of people. The first type of people have happy
natures and often laugh even if the subject of laughter is too trivial. The
second type of people are those with serious and grave faces, who do not
laugh even at the most amusing jokes.
v) Who was Nestor ? Why is he referred ?
(v) Nestor was the King of Pylos. He was one of the greatest generals in the
Trojan War. He was famous for his wisdom, justice, knowledge of war and
profound gravity. If he laughed, it meant the joke was really funny. He is
referred to in the extract to describe the sad and grave people.
vi) Give meaning of
(a) And other of such vinegar aspect : The second type of people who are grave
and serious.
(b) Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable : Even if the wise and grave
Nestor certify the joke as funny.
vii) Why are class of people are compared to parrots ?
(vii) A class of people are compared to parrots because they laugh even at a
bag-piper as foolishly as a parrot laughs at anything.
viii) Who comes at the end of Salarino’s speech ? Why does Salarino leave then
?
(viii) At the end of Salarino's speech, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo come.
Salarino leaves Antonio then because Antonio's friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and
Lorenzo have come to give him company.

Extract - 5.
Why should a man whose blood is Why should a man be so inactive that
warm within he is practically asleep while awake,
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster, and start to get jaundice due to his
Sleep when he wakes, and creep into cheerlessness? I tell you what,
the jaundice Antonio—I love you, and I'm speaking
By being peevish? I tell thee what, out of love—there are some people
Antonio— whose faces are so unmoving that
I love thee, and ’tis my love that they grow scum like a still pond, and
speaks— they try hard to maintain a still
There are a sort of men whose visages expression so that they can seem to
Do cream and mantle like a standing be wise, serious, and profound, like
pond, someone who could say, "I am Sir
And do a willful stillness entertain Oracle, and when I open my lips to
With purpose to be dressed in an speak, let no dog bark!"
opinion
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,
As who should say, “I am Sir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dog
bark!”

(i) Gratiano gives the example of a warm-blooded young man who represses
his spirits and forces himself to stillness till he looks like the marble image of
his grandfather. He does so to advise Antonio not to remain in melancholy. He
is likely to be infected with jaundice due to his bad tempe.
(ii) (a) Some men overcast their faces with a pale expression as still as the
cream that forms on the surface of milk and as the scum that forms on the
surface of a stagnant pool.
(b) maintain an obstinate silence not to disturb the solemnity of their faces.

(iii) In the extract, Gratiano speaks about people who try to obtain a reputation
for wisdom, seriousness and deep thought by remaining silent. Such people
mean to say that they speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle and they
alone are infallible in their utterances. When they speak, other should keep
quiet.

(iv) 'I am Sir Oracle' means 'I speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle'. The
Greek Oracles made known the will of Gods and were received by all without
questions. 'Let no dog bark' means 'let no one speak'. It refers to the attitude
of those wise men who consider themselves as the fountain of wisdom and
want that when they speak, others should remain silent.
(v) At the end of his speech, Gratiano advises Antonio not to be one of those
who try to gain a reputation for wisdom by being silent. He further tells
Antonio not to use melancholy as a bait to win the reputation of wisdom and
cheap popularity. which is like a worthless cheap fish, a gudgeon.

Extract - 6
BASSANIO : BASSANIO :
I urge this childhood proof With this example from my childhood
Because what follows is pure in mind, listen to my plan, which is
innocence. completely innocent. I owe you a lot,
I owe you much, and, like a willful and like a rash young man I have lost
youth, the money I owe you. But if you shoot
That which I owe is lost. But if you another arrow the same way you shot
please the first, by lending me money again, I
To shoot another arrow that self way have no doubt that I will bring both
Which you did shoot the first, I do not arrows back to you, because I'll watch
doubt, the second one more carefully. Or at
As I will watch the aim, or to find both least I'll bring back the latter loan, and
Or bring your latter hazard back again remain in your debt for the original
And thankfully rest debtor for the sum.
first.

(i) Bassanio and Antonio are in a street in Venice. Prior to this extract Antonio
asks Bassanio to tell him about his plans. He adds, that if Bassanio's plan is as
honourable as he is, he then promises him everything that he has— money,
influence, personal help and utmost resources.

(ii) The above lines mean that at any rate Bassanio could pay the latter loan
and remain his grateful debtor for the first.

(iii) Earlier, Bassanio confesses to Antonio that he has spent his wealth by
having a more lordly way of living than his moderate income allowed him.
Therefore, he has incurred heavy debts because Of his youth and
extravagance. This proves that Bassanio is a spendthrift.

(iv) Bassanio says that when he was a boy at school and he lost one of his
arrows while shooting, he would shoot another arrow in the same direction.
Thus, by risking the second, he often regained both the arrows.

(v) Bassanio proposes to pay back his previous loan as well as the present loan
by carefully managing the expenditure of his second loan amount.

Extract - 7.
BASSANIO : BASSANIO:
Sometimes from her eyes I think she likes me. Sometimes the
I did receive fair speechless messages. expression on her face tells me she
Her name is Portia, nothing likes me. Her name is Portia. She’s as
undervalued rich as that famous Roman heroine
To Cato’s daughter, Brutus' Portia. Portia, the daughter of Cato and wife
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her of Brutus. Her wealth is world-famous.
worth, Famous and important men have
For the four winds blow in from every come in from all over the world to try
coast to marry her. The hair that hangs
Renownèd suitors, and her sunny down on her forehead is like gold,
locks calling every adventurer to Belmont
Hang on her temples like a golden like a gold rush. Antonio, if I only had
fleece, enough money to hold my own
Which makes her seat of Belmont against those suitors, I know I could
Colchos' strand, win her!
And many Jasons come in quest of
her.

(i) 'Fair speechless messages' mean glances which are silent messages of love.
Bassanio wants to say that sometimes he received from Portia's eyes lovely
silent messages. The words 'nothing undervalued' mean ‘not less precious’ or
‘no way inferior to’. Bassanio says that his Portia is no less precious than Cato's
daughter.

(ii) Cato, the father of Brutus' wife Portia, was the great-grandson of the
famous Cato, the Censor. In the Civil War between Pompey and Caesar he
supported Pompey and was defeated by Caesar. Brutus, husband of Portia,
was the chief of the conspirators against Caesar and caused his assassination.
They are referred to show that Portia of Belmont is as precious and great as
Cato's daughter, Portia.

(iii) The passage says that Portia's fame had spread throughout the world as
suitors from every part of the world come to Belmont to win her hand in
marriage.

(iv) Jason was a Greek hero, who was sent by Pelias, his uncle who had usurped
the throne, to fetch the golden fleece from Colchos. In Greek
mythology, golden fleece is referred to as the fleece of the winged ram
Chrysomallos. It was kept at an oak tree in a grove sacred to god Ares and
guarded by a dragon in Colchos. Bassanio compares Portia to the golden
fleece and himself in his quest for Portia, to Jason on his voyage to fetch the
golden fleece. He refers to Other suitors as Jasons.

(v) Bassanio's description of Portia in the opening scene reveals that she is a
paragon among women. She is rich and beautiful with golden hair. She has
wonderful mental qualities and is virtuous as well. Her fame has attracted
suitors from all over the world. She is in no way inferior to her namesake,
Cato's daughter and Brutus' wife.

Extract - 8.

(i) Antonio is unable to help Bassanio at once since he has no money in hand as
all his business ventures are at sea.

(ii) The sum was three thousand ducats. It was required urgently for Bassanio
to go to Belmont and present himself before Portia as a worthy suitor.
(iii) Antonio instructs Bassanio to find out a merchant who is ready to give him
money against his

Act 1 scene 2
Extract I
1. What has Portia just said in response to which Nerissa speaks these words?
Portia has just said that she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse
the one she dislikes because the choice of her husband depends on the lottery
of caskets devised according to her late father’s will.

2. Describe the lottery referred to in the extract.

The lottery refers to the choice of the right casket containing Portia’s portrait
from a among the three caskets of gold, silver and lead. The suitor who will
make the right choice as per the will of Portia’s father will win her in marriage.

3. Give the reaction of Portia as well as of Nerissa to the lottery.

Initially, Portia appears to be anxious over the prospect of choosing her
husband through a lottery devised according to her father’s will. She feels sad
as she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes as
her husband. But later on she accepts her father’s will. Nerissa’s reaction to
the lottery was positive. She calls Portia’s father pious and asserts that good
men do have inspirations at the time of death. She consoles Portia by saying
that she will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.

4. Give the meaning of “never be chosen by any rightly, but one who you
shall rightly love.”
These lines mean that Portia will be chosen correctly by a person whom she
truly loves.

5. Portia is melancholic in the beginning of the scene as it was the case with
Antonio in the previous scene. What is the difference between Antonio’s
melancholy and that Portia?
Portia’s melancholy is the result of her anxiety over the prospect of her future
husband while the cause of Antonio’s melancholy is unknown. Extract 2
Portia:
He doth nothing………………God defend me from these two!
1. Where are Portia and Nerissa? What are they generally discussing about?
In what mood is Portia in the scene?
Portia and Nerissa are in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. They are
discussing the lottery of caskets and about the suitors who have already come
to try their luck. In this scene, Portia is in a mood of melancholy and anxiety.
2. Who is County Palatine? Why has he come to Belmont?
County Palatine was the Count from Palatinate, the region on the west bank of
the Rhine in Germany. He was a powerful lord who came to Belmont to win
Portia’s hand.

3. Who is the first prince described by Portia? What does she say about him?
The first prince described by Portia is the Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy.
Portia describes him as a dashing youngster and as wild as a young horse. He
does nothing but talks of his horse. He further considers his ability to shoe a
horse himself as a great accomplishment.

4. Who is the weeping philosopher? In which context is he referred to in the

extract?
The weeping philosopher refers to Heraclitus of Esphesus. He was a Greek
philosopher who lamented the stupidity and folly of mankind and wept at
everything in the world. Portia refers to him to describe County Palatine. She
feels that since County Palatine is usually gloomy in his young age, he will
become a sad philosopher like Heraclitus when he grows old.

5. Give a character-sketch of the County Palatine.

County Palatine is described as gloomy and self-conceited person. He is always
frowning as if to say that if Portia will not marry him, she may choose
someone else. He is morose and sullen that even jovial stories don’t make him
laugh. He has an abrupt manner of speech and may become a sad philosopher
like Heraclitus when he grows old.

11
Extract III
Portia:
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man…….I shall never
requite him.
1. What has Portia said earlier about Neapolitan prince and his horse? Which
characteristic is common between Monseieur Le Bon and the Count Palatine?
Earlier Portia described the Neapolitan Prince as wild as a young horse and so
attached to his horse that he always spoke about the horse only. The Count
Palatine and Le Bon share the common characteristic of frowning.
2. Give the meaning of:
A) He is every man in no man: He has every man’s characteristic but no
personality of his own
B) He falls straight a -capering: He starts to jump about. Monsieur Le Bon is so
fickle-minded that if he hears a thrush sing, he starts to jump about.

3. How does the French lord react to the singing of a thrush?

When he hears the singing of a thrush, the French Lord starts jumping
immediately.

4. What would happen:

a) If Portia were to marry the Count?
It would be as if she were married to twenty husbands as he is never one man
but twenty men by turns.
b) If he were to despise Portia?
If he were to despise Portia, Portia would not be in least angry and would
forgive him.
c) If he were to love Portia passionately?
Portia could never return his love since she could never possibly love twenty
husbands.

5. Give any three negative qualities of the French Lord, as described by

Portia.
Portia says that the French Lord is more attached to his horse than the
Neapolitan Prince and excels Count Palatine in frowning. If he hears a thrush
singing, he starts jumping immediately. Further, if he does not have anybody to
fence with, he will take his own shadow as adversary.
Extract IV
Portia

You know I say nothing……………………and his behaviour everywhere.

1. How is the young baron’s external appearance described in the passage?
What light does it throw on the national pattern of clothes of Englishmen?
The baron’s external appearance is described as odd and strange. He is oddly
dressed and very odd in behaviour too. He wears an Italian jacket and breeches
in the French fashion. He seems to have got his hat from Germany and his
manners from everywhere. Englishmen of Shakespeare’s days had fondness for
the manners and clothes of foreigners.

2. What shows that the English Lord has poor knowledge of the European
languages? Why does Portia find it difficult to interact with him?
Portia’s sentiment that the Englishman did not know Latin, French or Italian
shows that he had very poor knowledge of European Languages. Portia found
it difficult to converse with him as he did not know Latin, French or Italian and
Portia’s knowledge of English was very poor.

3. Give the meaning of:

a) He is a proper man’s picture
He is handsome and fine-looking
b) How oddly he suited: He is dressed very strangely

4. What is referred to as a ‘dumb show’? why is the baron said to be a dumb

show?
The word dumb-show refers to a play in which all characters act without
speaking , that is by gestures. A pantomime is a dumb show. Here it means
that the Englishman is unable to speak foreign languages and had to converse
by means of signs as in a dumb show.

5. Give a brief description of the Scottish Lord

The Scottish Lord is not impressive. Portia speaks about his cowardice in a
sarcastic way by calling him kind-hearted as he did not return the Englishman’s
blow immediately.

6. What type of contemporary relationship among England, Scotland and

France is reflected in the description of the Scottish Lord?
The description of the Scottish Lord is a reference to the frequent alliances
between the Scots and the French again England when Scotland was at war
with England.
Extract V
Portia
Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober………………..ere I will be married to
a sponge.

1. How does the young German behave when he is sober and when he is
drunk? If the worse happens to Portia which would compel her to marry him,
what would she do?
When sober, the young German is less than a man in behaviour and when
drunk he is no better than a beast. If the worse happens to Portia, she will
manage to do without him.
2. Give the meaning of:
a) When he is worst, he is little better than a beast
When is drunk, he is no better than a beast
b) Set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket
Place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket

3. What plan does Portia make to prevent the young German from choosing
the right casket?
To prevent the young German from choosing the right casket, Portia instructed
Nerissa to place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket. Portia was
sure that the German suitor will not be able to resist the temptation of his
national drink even if the picture of the devil himself was within.

4. Why is the young German referred to as a ‘sponge’?

A sponge constantly absorbs water. Similarly, a drunkard, who constantly take
liquor is called a sponge. Since the young German is a drunkard, Portia calls
him a sponge.

5. After Portia’s speech, what does Nerissa say to console her about the
suitors?
Nerissa tells Portia to set aside her fears concerning the suitors. She says that
they have informed her of their decision to go back home and not to press
their courtship further unless Portia’s father’s decree concerning the caskets
can be set aside and they may woo her in an ordinary way.
Extract VI
Portia
If I live to be as old as Sibylla…………………..a fair departure.
1. What was Portia’s father’s will as far as Portia’s marriage is concerned?
Portia’s father’s will was that her marriage will be decided by the lottery of the
three caskets. The suitor, who chooses the right casket containing Portia’s
picture will be her husband.

2. Who is Sibylla and who is Diana? Why are they referred to in the extract?
In Ovid’s metamorphoses, Sibyl was prophetess. She was granted a wish by
god Appllo that she would live for as many years as the grains of sand she held
in her hand. She was the ageless old woman.
Diana was the goddess of moon and hunting. She is known as the virgin
goddess. They are referred to here to explain Portia’s resolve to remain a virgin
like Diana even if she lives to be as old as Sibyl of Cumae unless she is won in
marriage by some suitor in the lottery of casket.
3. What does Nerissa say to introduce Bassanio? What were the feelings of
Portia for Bassanio in this scene?
To introduce Bassanio, Nerissa recalls the visit of a young Venetian along with
the Marquis o f Montferrat, when Portia’s father was alive. He was a scholar
and a soldier. In this scene, Portia’s feelings for Bassanio are quite positive. She
recalls his name and tells Nerissa that he fully deserves her praise. Her simple
reply shows that she is already in love with Bassanio.

4. In what scene can we say that the opening of the first two scenes of Act I
give the plots of the play?
The opening of the first two scenes of Act I gives the plot of the paly. The two
main plots of the play are the bond-story and the casket -story. The bond-story
is initiated in Scene I while the casket-story is initiated in Scene 2 of Act I.

5. Name the six suitors given in this scene. Give two characteristics of each
suitor described by Portia.
i) The Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy, was a dashing youngster,
as wild as a horse. He always talked about his horse.

ii) The County Palatine was always frowning and unusually gloomy.

iii) Le Bon is from France, who had the characteristic of every man and
had no personality of his own.

iv) Falconbridge from England, though handsome was strangely and

unmannerly dressed and did not know Latin, French or Italian.

v) The Scottish Lord, was a coward and did not repay the Englishman
who gave him a blow.

vi) The Duke of Saxony was drunkard. He in his sober moments, behaved
less than a man and when drunk no better than a beast.

Act 1 scene 3
Extract 1
Bassanio:
For the which, as I told you…………………
Bassanio:
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
1. Give the conditions to which Antonio is bound. How wise was Antonio
to bind himself to such conditions?
Antonio is bound to a bond according to which if he fails to repay the
amount in due time, Shylock will be entitled to take an exact pound of
flesh from any part of Antonio’s body that he may wish. It was very
unwise of Antonio to misjudge Shylock’s intentions and sign such a fatal
bond.
2. Give the meaning of:
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?
Can you help me and will you do me this favour?

3. Shylock says that Antonio is a good man. What does Shylock mean
with the connotation ‘good’?
When Shylock says the above words, he means that Antonio is a
reliable man, whose surety is sufficient to give a loan.

4. Enumerate the possible threats to Antonio’s business ventures as

stated by Shylock, after the above extract.
Shylock enumerates the possible dangers to Antonio’s merchandise-
ships being only planks of wood are apt to be broken; the mariners being
merely human beings, are liable to be drowned; there are pirates on the
waters; and there are all the dangers of the ocean from the gales,
tempests and dangerous rocks.

5. How can it be proved that Antonio is a prudent businessman but he is

overconfident?
Antonio can considered as a prudent businessman as his wealth is
distributed over the whole world. one of Antonio’s ship is on its journey
to Tripolis, another is bound for the Indies, a third is voyaging to Mexico,
fourth to England and others to various other distant places. He is so
overconfident of his riches that he agrees to an unreasonable and
dangerous bond.
Extract II
Shylock:
How like a fawining publican……….most do congregate
1. What is meant by ‘a fawning publican’? Give three reasons why
Shylock hates Antonio.
Publicans were tax collectors for the Romans and were generally
oppressive. They were hated by the Jews because they were the agents
of Rome, who collected taxes also from the Jews. Publican is a natural
term of contempt and loathing in the mouth of a Jew. Shylock hats
Antonio because he is a Christian, lends money without interest and
hurls abuses on him.
2. Write the meaning of the following in your own words:
I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him
The above words mean that if Shylock could get hold of Antonio at a
disadvantage or in a weak spot, he will satisfy fully the long-standing
hatred he has against him.

3. What old grudge does Shylock have against Antonio?

Shylock had a long-standing grudge against Antonio because Antonio
was a Christian and looked upon the holy Jewish race with contempt. He
used to lend money without interest. He even spat on Shylock, kicked
him and called a ‘cut-throat dog.’

4. What does the ‘sacred nation’ refer to? What insults has Antonio
heaped upon Shylock?
‘The Sacred Nation’ is a reference to the holy Jewish race. Antonio
insults Shylock for his business deals and for earning profit by lending
money on interest.

Extract III
Shylock:
When Jacob grazed……….
Shylock:
Should fall as Jacob’s hire.

1. What topic is referred to in the extract? Who were Jacob and

Abhraham?
The topic referred to in the extract is lending money for interest. Jacob
was the second son of Issac who became the third successor to
Abraham. Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew nation and Jacob’s
grandfather.

2. Give the story of Jacob who got his share as his payment from Laban.
Laban was Jacob’s uncle. Jacob and Laban entered into an agreement
that Jacob would receive as his wages the lambs which were born with
spots or stripes. During the breeding season, Jacob arranged the
wooden rods in such a way that the shadows of the rods should fall on
the sheep. Consequently, most of the lambs were born spotted or
stripped, and thus, they became Jacob’s property.

3. What is the difference between taking interest and receiving payment

for one’s labour?.
Taking interest means to charge specific amounts on the money given
as loan for a specified period. Receiving payment for one’s labour
means to take remuneration for one’s service rendered. This is
legitimate while taking interest is not in order.

4. What role did Jacob’s wise mother play to make him the third
possessor?
Esau and Jacob were Issac’s sons. Issac wanted to bless his elder son
Esau but would do so after he brought him some savoury meant.
Jacob’s mother Rebecca overheard this conversation. She wanted to get
this blessing for Jacob. She told Jacob to fetch two goats to make a
savoury dish. Rebecca then asked Jacob to go to his blind father with
the savoury meat. In this way, Jacob, through the crafty assistance of his
mother, got the blessing of his father.

5.How does Antonio interpret Jacob’s success after this extract?

After this extract, Antonio tells Shylock that it was purely a matter of
chance in Jacob’s case. He had no control over it himself, but
providence guided and governed the event. It was not a matter in the
hands of men, like the taking of interest.
. How does Shylock plan to get the money immediately? What light
does this extract throw on Shylock’s character?
Shylock plans to get money immediately from a wealthy fellow-Jew,
Tubal. It shows that Shylock wants to execute the bond as soon as
possible and use the chance to take his revenge on Antonio.
Extract IV
Antonio:
Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
….for all use of that which is mine own.
1. What is meant by ‘shall we be beholding to you’? What is Rialto?
‘Shall we be beholding to you’-this statement was made by Antonio and
he wants to say to Shylock, “Are you going to lend us money?”
Rialto was the Venetian Stock Exchange where the merchants met for
the transaction of business.

2. Give some examples to show that Shylock was ill-treated by

Antonio. How did Shylock react to Antonio’s insults?
Shylock speaks of his ill-treatment at the hands of Antonio. He says that
Antonio had spat upon his Jewish robe in contempt and called him an
unbeliever and a cur. He had also spat upon his beard. On another day,
he had pushed him aside with his foot as if he were a stray dog being
kicked out of his house. Shylock reacted to Antonio’s insults patiently.

3. Why did Shylock bear Antonio’s insults patiently?

Shylock bore Antonio’s insults patiently since, as a shrewd Jew, he was
waiting for an opportune time to take revenge on Antonio. Earlier, in the
scene Shylock admits that patience is the badge of his race.

4. Give the causes, financial and racial, for Shylock’s hatred for
Antonio.
Financially Antonio is a threat to Shylock’s money lending business
because he lends money without charging interest and thus brings down
the rate of interest charged by money lenders. Besides, he hates
Antonio since he is a Christian, who despises the Jewish race.

5. What is the need for Antonio to borrow money from his enemy?
Antonio needs to borrow money from his enemy Shylock to give it to
Bassanio, his friend so that he can go to Belmont to woo the rich lady
Portia.
Extract V
Shylock:
Why, look you, how you scorn!
…..kind I offer.
1. What were the ‘shames’ which stained Shylock?
Shylock is referring to the insults hurled on him by Antonio such as
speaking abusively of him and his money-lending, spitting on him,
kicking him, calling him a dog and ridiculing the Jews.

2. What is meant by ‘the present wants’? On what terms is the speaker

willing to supply the wants?
‘The present wants’ refer to the immediate need of Antonio-three
thousand ducats to provide for Bassanio’s trip to Belmont to woo Portia.
The speaker is ready to supply the wants provided Antonio signs a bond,
according to which if Antonio is unable to pay him the money on the
specified date, the penalty to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh
from any part of Antonio’s body.

3. How does Antonio storm Shylock? Why was Shylock willing to lend
money without interest?
Antonio storms Shylock by saying that in future too he is likely to abuse
and disgrace him and that he should lend the money as to an enemy
rather than a friend. He challenges him exact the penalty if he fails to
repay on time. Shylock is willing to lend the money without interest
because he wants to trap Antonio in a fatal bond and take his revenge.
4. What is meant by Shylock when he says: “This is kind I offer’? What
did the speaker propose to do immediately after this?

‘This is kind I offer you’ means this is the kindness that I offer you. This
refers to his lending of money without charging any interest on
it. Immediately after this, the speaker proposes to Antonio to
accompany him to a lawyer and execute a bond with his signature
wherein the forfeit to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any
part of Antonio’s body.

5. Who is the third person, present at the scene? Why is he reluctant

to agree to Shylock’s terms?
The third person present at the scene is Bassanio. He is reluctant to
agree to Shylock’s terms because he did not trust the kind words uttered
by Shylock. He tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an
agreement on his account. He would rather remain as poor as he is now
and do without his wants supplied at such a price.
Extract VI
Shylock;
Go with me to a notary…….pleaseth me.
1. Who is a notary? Whom does Shylock want to take to the notary?
Why?
A notary is a lawyer who has the authority to execute official and legal
dealings and agrrements. Shylock want to take Antonio to the notary to
sign the bond document which stipulates that the forfeit to be paid will be
a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

2. Give the meaning of:

a) Single bond: agreement in which Antonio will be the only signatory
b) Merry sport: for a pleasant joke.
3. What does Bassanio say to prevent Antonio from signing the bond?
Bassanio tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an
agreement on his account. He adds that he would rather remain as poor
as he is now and do without his wants supplied at such a price.

4. Why is Antonio confident that there is no danger in signing the

bond? What aspect of Antonio’s character is shown in this incident?
Antonio is confident that there is no danger in signing the bond because
he is confident that one month before the date of payment, his ships will
have brought nine times the amount they are borrowing and they will not
have to pay the penalty. This incident shows Antonio’s overconfidence
and generosity towards Bassnio.

5. Why does Shylock insist on a pound of Antonio’s flesh in the bond?

Which aspect of his character is shown in his absurd demand?
Shylock insists on a pound of Antonio’s flesh to take revenge on him and
to put him completely at his mercy. Shylock’s hatred for Antonio and
Christians is shown in his absurd demand. Taking advantage of the
situation, he wants to take revenge on Antonio and all Christians, who
persecuted him and his race.