Merchant of Venice

What is the main purpose of Solanio and Salarino?

• Provide comic relief after heavy scenes
• Narrate what happens off stage
• Portray typical brotherly relationship
• Illustrate how different social classes treat one another

When speaking about Gratanio, Bassanio says, "His reasons are as/two grains of wheat....you/shall seek all day were you find them...".  What's the best paraphrase of this?

• It's like looking for a needle in a haystack when Gratanio talks.
• Since he parties so much, he shouldn't judge people.
• Antonio should realize how happy he is.
• The grass isn't always greener.

Both Antonio and Portia are sad when the story starts.  What else do they have in common?

• They are greedy.
• They are self-centered and just want attention.
• They are both loyal to people who frustrate them.
• They disapprove of the problems in their town.

Portia says that doing the right thing is easier said than done.  What plot event matches this theme?

• Bassanio allows Antonio to agree to the bond even though he is concerned about the conditions.
• Morocco choose the gold casket because men want to marry Portia.
• Jessica misses her father.
• Gratiano wins Nerissa over because he is courteous and nice.

Why does Shylock cite The Bible to justify charging an interest on his loans?

• He is explaining why partially colored sheep are valuable.
• He's trying to prove how smart he is.
• He wants to persuade Antonio to agree to pay the interest.
• He is pretending to have converted to Christianity.

Why does Shakespeare create a Jewish character who references a story from The Bible?

• He wants the audience to see that Shylock is smart and wily.

• He wants to create comic relief.

• He wants his audience to realize that both religions read The Old Testament.

• He is proving that Shylock hates all Christians and Muslims.

Which of the following does NOT explain why Antonio agrees to Shylock's bond.

• He knows that all his ships will be back in time, so he will be able to repay the money.
• He doesn't think Shylock is serious, so he doesn't take the terms literally.
• He loves Bassanio, and he'll do anything he can to help him.
• He thinks Shylock's conditions are based in Christianity.

When he's negotiating the terms of the loan, Antonio says, "Hie thee, gentle Jew./The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind."  What does this foreshadow?

• Shylock will become more kind and show mercy on his enemies.
• Bassanio and Antonio's relationship will fall apart.
• Society will accept people of all faiths and religions.
• Shylock will convert to Christianity.

What should the audience infer when Lancelet is grappling between "the fiend" and his "conscience"?

• He knows that it's morally uncool for him to leave Shylock.
• Shylock was a bad boss.
• Shakespeare is just as prejudiced as the characters he created.
• Lancelet makes jokes at the expense of everyone else.

Before Jessica runs away, she says, "Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed/I have a father, and you a daughter, lost."  What literary device is this?

• Hyperbole
• Irony
• Allusion
• Foreshadowing