Merchant of Venice Act V, Scene 1

Who are Troilus and Cressida? why are they symbols of unfaithful lovers?

Answer explanation

Troilus and Cressida were lovers. Troilus was the son of Troy and he and Cressida had exhcanged vows of being faithful to each other forever. During the siege of Troy, Cressida was handed over to the Greeks she fell in love with another man named Diomed. For a long time, Troilus stood on the walls of the Troy and looked out at the Grecian camps, waiting for Cressida. Hence they became symbols of unfaithful lovers.

Who are Thisbe and Pyramus? Why are they symbols of faithful lovers?

Answer explanation

Thisbe and Pyramus were lovers who were forbidden from meeting each other by their parents. One night they decided to meet at the edge of a forest. Thisbe, upon arriving first, sees a lion and runs away, leaving her cloak behind. Pyramus arrives and sees her blood-stained cloak and assumes his lover has been killed and takes his own life. Thisbe comes back later and sees Pyramus dead and takes her own life too. Hence they became faithful lovers and can even be connected to the Christian vow taken during marriage: "Till death do us part".

Who are Dido and Aeneas?

Answer explanation

Dido was the queen of Carthage and Aeneas was a Trojan warrior who founded the city of Rome. During his voyages, he came upon Carthage, where he fell in love with Queen Dido. Many years later, Aeneas set out to travel again, promising his love that he would return. Dido is seen holding a willow in her hand and walking on the shores of Carthage, waiting for her deserted love to come back to her.

Who are Medea and Jason? What is their connection to Aeson?

Answer explanation

Jason was a Greek hero who led the expedition to Colchis to find the golden fleece. Medea was his wife who helped him win it. She was the daughter-in-law of Aeson, Jason's father. Medea gathered enchanted herbs by night to help him restore his youth.

What is the willow a symbol of in Dido and Aeneas' story?

• A symbol of the Joy and love shared by the two

• A symbol of their misery and the fall of Rome

• A symbol of a deserted love

• A symbol of Aeneas' treacherous acts

Why did Medea gather enchanted herbs by night?

• Elizabethans believed certain herbs would have magical properties when collected at night

• Elizabethans believed that Herbs collected at night would make you all-powerful

• Elizabethans believed that if you collected herbs by night, they could aid good sleep

• Elizabethans believed collecting herbs by night would help amass wealth

Why are Lorenzo and Jessica telling stories of historical lovers?

Answer explanation

Lorenzo and Jessica are lovers themselves. Tey are having a romantic night in the moonlight outside Portia's house. They start talking about these lovers because they think whatever acts they committed (Trouilus' waiting, Thisbe and Pyramus' death, and Dido's wailing on the sea shore) must've all happened on a night like that one-- a beautiful moonlit night with gentle breeze. They as lovers are just talking sweet nothings.

Why do Lorenzo and Jessica -- who were going to go inside the house to prepare for Portia's return -- decide to remain outside?

• They decided that it's none of their business

• They decided that Portia wouldn't like to see them first thing on entering her house

• They decide to let the servants prepare for her return while they continue to enjoy the beautiful night outside

• They decide that they don't want to see Portia and have her ruin their night

Give the meaning of " the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold"

Answer explanation

look how the sky (floor of heaven) is so full of/ heavily decorated with stars (patines - small pieces of shiny metal)

Give the meaning of "There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st But in his motion like an angel sings, Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;"

Answer explanation

Even the smallest planets (orbs) make music as they go around their orbits. They sound like a choir of cherubins (the angels closest to god).

Elizabethans believed that planets made harmonious sounds as they traveled around their orbits (ones we cannot hear). this was said t be the "grand harmony of the universe". Angels are said to be listening to this music.