The Merchant of Venice: Religion, Kinship, and Race Quiz

What is the central conflict in The Merchant of Venice?

• The dispute between Salerio and Solanio

• The romantic storylines of Jessica and Lorenzo

• The bond between Shylock and Antonio

• The conflict between Portia and Morocco

According to English Protestants, how is religious identity primarily passed from parents to children?

• Through cultural practices

• By belief in God's promise to Abraham

• By acquiring knowledge from religious texts

• By participating in religious ceremonies

What bodily properties are frequently referenced in the play to signify racial and religious identity?

• Voice tone and facial features

• Skin color and blood

• Height and weight

• Hair color and eye shape

Why do Christian men in the play find it difficult to accept Jessica as a suitable wife?

• They believe she is not physically attractive

• They fear she might transmit Jewishness to her Christian husband's children

• They are not interested in interreligious marriages

• They think she is not wealthy enough

What does Morocco challenge in the play with his words?

• The religious beliefs of the Christian characters

• The racial prejudice that elevates the worth of people with white skin

• The legal system in Venice

• The authority of the Duke of Venice

What does Portia find objectionable about Morocco?

• His complexion

• His lack of wealth

• His social status

• His religious beliefs

What does Salerio use to suggest that Jessica's flesh and blood are entirely different from her father's?

• Physical measurements

• Religious symbols

• Color imagery

• Ancestral lineage

What does the loophole in the bond between Shylock and Antonio make clear?

• It is easy to deceive Shylock

• It is possible to avoid the bond altogether

• It is impossible to separate flesh and blood

• It is difficult to understand the legal terms

What does the play The Merchant of Venice force us to examine?

• The political system in Venice

• The economic conditions of the characters

• The crosscurrents of antisemitism, racism, religious discrimination, and skin color prejudice

• The impact of social media on relationships

What is the main focus of the free online Anti-Racist Shakespeare webinars?

• The historical context of Shakespeare's plays

• The impact of Shakespeare's works on modern literature

• Race and social justice in The Merchant of Venice

• The life of Shakespeare as a playwright