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WorksheetsMerchant of Venice ACT 4
Total questions: 55
Worksheet time: 28mins
At the beginning of Act 4 Scene 1, who is on trial?
Shylock
Bassanio
Antonio
Portia
Who is the ruling character in the courtroom?
Lorenzo
Portia
Duke
Clerk
What does Shylock start doing while in the courtroom?
Ripping up the bond (agreement)
Sharpening his knife
Eating bread while waiting for the ruling.
What does Bassanio beg the court to do for Antonio’s sake?
Kill Shylock
Bend the rules
Take Shylock's knife
Give Shylock money
What is the name of the 'young lawyer from Rome' that was mentioned in the letter addressed to the Duke?
Ballerio
Balthazar
Bellario
Balthazarr
When she is disguised as Balthazar, what argument does Portia make for Shylock showing mercy?
Mercy is a blessing
Shylock will be respected
Shylock will feel good
It is the law
How would you describe Portia through her interpretation of the bond, and Shylock's subsequent punishment?
(2 answers)
Clever: she has drawn Shylock into insisting on the bond and now he is trapped by its rigid wording.
Panicked and lacking careful thought: she panics when Shylock is about to kill Antonio, and shouts "Tarry, a little" in order to buy herself some time while she thinks of what to do next.
Considerate and loving: she is aware of how much Jessica means to Lorenzo, and as such is merciful when it comes to Shylock's punishment.
Relentless and ruthless: she insists that Shylock has the specific bond. He is offered the ducats by Bassanio, but she insists he have nothing but the bond.
Based upon the laws of Venice, what is the outcome for Shylock?
He must be paid $6,000 ducats by Bassanio, since Antonio cannot repay his debt.
He will be put to death.
He has to drop his claim if it involves murder.
He must forfeit half his property to Antonio, and the other half to the State (Venice).
What does Portia say is Shylock's ultimate crime and the reason why he cannot leave the courthouse when he wants to?
He is Jewish and Antonio is Christian.
He threatened the life of a Christian.
He drew blood which is against the law in Venice.
According to the law, why can't Shylock receive his bond?
He can't take anything more than 1 pound of flesh.
He did not have a doctor present in the courtroom.
He is Jewish.
He can't allow for Antonio to lose a single drop of blood.
What TWO things does Shylock lose for his crime?
His daughter Jessica
Money
His house
The ring
Antonio also insists that the other half of Shylock's punishment is what?
He must become a Christian.
He must go to jail.
He must pay $3,000 ducats to Antonio.
He is banished from Venice.
At the end of this scene who does Bassanio offer money to?
Antonio
Nerissa
Portia
Shylock
Antonio offers to return half of Shylock’s estate on the condition that Shylock ___ and ____? (2 answers)
duels with him
converts to Christianity
gives him another loan
makes a will giving everything he has to Lorenzo and Jessica when he dies
What kind of play is Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
Comedy
Tragedy
Tragic-Comedy
None of the above
What events define Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice
The trial
Portia disguised as a lawyer, defeats Shylock in a witty move on legality of his
claims to spill blood: “if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood”
Duke grants Shylock his life but splits his wealth between Antonio and the
state.
Shylock has to become a Christian
Bassanio gives Portia/Balthazar ring as payment
Prince Morocco and Prince Arragon try their luck with the caskets.
Jessica is revealed to be in love with the Christian, Lorenzo
The betrayal of Shylock by Jessica’s elopement and theft: “own flesh and blood” (3.1.17)
• News of Antonio’s galleon being wrecked
Shylock enacts his the terms of his debts
Bassanio chooses lead for the caskets and receives the ring from Portia
Antonio is in prison.
Portia and Nerissa plan to disguise.
None of the above.
What do the Duke and Portia try to teach Shylock?
We shouldn't let wealth determine happiness.
Greed is dangerous and destructive.
Charging interest violates Christian doctrine.
We should show each other mercy since we are all flawed.
Who dresses like a man to follow her husband to Venice?
Nerissa
Jessica
Duke
Shylock
Who says, "...thou shalt see the difference of our spirit, I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it."
Portia
Bassanio
The Duke
Shylock
How do Portia and Nerissa, disguised as Balthazar and The Clerk, test their husbands Bassani and Gratiano?
They ask for their rings as a token of gratitude for saving Antonio.
They attempt to set them up on a date.
They ask them if they are single or married.
They ask them if they care more about Antonio's life or their wives.
To which person in the Bible do both Gratiano and Shylock compare Portia?
Jacob
Daniel
Job
Abraham
Which of the following quotes suggests it would be bad for Venice if Shylock did not get his bond?
"What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?"
"'tis mine and I will have it."
"There is no force in the decrees of Venice."
"let the danger light
Upon your charter and your city's freedom"
Which is the odd one out?
purchased slave
main flood
wolf
mountain pines
Shylock uses the word "viands" when he argues that perhaps the Christians should treat their slaves fairly. What does "viands" mean?
marriage
food
beds
burdens
What is the name of the "young Doctor of Rome"
Bellario
Lorenzo
Balthazar
Gratiano
On which feature of Antonio's does Shylock focus his criticism?
His religion
His financial situation
His friendships
His courage
What phrase does Shylock use that mocks Gratiano?
"good boy"
"little youth"
"good youth"
"little boy"
Which Gratiano quote suggests Shylock has been taken over by the spirit of a wolf?
"souls of animals infuse themselves
Into the trunks of men"
"a wolf, who, hang'd for human slaughter"
"O, be thou damn'd, inexecrable dog!"
"Infused itself in thee"
Complete the following quote:
"It ________________as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is __________ blest;"
droppeth and thrice
droppeth and twice
falleth and twice
falleth and thrice
Which statement is most relevant with regards to Portia's views about mercy?
She is desperate for Shylock to show mercy.
She believes that Jews are capable of showing mercy.
She is emphasising that Christians differ from Jews in the way that they are able to show mercy.
She is cleverly trapping Shylock into insisting on justice so that she can use the law against him later on the in the trial.
What form of comedy would we ascribe to the following quote "O noble judge! O excellent young man."
Sarcasm
Irony
Exaggeration
Pun
Which of the following quote foreshadows what's to come for Shylock?
"Tis very true: O wise and upright judge!"
"So says the bond... those are the very words."
"I have them ready."
"Therefore, lay bare your bosom."
Which of the following comedy conventions links to this quote:
"BASSANIO
Antonio, I am married to a
wife
Which is as dear to me as life itself;
But life itself, my wife, and all the world,
Are not with me esteem'd above thy life:
I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all
Here to this devil, to deliver you."?
Family tensions that are usually resolved in the end
A struggle of young lovers to overcome problems, often the result of the interference of their elders
There is some element of separation and reunification
Complex, interwoven plot-lines
What is the first interpretation of the bond, turning the trial in Antonio's favour, that Portia makes?
Weight of the flesh
Cutting off at the heart
Spilling of blood
Attempt at killing of a Venetian citizen
What is the second interpretation of the bond, turning the trial in Antonio's favour, that Portia makes?
Weight of the flesh
Cutting off at the heart
Spilling of blood
Attempt at killing of a Venetian citizen
What is the third interpretation of the bond, turning the trial in Antonio's favour, that Portia makes?
Weight of the flesh
Cutting off at the heart
Spilling of blood
Attempt at killing of a Venetian citizen
Which of the following is the odd one out?
Shylock's life is spared
Shylock will be put on trial for attempting to take Antonio's life
Half of his goods go to the state
Shylock has to become a Christian.
Which personal effect does Portia use to bribe Bassanio?
A glove
A necklace
A miniature portrait
A ring
What is "the forfeiture"?
1 pound of Antonio's flesh
1 pound of Bassanio's flesh
$50,000 ducats
You have to spend an entire weekend with Mr. Lima.
Who is originally called into the court to verify the bond, but can't make it?
Ballagio
Bellario
Bennet
Bassanio
What is the final offer that Bassanio makes to Shylock in order for him to forgive Antonio?
$9,000 ducats
$3,000 ducats
$50,000 ducats
When Shylock says "O noble judge! O excellent young man!" who is he referring to?
Bellario
Nerissa
Portia
Balthasar
There are TWO things that Shylock is told he must have on hand in the courtroom in order for the bond to be paid. What are the two things?
A Scale
A Pen
The Bond itself
A Doctor
Why does Portia say "Your wife would give you little thanks for that" towards Bassanio?
Bassanio said he dislikes his wife.
Bassanio would give up his wife for Antonio.
Bassanio said he loved his wife.
Who are the TWO people that Shylock has to give his things too?
Venice
Bellario
Antonio
Portia
Antonio insists that half of Shylock's punishment is that he must give his things go to whom?
Bassanio
Lorenzo & Jessica
Launcelot
Bonus #2: At the end of this act what is ironic about Bassanio?
He wouldn't give up his wedding ring to his own wife.
He offered the money that he owed Shylock to Jessica (Shylock's daughter).
He offered money to Portia but said he would give up his wife for Antonio.
When she is disguised as Balthasar, what argument does Portia make for Shylock showing mercy?
Mercy is a blessing
Shylock will be respected
Shylock will feel good
It is the law
Portia says that Shylock can take his pound of flesh from Antonio but he must not....?
be too slow
Be boastful
Spill any blood
Laugh about it
Antonio offers to return half of Shylock’s estate on the condition Shylock ___?
Duels with him
He converts to Christianity
Gives him a loan
Apolohizes
What does Antonio offer as bond against any future infidelity by Gratiano or Bassanio?
His gold
His money
His estate
His soul
What fortuitous event happens to Antonio at the end of the play?
Shylock dies
He marries Portia
His ships come in
He becomes a duke
