The Merchant of Venice Discussion by Acts Find the Line!

Act I, Scene What lines best represent Antonio’s character? 2. How does Bassanio explain his lack of funds? 3. How will Bassaino be rescued from his debt? 4. How does Antonio explain his lack of funds? 5. What is Antonio’s decision?

Act I, Scene Who are Portia’s six suitors? 2. How does she malign each? (How does this review of the suitors add to the comic elements of the play?) 3. What conditions had her father imposed upon Portia’s choice in a spouse? 4. Does Portia recall meeting Bassanio?

Act 1, Scene Give the exact terms of the condition upon which Shylock lends Antonio money. What is the sum? What is the time limit? What is the forfeit? 2. What wrongs and insults had Antonio inflicted on Shylock?

Construction – Time Sequence Act 1 comprises a week Act 1 comprises a week Act 2 scenes 1-7 one day Act 2 scenes 1-7 one day Act 2 scenes 8-9 jumps ahead Act 2 scenes 8-9 jumps ahead Act 3 scene 1 the loan is due Act 3 scene 1 the loan is due Act 3 scenes 2-4 one day Act 3 scenes 2-4 one day Act 3 scene 5, and Act 4 the next day Act 3 scene 5, and Act 4 the next day Act 5 two days later Act 5 two days later

Act I Exposition ______Act I___________

Act 2, Scene What worry does the Prince of Morocco voice will affect Portia’s accepting him as a spouse? 2. What does she state is part of his decision to select a casket?

Act 2, Scene What occurs between Lancelet and his father? 2. How does the opening sequence add to the comic elements of the play? 3. What dilemma does Lancelet have concerning his servitude to Shylock? 4. In whose service does Lancelet end up?

Act 2 - Scenes 3, 4 and What dilemma does Jessica feel? 2.4 What is the elopement scheme? 2.5 What warnings does Shylock give Jessica before leaving?

Act 2, Scenes 6 and What adds to suspense in the elopement scene? 2.7 Which casket does the Prince of Morocco select? What is the rhyme he finds?

Act 2 – Scenes 8 and What news about Shylock is revealed? How does it affect him? 2. What potential news is revealed concerning Antonio? 2.9 Which casket does the Prince of Arragon select? What does he find?

Act 2 Rising Action Scene 9 Scene 9 Scene 8 Scene 8 Scene 7 Scene 7 Scene 6 Scene 6 Scene 5 Scene 5 Scene 4 Scene 4 Scene 3 Scene 3 Scene 2 Scene 2 Scene 1

Act 3, Scene What persuasive devices does Shakespeare use in Shylock’s speech? 2. Was Shylock only concerned about recovering his lost monies? 3. What aspects of the dialogue cause empathy for Shylock?

Act 3, Scene What dialogue reveals Portia’s love for Bassanio prior to his selection? 2. What causes Bassanio to select the leaden casket? Review his comments both before the selection. 3. Do the song lyrics imply which casket should be chosen? 4. Is Bassanio worthy of Portia? Why? 5. What pledge accompanies the exchange of rings?

Act 3, Scenes 3 and What makes the duke unable to interfere with the bond? What does Portia’s commentary in this scene reveal about her understanding of Bassanio and Antonio’s relationship? 2. What does her impending plan to leave Belmont foreshadow?

Act 3, Scene How has Launcelet’s character changed since his scene with his father Gobbo? 2. How does Launcelet treat Jessica? 3. How has Lorenzo’s character changed since his marriage to Jessica? 4. What does the pun concerning “covering” mean to the people of Shakespeare’s day? Why would they find this portion of the scene humorous?

Act 3 Climax

Act 4, Scenes 1 and 2 1. How has adversity affected Antonio’s character? 2. Look for reversals in the trial scene. 3. What aspects of Portia’s Quality of Mercy speech is most appealing? How does the speech present a persuasive argument? 4. Does Bassanio’s devotion to Antonio (and Antonio’s devotion to Bassanio) appear excessive? Why? 5. What legal points thwart Shylock from obtaining his revenge? 6. Is there poetic justice (retributive justice) in this scene? 7. How do the women obtain the rings from the husbands?

Act 4 Falling Action Scene 1 Scene 1 Scene 2

Act 5, Scene What does the opening dialogue between Lorenzo and Jessica foreshadow about their relationship? 2. How does obtaining the rings from the husbands affect the ending of the play? 3. Is the play’s resolution one that fits? Why or why not?

Act 5 Resolution __Scene 1_______

Discuss the Play as a Whole! 1. Discuss the title of the play and how it reveals how the two main plots converge. 2. Discuss the picturesque aspects of the settings. 3. How do the elements of comedy and tragedy mix in this play to create the whole? 4. How is suspense woven thru each Act of the play? 5. Discuss how the different types of irony are used in the play.

6. How does Shylock’s seeking of justice become his nemesis? 7. Critics consider Portia as the all-around model of the perfect woman exhibiting beauty, brains, and breeding; what in her words and actions prove this? 8. Compare and contrast the daughters. 9. Shylock is a multifaceted character. Analyze the aspects of his character that move him from a stereotyped villain in to a rounded character. 10. Is this play anti-Semitic? Take a stand! 11. Two main speeches are presented in this play: Portia’s The Quality of Mercy speech and Shylock’s Description of the Outcast/Jew’s rationale for revenge speech. Which is meant to best represent the play’s theme? Which speaks to modern audiences the most? Why?