Merchant of Venice Flashcards
What can be noticed when you observe the structure of shakespeare’s writing?
Rhythmic, written like a poem, there is a beat
What is Iambic pentameter?
A rhythmic pattern that consists of 5 unaccented syllables per line.
What do Salanio and Salerio first believe Antonio is sad about?
The stress of his finances that he invested in at sea.
What two objects does Salerio believe he himself would worry about if put in Antonio’s situation?
His ships and his treasures.
What do Salerio and Salerino guess second about why Antonio is sad?
That Antonio is in love
What does Gratiano first notice about Antonio?
That he is sad
When Bassanio and Antonio are first alone, what do you notice about the style and structure of the writing?
It changes, it become a more relaxed and intimate poetic style because they are good friends
What barriers stand in the way of Antonio’s desire? How does he plan to overcome them?
Antonio’s ships out at sea are the barrier that prevents him from loaning his friend money.
What does Bassanio desire?
Bassanio desire’s to have portia’s hand in marriage. This is because Portia is rich and beautiful, and Bassanio is not rich.
Where does Act 1 scene 2 take place?
Portia’s House
Where does Act 1 scene 1 take place?
Venice
Why are Portia and Antonio both weary of the world?
Because both of their lives are being decided by things they cannot control. Antonio can’t control paying back Shylock because his ships are out at sea and Portia is finding a husband through the casket lottery system.
Why is Portia’s speech structured in such a way when talking about finding a husband?
She hates all the contestants
What happened to Portia’s father and what did he leave her?
He died and left a lottery system to find a husband for Portia
What does Portia say of the Moroccan and how is this racist?
She says hes a devil due to his skin color, obviously racist.
Where does Act 1 scene 3 take place and why is it important?
The scene switches from Venice to Belmont. It’s important because Venice holds most of the story with characters of varying wealth while Belmont is full of power and authority. Belmont includes scenes of womanly power.
Describe how Shylock is made to be a stereotypical character and describe something ironic within his personality that does not fit the stereotype.
Shylock is portrayed to be a greedy, mean spirited, stereotypical rich jew. His speech is very single minded, only thinking about himself. It’s ironic that shylock wants a pound of flesh is he is not payed because wanting blood is against the 10 jewish commandments.
What agreement do Antonio and Bassanio make?
Shylock will lend the needed money to Antonio so he can lend it to Bassanio. If Antonio cannot pay back the money to shylock and his ships are destroyed, Shylock gets a pound of his flesh.
Why is Shylock already upset with Antonio before the deal is struck?
Antonio speaks badly about Shylock and insults him and his religion.
What is Morocco’s first concern with Portia?
She should not judge the prince by his skin color.
What situation does Morocco remind Portia of?
That it only matters if he chooses the right box
How bad does Morocco want portia?
Very much, he says “Miss that which one unworthiness attain and die with grieving.
What does Portia make Morocco promise before he chooses?
She makes him promise to never speak about marriage to another Woman again if he picks the correct casket.
What casket does Morocco choose and why?
The gold, he chose this one because he judges portia just on her looks, and chooses the best looking casket
Who is lancelet?
He is the unhappy servant of Shylock and the son of Old Gobbo
