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The Merchant of Venice: Act 1, scene 3 Question and Answers and quick review REVIEW Another change of scene, the audience is back from the radiant cheerfulness of Belmont to ‘hard dealings’, sly tactics and intense racial and religious malice in Venice. Bassanio and Antonio go to Shylock, the usurer, for borrowing three thousand ducats. Shylock sees a lifetime chance of taking revenge from Antonio who had always looked down upon Shylock because of his being a Jew and merciless usurer and Antonio had many times publicly insulted Shylock. Shylock asks Antonio to sign a bond, according to which if he fails to pay the amount within a given time, Shylock would be entitled to take a pound of flesh from his body. Although Bassanio warns him against signing such a bond, Antonio, being confident of his ships’ timely return signs it. Shylock, to make the atmosphere light and to befool Antonio calls it the merry bond and Antonio misjudges Shylock’s intentions in his naivety and says, “The Hebrew...

The Merchant of Venice: Act I, scene 2 : Question and Answers REVIEW The Play, in this scene moves to the romantic world of Belmont from the commercial world of Venice. From prose to poetry the dramatist’s pen moves. Portia is introduced and we hear her talking to Nerissa, her maid in-waiting. They describe her father’s will and different suitors who have come to Belmont to woo her. Their conversation is sprightly, down to earth and open. Both are witty, intelligent and practical and have sense of humour. The scene outlines the device of the lottery of caskets. It introduces Portia as intelligent and strong. Their conversation reminds Portia of Bassanio. Peculiarities of the suitors are displayed in a humorous way. CLASSICAL REFERENCES AND HISTORICAL EVENTS 1. Colt: Clot is a young horse. It also refers to a foolish and inexperienced person. 2. County Palatine: Here County Palatine refers to the Count from Palatinate, the region on the west bank of the Rhine. 3. Heraclitus: Heraclitus...

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE: ACT I SCENE 1  Part A: Review  Part B: Question and Answers REVIEW The opening scene is set in a street of Venice it introduces the main characters of the play and refers to remaining important characters. Antonio, Bassanio, Salerio, Salanio Gratiano are present here and Portia and Shylock are referred. It tells us about the characteristics of those present. Antonio’s melancholic nature and Bassanio’s happy go lucky nature are highlighted. This scene is also indicative of ring episode and bond episode. In the very first scene, we come to guess what is going to happen later, as Bassanio needs money and Antonio does not have it. They plan to go to borrow it. CLASSICAL REFERENCES AND HISTORICAL EVENTS 1. Argosies: Argosies refer to big merchant ships. According to Greek mythology, Argo was a ship built by Argus for Jason. He reached Colchos after a long adventurous voyage. At Colchos, Media fell in love with him and with her help, he was able to g...