Introducing Shakespeare

Women weren't allowed on the stage so women's roles were played by men. The men wear costumes, props, and make-ups to look like women.

There were no sets

Act 1

Scene 1 questions:

1. Antonio is depressed without knowing why. His friends suggest the two reasons.

‘And not b------ me straight of d-------- rocks, which touching but my g----- v------ side would scatter all her s----- on the stream’ (Black P.5)

‘Why then, y-- are in l---.’ (Black P.5)

2. What do you think of Bassanio?
3. Is he in love?
4. Why does he need to borrow money?

Answers:

1. And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, which touching but my gentle vessel's side would scatter all her spices on the stream.

Why then, you are in love.

2. He is a good loyal friend of Antonio

3. He is in love with Portia

4. He needs to borrow money from Antonio because he wants to marry Portia


Scene 2 questions:

1. How do Portia’s first words compare with Antonio’s?

Antonio- In sooth, I know not why I am so sad

Portia- By my troth Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world

2. Why is Portia unhappy?
3. Do you think Nerissa talking with Portia about her options is helpful, why?
4. What does Portia’s think of her suitors so far?

Answers:

1. There was no difference in both statements because there were both feeling unhappy except that Portia knows why he is unhappy and Antonio doesn't.

2. Portia is unhappy because he is aweary of this world.

3.
4.


Scene 3 questions:

1. Shylock is a moneylender. ‘Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound...I think I may take his bond’ (Black P.27) Do you think Shylock is happy to lend Bassanio money? How do you know?
2. Which does Shylock think is safer, his money lending business or Antonio’s shipping business? Why?
3. Why doesn’t Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio? ‘Yes to smell p---, to eat of the h-------- which your p----- the Nazarite conjured the devil into’ (Black P.29)
4. Finish this quote that tells how Antonio is breaking his principal of not taking money lent with interest. ‘Methought you said you n------ lend nor b----- upon a-------’ (Black P.31)
5. Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole lot of nastiness. How does Antonio react? (Black P.35)
6. Why doesn’t Bassanio want Antonio to agree to the bond?

Answers:

1. I think no because before Antonio came to borrow money he insulted Shylock by calling him a dog and by kicking him and he also spat on him

2. His lending business because all he's gotta do is lend money to anyone and then get it back after days or months.

3. Yes, to smell pork, to eat the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into.

4. Methought you said nether you lend nor borrow upon advantage.

5. I think Shylock didn't get very mad at him because after all he still offered to be friends.

6. Shylock agreed to lend the money, he also told Antonio if he doesn't return the money back to Shylock on the day they agreed on, he will cut Antonio wide open and get his flesh.

Act 2

Scene 1 questions:

1. This scene opens with the words ‘Mislike me not for my complexion’ Why does the Prince think Portia will have a problem with the colour of his skin?

2. What must Portia’s suitors give up if they try and fail to win her? 

‘You must take your c-----, and either n-- attempt to c----- at all, or s---- before you c-----, if you choose w---- never to s---- to a l--- afterward in way of m-------’ A2S1 Line 37-42 (Black P.41)

3. Portia tells the Prince of Morocco- ‘Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection’ What does this mean? (if you’re unsure check sparknotes translation)

4. Shylock practices ‘usury’. Explain this in your own words? 

5. Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other?

Answers:

1. Because he thinks Portia is racist
2. 'You must take your chance, and either not attempt to choose at all, or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong never to speak to a lady afterward in way of marriage.'
3.
4.
5.


Scene 2 questions:

1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Complete these 2 quotes from the text to support your thinking. A2S2 Line 26- ‘Certainly the ___ is the very _____ incarnation’
2. Line 102 ‘I am ________ in his service, you may tell every ______ I have with my ____’
3. Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

In lines 114-142...

4. Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to 

a. frequent interruptions. ‘He hath a great ________ sir, as one _____ say, to serve- Indeed the _____ and the long is…’ Line 120-123

       b. Contradictions ‘Here’s my ___ sir, a ____ boy- Not a ____ boy sir, but   

                                    the ____ Jew’s son.

Answers:

1. 'Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation'

2. I am famished in his service. You may tell every finger I have with my ribs.

3. Because whenever Gratiano gets drunk, he gets crazy and he does unusual things

4. 



Scene 3 questions:

1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? 
2. Complete this quotes:

A- ‘Our house is ____, and thou, a _____ _____’ (Black Pg. 59, Blue Pg.45).

3. Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry?

Answers:

1. She thinks their house is hell

2. Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil

3. Launcelot

Scene 4 questions:

1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover? 
2. How will she be disguised for the elopement?

Complete this quote ‘What _____ suit she ____ in readiness’ (Black Pg. 63, Blue Pg.47).’

Answers:

1. 

2. 

3. What page's suit she hath in readiness

Scene 5 questions:

1. How does Shylock feel about going out for the evening? 
2. Complete these quotes: 

"And they have __________ together." (Black Pg. 65, Blue Pg.48).

"There is some ___ a-brewing towards my ____, for I did dream of _______ ______ tonight." (Black Pg. 65, Blue Pg.48).

Answers:
1. he feels worried and he does not feel right about going

2. And they have conspired together.

There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money bags tonight.

Scene 6 questions:

1. Complete this quote that tells us what Jessica threw down to Lorenzo. ‘Here, _____ this ______, it is worth the _____’ A2S6 (Black Pg. 69, Blue Pg.31)

2. Jessica says ‘I am glad tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much asham’d of my exchange’ A2S6 (Black Pg. 69, Blue Pg.31). Why doesn’t Jessica want Lorenzo to see her?

Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano? (Black Pg. 71, Blue Pg.52)

Answers:

1. Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains.

2. Because she is ashamed of her exchange

To tell Gratiano that all of their friends are waiting for him


Scene 7 questions:

1. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait?
2. Complete this quote ‘Is’t like that lead _______ her; ‘Twere damnation to think so ____ a thought’ (Black Pg. 79, Blue Pg.54)
3. Portia’s father uses the casket test to find her the most suitable husband. Do you think his test is working?

Answers:

1. The gold one

2. Is’t like that lead contains her; ‘Twere damnation To think so base a thought

3. It's not working because Portia doesn't like any of them

Scene 8 questions:

1. What two disasters have happened to Shylock?
2. Complete this quote that tells where Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica have gone? ‘The villain ___ with outcries _____ the duke, who went with him to search _________ ship’ (Black Pg. 81, Blue Pg.55)
3. How did Bassanio and Antonio leave Venice?

4. ‘In the narrow seas that part the French and English, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught’ (Black P. 83, Blue P.56) What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio?

Answers:

1. His daughter ran away along with Shylock's 2 precious stones and 2 bags of ducats.

2. The villain Jew with outcries raised the Duke, who went with him to search Bassanio's ship

3. Bassanio sailed away

4. His ship sank

Scene 9 questions:

1. What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?
2. Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden casket?
3. Complete this quote from the golden casket  ‘He who ________ me shall _____ what ____ men desire’ (Black Pg. 87, Blue Pg.58)

4. Finish this quote that shows us Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival ‘Come, come, Nerissa; for I ____ to see quick _____ post that comes so ________’ (Black Pg. 91, Blue Pg.61)

Answers:

1.

2. What many men desire may place him on the same level as the barbarous multitudes.

3. Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.

4. Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly.

Act 3

Scene 1 questions:

1. Why does Shylock assume Solanio and Salerio know that Jessica’s ran away?
2. Complete this quote to suggests Antonios second misfortune: 

Salerio: Do you ____ whether Antonio ____ had any ____ at sea or no? Shylock: There I have another ___ ______, a ________. (Black Pg. 95, Blue Pg.63)

3. Who has been looking for Lorenzo and Jessica? (Black Pg. 97, Blue Pg.64)

4. Where do Shylock and Tubal arrange to meet and with what purpose? ‘I will go Tubal, and meet me at our _________’ (Black Pg. 99, Blue Pg.66)

Answers:

1. Because Shylock knew that Salario also knew about Shylock's daughter's plans to run away

2. Do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?

Shylock: There I have another bad match, a prodigal.

3. Shylock

4. I will go Tubal, and meet me at our

Scene 2 questions:

1. Why does Portia want Bassanio to delay his choice?

2. Complete this quote ‘I pray you _____, pause a ___ or two before you ______, for in choosing _____ I lose your company’ (Black Pg. 105, Blue Pg.66)

3. What makes Bassanio choose lead over the silver and gold caskets? Finish this quote, ‘Thou m_______ lead which rather threatenest than dost p_______ aught, thy p_______moves me more than e_________, and here choose I’ (Black Pg. 111, Blue Pg.69)

4. Complete Portia’s speech that tells us the expected roles of a woman in marriage. ‘Myself and what is ____, to you and ______is now _______’ (Black Pg. 113, Blue Pg.71)

5. What does the above quote mean?
6. What did Gratiano’s and Nerissa’s wish to marry depend on? (Black Pg. 116-7, Blue Pg.72-3)
7. How does Portia know that the letter contains bad news? (Black Pg. 119, Blue Pg.72-3)
8. What help does Portia offer straightaway? (Black Pg. 123, Blue Pg.76)
9. Why do we not expect this help to be successful?
10. Do you think Portia would still be in love with Bassanio if she knew he had lied about his wealth?

Answers:
1. Because if Bassanio chooses incorrectly she will lose his company
2. I pray you tarry, pause a day or two before you hazard, for in choosing wrong I lose your company
3. Thou meagre lead which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, thy paleness moves me more than eloquence, and here choose I!
4. Myself and what is mine, to you and yours is now converted.
5. to repeat the words that someone else has said or written.
6. They depended on the boxes
7. Because Portia lose Bassanio's company herself
8. To double the debts
9. There might not be enough money
10. I don't think so because this is a relationship issue

Scene 3 questions:

1. Antonio is now convinced that he knows the reason for Shylock’s insistence on claiming his bond. Finish the quote that tells us this, ‘He s---- my l----, for reasons I k---- well, I oft d--------- from his forfeitures many that have at t---- made m---- to me; therefore he h----- me’ (Black Pg. 129, Blue Pg.77) 
2. Why can the Duke not ‘deny the course of law’ according to Antonio?
3. Why does Antonio seem resigned to his fate? What two important realizations is this based on? 
4. Do you think Antonio’s feelings towards Bassanio have changed since the beginning, why?
5. Finish this quote ‘Pray G--- Bassanio come to see me p-- his d---, and then I c--- not’ (Black Pg. 131, Blue Pg.78) 
6. Shylock refuses to consider the idea of Mercy, but demands Justice. Is true justice possible in this case?

Answers:
1. He seeks my life, for reasons I know well, I oft delivered from his forfeitures many that have at times made moan to me. Therefore he hates me
2. because that would threaten the security of all foreign merchants in Venice
3. Because he expects Shylock to treat him the same - It seems that Shylock wants Antonio dead and he doesn't want to listen to Antonio
4. I don't think so because Bassanio hasn't done anything that would break their relationship
5. Pray God Bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then I care not
6. Yes, if they treat others fair


Scene 4 questions:

1. Finish this quote that shows Lorenzo’s opinion of Antonio? ‘But if you k---- of whom you s---- this h------, how true a g---------- you send r-----’ (Black Pg. 131, Blue Pg.78) 
2. What does Portia tell Lorenzo she intends to do? (Black Pg. 133, Blue Pg.79) 
3. What does she ask Lorenzo and Jessica to do for her and why?
4. Why do Portia and Nerissa intend to travel dressed as men?
5. Finish this quote which shows how Portia describes the behaviour and attitudes of young men. ‘Like a fine b------- youth, and tell q----- lies, how h------------- ladies fell sick and d----’ (Black Pg. 135, Blue Pg.81) 
6. Does it seem likely that Portia is going to follow the expected behaviour of a wife?

Answers:
1. But if you knew of whom you show this honor, how true a gentleman you send relief.
2. To dress like a man
3. To take charge of the management of her house
4. So the other people won't recognize them
5. Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies, how honorable ladies fell sick and died
6. I don't think so because she is planning something without letting Bassanio know


Scene 5 questions:

1. In his jokey conversation with Jessica, why is Launcelot against the conversion of Jews to Christianity?
2. What is Jessica’s opinion of Portia?

Answers:

1. Because the price of pork is increasing

2. Jessica says she likes Portia

Act 4

Scene 1 questions:

1. What does the Duke believe Antonio intends to do? (Black Pg. 147, Blue Pg.85) 
2. What does Shylock intend to do?
3. Finish this quote that tells us why, ‘You’ll ask me why I r------- choose to have a w------ of carrion f-----, than to receive three thousand d-----. I’ll not answer that, but to say it is my h------, is it answered?’ (Black Pg. 149, Blue Pg.86) 
4. What two loopholes does Portia find in the wording of the contract? (Black Pg. 165-167, Blue Pg.95-96) 
5. Shylock now has to pay penalties. Complete this quotes that tell us what the penalties are: ‘I pardon thee thy l---- before thou ask it, For h---- thy w------, it is A------, the other h--- comes to the g------- state’ (Black Pg. 169, Blue Pg.97) 
6. Are the penalties fair? Why/why not.
7. How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result?
8. What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant?

9. Portia tells Shylock ‘The quality of mercy is not strained’. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him ((Black Pg. 157-159, Blue Pg.91-92) )

Answers:

1. Duke thought Antonio would resist against Shylock

2. Shylock intends to get a pound of Antonio's flesh

3. You'll ask me why I rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh than to receive three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that, but say it is my humour, is it answered?

4.

5. I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's. The other half comes to the general state.

6.

7.

8.


Scene 2 questions:

1. What invitation does Portia refuse and why?
2. What does Nerissa plan to get, why do you think this is important?
3. Do you admire Portia after these scenes, or do you find her actions cruel? Use examples to support your thinking.

Answers:

1. Bassanio invited her to have dinner with him because Portia is still dresses like a man

2. Nerissa plans to get her husbands ring, this was important because they think Lorenzo would be happy with what they have done.

3. Portia:

- Lorenzo will be happy with what we’ve done.

I think Portia isn't cruel because she cares

Act 5

Last questions:

1. Why do Lorenzo and Jessica remind each of the stories of classical lovers?  (Black Pg. 183-185, p.182 gives specific examples, Blue Pg.107-108) 
2. What are Portia's feelings as she approaches the house?  (Black Pg. 189, Blue Pg.105) 
3. What is the first argument to break out? ‘’By y------- moon I s---- you do me w-----, In f----- I gave it to the j------ clerk’ (Black Pg. 193, Blue Pg.107) 
4. How do Gratiano and Bassanio try to justify parting with the rings, are they successful?  (Black Pg. 193-197, Blue Pg.108-110) 
5. Was Bassanio right to give away the ring, give reasons for your thinking.
6. Complete this quote to show the effect these arguments have on Antonio?  ‘I once did l---- my b---- for his w------, … I dare be b----- again, my s---- upon the f------ that your l---- will never more b----- f----- advisedly’ (Black Pg. 199, Blue Pg 111)
7. Portia and Nerissa have the rings. What does this prove to Antonio, Gratiano and  Bassanio? Hint- Who were they in the court? (Black Pg. 201, Blue Pg 111)
8. Complete this quote to show the effect these arguments have on Antonio?  ‘I once did l---- my b---- for his w------, … I dare be b----- again, my s---- upon the f------ that your l---- will never more b----- f----- advisedly’ (Black Pg. 199, Blue Pg 111)

Answers:

1.

2.

3. By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong. In faith I gave it to the judge's clerk.

4.

5. No, because he only thought about Antonio and not his wife's feelings

6. I once did lend my body for his wealth, ... I dare be bound again, my soul upon the forfeit, that your lord will never more break faith advisedly.

7. Portia was Bolario in the court and Nerissa was the lady-in-waiting

8. I once did lend my body for his wealth, ... I dare be bound again, my soul upon the forfeit, that your lord will never more break faith advisedly.