Questions on Acts 3,4 and 5

from the activity book

1.     Shylock wanted revenge more than money itself. Explain

Shylock wanted revenge more than money as he hated Antonio so much. Antonio used to attack his business dealings and his reputation. First, he let Antonio sign unfair bond in order to lend him money. When he got to know about Antonio’s disaster, he thought of the bond first without caring about the money. Second, when Bassanio offered to save Antonio’s life by paying the sum in twice or ten times, he quickly refused and insisted on having his own bond. He also refused to show any mercy towards the merchant.

2.    How did Portia’s wisdom save Antonio’s life?

Portia appeared to be very intelligent when she admitted that shylock had the legal right to ask for his bond. Then, she invited the jew to show mercy but he refused. Portia declared that she had to apply justice and let the jew have his bond. Therefore, she asked Shylock to cut the pound of flesh without shedding any drops of blood. She explained that it  wasn’t named in the bond. She added that if the pound wasn’t exact in weight, Shylock would die and his money would go to the state of Venice according to the law. Shylock was shocked because he knew that he couldn’t take his bond without harming Antonio. So he refused the bond and asked for the money.

3.    Why couldn’t Shylock, after Portia had told him that he couldn’t take Antonio’s flesh, take the money that Bassanio had offered him?

Portia said that he refused to take the money in the open court and he insisted on having his own justice. Then, she explained that he planned to kill one of the venetian citizens. So Antonio would have half of his wealth, and the other half would go to the state. After that , she asked him to beg the mercy of the duke to save his life but the duke granted him his life before he begged to show him the mercy of the christian people.

4.   “ What , no more! Pay him 6000 ducats and forget the bond. First, call me your wife and then go to Venice to your friend.”

Portia appeared to be very noble in her attitude when she found her expected husband very sad about his friend’s condition. she offered to pay the money in twice. Then, she asked Bassanio to marry her quickly so that he could take money from her to save his faithful friend.

5.    “ I am not bound to please you with my answers.” Comment

These words were said by Shylock to Bassanio. At the beginning of the trial at the court, the duke asked the moneylender to show mercy but Shylock insisted on having his bond and taking the pound of flesh. At this time, Bassanio uttered angry words towards this unfeeling man.

6. “O Lorenzo, if you keep your promise, I shall end this strife and become a happy, married wife.” Comment

These words were said by Jessica who wanted to marry a christian man without her father’s approval. She wanted to escape from the miserable life she had with her father. Therefore, she hoped that Lorenzo would keep his promise to lead a happy life with him. This quotation showed the gap between the father and his daughter and the weak relationship between them.

7.    Give me your hand, Bassanio! Goodbye! Grieve not that I am fallen into this misfortune for you. Comment

  These words were said by Antonio to his friend Bassanio. He was happy that he was going to sacrifice his life for the sake of his friend. And he tried to calm his friend down and to ask him not to grieve about his death. He wanted to show him that he was satisfied with his fate. Antonio showed how he was very faithful till the last moment.