| What bad news does Salario bring? | He tells Solanio that Antonio’s ship may have wrecked |
| How does Shylock react to his daughter’s departure? | He feels she has turned against him by running away |
| What does Shylock mean by, “Let him look to his bond?” | Let Bassanio think about the debt he owes to Shylock |
| Why does Shylock ask, “Hath not a Jews eyes?” | Doesn’t a Jew have eyes just like a Christian |
| What has Tubal been doing? | Looking for Shylock’s daughter |
| What has Jessica stolen from her father? | a diamond and a turquoise ring |
| For what purpose does Shylock arrange to meet Tubal at the synagogue? | So they can arrest Antonio |
| Why does Portia suggest that Bassanio wait a day or two before choosing among the caskets? | So that she can spend a few days with him in case he picks the wrong casket |
| Why does Portia give the order for music to be played? | So if he chooses wrong it will be his swan song, but if he chooses right, it will be beautiful music like at a wedding |
| Briefly, what is the song about? | Where do desires start, in the heart or head, or eyes |
| Why doesn’t Bassanio choose the gold casket? | He thinks the beautiful casket is meant to trick you into picking it because it is so beautiful |
| Why does Bassanio choose the lead casket and what does he find inside? | Because it is ordinary and looks like it couldn’t give you anything good. He finds a picture of Portia and a scroll that says he won and claim her with a kiss |
| According to Portia, what will happen if he loses the ring? | Their love will be destroyed and she will be very angry with him |
| Why was Gratiano so eager for Bassanio to pick the right casket? | Because he is in love with Nerissa. She told him she would marry him if Bassanio picked the right casket and married Portia |
| When Lorenzo shows up with Jessica, what does Gratiano call her? | A stranger |
| What is in the letter Salario brings Bassanio? | That none of Antonio’s ships made it |
| How does Portia react to the news about Antonio’s loss? | She is saddened, she feels that Bassanio’s burdens are also hers and that she will pay the debt |
| What does Jessica tell the others about her father? | That he would rather have Antonio’s flesh than twenty times the amount of money he owed him |
| Why does Portia tell Bassanio to be gone? | So that he can go and make arrangements for them to get married and then he can go to pay Antonio’s debt |
| According to Antonio, why does Shylock refuse to show him mercy? | Because he wants him dead. He has loaned people money to pay back loans to Shylock that they could not |
| Why doesn’t Antonio think the Duke will be able to help him? | He is a man of the law. The government cannot change the law |
| Why is Portia sure that Antonio is worth helping? | Because he is a friend of Bassanio’s and if they are friends then they must be alike |
| What does Portia want Lorenzo to do while she is gone? | To manage her house |
| What does Portia tell Lorenzo she and Nerissa will be doing? | They will be at a monastery, praying and thinking |
| Who is Doctor Bellario? | Portia’s cousin and a doctor of the law |
| What instructions does Portia give to Balthasar? | To give him a letter and bring back whatever he gives him |
| What does Portia tell Nerissa about her plan? | They will be disguised as men and act like teenagers who brag and tell lies |
| Why does Launcelot think that Jessica is doomed? | She is doomed because children are punished for the sins of their fathers |
| How does Jessica think her husband will “save” her? | He will save her because he made her a Christian |
| What rumor do Salarino and Solanio discuss and then seek to have confirmed by Shylock? | Antonio’s lost ships |
| Tubal reports Jessica has stolen a ring of Shylock’s. What does she trade the ring for? | A monkey |
| What cheers up Shylock after hearing of his daughter’s theft? | Antonio’s financial ruin |
| In Acy III, Scene ii, Portia compares Bassanio to which figure? | Hercules |
| What piece of bad news interrupts the celebrations at Belmont? | Antonio’s bankruptcy |
| What animal does Shylock remember Antonio comparing him to? | A dog |
| Lorenzo and Portia discuss helping Antonio. Why does Portia agree to help? | Antonio is Bassanio’s friend |
| Who does Portia send to Padua to secure clothing and documents for herself and Nerissa? | Portia’s servant Balthasar |
| In Act III, scene v, what does Lorenzo chastise Launcelot for? | Impregnating a Moorish servant |
| Who does Lorenzo favorably compare himself to when speaking to Jessica? | Portia |
Merchant of Venice Act III
July 19, 2019