The merchant Vanice: Questions

in English we are working on a book/play called the merchant of Venice

act one, scene one: questions 

•  Antonio is depressed without knowing why. what two possible reasons do his friends suggest?

1. because he's worried that the boat with all his money was sinking 
2. and he was deeply in love with Portia  

• Do you think Gratiano's contributions helps Antonio's mood 

1. sorta his nagging him for help but all Antonio say is to suck it up  

• what are the first impressions of Bassanio 

1. broke and always ask for money 

• he is in love? 

1.  yes. Bassnio is in love with Portia

• why does he need to borrow money again now 

1. Bassonio wanted to impress Portia but he didn't have enough money 

act one scene two 

• how do Portia's first words compare with Antonio's?

1. both are feeling miserable all thought Portia knows why is so but Antonio does no

• what are the reasons for her mood?

1. She had to marry some random guy but she can't chose who due to her father's will 

• Do you think Nerissa  is a help to her?

1. Yes. she was the only person who tried cheering Portia up 

• sum up, in a word or short phrase, Portia's attitude to her suitor so far

1. ....

act one scene three

• Shylock is a moneylender. does he seem eager to do business with Bassanio? how do you know?

1. No because Antonio isn't confident he's able to pay him back in time 

• which does Shylock think is safe, his business or Antonio;s? why? 

1. his business Antonio doesn't have the money in hand and his boat could sink at any time 

• why does Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio?

1. Bassaonio and Antonio would most likely have food that Shylock isn't allowed to eat because due to his religion 

• what strict principal of his is Antonio breaking to help Bassanio?

1. never lend or borrow money with interest 

• Shylocks tells a bible story to prove that the taking of profit is blessed, as long as thieving is not involved. does he convince Antonio? give evidence 

• Shylocks accuses Antonio of whole catalogue of nastiness. how does Antonio answer the charges 

1. Antonio admits to them and basically says that he has done it once he will do it again 

• how does Bassanio react to the proposed bond? 

1. Bassanio doesn't like it, he thinks it's stupid. he doesn't want Antonio to take it for him because he can find it another way 

Act one: Can do tasks: 

• Research- this story is set in Italy in the cities of Venice and Belmont. create a digital guide of the cities. make sure to give interesting facts about the locations, places to see and things to do.

VENICE 

• Venice, the capital of northern Italy's Veneto region, is built on more then 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic sea. it has no roads just canals including the grand Canal thoroughfare lined with renaissance and Gothic palaces the central square. piazza San Marco, contains marks's Basilica, which is filed with with byzantine mosaics, and the campanile bell tower offering views of the city's red roofs. 

 

BELMONTE 

• Belmonte . known simply as Belmonte prior to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. is a town and conrmune in province of cosenza, in calabria the town is perched on a hilltop on the coast of the tyrrhenian sea  

Act two, scene one 

• we have watch racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. what is it? 

1. A.to not judge him by skin colour 

• if antonoi loses his gamble, he must foreit a pound of flesh. what must portia's suitors give up if they fail to win her?

1. a. that if they choose incorrectly they must never talk about marriage to any woman again 

•  Shylock practices 'usury' . what is this?\

1. a. usury means lending a high amount of money in interest to others

• why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other?

1. a. Shylock hates Antonio because hes a Christian and that he charges no interest oh his loan  

• what is Portia's opinion of the Prince of morocco - give examples 

1. a. she doesn't seem to dislike the prince of Morocco because of that words she says. 
2. b. his skon colour doesn't mind her, the reason why is she states that she wouldn't have held his skin colour against him if she had married him 

-Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Copy out 2 quotes from the text to support your thinking. E.g A2S2 (act 2, scene two) line 26, 102
a. He says that he doesn't get fed
b. Launcelot says Shylock is a Jew Devil.

-Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?
a. Because Gratiano is a party animal and if he gets drunk and does stupid things it's going to make Bassanio look bad in front of Portia.

-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
b.contradictions 
c.misuse of words to impress.
Find examples of these in the text...
a.When Launcelot's father (Gobbo) starts saying "Here's my son sir, a poor boy-" Launcelot cuts him off and tries to make it more horrible so every sentence Gobbo says he always gets cut off.
b. This is because Launcelot always says "As my father shall specify-"
c.Again Launcelot always cuts his dad off and gives him ideas so his dad can tell Bassiano how good Launcelot is.

Act two,scene three

• what does Jessica think if her life ta home 

1. is a hell and thou, a merry devil 

• complete this quotes: A- 

1. our house is hell and thou a  merry devil 

• which of Bassanio's friends is jessica planning to marry