Merchant of Venice Act II

Where is the scene set? Portia’s house in Belmont
Why does the Prince of Morocco offer to show Portia his blood? He is dark skinned and he wants her to know that his blood is red like all of the other suitors
What test did Portia’s late father devise for her suitors? They have to choose the right casket to be able to marry her
What dilemma does Launcelot face? Should he run away from his master or stay with him
What does Launcelot’s conscience tell him to do? Tells him to stay
Why doesn’t Launcelot’s father recognize him? He is almost totally blind
What lie does Launcelot tell his father, at first? He tells him he is a master
What reason does Launcelot give for deciding to leave Shylock? He’s a Jew who’s starving him to death
What present has Gobbo brought for Shylock? food
Why does Gratiano want to accompany Bassanio to Belmont? he wants to go with him while he tries to win Portia
How does Jessica react to Launcelot’s news that he is leaving? She is sorry he’s leaving her father
What does Jessica give to Launcelot? a letter and her ring
What does Jessica plan to do after she leaves her father? She will become a Christian and marry Lorenzo
What does Jessica mean when she says, …”though I am a daughter to his blood,/I am not to his manners? She is Shylock’s daughter by blood but she is not like him
What invitation is Launcelot delivering to Shylock? For his former master to dine with his new master
Why does Lorenzo give Launcelot some money? So he will tell Jessica he will not fail her
Whom does Lorenzo arrange to meet at Gratiano’s lodging? Salarino and Solanio
What does Lorenzo reveal about the contents of Jessica’s letter? The letter tells how he can get her from her father’s house and where the gold and jewels are
Where is Shylock going? To dinner at Launcelot’s new master’s house
According to Shylock, why has he accepted the invitation? So he can eat a Christian’s food
What does Shylock say to Launcelot about his new employer? He tells him he will not eat, sleep, snore, and wear his clothes out with his new boss like he did with him
Why does Launcelot say, “Your worship was want to tell me I could do nothing without bidding? He’s saying he can do something without being told
What instructions does Shylock give to Jessica? To close the windows
What is Jessica planning to do? To leave, marry Lorenzo and become a Christian
Who are Gratiano and Salerio waiting for? Lorenzo
How is Jessica disguised and why? She is dressed as a boy so she can run away with Lorenzo
What do Gratiano and Antonio talk about? Sailing out that night with Bassanio
Why does Portia show the Prince of Morocco the 3 caskets? So he will pick one
What is the inscription on the gold casket? “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
What is the inscription on the silver casket? “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves,”
What is the inscription on the lead casket? “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
Why does the Prince of Morocco choose the gold casket? The whole world wants Portia. She’s an angel and should be lying in a golden bed
What does the Prince of Morocco find in the gold casket? A skull with a scroll in his empty eye
Why did Shylock have Bassanio’s ship searched? To look for Lorenzo and Jessica
Why has Bassanio gone away on the ship? To go to Portia
Why are Solanio and Salerio planning to visit Antonio? To cheer him up
What do the suitors have to promise before they take the “test?” They will not marry if they choose the wrong casket
Which casket does the Prince of Aragon choose and why? He deserves the very best so he picks this one because it says he who chooses me gets what he deserves
What news does the messenger bring? A young Venetian servant has come to tell them his master is arriving and bringing presents
What is the penalty for Portia’s suitors if they guess the wrong casket? They must never marry
Who is the first suitor that actually chooses a casket? The Prince of Morocco
Why does Launcelot want to leave his master Shylock? Shylock is Jewish
Who does Launcelot want to work for instead of Shylock? Bassanio
What does Shylock’s daughter Jessica give Launcelot when he leaves? Her ring
Shylock is worried that trouble is brewing. What does he ask Jessica to do? Keep the doors locked
When Shylock talks to Jessica about Lancelot, how does he describe Launcelot? Kind, but lazy
In Act II, Scene vi, who meets in front of Shylock’s house? Gratiano, Salarino, and Lorenzo
Which of Portia’s caskets bears the inscription “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath? Lead casket
What is inside the gold casket which the prince of Morocco opens? A skull with a scroll
July 2, 2019