| What is the Duke’s opinion of Shylock? | That he is a terrible person who is incapable of mercy or pity |
| What does the Duke mean when he tells Shylock, “We all expect a gentle answer?” | They expect a nice answer from him |
| What offer does Shylock turn down? | To show Antonio mercy, to not take the pound of flesh and to forgive some of the money owed |
| Why does Shylock mention pigs, cats, and bagpipes? | He uses them as examples to say that there’s no sense trying to figure out what people like and don;t like |
| Who are Nerissa and Portia pretending to be? | A lawyer’s clerk and a lawyer |
| Who calls Shylock a “harsh jew” and an “inexecrable dog?” | Gratiano |
| Why does Portia talk about mercy? | She tells Shylock that he should show mercy. That only strong people show mercy, like kings and gods. She is trying to appeal to his ego |
| Why doesn’t Shylock have a doctor standing by? | Because it wasn’t in the contract and he is not merciful |
| Does Antonio seem prepared to die or is he putting up a fight? | He is prepared to die |
| What do both Bassanio and Gratiano say they would give up to save Antonio? | Their wives |
| How does Portia save Antonio? | She tells Shylock the court awards a pound of flesh but there can be no blood. He can also only take exactly a pound of flesh. If there is any blood shed or it is not exactly a pound, then all of Shylock’s goods and land will go to Venice |
| What does Shylock lose as a result of the ruling? | The money he loaned Antonio and all of his goods. One half goes to Antonio and the other half to the state |
| How does the Duke show some mercy to Shylock? | He says if he acts humble, he will reduce the penalty to a fine |
| What two requirements does Antonio add to Shylock’s punishment? | He gives one half of his property to Antonio to put in a trust for the man who has his daughter and when he dies they get all of it. He must also become a Christian |
| What payment does Portia (in disguise) request? | Antonio’s gloves and Bassanio’s ring |
| What is the deed Portia tells Nerissa to have Shylock sign? | The agreement they made in court |
| How does Gratiano lose his ring? | He gives it to Nerissa (disguised) for all they did for Antonio |
| How does Antonio plan to respond to Shylock’s insistence to collect his pound of flesh? | With quietness of spirit |
| What explanation does Shylock give for continuing to pusue his bond? | He hates Antonio |
| What does Bassanio offer Shylock to persuade him to forfeit his bond? | Six thousand ducats |
| What does Shylock do in anticipation of the judgement? | Whets his knife |
| What is the name given to the person who comes to judge Antonio’s trial? | Balthasar |
| When she is disguised as Balthasar, what argument does Portia make for Shylock showing mercy? | Mercy is a blessing |
| What does Bassanio beg the court to do for Antonio’s sake? | Bend the rules |
| Portia says that Shylock can take a pound of flesh from Antonio but he must not______ | spill any blood |
| What will the state seize if Shylock spills a drop of blood while extracting the pound of flesh? | His entire estate |
| Antonio offers to return half of Shylock’s estate on the condition Shylock _____ | Converts to Christianity |
| What does Bassanio do when faced with Portia, still in her disguise as Balthasar? | Offers her money |
| What tokens does Portia ask from Antonio and Balthasar? | gloves and a ring |
| Antonio tells Bassanio to give Balthasar the ring, reasoning that Antonio’s love and Balthasar’s worth are more valuable than _______ | His wife’s orders |
| Who gives Bassanio’s ring to Portia? | Gratiano |
| What does Nerissa, still in disguise, promise Portia that she will get from Gratiano? | his ring |
Merchant of Venice Act IV
July 5, 2019