The Merchant of Venice || Act 3

Act Three, Scene One

1. Why does Shylock assume Solanio and Salerio know that Jessica’s ran away?

- Because Shylock thinks that they knew because no one knew as well as they did and they even knew about the disguise of Jessica when she ran off. Also, the reason Shylock assumes they know that Jessica ran away it's because they are allies with Lorenzo.

2.Complete this quote to suggests Antonio's second misfortune: 

Salerio: Do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no? Shylock: There I have another bad match! , a bankrupt. (Black Pg. 95, Blue Pg.63)

3. Who has been looking for Lorenzo and Jessica? (Black Pg. 97, Blue Pg.64)

-Shylock

4. Where do Shylock and Tubal arrange to meet and with what purpose? ‘I will go Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue’ (Black Pg. 99, Blue Pg.66)

- At the Synagogue, the purpose of their meeting is to get Antonio and arrest him when he heard that he was in trouble and he thinks that Antonia can't pay him.

Act Three, Scene Two

1. Why does Portia want Bassanio to delay his choice?
- She's worried that Bassanio might choose the wrong casket and she might lose Bassanio's company.

2. Complete this quote ‘I pray you, tarry, pause a day or two before you hazard, for in choosing wrong I lose your company’ (Black Pg. 105, Blue Pg.66)

3. What makes Bassanio choose lead over the silver and gold caskets? Finish this quote, ‘Thou meagre lead which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, thy paleness moves me more than eloquence, and here choose I’ (Black Pg. 111, Blue Pg.69)
- Because he thinks that the silver casket is a metal that common coins are made of, on the other side he thinks that the gold is decoration’s nothing but a danger, meant to trick and trap the viewer.
4. Complete Portia’s speech that tells us the expected roles of a woman in marriage. ‘Myself and what is mine, to you and yours is now converted’ (Black Pg. 113, Blue Pg.71)

5. What does the above quote mean?

- It means that everything Portia has in now belonged to Bassanio even herself.

6. What did Gratiano’s and Nerissa’s wish to marry depend on? (Black Pg. 116-7, Blue Pg.72-3

- Their decision to marry depends on Bassanio because of Gratiano is a friend of Bassanio and Nerrisa is Poria's lady-in-waiting.

7. How does Portia know that the letter contains bad news? (Black Pg. 119, Blue Pg.72-3)

- Because when he read the letter Bassanio turn pale.

8. What help does Portia offer straightaway? (Black Pg. 123, Blue Pg.76)9.

- She said now that she is half of him so she said to let her bear half the burden and I think she's offering to help him by paying any amount with her money and so nothing will happen to Bassanio's friend.

9. Why do we not expect this help to be successful?

- Because whether they pay Shylock, he still wants the pound of flesh out of Antonio to get revenge.

10. Do you think Portia would still be in love with Bassanio if she knew he had lied about his wealth?

Yes, because she knows Bassanio truly love her and either she is.

Act Three, Scene Three:

1. Antonio is now convinced that he knows the reason for Shylock’s insistence on claiming his bond. Finish the quote that tells us this, ‘He seek my life, for reasons I know well, I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me; therefore he hates me’ (Black Pg. 129, Blue Pg.77) \

2. Why can the Duke not ‘deny the course of law’ according to Antonio?

-Because that would threaten the security of all foreign merchant in Venice.

3. Why does Antonio seem resigned to his fate? What two important realisations is this based on? 

- The realisation is that he has given mone to other people even though they are unable to repay his bond.4. Do you think Antonio’s feelings towards Bassanio have changed since the beginning, why?

No, because Antonio knows what the money used for, Antonio only wanted to see Bassanio in his death.

5. Finish this quote ‘Pray God Bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then I care not’ (Black Pg. 131, Blue Pg.78) 

6. Shylock refuses to consider the idea of Mercy, but demands Justice. Is true justice possible in this case?

Act Three, Scene Four
1. Finish this quote that shows Lorenzo’s opinion of Antonio? ‘But if you knew of whom you show this honour, how true a gentleman you send relief’ (Black Pg. 131, Blue Pg.78) 

2. What does Portia tell Lorenzo she intends to do? (Black Pg. 133, Blue Pg.79)

- Since Bassanio is a great friend of Antonio, Portia is planning to rescue Antonio with her small money.

3. What does she ask Lorenzo and Jessica to do for her and why?

- She asked them to take charge of the management until her husband comes back 4. Why do Portia and Nerissa intend to travel dressed as men?

Because women are not allowed and they also don't want to be recognise

5. Finish this quote which shows how Portia describes the behaviour and attitudes of young men. ‘Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies, how honorable ladies fell sick and died-’ (Black Pg. 135, Blue Pg.81) 

6. Does it seem likely that Portia is going to follow the expected behaviour of a wife?
- No, because Bassanio doesn't even know her plan.

Act Three, Scene Five

1. In his jokey conversation with Jessica, why is Launcelot against the conversion of Jews to Christianity?

- He mentioned that there were enough Christian before and these new Christian will make the pig go up.

2. What is Jessica’s opinion of Portia?

She said that she likes Portia more than she can say and also mentioned that Bassanio is lucky to have her as his wife.