The Merchant of Venice

1. The Merchant of Venice Answers Act 4

2. 1. Why is the Duke sorry for Antonio? • Antonio may lose his life.

3. 2. What has the Duke been trying to do for Antonio? • The Duke tried to make sure what Shylock asked was legal.

4. 3. Why does the Duke think Shylock is so cruel? • Shylock is only pretending to be cruel.

5. 4. Why does Shylock insist on having the flesh? • Shylock swore in heaven that he would have it. • He feels like having it.

6. 5. With what does Shylock threaten the Duke if his bond is not honoured? • He will curse the laws of Venice.

7. 6. Why is it useless to argue with the Jew, according to Antonio? • Shylock will never change his mind. • His heart is a hard as rock.

8. 7. Why does Shylock think he is right when he insists on having the flesh rather than the money? • He bought the flesh with his own money. It belongs to him.

9. 8. Who is the Duke waiting for before he gives sentence? • He is waiting for Bellario, a well educated lawyer.

10. 9. How does Gratiano react when he sees Shylock sharpening his knife? • Gratiano says Shylock is sharpening the knife on his soul. • Metal can never be as sharp as Shylock’s hate for Antonion.

11. 10. Why is Shylock not bothered by Gratiano’s tirade? • Gratiano can not change what is written in the bond with the things he says.

12. 11. Who is the young lawyer that arrives at the court? • Portia, dressed as a man.

13. 12. Why must Shylock show Antonio some mercy, according to Portia? • Mercy comes from heaven. By showing mercy Shylock will save them all.

14. 13. Why does Shylock call Portia a second Daniel? • She is young and wise and it looks as if she is on his side.

15. 14. How many chances does Portia give Shylock to take the money? • Twice

16. 15 . Why doesn’t Shylock want a doctor present when he cuts Antonio? • It is not stipulated in the bond.

17. 16. Why must Shylock wait before he cuts the flesh? • Portia wants to give him information that Shylock is not aware of.

18. 17. What will Bassanio sacrifice to save Antonio’s life? • His wife and everything he has.

19. 18. Why does Gratiano wish his wife is dead? • He wished his wife was in heaves so she could speak to some angel who would change Antonio’s fate.

20. 19. Why does Shylock decide to take the money? • Shylock realises if he cuts he will spill blood and lose everything. By taking the money he will have something.

21. 20. Why won’t Portia give him the money? • Shylock said in court that he did not want the money, only the flesh.

22. 21. Why does Portia insist that Shylock may only have the flesh? • The flesh is what Shylock wanted. • He must cut it and destroy himself in the process.

23. 22. Why can’t Shylock leave without taking the flesh or the money? • Shylock has broken another law.

24. 23. How does the Duke show his character differs from Shylock’s? • He shows Shylock mercy before Shylock asks for it.

25. 24. How does Antonio react to the turn of events? • He is relieved. • He will use half of Shylock’s money and leave it to Jessica when he dies. • He demands that Shylock becomes a Christian.

26. 25. Why does Bassanio refuse to give his ring to Portia? • His wife made him promise never to take it off.

27. 26. Why does Bassanio give his ring to Portia in the end? • Antonio makes him do it. • Antonio will explain to Portia how much the young lawyer deserved it.

28. 27. What is Nerissa going to try and get from her husband? • The ring she gave him.