The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Shylock hears from Tubal that Jessica has not been found and he receives news about Antonio’s ships.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents attitudes to wealth in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to wealth in this conversation

• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to wealth in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Antonio has just asked Shylock to lend him three thousand

Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Shylock as an isolated character in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Shylock as an isolated character in this speech

• how far Shakespeare presents Shylock as an isolated character in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Bassanio explains to Antonio that he is in debt and has been foolish with his money.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents ideas about loyalty in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents the loyalty between Antonio and Bassanio in this conversation

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about loyalty in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Shylock is escorting the bankrupt Antonio to prison and is refusing to listen to Antonio’s pleading.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Shylock and Antonio in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Shylock and Antonio in this conversation

• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Shylock and Antonio in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Bassanio is about to make his choice from the three caskets. His choice will decide whether or not he can marry Portia.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Portia and Bassanio.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents their relationship in this extract

• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Portia and Bassanio in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 4 Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Portia, disguised as Balthasar, a Doctor of Laws, is explaining to Shylock why he should show mercy to Antonio.

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents attitudes to mercy in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Portia’s attitude to mercy in this extract

• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to mercy in the play as a whole.

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents ideas about romantic love in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about romantic love in this speech

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about romantic love in the play as a whole.

Starting with this moment in the play, explore how Shakespeare presents ideas about justice in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about justice in this extract

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about justice in the play as a whole.

Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Portia as a strong female character in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

how Shakespeare presents Portia in this speech

how far Shakespeare presents Portia as a strong female character in the play as a whole.