The Merchant of Venice - Act Three

Act three, Scene One

1. Why does Shylock assume Solanio and Salerio know of Jessica's flight?
Because  Solanio and Salerio are friends with Lorenzo.

2. What is the second suggestion of misfortune for Antonio?
There are some rumors that his ships are has wrecked in a dangerous sandbar.

3. Who has been looking for Lorenzo and Jessica?
Shylock

4. Where do Shylock and Tubal arrange to meet and with what purpose?
They arrange to meet synagogue to arrest Antonio.

Act Three, Scene Two

1. Why does Portia want Bassanio to delay his choice?
Because she's afraid that she's going to lose his company.

2. What made bassanio choose lead over gold and silver casket?
He choose the lead over the gold and silver casket because he thinks that he will be fooled by their appearance.

3. What does Portia's speech A2S3 Line 166 - 174 reveal about the expected roles of a woman in marriage?
She said that she is expected to give everything to Bassanio.

4. What did Gratiano and Nerissa's wish to marry depend on?
It's depend on whether or not Bassanio is going to choose the right casket. Gratiano and Nerissa wouldn't get married if Portia and Bassanio didn't.

5. How does Portia knows that the letter contains bad news?
Because of how pale Bassanio's face turn when he read the letter.

6. What help does Portia offer straight away?
She offers to pay Shylock more than three thousand ducats.

7. Why do we not expect this help to be successful?
Because Shylock still wants the pound of flesh from Antonio.

8. Do you think that Portia would still be in love with Bassanio if she knew he had lied about his wealth?
Yes, because she loved him not because he was rich.

Act Three, Scene Three

1. Antonio is now convinced that he knows the reason for Shylock's insistence on claiming his bond. What is it?
He believes that Shylock wants him dead.

2. Why can the Duke not 'deny the course of law' according to Antonio?
The duke can't deny the law, because that would threaten the law of all merchants in Venice, and that's how Venice makes its money

3. What does Antonio seem resigned to his fate. What two important realisations is this based on?
That Shylock doesn't want the money anymore he just wants his pound of flesh.

4. Do you think Antonio's feeling towards Bassanio have changed since the beginning, Why?
No, because they seems like they are still friends.

5. Shylock refuse to consider the idea of Mercy, but demands justice. Consider the following ideas:
- Is Mercy the same as forgiveness?
No

- Is it easier to show mercy or to look for revenge?
I think it's easier to show mercy than to look for revenge.

- Is justice the same as fairness?
No, because justice is a benefit for one person but not the other and fairness is benefiting both person.

- Is true justice possible in this case?
No, because if Shylock got his pound of flesh Antonio would die, if Antonio doesn't give his flesh it wouldn't be fair for Shylock because Antonio broke the agreed bond.

Act Three, Scene Four

1. What is Lorenzo's opinion of Antonio?
He admires him because he is faithful.

2. What does Portia tell to Lorenzo she intends to do?
Send money to Antonio.

3. What does she ask Lorenzo and Jessica to do for her and why?
To take charge of her house until her husband comes home.

4. Why does Portia think that Antonio and Bassanio must be alike?
She thinks that they are alike because they are bestfriend.

5. Why do Portia and Nerissa intend to travel dressed as a man?
Because women are not allowed to go to the court.

6. In A3S4 L 60-78, How does Portia describe the behaviour and attitude of young man?
She says that they walk with a manly stride, speak like a teenage boy, wear their swords gracefully, and lie about ladies.

7. Does it seem likely that Portia is going to follow the expected behaviour of a wife?
No

Act Three, Scene Five

1. In this jokey conversation with Jessica, why is Launcelot against the conversation of Jew to Christian?
Because he thinks that there are already enough Christians, and new Christians would make the price of pork go up.

2. What is Jessica's opinion of Portia?
Jessica respects her.

Act Three: Can Do Task:

Find the meanings of the following words:

Tainted: Contaminate or Pollute something
Ecstasy: An overwhelming feeling of happiness
Converted: Change the form of something
Vantage: A place of a good view of something
Oration: A formal speach
Constitution: The composition of something
Envious: Feeling or showing envy
Forfeit: A fine or penalty for wrongdoing