Merchant of Venice Study Guide

1. Antonio is

• a thief
• a merchant
• a beggar
• a bard

2. Bassanio wants to marry Portia for what reason?

• Because she has money
• Because she is beautiful
• Because he loves her
• Because he is lonely

3. What does Antonio have to do in order for Bassanio to receive money?

• He must promise to convert to Christianity
• He must promise his daughter in marriage
• He must pledge his own collateral for the loan
• He must sell some of his ships

4. What Biblical passage does Shylock quote to defend charging interest on loans?

• The scene of the last supper
• Noah building the ark
• Pilot whipping Jesus 40 times
• Jacob receiving the striped lambs from his father-in-law

5. When Shylock demands a pound of Antonio's flesh as collateral for the loan, what does Antonio think of this deal?

• He claims that he would prefer to have to pay interest on the loan
• He thinks Shylock wants to murder him
• He is pleased and remarks that Shylock may someday become a Christian
• He is mortified and refuses to agree to the loan

6. When the play begins, Antonio and Portia can best be described as:

• depressed
• ambiguous
• corrupt
• happy

7. Who is the merchant of Venice?

• Portio
• Antonio
• Shylock
• Bassanio

8. The charging of interest, or lack thereof, is best represented by what metaphors throughout the play?

• Three caskets
• Ships and merchant activities, such as shipping silk and tea
• Sheep imagery, such as ewes, wethers and fleeces
• References to inheritance and marriage

9. What condition must the Prince of Morocco agree to before he may choose from among the caskets?

• That if he chooses wrong, he will never marry
• That if he chooses wrong, he will kill himself
• That if he chooses wrong, he will give Portia all his wealth and leave forever
• That if he chooses wrong, he will have to marry a woman of Portia's choosing

10. Gobbo arrives with a present for Shylock. What is the present?

• Gold
• Baubles
• Sweetmeats
• Doves