The Merchant of Venice Act III Questions

The Merchant of Venice – Act III Questions **Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Act III. Scene i.

1. What news do Solanio and Salarino bring?

2. What is Shylock’s mood as he enters? Why?

3. Look closely at Shylock’s monologue on 52-72. What is his argument? Does it justify his feelings and actions?

4. What news does Tubal bring about Jessaica?

5. What motive for wanting Antonio dead does Shylock reveal at the end of the scene?

Act III. Scene ii.

1. How are things going between Portia and Bassanio? How do we know?

2. What casket does Bassanio choose? What is his reasoning for that choice?

3. How does the inscription on the casket describe Bassanio?

4. How does Portia describe herself in her speech 152-175? What does she give Antonio as a symbol of her devotion? What does she say about it?

5. Who else is getting married?

6. What news is contained in Antonio’s letter? What is Shylock demanding?

7. How does Portia respond to the situation?

8. Look closely at Antonio’s letter. What does it suggest about his feelings for about his situation and his feelings for Antonio?

Act III. Scene iii.

1. What is Shylock’s state of mind in this scene? What lines suggest that?

2. How does Antonio account for Shylock’s insistence on collecting “his bond.”

3. How does Antonio feel about his prospects at the scene’s end?

Act III. Scene iv.

1. What does Portia tell Lorenzo that she and Nerissa are going to do?

2. What does Portia send Balthazar to do? The Merchant of Venice – Act III Questions **Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

3. What plan does Portia share with Nerissa?

Act III. Scene v.

1. Pay attention to the language and see if you can pick up on the jokes! Write it down.

2. What issue of religious salvation is raised in this scene? How does this apply to Jessica?