Do You Know "The Merchant of Venice" Story? Quiz

Answer: Solanio and Salerio

Solanio and Salerio (some editions "Salanio" and "Salerino") are quite often used by Shakespeare to comment on the events of the play and to inform the audience what is going on.

Answer: the fool

Gratiano offers this idea as a contrast to Antonio's declaration that he is suited to play a sad part in the world. Very early on we are give an indication of Gratiano's outward-going and light-hearted character. It is interesting that Bassanio has such contrasting friends.

Answer: Shooting one arrow after another and following the second more carefully.

Bassanio does not really have to explain to Antonio for his friend will do all he can for him anyway.

Answer: Portia's hair

Bassanio clearly indicates that there is a lot to admire about Portia as well as her wealth. He compares her also to the Portia who was the wife of Brutus, probably referring to her loyalty, courage and high moral character.

Answer: an Irishman who is devoted to his horses

In fact it is the Neapolitan Prince who is devoted to his horses. Also on the list are a German who is always drunk and a Frenchman who is fond of boasting. Though Shakespeare makes Portia mock the Englishman's lack of languages and his odd clothes, we note that "he is a proper man's picture."

Answer: He suspects he might be given pork which is against his religion

Shylock is a very cautious man who seems to trust nobody. He also believes strongly in his Jewish faith and tries to uphold its principles and practices at all times.

Answer: apple

Just as Shylock does not trust him so Antonio does not trust Shylock. This comparison is a warning to Bassanio. Ironically Antonio is the one who places his trust in Shylock's bond and Bassanio is the one that becomes reluctant when he hears about the pound of flesh.

Answer: The Prince of Morocco

It is difficult to evaluate Portia's exact reaction to Morocco other than to be sure that she is glad he has not been successful. She says that he looks as fair as any of her other suitors. However, we remember she has not liked any of her other official suitors.

Answer: Bassanio

Lancelot wants his father to win favour for him with Bassanio. He now wants to be Bassanio's servant. We learn that Bassanio is indeed using the ducats to set himself and his retainers up in splendid clothing before they go to Belmont.

Answer: Lancelot Gobbo

This is the beginning of the elopement. Lancelot is the one that is trusted with the message and he does deliver it safely. He may play the fool in some matters but he is wise enough to keep on the right side of Bassanio and his friends.

Answer: money-bags

It was believed to be the sign of a miser to dream of money-bags. Of course on this occasion Shylock is right to be suspicious. What happens whilst he is at the Masque will concern his personal wealth as well as his daughter.

Answer: in the eye-socket of a skull

Morocco at least accepts his fate and departs quickly. He has been deceived by outside appearances. "All that glisters is not gold."

Answer: Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.

Arragon decides that he will assume that he deserves Portia. He rejects gold because he does not want to be ranked with "many men". We are not surprised that he fails. Does Shakespeare play with the idea of his "arrogance"?

Answer: to use as bait for fish

The extent of Shylock's hatred is shown by the way the idea of money is less important to him than the idea of revenge on Antonio. He can't think of a cold, logical reason why he should want Antonio's flesh.

Answer: from Leah his wife who is now dead

Shylock's fellow Jew, Tubal, seems to alternate giving him good news and bad news. No sooner has Shylock learned that Antonio is deeper in trouble, than Tubal tells him of some new extravagance involving Jessica and the stolen money and jewels.

Answer: Portia's portrait and a scroll

Bassanio's affection for Portia comes through in his description of Portia's portrait. He wonders how the artist could manage to continue after painting one of Portia's eyes - surely the one beautiful eye would have the power to steal both those of the artist.

Answer: deny the course of law

No matter how much the Duke of Venice may want to resist Shylock's claim for a pound of Antonio's flesh he cannot afford to interfere with the law. Venice is a trading nation and everything depends upon merchants keeping to the letter of their contracts.

Answer: a nearby monastery

Lorenzo is the one that she tries to convince. Later a variation on this story will be used for both Bassanio and Gratiano.

Answer: Bellario

Balthasar is the name that Portia adopts when she appears in court. The Duke behaves like a judge and yet he needs the advice of lawyers in order to settle a case.

Answer: Daniel

For Shylock Portia is a "Daniel come to judgement". However, when he hears the full explanation that she gives it is Gratiano who picks up the same name and uses the word "Daniel" to torture Shylock.

Answer: wrestling

It means to have someone at a disadvantage for the hip is a pivot that you can use to create a fall in a wrestling match.

Answer: Troilus and Cressida

The other pairs of lovers suggested in the same speech are Pyramus and Thisbe, Dido and Aeneas, Jason and Medea. The romantic scene serves the other very practical purpose of allowing the audience time to imagine the journey of the principal characters back from Venice to Belmont.

Answer: by the moon

Without knowing it, of course, he did give his ring to a woman (Nerissa in disguise). Bassanio is about to get into the same sort of trouble with Portia.

Answer: a cuckold

A cuckold is a man whose wife has betrayed him with another man. It is probably Gratiano's use of this rather coarse word in polite company that makes Portia bring an end to the squabble by telling the truth.

Answer: Antonio

Perhaps the least successful part of Shakespeare's ending is this sudden miraculous arrival of three of his ships and then the equally unexplained route by which Portia got a letter about it.