Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1 Scene 3
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1 Scene 3 Questions and Answers, Passage Based Questions.
Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 3 Workbook Questions and Answers
Question 1.
‘How like a fawning publican he looks’. (Line : 38)
Who is a ‘fawning publican’ referred to here ? In which sense is he spoken to as such ?
Answer:
Shylock refers to Antonio as a ‘fawning publican’ (a timid tax-collector). He speaks of him in a contemptuous tone because he hates him being a Christian and his business rival.
Question 2.
‘Mark you this, Bassanio
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose’. (Lines 94-96)
Who is called ‘devil’ ? What does Antonio mean to say ?
Answer:
Shylock is called ‘devil’. Antonio means to say that though Shylock quotes from the holy book, his intention is wicked like that of the devil. He (Shylock) is a totally hypocritical fellow.
Question 3.
On what condition does Shylock offer to give Antonio the loan ? Is there anything ironic about his offer ?
Answer:
Shylock offers to give the loan of three thousand ducats if Antonio signs a bond with him that will entitle him to a pound of flesh from his body if he breaks the contract. It is ironic that he talks of friendship while talking of taking his life.
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1 Scene 3 Passage Based Questions
PASSAGE 1.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Bassanio :
If it please you to dine with us.
Shylock :
Yes, to smell pork ; to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.
(i) Where are the speakers now ? Who has come to Shylock, and why ?
Answer: The speakers, Bassanio and Shylock, are at a public place in Venice. Bassanio has come to Shylock to ask for a loan of three thousand ducats. He is immediately followed by Antonio as it is on his surety that the loan can be secured.
(ii) What is Shylock’s response to Bassanio’s request for three thousand ducats ? Why does Bassanio need so much money ? Answer: Shylock’s response to Bassanio’s request for three thousand ducats is somewhat confusing, though it is not totally negative. Bassanio needs so much money to go in style to impress Portia.
(iii) Why does Shylock refuse to dine with Christians ? What does it show ?
Answer: Shylock does not want to eat pork in the company of Christians because he is a Jew. He cannot even stand the sight of pork. It shows that he is a bigot. In fact, he hates all ChristiAnswer:
(iv) What does Shylock propose later ? Does Antonio accept the proposal ?
Answer: Shylock proposes a bond to be signed by Antonio, according to which Shylock will be entitled to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if he fails to pay back the loan in a specified time. Yes, Antonio accepts the proposal.
(v) What alarms Bassanio ? Why is Antonio confident of meeting Shylock’s condition ? Answer: The penalty of the pound of flesh alarms Bassanio. However, Antonio is ready to sign the dangerous bond because he is confident of paying the loan as he expects his ships to arrive very shortly.
PASSAGE 2.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Shylock :
[Aside] How like a fawning publican he looks !
I hate him for he is a Christian,
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest : cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him !
(i) Who is with Shylock ? Who is seen coming ? Does Shylock speak these lines to someone ?
Answer: Bassanio is with Shylock. Antonio is seen coming. No, Shylock does not speak these lines to anyone. He speaks to himself in an aside – a way to express what one is thinking at the moment.
(ii) Why does Shylock hate Antonio ? Do you think he is right in hating Antonio ?
Answer: Shylock hates Antonio for being a Christian and his business rival who jeopardises his business interests by lending money without interest. He is not totally wrong in hating a person who humiliates him in public and runs down his faith.
(iii) “Like a fawning publican.” Explain.
Answer: Shylock feels that Antonio looks like a cringing publican (tax collector). He uses this expression in hatred of the man who is coming to seek monetary help.
(iv) What is Antonio’s behaviour towards Shylock ? Do you approve it ? Why or Why not ?
Answer: Antonio’s behaviour towards Shylock later is simply outrageous. He says he is ready to call him a dog and spit on him again. It is strange that he gets so provoked even when he is a supplicant, needing financial help for his friend.
(v) What makes Antonio accept the dangerous bond proposed by Shylock ? What does it tell you of him ?
Answer: Antonio agrees to sign the dangerous bond proposed by the cunning Shylock as he believes that he will pay back the loan before the stipulated time. It shows that he is overconfident and rash, too.
PASSAGE 3.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Antonio :
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart :
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath !
Shylock :
Three thousand ducats; ’tis a good round sum.
Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate
(i) What provokes Antonio ? What does he think of Shylock ?
Answer: Shylock’s referring to the Biblical story of Jacob to justify his charging interest provokes Antonio. He thinks that Shylock is a cunning hypocrite who can do anything to justify his evil deeds.
(ii) How does Antonio describe a wicked person like Shylock ?
Answer: Antonio describes Shylock as a villain who keeps smiling to hide his real intentions. He is like an apple which is good to look at but is rotten inside. He is like a liar who puts on an impressive show.
(iii) Later in the scene Shylock reminds Antonio of his behaviour. How has Antonio insulted him in the past ?
Answer: Shylock reminds him how Antonio had abused and insulted him many times in the public. He has called him an atheist and unbeliever. He has spat on his face and his cloak. He has called him a dog. He has instigated his enemies. He has done everything to harm his business interests.
(iv) What proposal is made by Shylock ? What makes Antonio accept it ?
Answer: Shylock proposes a bond to be signed by Antonio, according to which Shylock will be entitled to cut a pound of Antonio’s flesh in case he fails to pay back the loan in time. Antonio accepts it, thinking that he will be able to pay back the loan soon.
(v) How does Shylock trap Antonio to accept his proposal ? What is his aim ?
Answer: Shylock proposes a ‘dangerous’ bond which he says he is offering in a spirit of mere fun. He says that he wants to befriend Antonio. In this way, he is able to entrap Antonio. His real aim is to make the best of the opportunity by taking revenge on Antonio.
PASSAGE 4.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Shylock :
This kindness will I show.
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,
If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place; such sum or sums as are
Express’d in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.
Antonio:
Content, i’ faith : I’ll seal to such a bond
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
Bassanio :
You shall not seal to such a bond for me :
I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.
(i) What kindness is Shylock willing to show ?
Answer: Shylock is willing to lend three thousand ducats for three months to Bassanio on Antonio’s surety. He calls it a kindness.
(ii) Is it really a kindness ?
Answer: It is not really a kindness but a well- thought of plan to take revenge on Antonio who has always hated him as a money-lender.
(iii) What is dangerous about Shylock’s bond ?
Answer: Shylock’s condition in the bond is that if Antonio fails to pay back the loan on a fixed date at an agreed place, Shylock would be entitled to take a pound of flesh from whatever part of his body he pleases. This is a dangerous condition as it puts Antonio’s life to grave risk.
(iv) What contrast do you find in Antonio’s and Bassanio’s attitudes towards Shylock’s proposal ?
Answer: Antonio is at once ready to sign the dangerous bond. It shows that he is over-confident and rash. On the other hand, Bassanio is cautious. He warns Antonio against signing the bond and says that he will do without the loan.
(v) Why does Shylock adopt a pleasant tone after giving his proposal of the ‘merry’ bond ?
Answer: Shylock wants Antonio to sign his proposed bond so that he may take his revenge. So in order to give the impression that there is nothing serious or dangerous about the bond he adopts a pleasant, amiable tone.