Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 3 Scene 1
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 3 Scene 1 Questions and Answers, Passage Based Questions.
Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 1 Workbook Questions and Answers
Question 1.
‘To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge’. (Lines : 48-49)
In what context does Shylock react thus ? What does it reveal ?
Answer:
Shylock is bitter about his daughter’s running away with a Christian. He wants to have his revenge on Antonio, a Christian. Thus, he reacts bitterly. It reveals his cruel, revengeful nature.
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 3 Scene 1 Passage Based Questions
PASSAGE 1.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Salanio:
Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh: what’s that good for?
Shylock :
To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else,
it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and
hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,
mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my
bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine
enemies; and what’s his reason? I am a Jew.
(i) Where are the speakers now ? Who is with them ?
Answer: The speakers, Salarino and Shylock, are now in a street in Venice. Salanio is with them. Salanio and Salarino are obviously in a mood to tease and harass Shylock who is distressed at the loss of a daughter and his ducats.
(ii) What prompts Salarino to ask Shylock about his intentions towards Antonio ? Answer: The news that Antonio has lost his ships and has become bankrupt is really frightening. It prompts Salarino to ask Shylock what he would do in case Antonio forfeited the bond.
(iii) What does Shylock reveal ?
Answer: Shylock reveals his true intentions in taking revenge on Antonio. He hates Antonio who has harmed and insulted him in many ways.
(iv) How has Antonio insulted Shylock ?
Answer: Antonio has harmed his business interests. He has laughed at his losses. He has scorned his community. He has sided with his enemies. According to Shylock, Antonio has ill-treated him simply because he is a Jew.
(v) Do you think Shylock has been greatly wronged ? How would you justify his hardened stance towards Antonio later ?
Answer: Yes, we feel that Shylock has been greatly wronged. A man who has been harmed and humiliated in public cannot do anything else but think of revenge. Antonio’s behaviour has been extremely provocative and unjustified.