STUDY QUESTIONS By ANNE THROOP CRAIG GENERAL 1. To what sources may the play be referred? 2. Tell the story from the Gesta, of the merchant his bond. 3. What is the main theme? What are the plots, how do they interact? 4. What character purpose does Jessica serve, and what relation to the Semitic question in the theme? 5. Who is the important individual character? 6. Around whom does the main dramatic incident ter? 7. Criticize Antonio's attitude towards Shylock avowed by himself and described by Shylock. 8. Where does Antonio give a specific reason for S lock's hatred of him? 9. What is the fundamental spring of Shylock's pression of malice and general character? Explain representation. 10. Of what is his final defeat a type? 11. What principles does the theme express? W constitutes the unity of the theme? 12. Describe the impressive characteristics of the eral persons of the drama. 13. Characterize the emotion of Shylock when he st at last,-"I am content." 1 ACT I 14. What are the relative positions of Antonio and] sanio? 15. How does Nerissa describe Bassanio? 16. What dramatic impression is attained by Antonio's ood of depression? 17. What is said of the usury of the Jews in Venice, as matter of history? 18. How does Shylock speak, aside, of Antonio? How irther, does he show his resentful feelings? 19. What bond does he exact from Antonio? What retence does he make concerning it? 20. How does Antonio interpret the Jew's terms? How assanio? 21. How does Portia express herself over the terms her ather has made for her choice of a husband? 22. How does she describe her several suitors? ACT II 23. In what terms does the Prince of Morocco comend himself to Portia? 24. What is Launcelot's testimony to the character and ays of Shylock? 25. Is the mention of the "dish of doves" a necessary dication-in combination with other touches of local olor,—that Shakespeare visited Italy, any more than the ther scenes of his plays? is such literal personal experince always necessary to an imaginative mind? 26. What impression does the group of gay young men bout Bassanio make, especially by contrast with his other riend, Antonio? 27. What does Launcelot's devotion to Jessica show of er nature as contrasted with her father's? 28. Does Jessica concoct the plan herself by which she is to escape from her father's house? What commands does Shylock give to Jessica when he leaves her in the house? 29. Are we given any reason to suppose that Lorenzo was not at first in earnest in his love-making to Jessica? What appears to awaken him to her merits more decidedly? 30. How does the choice of the Prince of Morocco dis close his character and mind? 31. What explains the reference to an "angel stamped in gold" in the Prince of Morocco's lines? 32. How does Portia express her feelings when the Prince of Morocco has taken his leave? 33. How does Salanio's account of Shylock's uproar over Jessica's departure throw additional light on the Jew's character? What is Salanio's foreboding on Anto nio's account, because of the Jew's wrath over his daugh ter's elopement? 34. What light on the affection of Bassanio and Anto nio does the conversation of Salanio and Salarino throw? 35. How does the Prince of Arragon choose? What is characteristic in his expression of choice? What is Por tia's comment when he leaves? 36. Whom does Nerissa wish may be the new suitor for her lady, when one is announced, following the Prince of Arragon? What is the dramatic value of the servant's praise when he announces the coming of this new suitor? ACT III 37. Trace the development of incident in this act. 38. What is the import of the first scene? 39. What phase of Shylock's nature does his talk to Salarino present?-What phase, the following passage with Tubal? 40. What is the feeling of Portia when it comes Bassanio's turn to choose among the caskets? Describe the passage, entire,-the sentiment and dramatic mood of it. 41. What cast of mind does Bassanio's choice reveal in him, judging from the reflections that lead him to it? 42. What does Bassanio mean by his phrases in lines 124-126, scene ii? 43. How do Portia's lines in this scene, especially after Bassanio has made his successful choice, present her na ture? 4. What is the dramatic effect of bringing all the pairs lovers together in this scene? 5. What does Jessica relate of her father to make plain enmity and resentment towards Antonio, in the scene ere Bassanio receives the ill news from the latter? 6. How does Bassanio characterize Antonio? 7. How does Lorenzo speak of Antonio? 8. What is the plan of Portia to save the situation of ssanio and his friend? 19. Where does Lorenzo express the real pettiness of punning trick and strained wit-snapping of Shakeare's time? 50. What is the service of the final scene? What does sica say of Portia? ACT IV 51. What is the demeanor of Antonio throughout the ial Scene? 52. What do Bassanio and the Duke say to try to inence Shylock to relent? What is Gratiano's part in ? scene? 53. Describe the stand taken by Shylock. 54. Characterize the addresses of Portia in behalf of tonio. Follow the development of her pleadings to its t resource, and explain in what ways it demonstrates a man's way of reasoning. 55. How is the situation resolved? 56. What purpose is apparently in Portia's mind when e asks for Bassanio's ring as token? ACT V 57. What is the distinctive quality of the opening pasge? What is its effect upon the atmosphere of the whole t? 58. With what poetic theory do the lines from 60 to 63, >rrespond? |