Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice Act 2 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does Portia mean by "I will die as chaste as Diana" in line 299?

She will honor her father's will, but never marry for love.

She will die as pure and virtuous as the goddess Diana. (correct)

She will never marry and dedicate her life to remaining single.

She will prioritize her freedom and avoid any responsibilities.

What does Portia's plan to set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket reveal about her? (Select all that apply)

She is determined to avoid marrying the suitors. (correct)

She is afraid of choosing the wrong casket.

She is cunning and manipulative. (correct)

She lacks faith in her father's will.

What is the significance of Bassanio's arrival in this scene?

He highlights the limitations of the casket-choosing plan.

He symbolizes a change in the power dynamics between Portia and the other suitors.

He forces Portia to reconsider her father's will and his intentions.

He is a potential suitor of Portia's, representing a possible escape from her predicament. (correct)

How does Portia describe the suitor's current intentions regarding her?

They are uninterested in marrying her anymore and plan to leave. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Portia view the suitors' decision to return home?

She views it as a positive development and a relief from their pressure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of Portia's statement, "I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge"?

It strengthens her commitment to avoiding marriage to any of the suitors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Nerissa, what is the main reason for the suitors' decision to return home?

They were unable to meet her father's requirements and have given up. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the possible connection between the phrase "a scholar and a soldier" (line 306) and the casket test?

It implies that Bassanio possesses the qualities of wisdom and courage, which are crucial in the casket test. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main topic of this excerpt from The Merchant of Venice?

The betrayal of a daughter (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of "Let all of his complexion choose me so." as it is used in the scene?

Let everyone who looks like him treat me the same (A) Signup and view all the answers

What makes Shylock's response to the situation in the scene particularly dramatic?

His constant repetition of "O my ducats!" and "my daughter!" (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why does Salarino remind Solanio to tell Antonio what he heard about the ship "yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him"?

Because Antonio may be financially invested in the ship's cargo (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of "Let good Antonio look he keep his day, / Or he shall pay for this."?

Antonio has a debt to pay that he might not be able to meet (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by "the Narrow Seas that part / The French and English"?

The English Channel (D) Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used in Shylock's speech, "My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter! / Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!"?

Anaphora (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely outcome for Antonio if the news about the ship is true?

He will face significant financial difficulties (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Bassanio imply in the lines "O my Antonio, had I but the means / To hold a rival place with one of them"?

He wants to be as wealthy as the suitors who are vying for Portia's hand. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the reference to "Colchos' strond"?

It represents the difficult and dangerous quest for Portia. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Portia mean when she says "It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean?"

It is better to be average than to be very rich or very poor. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Nerissa suggest in the line "And yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing?"

Both extremes of wealth and poverty have their own drawbacks. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the line "Good sentences, and well pronounced."?

Portia is praising Nerissa's wisdom and intelligence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme explored in these excerpts from the play?

The philosophical considerations regarding the nature of wealth and happiness. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the line "Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer." suggest?

A moderate lifestyle extends one's lifespan and promotes longevity. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Bassanio's statement “I have a mind presages me such thrift / That I should questionless be fortunate!” imply?

He is optimistic that he will succeed in winning Portia's affection and her fortune. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why Arragon chooses the wrong casket?

He does not understand the inscription on the silver casket. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best interpretation of the inscription on the silver casket?

It emphasizes that the worth of the prize is determined by the worth of the suitor. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Arragon react to the outcome of his choice?

He feels humiliated and scorned. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What theme is highlighted in the inscription on the silver casket?

The value of intelligence and worthiness. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase “The fire seven times tried this” in relation to the silver casket?

It signifies the casket’s value and the difficulty of choosing it. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the symbolic meaning of the silver casket in this scene?

It represents a temptation for the unworthy to claim a prize they don't deserve. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What literary device does the author use in the line, “Hanging and wiving goes by destiny”?

Metaphor. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of Portia's statement, “Thus hath the candle singed the moth”?

Amusement and irony. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Shylock compare an evil person who appears virtuous to?

A rotten apple (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Shylock imply about his own practices with the analogy of Jacob and Laban's sheep?

He is cunning and manipulative, like Jacob, and uses his knowledge of the law to get what he wants. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Shylock's comparison of Jacob's "thrift" to the potential for stealing imply?

Shylock believes that getting rich is a good thing, even if it means breaking the law. (E) Signup and view all the answers

How does Antonio respond to Shylock's claim that he is not taking "interest" directly in the analogy of Jacob and Laban?

Antonio challenges Shylock's understanding of the Old Testament by arguing that Jacob did not take interest, but rather was rewarded with wealth for his hard work and faith. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Shylock's statement, "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose!"?

Shylock is expressing his own belief that the Bible is a powerful tool that can be used to manipulate and deceive others. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the analogy of Jacob and Laban's sheep in the passage?

To justify Shylock's practice of lending money at interest by claiming that it is a common practice. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason why Shylock brings up Jacob and Laban in this conversation with Antonio?

To challenge Antonio's moral superiority. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Antonio's reaction to Shylock's analogy of Jacob and Laban reveal his character?

Antonio is presented as a man of strict religious principles who believes in fair and ethical practices. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying tension between Shylock and Antonio in this passage?

A conflict between religious faith and personal gain. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the aside by Antonio to Bassanio in this scene?

To provide the audience with insight into Antonio's true feelings about Shylock's character. (E) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bassanio

A suitor in search of Portia, wealthy and noble.

Portia

A wealthy heiress, known for her beauty and virtue.