Questions & Answers
Q1. Why does Shylock hate Antonio?
Ans. Shylock hates Antonio due to a number of reasons. Shylock hates Antonio on religious grounds. Shylock earns huge profits by lending money to people at interest, but Antonio never extracts interest from the people for the loaned sum. Antonio is liked for his generosity and good behavior, which irks Shylock.
Q2. How does Antonio help Bassanio?
Ans. Antonio is a bosom friend of Bassanio and is ready to put his life at stake for his friend. The rich appearance and background that Bassanio needs to win his love are provided by none other than Antonio. He borrowed the needed amount from Shylock and assisted his friend.
Q3. How does Shylock feel when Antonio asks for some money? Why is he interested in paying the required sum?
Ans. Shylock feels very arrogant and ecstatic when Antonio asks for some money. He is interested in paying the required sum as he sees it as an opportunity to exploit fully and take revenge.
Q4. Which condition does Shylock put forth if the debt is not paid in time?
Ans. Shylock puts forth the condition that Antonio would have to lose a pound of flesh if the debt is not paid on time.
Q5. How does Bassanio marry Portia?
Ans. Bassanio was a handsome man, but he needed a rich appearance and background to win his love. All this was provided to him by his friend Antonio. With the money taken, Bassanio left for Belmont, where he won his lady’s love at first sight, and soon the timing was proposed for the marriage.
Q6. Why is the case brought before the Duke of Venice?
Ans. The bond between Antonio and Shylock was signed in the senate house of Venice before the Duke, so it was natural for the case to be heard before him.
Q7. Who is disguised as the learned counselor (Doctor Balthasar)? Why has she come to the court of Venice?
Ans. Bassanio’s love, Portia, disguises herself as the learned counselor (Doctor Balthasar). She has come to the court of Venice to plead Antonio’s case, who is Bassanio’s only true friend.
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Q8. How did the counselor start her argument? How was she able to get judgment in Antonio’s favor?
Ans. The counselor starts her argument by making favorable remarks for Shylock. The counselor asked Shylock to forgive his opposing party, but Shylock denied any mercy. Shylock was asked to take a pound of flesh, but neither less nor more in weight. He was also asked to ensure that not a single drop of blood should drip, as such was not part of the bond. This was impossible for Shylock, and the judgment went in favor of Antonio.
Q9. How does Portia get back her ring?
Ans. Portia gets back her ring in the way that it was given to her as a reward for winning Antonio’s case.
Q10. Describe the themes of the play.
Ans. The Merchant of Venice, originally a tragic-comedy, has multiple themes like money and love, revenge, justice, forgiveness, and mercy in response to injustice. The crux or gist of the story is sacrifice in friendship.
Antonio puts his life at stake for his friend in order to win the latter’s love. The story shows how goodness dominates wickedness and badness.
It also makes it clear that temptation and greed for money make a person cold-hearted. It also shows that generosity pays, if not immediately, then in the long run.
Q11. Draw the character sketch of Antonio.
Ans. In the story, the character of Antonio stands tall all the time. He is an emblem of peace, goodness, and an example of generosity. He is kind-hearted and lacks selfishness. He lends money to people but never extracts any profit in the form of interest. He is so loving and caring to his friend, Bassanio.
His character also shows that he has good business skills.
In the character of Antonio, we see only two negative points: one, his melancholy, and the other, his religious fanaticism. But his sense of serving the people makes him truly a philanthropist.
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Q12. Draw the character sketch of Shylock.
Ans. Shylock is the pivot of the story, as such the original title of the play from which the story has been adapted was The Jew of Venice.
Shylock is a Jew of Venice, a usurer by profession and owner of immense property and wealth. He is a man of evil character who hated every good and moral person. He harbors a grudge and abhors Antonio. Shylock is mean by nature and vengeful by approach. He is an opportunist and waits round the clock to exploit any chance that drops his way. We can say that he is penny-wise but pound-foolish, as is done to him and his bond.
Q13. Antonio suffers because he was generous. Do you think he should have waited for the return of his ships and helped his friend?
Ans. Antonio is an emblem of peace, goodness, and an example of generosity. He is kind-hearted and lacks selfishness. His kindness and generosity are not limited to his friend only. He lends money to people but never extracts any profit in the form of interest. Antonio’s selfless generosity and kindness of heart endear him to all those who come in contact with him. He is held in high esteem by all.
So, Antonio suffers not because of his generosity but because of his deep love for his friend Bassanio. He cannot see his friend sad. Bassanio wants to marry Portia, whom he loves from the depths of his heart. But he needs money for this purpose. So, he comes to Antonio to borrow the money. At that time, Antonio himself runs short of money because all his ships carrying rich cargoes have gone abroad. Antonio wants to help his friend at any cost. So he decides to borrow the money from Shylock and thus signs that dangerous bond.
If Antonio waited for the return of ships, it would take some time. But he loves his friend Bassanio so much that he can willingly make any sacrifice for him at any cost.