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Act 1 workbook

The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare


Act 1 Scene 1

Antonio: In sooth I know not why I am so sad.

1. What tone does this opening line give the play?

2. Fill in the table below to show the characters’ explanations.

Character
Reason suggested for Antonio’s
(line Antonio’s response
sadness
number)

Salarino (8)

Solanio (46)

Solanio(48)

3. Read the rest of the scene and give your own suggestions of why Antonio is sad and why
Shakespeare starts the play in this way.

4. Find evidence of the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio. List examples in the
table below.

Quotation Explanation

5. By the end of the scene, what do we know about:

a. Bassanio
b. Antonio
c. Portia?

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare
Act 1 Scene 2

1. ‘she is fair and, - fairer than that word –’ This is Bassanio’s impression of Portia. She says
‘My little body is aweary of this great world.’ Why does she feel like this? She explains in
the lines that follow.

2. Nerissa offers some comfort. Write her comments in modern English:

Quotation from Nerissa Modern English

‘You would be, madam, if your miseries


were in the same abundance as your good
fortunes are;’ lines 3-4

‘Your father was ever virtuous; and holy


men at their death have good inspirations’
lines 23-24

3. Draw a diagram to show the three casket test – you will add to it later so leave plenty of
room.

Extension questions
 Portia is witty and clever – find at least two examples to show this
 Portia is trapped – in what ways could this be seen to be true?
 Prose is used in this scene but this is normally kept for comedy or lower class
characters while the rest speak in blank verse (poetry). Why do you think Shakespeare
has chosen to use prose here?

Writing task
Write an entry in Portia’s diary in which she describes her predicament, how she feels about it
and each of the men who want to try the test to marry her. Do not forget to include Bassanio.
You will need to make careful use of the words she speaks in the scene to help you do this
well.

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare
Act 1 Scene 3

1. We start this scene in the middle of a conversation. What has Bassanio asked Shylock before
this scene? Imagine his lines, and write these down.

2. With a partner, read the lines in two different ways:

a. first, make Shylock seem as if he is joking or playing a game with Bassanio


b. secondly, make him sound very unpleasant.

3. Which do you think works best, and why?

Extension question
When Antonio enters, why does Shakespeare change from using prose to poetry?

4. Looking at lines 32 to the end, complete the table:

Shylock’s complaints about Antonio Antonio’s criticism of Shylock

5. How much money does Antonio need to borrow?

6. How long does he need it for?

7. Why is he certain he will be able to repay the loan?

8. Why does Shylock agree to lend him the money even though the hates him so much?

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare
9. Write the details of the Bond below:

............................................................................................
............................................................................................
............................................................................................
............................................................................................
............................................................................................

10. Write a list of all the words used to describe Shylock: e.g. ‘devil’ (line 90)

Key questions

1. Find out how Jews were treated in Shakespeare’s day and why.
2. Has your opinion of Antonio changed because of the way he treats Shylock?
3. How would an audience in Shakespeare’s day see this scene differently to us?

Extension task

Shylock refers to the story of Jacob and his uncle’s sheep (lines 63-83). Read the story
from Genesis 30 and write a summary of it. Why does Shylock include this story here?

Revise Act 1

What has happened so far?

Write a brief character profile for the main characters: Bassanio, Antonio, Shylock and
Portia.

What has Shakespeare done so far to make us interested in reading or watching the rest
of the play?

Make a list of some key quotations from this act.

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare
Teacher’s answers

Suggested answers are given below, alongside the questions.

Act 1 Scene 1

Antonio: In sooth I know not why I am so sad.

1. The tone of the opening of the play is surprisingly melancholy for a comedy
2. Fill in the table below to show the characters’ explanations.

Character (line Reason suggested for


Antonio’s response
number) Antonio’s sadness

He has ships going to a variety of


He is worried about his ships
Salarino (8) places so it is unlikely that they
and wealth at sea where so
would all come to grief; this is not
much could go wrong.
the cause of his sadness.

Solanio (46) Antonio denies this absolutely


He is in love.
(‘Fie, fie!’)

He is sad because he is not Not given the chance to respond as


Solanio(48)
happy – i.e. there is no real the arrival of Bassanio interrupts
recognisable reason or cause. the conversation.

3. Read the rest of the scene and give your own suggestions of why Antonio is sad and why
Shakespeare starts the play in this way.

Bassanio is planning to marry and he is aware that this will affect their friendship. He sees his
part in the ‘play’ representing life as ‘a sad one’ (line 79).
The melancholy note at the start of the play encourages the audience to look on the bond and
the risks that Antonio is taking as dangerous and create a sense of foreboding.
It contrasts with Bassanio’s obvious happiness and the jokiness of Salarino and Salerio.

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare

4. Find evidence of the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio. Suggested answers
are given below.

Quotation Explanation

‘To you, Antonio, Bassanio has already borrowed money and yet
I owe the most in money and in love’ dares ask for more which is a sign of Antonio’s
(lines 130-131) love for him and Bassanio’s awareness of it.

Shows the depth of Antonio’s generosity to


and love for Bassanio – he is willing to do
‘My purse, my person, by extremest means anything for him, even give himself, and at
Lie all unlocked to your occasions.’ the very least, lend him more money (even
(lines 137-8) though Bassanio is already in debt to him). In
fact his act of generosity very nearly does
cost him his ‘person’ or his life.

Bassanio is keen to confide in his friend and so


‘And from your love I have a warranty ‘unburden’ himself or make himself feel
To unburden all my plots and purposes …’ better. This is a sign of how much trust there
(lines 132-3) is between them but also, out of friendship,
he feels he owes Antonio an explanation.

‘… you do me more wrong


In making question of my uttermost Antonio is offended that Bassanio feels in any
Than if you had made waste of all I have.’ doubt that Antonio will help him.
lines 155-157

5. By the end of the scene, what do we know about:

a. Bassanio

He is in debt (not least to Antonio) and has spent all his money. He is in love with a
wealthy heiress and if he can raise enough money to woo her, his problems will be over
and debts can be repaid. He asks Antonio, his dear friend, for help.

b. Antonio

A rich merchant: his ships are currently heading to various trading ports, and his wealth
is currently tied up in these. He is sad but seems unable to see why but thinks it is
merely the part he is destined to play. He has good friends but his closest is Bassanio
whom he agrees to help by borrowing money to lend him until his ships return.

c. Portia?

A wealthy heiress who is also beautiful and seems to share Bassanio’s love for her, but
she has many suitors who are rivals for her hand in marriage.

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare
Act 1 Scene 2

1. ‘she is fair and, - fairer than that word –’ This is Bassanio’s impression of Portia. She says
‘My little body is aweary of this great world.’ Why does she feel like this? She explains in
the lines that follow.

Because she feels resentful and anxious about the test her father has set for her suitors.
This has removed all choice from her and equally if a suitor passes the test, she cannot
turn them down. She feels constrained ‘curbed’ by her father’s will, even though he is
dead.

2. Nerissa offers some comfort. Write her comments in modern English: Some suggestions
are given below.

Quotation from Nerissa Modern English

‘You would be, madam, if your miseries You would have every right to be tired of
were in the same abundance as your good the world if your sadness were anything
fortunes are;’ (lines 3-4) like as great as your wealth

‘Your father was ever virtuous; and holy Your father was a good man and religious
men at their death have good inspirations’ men often have inspired ideas on their
(lines 23-24) deathbeds.

3. Draw a diagram to show the three casket test – you will add to it later so leave plenty of
room.

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare

Extension questions
 Portia is witty and clever – find at least two examples to show this
‘I had rather be married to a death’s head than either of these’ (line 42)
‘When he is best he is little worse than a man, and when he is worst he is little better than a
beast.’ (line 71)
 Portia is trapped – in what ways could this be seen to be true?
She is trapped because she lives in a male dominated society. Marriage is her best and probably
only option but on marriage she will hand over her fortune to her husband and be expected to
be the restrained wife of the time. She is also trapped because even the choice of her husband
has been taken away from her by her father. A woman in a man’s world with limited options,
sees the clever, witty Portia constrained. Note later she has to dress in a man’s clothes to be able
to enter their world.
 Prose is used in this scene but this is normally kept for comedy or lower class characters while
the rest speak in blank verse (poetry). Why do you think Shakespeare has chosen to use prose
here?
The conversation is between maid and mistress – a chance for Portia to be off guard and speak
as she thinks. It is also a comic scene and these were usually written in prose. It contrasts with
the scenes with her suitors later.

Writing task
Write an entry in Portia’s diary in which she describes her predicament, how she feels about it
and each of the men who want to try the test to marry her. Do not forget to include Bassanio.
You will need to make careful use of the words she speaks in the scene to help you do this
well.

Act 1 Scene 3

1. We start this scene in the middle of a conversation. What has Bassanio asked Shylock before
this scene? Imagine his lines, and write these down.

Any request to borrow 3,000 ducats for three months using Antonio’s credit. Better
answers may pick up a reluctance to ask Shylock and would not be too pleading.

2. With a partner, read the lines in two different ways:

a. first, make Shylock seem as if he is joking or playing a game with Bassanio


b. secondly, make him sound very unpleasant.

3. Which do you think works best, and why?

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare

Extension question
When Antonio enters, why does Shakespeare change from using prose to poetry?
It is a sign of Antonio’s status and the formality of the deal. Their views of each other are also
based on a generalised attitude of Jews to Christians and vice versa at this time. Antonio
would not engage in a natural conversation with a man he has openly despised and insulted in
public. It is a business deal with a contract.

4. Looking at lines 32 to the end, complete the table:

Shylock’s complaints about Antonio Antonio’s criticism of Shylock

 He is a Christian.
 He looks like a taxman.
 Lends money without interest and  He charges interest on loans which
so brings down the rate of interest was deemed unbiblical at this time.
Shylock can charge.  He describes him as a devil who
 He hates the sacred Jewish race so uses the Bible to back up his
feels he owes it to all Jews to not charging of interest.
forgive his behaviour.  He smiles but underneath is
 He has spat on him in public and ‘rotten’ or evil.
kicked and insulted him in other
ways, treating him like a dog.

5. How much money does Antonio need to borrow?

3,000 Ducats.

6. How long does he need it for?

Three months.

7. Why is he certain he will be able to repay the loan?

His ships will have come home a good month before the loan has to be repaid.

8. Why does Shylock agree to lend him the money even though the hates him so much?

He claims he wants to show a sign of friendship to Antonio.

9. Write the details of the Bond below:

£3,000 ducats for three months at no interest.


If Antonio fails to pay, Shylock can take a pound of flesh from whatever part of
Antonio’s body he chooses.

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare

10. Write a list of all the words used to describe Shylock: e.g. ‘devil’ (line 90)

‘Cur’, ‘devil’, ‘villain’, ‘dog’.

Key questions (opportunities for individual research and opinion)


1. Find out how Jews were treated in Shakespeare’s day and why.
2. Has your opinion of Antonio changed because of the way he treats Shylock?
3. How would an audience in Shakespeare’s day see this scene differently to us?

Extension task

Shylock refers to the story of Jacob and his uncle’s sheep (lines 63-83). Read the story from
Genesis 30 and write a summary of it. Why does Shylock include this story here?

Jacob looked after a relative’s sheep on the agreement he could keep any lambs born of more
than one colour. A fence was used to ensure the mother sheep saw stripes at conception on the
belief that what a mother saw would affect the lamb and so Jacob was able to keep a large
number of lambs. He uses the story to convince Antonio that he is right to charge interest and
that the Bible supports this

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Act 1 workbook
The Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare
Revise Act 1

What has happened so far?


Antonio, a rich merchant, has all his money tied up in ships at sea. He agrees, however to lend
money to his friend, Bassanio so that he can woo Portia and rival her many other suitors. In
order to lend the money he agrees to a bond with a Jewish money lender called Shylock. Shylock
dreams up a condition that he can take a pound of flesh from Antonio if he fails to pay the
money back in three months’ time.

Portia’s father has set a test for her suitors which leaves Portia feeling constrained. Nerrissa
assures her that her father did it for the best possible motives of protecting her. They run
through the list of possible suitors and we learn that they have all decided not to take the
challenge for fear that if they fail they have to agree never to marry. Portia is very relieved and
her love for Bassanio is made clear.

The animosity between Jew and Christian (Shylock and Antonio) is also established.

Write a brief character profile for the main characters: Bassanio, Antonio, Shylock and
Portia.
Bassanio – a good suitor for Portia but in debt, and has spent all the money he has already
borrowed. He is clearly close to Antonio and reluctant to call on his friend’s generosity. One of
his hopes is that he can repay him.
Antonio – sad but loyal to his friend. Well respected but unashamed of his treatment of Shylock.
Shylock - resentful of the way he is treated but proud of his Jewish race and his business.
Perhaps keen to be taken more seriously by Antonio so agrees to the bond instead of interest.
Portia – rich, beautiful, clever and witty but constrained by the role of women in the male
dominated society of the time.

What has Shakespeare done so far to make us interested in reading or watching the rest of
the play?
Two stories with tension:
Will Antonio be able to repay the money? If not, will he be subjected to the bond which seems to
be presented here as a joke?
Will Bassanio get to Portia in time and pass the test set by her father before anyone else does?
What foreboding does Antonio’s sadness suggest?

Make a list of some key quotations from this act.


Please see quotations used above and:

‘In Belmont there is a lady richly left


And she is fair …’

‘I hold the world as …


A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one.’

Portia: ‘I remember him worthy of thy praise’ (Bassanio)

Shylock ‘I hate him for he is a Christian’

Bassanio ‘You shall not seal such a bond for me


I would rather dwell in my necessity’

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