The Merchant of Venice Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1 Salerio and Solanio reflect on the central issues at stake in the play: Antonio’s loss of his ships and Shylock’s loss of his daughter Why is it such a big deal for Shylock that his daughter converted and married a Christian? We finally see Shylock’s firsthand reaction to Jessica’s elopement; What is his response? Is he more concerned with the loss of his daughter or his money? Shylock and Jessica by Maurycy Gottlieb

Shylock’s Famous Speech (“Hath not a Jew eyes?”) Spend about five minutes going over this speech in small groups (lines 49-67) Consider the following: What is the central point of Shylock’s diatribe? On what does he base his humanity? Do you interpret Shylock as a villain or as a victim of persecution? If the positions were reversed, do you think that Antonio would demand his “pound of flesh” from Shylock?

Act 3, Scene 2 Bassanio arrives in Belmont to woo Portia and undergo the casket challenge Does Portia act differently towards Bassanio than she does the other suitors? Look closely at the song Portia chooses to have played; do you think that Bassanio gets the hint? How does his logic differ from that of Morocco and Aragon’s in choosing the casket? 19th century painting by Robert Alexander Hillingford

The Ring After Bassanio correctly chooses the lead casket, thus winning Portia’s hand, she presents him with a ring How is this ring similar to the bond made between Shylock and Antonio? What do you think the ring signifies based on Portia’s speech? What does a ring mean to us today? Notice that Bassanio finally tells Portia the truth about his financial status; Does this alter her opinion of him?

Antonio’s Troubles At the end of the scene, a messenger arrives with dire news about Antonio How does the language of Belmont change after we learn of Antonio’s troubles? What does Antonio’s letter reveal about his feelings for Bassanio? Notice that both Portia and Antonio are manipulating Bassanio in this scene; Can you tell me how?

Act 3, scenes 3-4 Why does Shylock insist on justice rather than mercy? Notice his single-minded obsession with obtaining his “pound of flesh”; he keeps repeating “I’ll have my bond” Whose rights take precedence in Venice? Why would Antonio want Bassanio to see him pay his debt? We’ve encountered cross-dressing numerous times in Shakespeare’s plays; Is it different this time?

Act 3, scene 5 This scene begins with a scriptural debate about Jessica’s conversion She states that she is no longer damned by her relationship to her father, but saved by her relationship with her husband; is this a true conversion? What does it mean that despite the fact that Lorenzo and Jessica are thieves and “outlaws” Portia places them in charge of her estate during her absence?