The Merchant of Venice
Notes compiled by Shabir Sir English
1. Why does Shylock hate Antonio?
Answer: Shylock and Antonio are both moneylenders. Shylock gives money to people
on interest. By doing so he has amassed lot of wealth and riches. He hates Antonio
because he gives money to helpless people and does not charge any interest for the
money he lends. Shylock treats him as his arch rival since he hinders his progress.
2. How does Antonio help Bassano?
Answer: Bassanio wants to travel to Balmont to propose a rich and lovely girl named
Portia. However, he has no money to make himself as rich and important as her other
suitors. He approaches to Antonio to borrow money but he has no money this time.
Being eager to help Bassanio, he decides to borrow the money from an old jew named
Shylock. Shylock lends the money to Antonio on the condition that if he does not
repay the money by a certain day, he will cut a pound of flesh from his chest as
penalty.
3. How does Shylock feel when Antonio asks for some money? Why is he interested
to pay the required sum ?
Answer: When Antonio asks Shylock to lend him three thousand ducates, he feels
delight. He quickly decides to take revenge from Antonio. Shylock reminds him of his
insults. He finally makes him sign a bond that if he does not repay the money by a
certain day, he will cut a pound of flesh from any part of his body. Unfortunately,
Antonio signs this strange bond.
4. How does Bassanio marry Portia?
Answer: Bassanio loves Portia. However, he feels frightened to propose her. He needs
some money to look as rich and important as her other suitors. That is why he asks
Antonio to give him three thousand ducates. However, he has no money at that time.
Both Antonio and Bassanio approach to an old Jew, Shylock for the money. Shylock
gives him the money on a serious condition. So Antonio arranges the money for his
friend at the expense of his life. Bassano takes the money and reaches Belmont. The
borrowed elegance impresses Portia. The girl is in love with him and they get both
married.
Notes compiled by Shabir Sir English
1. Why does Shylock hate Antonio?
Answer: Shylock and Antonio are both moneylenders. Shylock gives money to people
on interest. By doing so he has amassed lot of wealth and riches. He hates Antonio
because he gives money to helpless people and does not charge any interest for the
money he lends. Shylock treats him as his arch rival since he hinders his progress.
2. How does Antonio help Bassano?
Answer: Bassanio wants to travel to Balmont to propose a rich and lovely girl named
Portia. However, he has no money to make himself as rich and important as her other
suitors. He approaches to Antonio to borrow money but he has no money this time.
Being eager to help Bassanio, he decides to borrow the money from an old jew named
Shylock. Shylock lends the money to Antonio on the condition that if he does not
repay the money by a certain day, he will cut a pound of flesh from his chest as
penalty.
3. How does Shylock feel when Antonio asks for some money? Why is he interested
to pay the required sum ?
Answer: When Antonio asks Shylock to lend him three thousand ducates, he feels
delight. He quickly decides to take revenge from Antonio. Shylock reminds him of his
insults. He finally makes him sign a bond that if he does not repay the money by a
certain day, he will cut a pound of flesh from any part of his body. Unfortunately,
Antonio signs this strange bond.
4. How does Bassanio marry Portia?
Answer: Bassanio loves Portia. However, he feels frightened to propose her. He needs
some money to look as rich and important as her other suitors. That is why he asks
Antonio to give him three thousand ducates. However, he has no money at that time.
Both Antonio and Bassanio approach to an old Jew, Shylock for the money. Shylock
gives him the money on a serious condition. So Antonio arranges the money for his
friend at the expense of his life. Bassano takes the money and reaches Belmont. The
borrowed elegance impresses Portia. The girl is in love with him and they get both
married.
