Act Four, Scene One

Act Four, Scene One

• What does the Duke believe Shylock intends to do? He thinks Antonio is going to show Shylock mercy.

• What does Shylock intend to do? Shylock wonts to receive his pound of flesh from Antonio, the reason why is both of them agreed on the proposed bond that Antonio failed to repay.

• Finish this quote that tells us why, 'You'll ask me why rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh, than to receive three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that, but to say it is my humour; is it answered?'

• What two loopholes does Portia find in the wording of the contract? if Antonio bleeds Shylock's land will be confiscated.
  Shylock has to take exactly one pound.

• Shylock now has to pay penalties. Complete this quotes that tell us what the penalties are: 'I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's, the other half comes to the general state.'
  

• Are the penalties fair? Why/why not. Shylock has to have half his possessions taken and given to Antonio, the other half is given to the state of Venice. they are being fair because Shylock did break the law.

• How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result? Antonio said that he would go along with Shylock's punishments as long as his money was given to someone he trusts. Lorenzo and Jessica.

• What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant? She got the wedding ring that her husband has, the ring Bassanio agreed not to ever lose or give away.

• Portia tells Shylock ‘The quality of mercy is not strained’. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him. Portia makes a long speech about mercy saying... "No one shows mercy because he has to." She is wants to show him mercy.