The Merchant of Venice ll Act 2

Act Two, Scene One

1) This scene opens with the words ‘Mislike me not for my complexion’ Why does the Prince think Portia will have a problem with the colour of his skin?

- He was afraid that she won't like him because of his skin.

2) What must Portia’s suitors give up if they try and fail to win her? 

‘You must take your chance, and either not attempt to choose at all, or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong never to speak to a lady afterward in way of marriage’ A2S1 Line 37-42 (Black P.41)

- He's never allowed to marry a woman.

3) Portia tells the Prince of Morocco- ‘Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection’ What does this mean?

He has a good chance to marry Portia as any of the suitors she has met so far.

Act Two, Scene Two
1) Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Because he treats Launcelot very poorly

Complete these 2 quotes from the text to support your thinking. A2S2 Line 26- ‘Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation’

2) Line 102 ‘I am famished in his service, you may tell every finger I have with my ribs’

3) Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

- When Gratiano drinks, he gets wild and very loud.


In lines 114-142...
4) Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to 
a. frequent interruptions. ‘He hath a great infection sir, as one would say, to serve- Indeed the short and the long is…’ Line 120-123 

b. Contradictions ‘Here’s my son sir, a poor boy- Not a poor boy sir, the rich Jew’s son.

Act Two, Scene Three
1) What does Jessica think of her life at home? Hell

2) Complete this quotes:
A- ‘Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil’ (Black Pg. 59, Blue Pg.45).

3) Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry? Lorenzo

Act Two, Scene Four
1) How does Jessica get a message to her lover?
- She gave the letter to Launcelot and Lancelot passed it to Lorenzo.

2) How will she be disguised for the elopement? As a man that runs errands.

3) Complete this quote ‘What page suit she hath in readiness’ (Black Pg. 63, Blue Pg.47).’

Act Two, Scene Five
1) How does Shylock feel about going out for the evening? He doesn't wanna go because he doesn't wanna eat with the Christians and he feels like something is going bad to happen because he dreamt about money bags.

2) Complete these quotes: 
"And they have conspire together." (Black Pg. 65, Blue Pg.48).
"There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money bags tonight." (Black Pg. 65, Blue Pg.48).

Act Two, Scene Six
1) Complete this quote that tells us what Jessica threw down to Lorenzo. ‘Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains’ A2S6 (Black Pg. 69, Blue Pg.31)

2) Jessica says ‘I am glad tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much asham’d of my exchange’ A2S6 (Black Pg. 69, Blue Pg.31). Why doesn’t Jessica want Lorenzo to see her?

- Because she was embarassed to dressed up as a man.

3) Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano? (Black Pg. 71, Blue Pg.52)

- Because they are going to Belmont and Gratiano was nearly left behind.

Act Two, Scene Seven
1) Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait?

- Gold

2) Complete this quote ‘Is’t like that lead contains her; ‘Twere damnation to think so base a thought’ (Black Pg. 79, Blue Pg.54)

3) Portia’s father uses the casket test to find her the most suitable husband. Do you think his test is working? Yes, because the test shows if the suitor is after her money or not.

Act Two, Scene Eight
4)What two disasters have happened to Shylock?

- his daughter ran away to marry a Christian and she also took his ducats.

5) Complete this quote that tells where Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica have gone? ‘The villain Jew with outcrises raised the duke, who went with him to search Bassanio's ship’ (Black Pg. 81, Blue Pg.55)

6) How did Bassanio and Antonio leave Venice?
On Antonio's ship.

7) ‘In the narrow seas that part the French and English, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught’ (Black P. 83, Blue P.56) What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? His ship might have sunk.

Act Two, Scene Nine
1) What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?

- To make fun of the suitors.

2) Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden casket?

- He thinks that some people are as foolish to choose whatever is flashy.

3) Complete this quote from the golden casket  ‘He who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire’ (Black Pg. 87, Blue Pg.58)

4) Finish this quote that shows us Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival ‘Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly’ (Black Pg. 91, Blue Pg.61)