The Merchant of Venice Act III Scene 1 Workbook Answers and Explanations

Act III Scene 1

Context Questions

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
(i) Whom does 'she' refer to in the first line of the extract? What is said about her in the extract?
(ii) What was said earlier about the place where a ship of Antonio was wrecked? Where did the news about the ship-wreckage spread?
(iii) Give the meaning of:
without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk,
(iv) What feelings for Antonio are expressed by Salarino and Salanio in this extract?
(v) How does Shylock react to the loss of Antonio's ship?
Answer:
(i) In the first line 'she' refers to the rumour or report which is personified as a tatling old woman. When Salarino talks about Antonio's ship, Salanio only wishes that Rumour may prove to be a big liar in this case as any old woman, who ever gossiped with her neighbours over her ginger bread cakes and made her neighbours believe that she mourned sincerely for the death of her third husband.
(ii) Earlier, it was told that Antonio's ship was wrecked in the waters of the English channel at a spot known as Goodwin Sands, a most perilous sand bank. The news about the ship-wreckage spread at the Rialto or the Exchange where merchants met for business transactions.
(iii) These words mean: 'without speaking much or beating about the bush'. That is without being guilty of any lengthy, irrelevant or tedious speech or going outside plain direct speech.
(iv) In this extract, Salarino and Salanio express their feelings of concern and sympathy for Antonio. Salanio calls him 'good Antonio', honest Antonio and wants a better adjective to describe 'him'. Finally, Salanio conveys the news that Antonio has lost a ship. Salarino hopes that this may be the end of his losses.
(v) Shylock was pleased to hear about the loss of Antonio's ship. He calls him a spendthrift and a beggar, who used to come smiling, so self-satisfied to the market. He must take care to redeem his bond in time.

In simple words: This section shows how Antonio's friends are worried because his ship crashed in a dangerous area called Goodwin Sands. While his friends feel sorry for him, Shylock is actually happy about the news because he wants to use the debt to get revenge on Antonio.

📝 Teacher's Note: Use the personification of 'Rumour' as an old woman to explain how news spreads quickly but isn't always true. Encourage students to contrast the genuine concern of the merchants with Shylock's cold, calculating reaction to Antonio's misfortune.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the location of the shipwreck, mention 'Goodwin Sands' and 'Rialto' specifically, as these are key geographical terms examiners look for. For the meaning of 'prolixity', ensure you use the keyword 'wordiness' or 'unnecessary length'.

Question 2. (i) Whose flight is being talked about? Where has the person flown? With whom has the person flown?
Answer: The flight of Jessica is being talked about. She has flown to Belmont. Jessica has flown with Lorenzo.
In simple words: The conversation is about Jessica, Shylock's daughter, who has run away to Belmont with Lorenzo.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the characters and their actions is crucial. This question tests your knowledge of key plot developments and character relationships.

Question 2. (ii) What bad news, besides the flight of the bird, is given just before the arrival of Shylock?
Answer: Just before the arrival of Shylock, the news about the Antonio's ship-wreck in the English Channel at a spot called Goodwin Sands is given.
In simple words: Before Shylock arrives, news comes that Antonio's ship has been wrecked in the English Channel.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing the timing of bad news for Antonio is important as it fuels Shylock's determination for revenge and advances the plot.

Question 2. (iii) Give the meaning of:
(a) the bird was fledged;
(b) and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam.
Answer: These words mean that it is the nature of a fully feathered young bird to leave the nest when it is old enough. He means to say that Jessica was old enough to run away with her lover, Lorenzo.
In simple words: This means it's natural for a young bird, like Jessica, to leave its nest, or home, when it's grown, implying her elopement was a natural progression.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explaining the metaphorical language in Shakespeare is key. Focus on relating the "bird" to Jessica and the "dam" to her father, Shylock.

Question 2. (iv) What steps has Shylock taken to get back the flown bird?
Answer: Shylock took all possible steps to get back his eloped daughter. He asked the Duke for justice and even persuaded him to check the ship in which Bassanio left for Belmont. Later it was said that someone saw Lorenzo and Jessica in a gondola. Shylock engaged his friend Tubal for finding and bringing Jessica to him.
In simple words: Shylock sought legal help from the Duke, had Bassanio's ship checked, and hired his friend Tubal to search for Jessica.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detailing Shylock's desperate actions to recover Jessica and his stolen wealth showcases his obsessive and vengeful nature, a critical character trait.

Question 2. (v) How does Salarino compare the character of the flown bird and of Shylock after the extract?
Answer: After the extract, Salarino compares the character of Jessica and Shylock. He says that Jessica is a complete contrast to Shylock as black is to white or as ordinary red wine is to expensive white Rhenish wine.
In simple words: Salarino highlights Jessica's character as being entirely opposite to Shylock's, comparing their differences to black and white or common and expensive wines.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding character foils like Jessica and Shylock is important. Focus on their contrasting values and Salarino's insightful comparison.

Question 3. (i) What is meant by a 'bankrupt as well as a 'prodigal'? Why has the man gone bankrupt? Why is he called a prodigal?
Answer: A 'bankrupt' means a person who has not enough money to pay off his just debts. 'Prodigal' means a spendthrift who spends money recklessly. The man has gone bankrupt because his ship has been wrecked in the English Channel with its rich cargo. He is a spendthrift who has mismanaged his affairs and has gone bankrupt. That is why he is called a prodigal by Shylock.
In simple words: A 'bankrupt' is someone unable to pay debts, and a 'prodigal' is wasteful. Antonio is bankrupt because his ship was wrecked and is called a prodigal by Shylock due to his financial mismanagement.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define both terms clearly and link them directly to Antonio's situation. Explaining *why* he's called a prodigal by Shylock reveals Shylock's perspective and underlying resentment.

Question 3. (ii) What is known as Rialto? Why was the man said to go 'so smug upon the mart'?
Answer: The Venetian Stock Exchange where the merchants used to met to transact business deals, was known as the Rialto. The man used to go to Rialto smiling and so self-satisfied because he was sure of his financial position as he owned a number of ships carrying merchandise to the four corners of the world. Shylock says these words to compare Antonio's financial position in the past with his present bankrupt condition.
In simple words: The Rialto is Venice's stock exchange. Antonio was described as "smug upon the mart" because he was confident and self-satisfied about his wealth, contrasting his past prosperity with his current bankrupt state, as observed by Shylock.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define Rialto and explain the irony of Antonio's past "smug" attitude compared to his present misfortune, highlighting Shylock's satisfaction in the reversal of fortunes.

Question 3. (iii) Give some incidents to show that the man referred to in the extract used to insult Shylock.
Answer: The man referred to in the extract used to insult Shylock. He used to disgrace him, laugh at his losses, mock at his gains, despise his race and interfere in his business deals simply because he was a Jew.
In simple words: Antonio, the man in question, insulted Shylock by disgracing him, mocking his business, and despising his Jewish identity.

🎯 Exam Tip: List specific actions to illustrate Antonio's insults towards Shylock. This demonstrates your understanding of the historical animosity between the characters, crucial for the play's central conflict.

Question 3. (iv) How did the 'bankrupt' cause loss to Shylock in Venice?
Answer: The bankrupt caused loss to Shylock in Venice by lending money without interest and thus, affecting Shylock's business of lending money at exhorbitant rate of interest.
In simple words: Antonio, the bankrupt merchant, harmed Shylock's business by lending money without interest, which drove down the rates Shylock could charge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the economic impact Antonio had on Shylock. His practice of lending gratis directly undermined Shylock's usury, a key financial grievance.

Question 3. (v) How is the bankrupt likely to go into a loss? How will such a loss affect Shylock as far as his revenge and financial position is concerned?
Answer: The bankrupt is likely to go into a loss as his ship has been wrecked with its rich cargo. Besides, he is to pay three thousand ducats he had borrowed from Shylock for Bassanio. Such a loss will favour Shylock to pursue his plan of revenge.
In simple words: Antonio faces ruin because his ship is wrecked, and he must repay 3000 ducats to Shylock. This loss benefits Shylock by enabling him to exact his revenge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect Antonio's financial ruin directly to Shylock's opportunity for revenge. This shows how plot developments serve character motivations.

Question 4. (i) Who is the thief referred to in the extract? What had the thief stolen? What loss has Shylock suffered due to the theft?
Answer: The thief referred to in the extract is Shylock's daughter, Jessica. The thief had stolen his money, gold and gems, including a diamond costing two thousand ducats. After the theft, Shylock has to spend money to locate Jessica. So he has suffered loss upon loss due to the theft.
In simple words: Jessica is the thief, stealing Shylock's money, gold, gems, and a diamond worth two thousand ducats, causing Shylock significant financial and emotional loss.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identify Jessica as the thief and list the items she stole. This details a major personal grievance for Shylock that contributes to his motivation.

Question 4. (ii) Who is Tubal? Why did he go to Genoa?
Answer: Tubal is another Jew, a friend of Shylock. He went to Genoa to search for Jessica, who has eloped with Lorenzo.
In simple words: Tubal is Shylock's Jewish friend who traveled to Genoa to search for Jessica after her elopement with Lorenzo.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing supporting characters like Tubal and their roles, especially in advancing secondary plots, is important for a complete understanding of the play.

Question 4. (iii) What news did Tubal bring from Genoa about the thief?
Answer: Tubal brought the news that he went to the places in Genoa where he heard some news about Jessica but could not find her.
In simple words: Tubal reported that he found no trace of Jessica in Genoa, despite hearing rumors about her there.

🎯 Exam Tip: The news from Tubal is critical as it highlights Shylock's continued frustration and the elusive nature of Jessica's whereabouts, deepening his grief.

Question 4. (iv) State what ill-luck befell Antonio. Why was Shylock happy over the news?
Answer: One of Antonio's large ships has been wrecked on the way back from Tripolis. This was the ill-luck that befell Antonio. Shylock was happy over the news as his chances of taking revenge on Antonio became brighter.
In simple words: Antonio suffered ill-luck when one of his ships wrecked near Tripolis. Shylock was pleased because this misfortune increased his opportunity to take revenge on Antonio.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link Antonio's misfortune directly to Shylock's happiness and amplified desire for revenge. This cause-and-effect relationship drives the main plot forward.

Question 4. (v) The extract refers to 'satisfaction' and 'revenge'. In what context are these expressions used by Shylock?
Answer: Shylock uses the expression satisfaction and revenge in the context of his efforts to retrieve his lost money and eloped daughter. His daughter, Jessica had stolen money, precious stones, and many other jewels. His efforts to locate her and retrieve them have not succeeded. So, he has neither the satisfaction of getting back his lost daughter and money nor taking revenge on the Christians, who caused her elopement.
In simple words: Shylock uses "satisfaction" and "revenge" to express his desire to recover his stolen wealth and punish the Christians responsible for Jessica's elopement, but he has achieved neither.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that Shylock's use of "satisfaction" and "revenge" is rooted in his compounded grievances – the loss of his daughter and wealth, and his deep-seated hatred for Christians.

Question 4. (vi) In the context of the theft, what reference does Shylock make of his bachelor days?
Answer: In the context of the theft, Shylock makes a reference to his bachelor days. His wife Leah gave a turquoise ring to him before their marriage. His daughter Jessica stole that ring before eloping and exchanged it for a monkey.
In simple words: Shylock recalls his bachelor days, mentioning a turquoise ring given by his wife Leah, which Jessica stole and traded for a monkey.

🎯 Exam Tip: This detail reveals Shylock's emotional attachment to the ring, making Jessica's theft even more painful and highlighting his deep sense of loss beyond just monetary value.

Question 5. (i) Why does Tubal say that Antonio is undone? What makes him say with certainty that Antonio is undone?
Answer: Tubal says that Antonio is undone because he has heard from some of the sailors he met in Genoa that one of Antonio's large ships has been wrecked on the way back from Tripolis.
In simple words: Tubal is certain Antonio is ruined because sailors in Genoa confirmed that one of Antonio's major ships was wrecked returning from Tripolis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Tubal's information about Antonio's wrecked ship confirms the merchant's financial vulnerability, making the bond's forfeiture almost inevitable.

Question 5. (ii) In what mood is Shylock in this scene? How is Tubal said to be torturing him?
Answer: In this scene, Shylock is in a mood of grief. He feels as if he is the only one in the world suffering from ill luck. Tubal is said to be torturing Shylock by giving alternate accounts of Antonio's losses and Jessica's extravagances. He alternately makes Shlock elated and depressed for apparently no reason. He elates him by the news of wreckage of Antonio's ship on its way back from Tripolis, while he depresses him by saying that he could not find Jessica and that she had spent eighty ducats on one evening and exchanged a ring with a merchant for a monkey.
In simple words: Shylock is grieving, feeling singled out by misfortune. Tubal "tortures" him by alternating between news of Antonio's losses (making Shylock happy) and Jessica's lavish spending (making him sad).

🎯 Exam Tip: This scene vividly portrays Shylock's emotional turmoil. Emphasize how Tubal's alternating reports create a psychological torture, underscoring Shylock's conflicted priorities between money and family.

Question 5. (iii) What is Shylock's reaction on hearing about Antonio's misfortune? How is he going to punish Antonio? What would he gain by his revengeful action?
Answer: Antonio's misfortune makes Shylock elated because he will be able to take his revenge on Antonio. He will punish Antonio by exacting a pound of flesh from any part of his body. By his revengeful action, he would avenge his hatred for Antonio and the Christians. Further, if Antonio is removed from Venice he can make profits as he likes.
In simple words: Shylock is overjoyed by Antonio's misfortune as it allows him to take his revenge, specifically a pound of flesh, and eliminate a business rival in Venice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Shylock's dual motivations – personal revenge and financial gain. This reveals the depth of his animosity and his calculating nature.

Question 5. (iv) Give the meaning of:
(a) a wilderness of monkeys.
(b) I can make what merchandise I will.
Answer: (a) A horde of monkeys. It means that Shylock would not have exchanged his turquoise ring even for a horde of monkeys.
(b) I can make as much profit as I like. It means that once Antonio is out of Venice, Shylock can make as much profit as he wants.
In simple words: "A wilderness of monkeys" means a large group of monkeys, implying Shylock wouldn't trade his ring for even many of them. "I can make what merchandise I will" means Shylock can conduct business and earn profits as he wishes once Antonio, his competitor, is gone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding these phrases helps grasp Shylock's values: the irreplaceable sentimental worth of his ring, and his ruthless business ambition once Antonio is removed from competition.

Question 5. (v) What is a synagogue? What can you conclude from Shylock's journey towards the synagogue?
Answer: A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. Shylock's journey to the synagogue gives us the clue that he will take revenge on Antonio. Shylock believes in the old Mosaic law, which prescribed an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. So, Shylock feels he is justified in taking revenge against an enemy of his religion and race.
In simple words: A synagogue is a Jewish place of worship. Shylock going there implies he's seeking justification or strength from his religious beliefs to pursue revenge against Antonio, adhering to the "eye for an eye" principle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the synagogue to Shylock's religious identity and his interpretation of justice. This highlights the religious dimension of his hatred and his belief in justified revenge.

Question 5. (vi) In what way, by the end of the scene, does Shylock convince the audience that his attack on Antonio is without any mercy?
Answer: Shylock's passion for revenge and his complete justification of it is given in this scene. He explains the insults he has suffered unjustly and his right to take revenge. He believes that he is doing as his enemies would do. The fierceness of his thirst for revenge is expressed in his final threat 'I will have the heart of him'. Shylock states that Jews are no different from Christians and they will follow their example in the matter of revenge too.
In simple words: Shylock convinces the audience of his merciless intent by passionately justifying his revenge, citing past insults, and threatening to take Antonio's heart, asserting that Jews will be as vengeful as Christians.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Shylock's powerful monologue ("Hath not a Jew eyes?") and his explicit demand for Antonio's heart. This scene is a turning point, solidifying his unwavering resolve for a merciless revenge.