ACT - 4 - Scene 1 / Act - 4 Scene - 2 - Shakespeare - Merchant Of Venice.

Act 4 Scene 1 :

What does the Duke believe Shylock intends to do?

The duke thinks shylock will take his pound of flesh
since shylock's reputation is not really good.

What does Shylock intend to do, and what reasons does he give for his decision?
Shylock intends to take his pound of flesh because
emotionally and physically Antonio has been abusive to him and they have signed a contract.

Why must the law be allowed to stand (why can’t the judge dismiss this case)
If he dismisses this case it will set the wrong example for others.

Shylock is very clear about the restrictions in the wording of the deed, how does Portia use these loopholes?
Shylock clearly says a pound of flesh nothing more nothing less meaning if Antonio bleeds or if he dies it is going against the law.

What penalties does Shylock now have to pay? Are they fair? Why/why not.
Shylock has to become Christian, he has to split his money with the state and Antonio and Shylock have to put in his will that everything I own goes to my daughter Jessica and her husband Lorenzo.

How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result?
Because Shylock has put in his will everything I own goes to my daughter Jessica and her husband.

What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant?
She claims the rings as the rewards by convincing her husband Bassanio to give her the ring that he swore to keep on his finger until he died.

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 (line 345-362)

Because of Shylock refuses to show mercy Portia gives him the same treatment.

A4S1 L 70-80. Antonio gives us three short images of how useless any attempt by Bassanio to save his life will be
What are they?
- You may as well ask the ocean to get smaller.
- You may as well question the wolf why he ate the lamb.
- You may as well stop growing in the mountains and making noise when the wind blows.


ACT 4 SCENE 2:


What invitation does Portia refuse and why?
She says " I'll accept the ring but I won't come to dinner".

What does Nerissa plan to get, why do you think this
is important?
She plans to get the ring that Gratiano swore he will not take off until he dies.

Do you admire what Portia after these scene's or do you find her actions cruel? Use example's to support your thinking.
Yes and No. Yes because she saved her husbands best friend from dying and no because she kind of catfished her husband into giving her the ring she gave.