Discussion Questions on Themes in The Merchant of Venice

Racism:

[The numbered questions are intended to draw your attention to passages that I think are significant. Your quest in each case is to come up with a statement about what the portrait of the character shows us about racism. What are its varieties? How is it expressed? How does it affect those who express it? How does it affect those who are its objects?]

Portia:

1. When we first see Portia she makes witty comments about her wooers, including the black one, Morocco. Each of those comments targets a common stereotype, such as the one that Germans drink a great deal, and the one that the English are insular and can speak only English. However the comment about Morocco is a bit different; the only characteristic of him that is referenced is that he is black. What is your reaction to Portia?
2. When Morocco arrives to try to win her for his wife, he makes a speech beginning, "Mislike me not for my complexion," and continues on a "black is beautiful" theme. Portia's response is to say that she does not have free choice in the matter, but that if she did, "Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair / As any comer I have look'd on yet / For my affection," which is true, but misleading, since she has only scorn for all of her other wooers. Do we sympathize with Morocco? Or with Portia? Or with both? Or with neither?
3. After Morocco chooses the wrong casket and exits, Portia comments "A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. / Let all of his complexion choose me so." Apparently Portia does not want to be married to any black man. Do you blame her?
4. In the courtroom scene Portia disguises herself as a judge, and conducts the trial. Is it a fair trial? Is the outcome of the trial just?

Antonio:

1. In the scene in which the bargain is struck between Antonio and Shylock, both men accuse the other of hypocrisy. Does either one gain your sympathy?
2. In the scene in which the bargain is struck between Antonio and Shylock, Shylock's aside, which begins with "How like a fawning publican he looks" is commonly cut from the text, as it is in the movie we have seen. Why do you think this cut is so common? Also, if it were up to you, would you cut the speech for a performance? Another also: Is Shylock's description justified? Is Antonio like a fawning publican?
3. In 3.3 Antonio calls Shylock "good Shylock," which he has never done before. Why did he change his tune? In the same scene, when Antonio speaks of losing weight, is he making a joke or feeling sorry for himself? Still in the same scene, why is it so important to Antonio that "Bassanio come / To see me pay his debt"?

Shylock:

1. What is Shylock's intent in 1.3?
• Does he hope to gain Antonio's friendship?
• Does he intend to trap Antonio into a deadly bargain?
• Is there a third possibility?
2. What does Jessica mean when she says, "But though I am a daughter to his blood, / I am not to his manners" (2.3.18-19)? Please be ready to show from the text examples of the manners that Jessica has in mind. Is Jessica talking about manners that are supposedly characteristic of Jews?
3. In 2.5 Shylock says he doesn't want to accept Bassanio's dinner invitation, but he does. Why does he have a conflict about the matter, and are you convinced that his stated reason for going is genuine?
4. In 2.8 Solanio makes comments about what Shylock says about his daughter and his ducats. What's Solanio's point about "the dog Jew"? What's the difference between Solanio's report and what we actually hear Shylock say (in 3.1) about his daughter and his ducats?
5. What is Tubal's motivation in his conversation with Shylock in 3.1?
6. In the courtroom scene Do you sympathize more with Shylock or with Antonio? Do your sympathies shift in the course of the scene?
7. In the courtroom scene does Shylock receive justice from Portia and mercy from Antonio?

Lancelot Gobbo:

1. At the opening of 2.2 Lancelot the Clown has a comic soliloquy about various choices, including a one between the devil and Shylock, who is "a kind of devil." What is Shakespeare making fun of?
2. In 3.5 Lancelot (the Clown) makes jokes about Jessica's Jewishness. What is the target of Shakespeare's satire?

Solemn Obligations:

1. Portia to Nerissa:"I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father."


2. Shylock to Antonio:

   144 Go with me to a notary, seal me there
   145 Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,
   146 If you repay me not on such a day,
   147 In such a place, such sum or sums as are
   148 Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit
   149 Be nominated for an equal pound
   150 Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
   151 In what part of your body pleaseth me.

3. Portia to Morocco:

   38 You must take your chance,
   39 And either not attempt to choose at all
   40 Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
   41 Never to speak to lady afterward
   42 In way of marriage: therefore be advis'd.

4. Portia to Bassanio:

   10                                    I could teach you
   11 How to choose right, but I am then forsworn;
   12 So will I never be: so may you miss me;
   13 But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,
   14 That I had been forsworn.

   In the same scene Bassanio seems to take a hint from the song which is sung by members of Portia's household. He says, "So may the outward shows be least themselves," and after elaborating on this idea, concludes that he will not choose either the gold or silver casket.


5. Bassanio to Portia: "But when this ring / Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence: / O, then be bold to say Bassanio's dead!"


6. When Solanio tries to comfort Antonio by saying, "I am sure the duke / Will never grant this forfeiture," Antonio replies, "The duke cannot deny the course of law," and explains that because Venice is an international center of trade, it must never fail to enforce a legal contract.

Choosing:

Wealth:

• Shylock loans Bassanio 3,000 ducats. How much is that? What could a ducat buy in Shakespeare's time? Portia offers to pay the 3,000 ducats twice over, and more.
• Two of the three caskets from which Portia's suitors must pick -- the gold one and the silver one -- promise wealth by their appearance.
• When Bassanio is discovered to have given away the ring given to him by Portia, he offers to buy another of greater value, but Portia absolutely refuses.
• There's quite a lot more . . . .

Melancholy:

Marriage: