The Merchant of Venice – Characters, Relationships, and Key Quotes

30 question-and-answer flashcards covering character traits, pivotal relationships, and memorable quotations from The Merchant of Venice lecture notes.

What are Antonio’s main character traits?

Melancholic, loyal, generous, self-sacrificing, and racist.

Which line reveals Antonio’s inexplicable sadness in Act 1, Scene 1?

“In sooth, I know not why I am so sad.”

How does Antonio demonstrate his willingness to help Bassanio financially?

He tells Bassanio, “Try what my credit can in Venice do… My purse, my person, my extremest means lie all unlocked to your occasions.”

List Bassanio’s principal personality traits.

Spendthrift, charismatic, manipulative, and honest.

What quote shows Bassanio’s gratitude toward Antonio?

“To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love.”

Which line illustrates Bassanio’s distrust of Shylock?

“I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.”

Summarize Portia’s defining traits.

Racist, intelligent, witty, and dutiful.

What racist wish does Portia utter about the Prince of Morocco’s complexion?

“Let all of his complexion choose me so.”

State Portia’s remark contrasting saintly character with dark complexion.

“If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me.”

Identify Shylock’s dominant traits.

Vengeful, greedy, resentful, pitiful, intelligent, and cunning.

Which line reveals Shylock’s intention to exploit his ‘ancient grudge’ against Antonio?

“If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.”

Quote Shylock’s curse if he forgives Antonio.

“Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him!”

What grievance does Shylock list when confronting Antonio’s past insults?

“You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine.”

How does Shylock separate himself socially from Antonio and Bassanio?

He says, “I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.”

Describe Launcelot Gobbo’s chief characteristics.

Comedic, rebellious, and indecisive.

What comic line does Launcelot use to pretend he is dead?

“Master Launcelot is indeed deceased, gone to heaven.”

How does Launcelot justify running away from Shylock?

“Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master.”

Identify Nerissa’s key traits.

Supportive, witty, and loyal.

Which quote shows Nerissa’s attempt to comfort Portia about her blessings?

“You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are.”

List Jessica’s principal traits.

Rebellious, courageous, and reflective.

Quote Jessica expressing shame for her heritage.

“To be ashamed to be my father’s child!”

How does Jessica describe the atmosphere in Shylock’s house?

She calls it “Our house is hell.”

Characterize the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio.

Deeply loyal and very close, but largely one-way in which Antonio sacrifices for Bassanio.

Describe the relationship between Antonio and Shylock.

Mutual hatred, antagonistic, and disrespectful.

How are Portia and Nerissa connected?

They share a supportive, genuine relationship built on mutual trust.

What contrast does the relationship of Jessica and Shylock provide to Portia’s obedience to her father?

Jessica’s bond with Shylock is broken, cold, and estranged, serving as a foil to Portia’s loyalty and obedience to her deceased father.

Summarize the bond between Launcelot and Old Gobbo.

Neutral yet close and loving father-son relationship.

What is Bassanio’s view of Portia when describing her to Antonio?

He says she is “a lady richly left” who is “fair, and fairer than the word” and “of wondrous virtues.”

What line shows Bassanio refusing to let Antonio risk a bond for him?

“You shall not seal to such a bond for me! I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.”

How does Antonio summarize Shylock’s attitude toward him and his business?

“He hates our sacred nation, and he rails on me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift.”

What does Lorenzo say saw about Nerissa & her father

If e’er the Jew her father comes to heaven it will be for her gentle sake 

What does Lorenzo say to Jessica about her disguise?

“so are you sweet, even in the lovely garnish of a boy”

What does Jessica say about her love to Lorenzo

“Become a Christian and thy loving wife”

What does Nerissa say about Portia’s father?

“Your father was ever virtuous and holy men at their death have good intentions.”

Name the 5 themes being tested

1.) Racism/Prejudice

2.) Appearance & Reality

3.) Mercy/Justice

4.) Binds

5.) Risk/Greed

What does Shylock say in his speech about prejudice?

If you prick us, do we not bleed?

And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

What does Bassanio say (appearance & reality)

So may the outward shows be least themselves

What is written on the scroll in the Gold Casket? (Appearance & Reality)

All that glisters is not gold.

What does Antonio say about Shylock (prejudice and appearance & reality)

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose

What does Antonio say about Shylock’s person

A goodly apple rotten at the heart

What does Portia say regarding to what other men see of her?

In such a habit, That they shall think we are accomplished With that we lack.

What does Portia say

I will make all well

What does Portia comment about mercy?

The quality of mercy is not strain’d

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

What does Portia say

That in the course of justice none of us, should see salvation

What does Portia say about the loophole? (Justice)

This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.

What does Portia say to Shylock? (Justice)

Down therefore, and beg mercy of the duke

What is Shylock’s iconic line? (Revenge/justice)

I will have my bond.

I’ll have my bond.

What does Shylock say about his revenge? (Justice)

The villainy you teach me I will execute

What does Shylock comment on his bond with Antonio? (Justice)

I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond.

What does Salanio comment about Antonio? (Bonds-Phileo)

Even there, his eye being big with tears

He wrung Bassanio’s hand; and so they parted.

What does Jessica comment about love?

But love is blind, and lovers cannot see

What does Jessica say about herself and her father? (Bonds-Storge)

I have a father, you a daughter lost.

What does Old Gobbo say about Launcelot? (Bonds-Storge)

The boy was my very prop

What does Antonio say to Bassanio regarding Bassanio? (Bonds-Storge)

the dearest friend to me

the kindest man

the best conditioned and unwearied spirit

What does Shylock claim about his relationship with Antonio? (Appearance & reality)

i would be friends with you and have your love

What does Shylock say about Portia’s disguise? (Appearance & Reality)

A Daniel come to judgement! Yea a Daniel!

How does Shylock praise Portia who is in disguise? (Appearance & Reality)

O upright judge! O learned judge!

O wise young judge, how I do honour thee

What does Gratiano say to Shylock? (Prejudice)

O be thou damned inexecrable dog

What does Antonio say about his final verdict? (Justice)

let me have judgement and the jew his will

What does Portia say to Shylock about his punishments? (Justice)

Thou shall have nothing but the forfeiture

What does Antonio admit in melancholy? (Mercy)

I am content.

What does Antonio say about Shylock’s possessions going to Lorenzo? (Mercy)

to render it upon his death to the gentleman that lately stole his daughter

What does the duke say showing mercy to Shylock? (Mercy)

I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.

What does the duke say about Christianity? (Mercy)

Thou shall see the difference in spirit