Shakespeare, Act Two || English

Act Two, Scene One

1. We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it?
The prince of Morocco had dark skin and Portia didn't seem to like it.

2. If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia’s suitors give up if they fail to win her?

They cannot ask to marry another woman.

3. Shylock practices ‘usury’. What is this?

Lending someone money with interest.

4. Why do Shylock and Antonio hate each other?
They hate eachother because they are of different religions.

5. What is Portia’s opinion of the Prince of Morocco- give examples.
She thinks the same of him as her other suitors.

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Act Two, Scene Two

1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.

He wants to leave Shylock because he treats him horribly. "Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation"(a2s2 line 26)

2. Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

He's worried because Gratiano is very loud when he's drunk and makes a fool out of himself.

3. 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 for, as one would say, to serve- Indeed the short and the long is-"

b. contradictions "Here's my son sir, a poor boy- Not a poor boy sir, the rich Jew's son."

c. misuse of words to impress. 

       Find examples of each of these in the text.

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Act Two, Scene Three
1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. 

She referred to it as 'hell.' "Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,"
2. Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry?
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Act Two, Scene Four
1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover?
She gave the letter to Launcelot, and then Launcelot gave the letter to Lorenzo.
2. How will she be disguised for the elopement?
She will be disguised as a man who runs errands.
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Act Two, Scene Five
1. Why is Shylock uneasy about going out for the evening? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.
He doesn't want to go out to eat with the Christians. Shylock feels as if something won't go well.
"I am right loath to go.

There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,

For I did dream of money bags tonight." (a2s2 lines 16-18)

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Act Two, Scene Six

1. How does Launcelot manage to tell Jessica that Lorenzo will be there that evening?

He tells her by vague messages that reference to Lorenzo.

2. What does Jessica throw down to Lorenzo?

A casket full of ducats.

3. Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano?

He's looking for him because he almost got left behind on the ship to Belmont.

Act Two Discussion Questions:
4. In A2S2, Launcelot deceives his father. In A2S6, Jessica deceives hers, What does each of them hope to achieve?
Freedom and revenge.
5. In A2S5 Lines 11-18 & 28-39. In both speeches Shylock is speaking to his daughter, Jessica.
What is his attitude to her? Give supporting examples from the text. 
He trusts her, but is unsure. "I am bid forth to supper, Jessica. There are my keys--" "Hear you me,
Jessica. Lock up my doors."
In A2S5 Lines 11-18 & 28-39. What do Launcelot and the audience know, that Shylock does not? How does this show dramatic irony

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Act Two, Scene Seven

1. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait. Use evidence of the text to justify your answer.

He thinks that the golden casket is the one worthy because it said on it "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire."(a2s7 line 36)

2. How is Portia feeling in A2S7 -at the beginning, -while the Prince is making his choice, at the end

At the beginning she feels nervous and then at the end she was relieved.

3. What was Portia's father trying to achieve by the use of the caskets. Does this seem to be working?

It's not working since she doesn't like any of them.

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Act Two, Scene Eight

1. What double disaster has struck Shylock?

His daughter fled with a Christian and his ducats and jewels were stolen by her.

2. Where did Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica might be?

He thought they went to go on Bassanio's ship, in which they searched.

3. How did Bassanio and Antonio part?

They left on a ship, specifically Antonio's.

4. What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? Find a quote that tells you this.

"In the narrow seas that part the French and English, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught."

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Act Two, Scene Nine

1.What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?
The purpose of the rhymes is to mock the suitor's choices.

2. Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden caskets. What does his interpretation of the inscription tell us about his character?
He thinks that people are foolish enough to not see past looks.

3. What is Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival?
She doesn't think it is him.