|
Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 75 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
|
 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Merchant of Venice
A pound of flesh. He demands a pound of flesh from Antonio, closest to his heart.
Laurence Olivier. The correct answer is...(drum roll)...Sir Larry Olivier! He's one of my favorite actors.
A monkey. Jessica is what I call an ungrateful daughter. After running off with the Gentile Lorenzo (she's Jewish, and Lorenzo has been very mean to her father), she steals lots of Shylock (her father's) money and jewels. The sapphire was a present from Jessica's mother, Leah, to Shylock.
Balthazar. Bellario was the name of the lawyer who was originally supposed to help {Antonio;} Cesario was Viola's pseudonym in 'Twelfth Night'.
| What line from 'The Merchant of Venice can be translated as: 'All that glitters is not gold'? | The Merchant of Venice
|
All that glisters is not gold. This quote is often misattributed to Shakespeare but was in fact used in an earlier Elizabethan manuscript. It is in the gold casket that the prince of Morocco opens.
Gratiano. You would have thought it would be Portia, wouldn't you. And it's not even a very spectacular line: 'So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring'.
Antonio. I always assumed this was Shylock until I looked at the dramatis personae: there Antonio is listed as being 'a merchant of Venice' and Shylock is simply 'a Jew'.
1596. It can't be dated precisely, but most agree that 'The Merchant of Venice' was written and first performed in 1596.
Margery. You only learn this if you pay close attention to the conversation between the Gobbos, which is quite interesting.
Genoa. Among other things, Jessica steals her father's money, and spends 80 ducats (gold pieces) in Genoa in one sitting. That is just being greedy.
Solanio and Salerio. Solanio and Salerio (some editions "Salanio" and "Salerino") are quite often used by Shakespeare to comment on the events of the play and to inform the audience what is going on.
the fool. Gratiano offers this idea as a contrast to Antonio's declaration that he is suited to play a sad part in the world. Very early on we are give an indication of Gratiano's outward-going and light-hearted character. It is interesting that Bassanio has such contrasting friends.
Shooting one arrow after another and following the second more carefully.. Bassanio does not really have to explain to Antonio for his friend will do all he can for him anyway.
Portia's hair. Bassanio clearly indicates that there is a lot to admire about Portia as well as her wealth. He compares her also to the Portia who was the wife of Brutus, probably referring to her loyalty, courage and high moral character.
He suspects he might be given pork which is against his religion. Shylock is a very cautious man who seems to trust nobody. He also believes strongly in his Jewish faith and tries to uphold its principles and practices at all times.
The Prince of Morocco. It is difficult to evaluate Portia's exact reaction to Morocco other than to be sure that she is glad he has not been successful. She says that he looks as fair as any of her other suitors. However, we remember she has not liked any of her other official suitors.
Bassanio. Lancelot wants his father to win favour for him with Bassanio. He now wants to be Bassanio's servant. We learn that Bassanio is indeed using the ducats to set himself and his retainers up in splendid clothing before they go to Belmont.
Lancelot Gobbo. This is the beginning of the elopement. Lancelot is the one that is trusted with the message and he does deliver it safely. He may play the fool in some matters but he is wise enough to keep on the right side of Bassanio and his friends.
money-bags. It was believed to be the sign of a miser to dream of money-bags. Of course on this occasion Shylock is right to be suspicious. What happens whilst he is at the Masque will concern his personal wealth as well as his daughter.
in the eye-socket of a skull. Morocco at least accepts his fate and departs quickly. He has been deceived by outside appearances. "All that glisters is not gold."
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.. Arragon decides that he will assume that he deserves Portia. He rejects gold because he does not want to be ranked with "many men". We are not surprised that he fails. Does Shakespeare play with the idea of his "arrogance"?
to use as bait for fish. The extent of Shylock's hatred is shown by the way the idea of money is less important to him than the idea of revenge on Antonio. He can't think of a cold, logical reason why he should want Antonio's flesh.
from Leah his wife who is now dead. Shylock's fellow Jew, Tubal, seems to alternate giving him good news and bad news. No sooner has Shylock learned that Antonio is deeper in trouble, than Tubal tells him of some new extravagance involving Jessica and the stolen money and jewels.
Portia's portrait and a scroll. Bassanio's affection for Portia comes through in his description of Portia's portrait. He wonders how the artist could manage to continue after painting one of Portia's eyes - surely the one beautiful eye would have the power to steal both those of the artist.
a nearby monastery. Lorenzo is the one that she tries to convince. Later a variation on this story will be used for both Bassanio and Gratiano.
Bellario. Balthasar is the name that Portia adopts when she appears in court. The Duke behaves like a judge and yet he needs the advice of lawyers in order to settle a case.
Daniel. For Shylock Portia is a "Daniel come to judgement". However, when he hears the full explanation that she gives it is Gratiano who picks up the same name and uses the word "Daniel" to torture Shylock.
wrestling. It means to have someone at a disadvantage for the hip is a pivot that you can use to create a fall in a wrestling match.
by the moon. Without knowing it, of course, he did give his ring to a woman (Nerissa in disguise). Bassanio is about to get into the same sort of trouble with Portia.
|
Fun Trivia | 
Quizzes | 
Games
| 
People | 
Services | 
Help | 
Me
