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10 Tough Questions about The Merchant of Venice

This is a quiz on Shakespeare's rather dark comedy 'The Merchant of Venice'.

A multiple-choice quiz by meals. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
meals

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
71,088

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1808

Last 3 plays: Guest 223 (6/10), Guest 86 (8/10), Guest 37 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. By the end of the play, which of the following characters was not married or engaged to be married? Hint

Gratiano

Lorenzo

Antonio

Portia

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Question 2 of 10

2. What did Jessica receive in exchange for a turquoise ring that she stole from Shylock? Hint

Another ring

A silver necklace

A canary

A monkey

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the pseudonym that Portia used to be Antonio's lawyer? Hint

Bellario

Balthazar

Cesario

She doesn't use one

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Question 4 of 10

4. What line, originally from 'The Merchant of Venice', can be translated as: 'All that glitters is not gold'?

Answer: (6 Words)

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which character speaks the last line of the play? Hint

Gratiano

Antonio

Portia

Jessica

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following is not one of Portia's servants? Hint

Stephano

Lancelot Gobbo

Balthazar

Nerissa

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who is 'the merchant of Venice'? Hint

Shylock

Antonio

Bassanio

Gratiano

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Question 8 of 10

8. In what year was 'The Merchant of Venice' first performed? Hint

1600

1598

1594

1596

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Question 9 of 10

9. What was the name of Old Gobbo's wife and Lancelot Gobbo's mother? Hint

Rachel

Minette

Sarah

Margery

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where did Jessica spend fourscore (80) ducats in one sitting? Hint

Genoa

Florence

Rome

Venice

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 18 2024 : Guest 223: 6/10
Apr 17 2024 : Guest 86: 8/10
Apr 17 2024 : Guest 37: 10/10
Apr 16 2024 : Guest 81: 7/10
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 45: 7/10
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 103: 3/10
Apr 14 2024 : Guest 91: 8/10
Apr 11 2024 : Guest 99: 8/10
Apr 07 2024 : Guest 86: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. By the end of the play, which of the following characters was not married or engaged to be married?

Answer: Antonio

Lorenzo married {Jessica;} Portia was engaged to {Bassanio;} Gratiano was engaged to Nerissa.

2. What did Jessica receive in exchange for a turquoise ring that she stole from Shylock?

Answer: 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 ring was a present from Jessica's mother, Leah, to Shylock.

3. What was the pseudonym that Portia used to be Antonio's lawyer?

Answer: Balthazar

Bellario was the name of the lawyer who was originally supposed to help {Antonio;} Cesario was Viola's pseudonym in 'Twelfth Night'.

4. What line, originally from 'The Merchant of Venice', can be translated as: 'All that glitters is not gold'?

Answer: 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.

5. Which character speaks the last line of the play?

Answer: 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'.

6. Which of the following is not one of Portia's servants?

Answer: Lancelot Gobbo

Nerissa's her {handmaiden;} Stephano and Balthazar are servants. Lancelot Gobbo was first Shylock's servant, then quit and was hired by Bassanio.

7. Who is 'the merchant of Venice'?

Answer: 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'.

8. In what year was 'The Merchant of Venice' first performed?

Answer: 1596

It can't be dated precisely, but most agree that 'The Merchant of Venice' was written and first performed in 1596.

9. What was the name of Old Gobbo's wife and Lancelot Gobbo's mother?

Answer: Margery

You only learn this if you pay close attention to the conversation between the Gobbos, which is quite interesting.

10. Where did Jessica spend fourscore (80) ducats in one sitting?

Answer: 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.

Source: Author meals

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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