The Merchant of Venice Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 1

1. How does Antonio feel at the beginning of the play and why?

2. What does Bassanio ask of Antonio when they first meet in this play and how does Antonio respond?

3. What and how does Antonio compare life on earth to while he is speaking to Gratiano?

4. Who is Bassanio in love with, and what must he do to woo her?

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 2

5. What is Portia so upset about when she is first seen in this book?