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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has lowered the interest rates on loans in Venice?

2. Where are the rules for Portia's suitors listed?

3. What religion does Shylock's daughter want to follow?

4. What does Gratiano say most lovers really love?

5. Why has Shylock chosen to dine where he is on the night of the masquerade?

Short Essay Questions

1. What must a suitor do in order to win Portia's hand in marriage?

2. How has Portia felt about some of her past suitors?

3. What do the inscriptions on each of the caskets say?

4. What does the Moroccan prince think is causing Portia's reserved and quiet reaction to him?

5. What is the consequence of a suitor for Portia's hand choosing the wrong chest?

6. Who does Jessica want to marry, and why would her father oppose of this?

7. Where is Shylock going on the night of the masquerade, and why?

8. How does Jessica look when she arrives at the masquerade?

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

10. What does Lorenzo say is the only way Shylock will go to Heaven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many different symbols present in this play. What are these symbols and how does their presence alter the course of the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the term of a "pound of flesh" and what significance it plays in this story-line. Where does it appear, and which characters are most affected by it?

Essay Topic 3

Sacrifice is a theme that was very prevalent in this play. Who are the characters most affected by this theme, and how do they allow sacrifice to change their lives?

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This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample