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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 does Lorenzo apologize for when he arrives at the masquerade?

2. What does Shylock tell Launcelot he will not receive while working for his new master?

3. What does Launcelot want to do when he first appears on stage?

4. What does Lorenzo say he is saving the woman he loves from?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Shylock tell his daughter to do during the masquerade?

4. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco choose, and what is found inside it?

5. Why does Shylock say it is so brave of Antonio to guarantee a loan for Bassanio at this time?

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

7. What do Salarino and Gratiano say about love while they is waiting for Lorenzo to arrive at the masquerade?

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

9. Who asks to travel with Bassanio when he leaves Venice and why?

10. How does Shylock react when he hears that Launcelot has chosen to find new employment with Bassanio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which character do you relate with the most in this play? Why is this? How does this character change throughout the play?

Essay Topic 2

This play takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affect the course of the plot. Why might Shakespeare have chosen these particular places?

Essay Topic 3

How were the roles of women different in the time of this play than they are now, and how does the theme of gender roles present itself in the text?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 717 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample