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Literature
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The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Summary
Plot Overview
Summary & Analysis
Act I, scenes i–ii
Act I, scene iii
Act II, scenes i–iv
Act II, scenes v–ix
Act III, scenes i–ii
Act III, scenes iii–v
Act IV, scene i, lines 1–163
Act IV, scene i, lines 164–396
Act IV, scene i, lines 397–453; scene ii
Act V, scene i
Characters
Character List
Shylock
Portia
Antonio
Main Ideas
Themes
Plot Analysis
Motifs
Symbols
Genre
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
Is Shylock a Villain?
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Friendship
Wealth
Prejudice
Revenge
Love
Quotes By Section
Act I, scenes i-ii
Act I, scene iii
Act II, scenes i-iv
Act II, scenes v-ix
Act III, scenes i-ii
Act III, scenes iii-v
Act IV, scene i
Act V, scene i
Quotes By Character
Portia
Shylock
Antonio
Bassanio
Jessica
Further Study
Context
Anti-Semitism in Renaissance England
Shakespeare’s Sources for Merchant of Venice
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Context
Plot Overview
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
Act 1, scenes i–ii
Act 1, scene iii
Act 2, scenes i–iv
Act 2, scenes v–ix
Act 3, scenes i–ii
Act 3, scenes iii–v
Act 4, scene i, lines 1–163
Act 4, scene i, lines 164–396
Act 4, scene i, lines 397–453; scene ii
Act 5, scene i
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Companion Texts
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
Sample A+ Essay
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further study
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
1
of 5
How do most critics describe Shylock?
A bloodthirsty bogeyman
A clownish Jewish stereotype
A tragic figure
There is no consensus
2
of 5
What sort of character is Portia?
Quick-witted and beautiful
A free spirit
A rule-follower
All of the above
3
of 5
Who does the play’s title refer to?
Shylock
Bassanio
Portia
Antonio
4
of 5
What might be the cause of Antonio’s persistent and worsening melancholy?
Unrequited love for Portia
Hatred of Shylock
Unrequited love for Bassanio
His bad business decisions
5
of 5
What is one of Antonio’s key characteristics, other than melancholy?
Antisemitism
Lack of business acumen
Foolishness in love
A comic temperament
Previous section
Character List Quick Quiz
Next section
Themes, Motifs & Symbols Quick Quiz
The Merchant of Venice: Popular pages
NO FEAR
No Fear The Merchant of Venice
CHARACTERS
Character List
MAIN IDEAS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Is Shylock a Villain?
QUOTES
Quotes by Theme
MAIN IDEAS
Themes
FURTHER STUDY
Review Quiz
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