Question 1 :
• Why did Bassanio said that he was standing upon the rack? [Attachment - 1]
Question 2 :
Shylock
Gaoler, look to him: tell me if mercy;
This is the fool that lent out money gratis:
Gaoler, look to him.
Antonio
Hear me yet, good Shylock.
• Why does Antonio addresses Shylock as - Good Shylock even tho' he has done many bad things to him.
Question 3 :
• Give the setting of the plot and name the characters present in each scene of Act 3. [Scene 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]
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Answers
Merchant Of Venice - By William Shakespeare
Question 1 is from Act 3 Scene - 2.
Q1 : Why did Bassanio said that he was standing upon the rack?
A: The scene takes place in Belmont, A room in Portia's house. The conversation is now in between Portia and Bassanio where he says that he lives upon the rack ( an instrument used to torture prisoners by stretching the body until they confessed their crimes usually of treason to the state ) Here rack is personified as Portia is trying to stretch out the time to delay from the choice of the casket. Portia wittily replies to Bassanio to confess the treason that is tangled with his love for Portia. She says this because racks were used to obtain confessions.
( Treason : the action of betraying someone or something )
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Question 2 is from Act 3 Scene - 3.
Q2 : Why does Antonio addresses Shylock as - good Shylock even though he has done bad things to him?
A: The scene takes place in a street of Venice where the characters: Shylock, Salarino, Antonio and Gaoler enters. Antonio asks some more time to repay shylock's bond by requesting Shylock - "as good shylock" for trying out his( Antonio's ) final attempts in order to save from shylock's evil clutches.
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Question 3 is basically a summary of Act 3.
Q3 : Give the setting of the plot and name the characters present in each scene of Act 3. [Scene 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]
A: Act 3, Scene 1 → This scene prepares for the introduction of the tragic element into the play. Antonio's one of ships is reported to have run aground( wreck ) – his losses are said to be too heavy for him to enable him to pay back the loan. Shylock, distraught by his daughter's betrayal and taunted by Salanio, makes one of the most powerful speeches in the play about common universal humanity. Tubal confirms the news of Antonio's losses; and Shylock is comforted by the thought of taking revenge.
Act 3, Scene 2 → This scene brings out the climax of the bond story where Bassanio makes the successful choice of the caskets and wins. Gratiano also declares his love for Nerissa. Lorenzo and Jessica arrive with Salerio to announce the loss of Antonio's ships. We are back to Venice and it's problems. Bassanio's trip to Belmont has been purchased at Antonio's expense. Bassanio has gambled and won; Antonio gambled and lost. Shylock will have his bond, his revenge. Portia gives a solution by agreeing to pay the debt. She advises Bassanio to return to Venice to settle the matter. Thus, this scene unites the world of Venice and the world of Belmont.
Act 3, Scene 3 → In this scene, Antonio with a jailer( Gaoler ) in attendance, arouses the audience's pity at his plight. Shylock gets pleasure at seeing his enemy helpless. He ignores Antonio's pleas, and insists on having nothing less than his bond. Antonio resigns himself to his fate seeing no prospect of escaping the Jew's merciless aims, which are supported, so to say, by the
law of Venice. Antonio's sole wish is that Bassanio will be there to witness the final act.
Act 3, Scene 4 → The action moves once again to Belmont with Portia in full command. The scene emphasises the themes of loyalty to friends, disguise and deceit. Portia at once puts her plans into action to save Antonio. She leaves Lorenzo and Jessica in charge of her house and sends her servant Balthazar to Padua to seek legal advice from Doctor Bellario( The lawyer ). Portia tells Nerissa they will disguise themselves as young men and on the way she will disclose her future plans to her.
Act 3, Scene 5 → The scene opens with a light-hearted interlude, relieving the audience of the strain of Antonio's plight. Besides, the scene is necessary to allow time for Portia's journey to Venice, Launcelot and Jessica exchange social comment. Later, Lorenzo joins them and asks Jessica about her views regarding Portia. Jessica praises Bassanio's heavenly fortune in gaining a wife like Portia. This scene not only refreshes and amuses but also heightens by contrast the seriousness of the trial scene which is soon to follow( means in next act - Act 4 ).
