The Merchant of Venice Questions on Allusion
The Merchant of Venice
Mythological and biblical allusions in The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice contains several mythological and biblical allusions. For instance, Shylock refers to the story of Jacob and Laban from the Bible to justify his usury. Portia alludes to the...
The Merchant of Venice
In The Merchant of Venice, why does Shylock refer to Portia as a Daniel?
In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock hails Portia as a "Daniel" due to her apparent support for his cause. This reference stems from the Biblical Daniel, renowned for his wisdom and justice. Shylock...
The Merchant of Venice
What is the meaning of the lines about Hercules, Lichas, and blind fortune in Act 2, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice?
In Act 2, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice, the Prince of Morocco compares his gamble for Portia's hand to a dice game between Hercules and his servant Lichas, where the weaker might win by chance....
The Merchant of Venice
Who is Midas in this quote from The Merchant of Venice, and what was his "hard food"?
Midas was a character from classical mythology who, after receiving a wish from Dionysus, wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Shakespeare's reference regarding "hard food" refers to...
The Merchant of Venice
Who is Nestor in The Merchant of Venice?
Nestor is not a character in The Merchant of Venice; rather, he is alluded to in Act I, Scene 1, during a conversation between Antonio and Solanio. Solanio references Nestor to illustrate how some...
The Merchant of Venice
What is the significance of the mythological references in the following dialogue from The Merchant of Venice?
In regard to the meaning and function of the mythological references, the significance of this dialogue is that Lorenzo is stressing courage while Jessica emphasizes cowardice. The characters present...
The Merchant of Venice
What do "stairs of sand" and "livers white as milk" mean in Bessanio's speech (Act 3, Scene 2) in The Merchant of...
In Act 3, Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice, "stairs of sand" and "livers white as milk" are similes illustrating the theme of deceptive appearances. "Stairs of sand" symbolizes unreliability,...
The Merchant of Venice
What prompted Shylock's exclamation, ‘A Daniel is come to judgement!’?
Shylock's exclamation "A Daniel is come to judgement!" is a biblical allusion to Daniel's wisdom and innocence in "Daniel and the Lion's Den." In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock likens Antonio to...
The Merchant of Venice
Why does Salarino refer to Antonio as the "two-headed Janus" in The Merchant of Venice?
Salarino refers to Antonio as the "two-headed Janus" to highlight his inexplicable sadness in contrast to a cheerful disposition. Janus, the Roman god of transitions, had two faces: one looking...
The Merchant of Venice
Who are Troilus and Cressida and why did Troilus sigh "his soul" toward "Grecian tents"?
Troilus and Cressida are characters from Greek mythology and medieval literature, notably in Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde." Troilus, a Trojan prince, sighs "his soul" toward the "Grecian tents"...