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The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

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The Merchant of Venice Questions on Act 4

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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...

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The Merchant of Venice

The trial in Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice is largely seen as unfair. Portia, posing as a lawyer without credentials, manipulates the court, and Shylock is denied a legitimate trial. The Duke and...

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The Merchant of Venice

In "The Merchant of Venice," Antonio's ship is indeed wrecked, as confirmed by characters like Salarino and Tubal. Rumors of the wreck contribute to Shylock's determination to claim his pound of...

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The Merchant of Venice

The main mood in the court scene is comedic and ironic, despite the serious stakes for Antonio and Shylock. This mood arises from Shylock's exaggerated insistence on his payment and Portia's...

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The Merchant of Venice

The Duke feels indebted to Portia because she ingeniously saves Antonio's life by finding a legal loophole in Shylock's bond. Although disguised as a young lawyer, Portia thoroughly studies Venetian...

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The Merchant of Venice

A Jewish perspective on Antonio's trial would highlight Shylock's demand for justice against an antisemitic adversary, underscoring Shylock's speech on shared humanity: "Hath not a Jew eyes?" The...

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