Question

Read the following extract from Act 4 of “The Merchant of Venice” and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate option from the choices given below:

Bassanio: Good Cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!
The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood!

Antonio: I am a tainted wether of the flock,
Meetest for death. The weakest kind of fruit
Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.

Under what circumstances did the conversation between Bassanio and Antonio take place?

[1 mark]

• A. The case seemed to be in favour of Antonio
• B. The case seems to be in favour of Shylock
• C. The case seems to be in the favour of Bassanio
• D. The case is dismissed

Answer 1

The correct option is B The case seems to be in favour of Shylock

The dialogue between Bassanio and Antonio is enacted when the case seems to favour Shylock. Bassanio’s pleading and the duke’s appeal to Shylock were of no use, and Shylock continued to demand justice according to the law.