The Merchant of venice Act 2.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 1 summary.

The Prince of Morocco is visiting to see if he can marry Portia. He asks her to look past his skin colour. she says there is more than looks to win her love but it is not up to her. He must do the chest test.

1.We have watched racial and religious tensions at work in A1S3. The Prince of Morocco opens A2S1 with another sensitive issue. What is it?
skin colour. he said not to judge him on his skin colour.

2.If Antonio loses his gamble, he must forfeit a pound of flesh. What must Portia’s suitors give up if they fail to win her?
asking another woman's hand in marriage

3.What is Portia’s opinion of the Prince of Morocco- give examples. 
he is just like any other suitors. he is not specle. "your self, renowned prince then stood as fair as any comer I have look'd on yet for my affection."

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 2 summary
Launcelot is talking himself about leaving Shylock. His blind father comes up to him and, not knowing it is him, asks for directions to shylocks. Launcelot decides to be an ass and annoy him. They start talking about Launcelot, but, Launcelot keeps asking "We are talking about Launcelot right?" "just making sure, it is Launcelot we are talking about?" He ends up convincing Gobbo, his father, to let him leave working shylock and go work with Bassanio. they talk to him for a bit and Launcelot gets the job. they leave and Gratiano comes and asks to go to belmont with him. Bassanio basically says "You can come, as long as you don't get drunk and do stupid things" Gratiano argress but says "you can not put what happens tonight as we are not at Belmont"

1. Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Because you can stick your finger in between his ribs he is so thin ( "I am famished in his service, you may tell every finger I have with my ribs.")

2. Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

Because Gratiano gets drunk and does stupid things that will embarrass him and Bassanio.

In lines 114-142...
Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to

a. frequent interruptions.

"Here is my son sir, a poor boy-"

"Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich jew's man; That would sir,- as my father will specify-"

"He hath a great infection sir, one would say to serve-

"indeed....."

b. contradictions

"Here is my son sir, a poor boy-"

"Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich jew's man

c. misuse of words to impress. 

I cant find any

Find examples of each of these in the text.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 3 Summary

Jesseca is going to leave Shylock (Her father) and run away with Lorenzo. She gives a note to Launcelot and he will give it to Lorenzo.

1. What does Jessica think of her life at home? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking. 

She doesn't like it. ("Our house is hell and thou a merry devil)

2. Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry?

Lorenzo

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 4 summary

Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio and Solanio are talking of plans and Launcelot comes with a letter from Jesseca. They talk for a bit before leaving to collect Jesseca.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 4 questions

1. How does Jessica get a message to her lover?

She gives the letter to Launcelot who in turn gives it to Lorenzo

2. How will she be disguised for the elopement?
she will be dressed as a boy.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 5 summary
Shylock is talking to Launcelot   about him working for Bassanio and calls for Jessica. Launcelot calls her as well. She comes and Shylock tells her that he is going out to supper and there is to be a masquerade type thing so to stay away from the windows and to lock the doors. Launcelot says that there may be a Christian that will come passed that will be worth looking out the window for, ie Lorenzo. Shylock leaves, leaving her alone.

Act Two, Scene Five questions

1. Why is Shylock uneasy about going out for the evening? Give evidence from the text to support your thinking.
because the masquerade going to happen "What! Are there Masques? Hear you me Jessica: Lock up my doors and when you hear the drum.... By Jacob's staff I swear I have no mind of feasting forth to-night; but I will go. go you before me sirrah; say I will come"


The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 6 summary
Gratiano and Salerio are waiting beneath Jessica's window for Lorenzo to come. He eventually comes and calls for Jessica. She is dressed in boys clothes and she is embarrassed about it. She gives them a box full of money and jewels and climbs down the rope. Lorenzo asks her to be his torch bearer for to-night. Everyone leaves except Gratiano. Antonio comes and tell him that they are leaving for Belmont to-night.


Act Two, Scene Six Questions
1. How does Launcelot manage to tell Jessica that Lorenzo will be there that evening?

When Shylock tells her that the masquerade is happening and not to look out the window, Launcelot tells her that a certain christian will come that would be worth looking out for.

2. What does Jessica throw down to Lorenzo?
a casket box thing filled with riches

3. Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano?
Because they are going to belmont earlier than planned

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 7 summary
The Prince of Morocco is trying his luck with the caskets for Portia's hand in marriage. He asks how he will know if he wins and Portia tells him that her picture will be in the caskets and if he picks the on with it in it then she is all his. If not, he must never ask another woman's hand in marriage. He looks at the three caskets. Gold, Silver and lead. After 'careful' debate he picks the Gold box. He opens it and finds............. a skell.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 7 Questions

1. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait. Use evidence of the text to justify your answer.

The Gold Casket "Stamped in gold but that's insculped upon; But here an angel in a golden bed lies within. Deliver me the key"

2.How is Portia feeling in A2S7

a. at the beginning,

b. while the Prince is making his choice,

c. at the end

A. Scared and nervous

B. Hopeful

C. Relieved

3.What was Portia's father trying to achieve by the use of the caskets. Does this seem to be working?
Portia father was trying to get the best suitor for Portia and yes it seems to be working.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 8 summary
Solanio and Salerio are talking about Bassanio and Gratiano going on the ship to Belmont. They have also heard Shylock going around the streets crying about his lost daughter and lost money. Salerio mentions that someone had said that there was a ship that sunk, filled with riches. They hope it is not Antonios.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 8 Questions

1. What double disaster has struck Shylock?

His daughter has run away with his money

2.Where did Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica might be?

On the ship with Bassanio and Gratiano

3.How did Bassanio and Antonio part?

Bassanio said he would come back quickly, but Antonio told him to take his time, enjoy himself and not worry about him.

4.What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? Find a quote that tells you this.
"I reasoned with a frenchman yesterday, who told me, in the narrow sea that part the french and english, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught. I thought upon Antonio when he told me, and wished in silence that is were not his."

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 9 summary
In Belmont the Prince of Arragon is about to make his choice of casket. In short, he picks the silver. They then get news that a Venetian man has arrived.

The Merchant of venice Act 2 scene 9 Questions

1. What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?

to basically say, sorry, you failed, please leave and never ask another's hand in marriage. good bye, have a good life.

2. Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden caskets. What does his interpretation of the inscription tell us about his character?

He is proud and arrogant. "I will not jump in with common spirits"

3. What is Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival?She is eager to know if it is him, and is happy that it is


That is Act 2 finshed. I am soooooo behind. Oh well. On to Act 3