The Merchant of Venice
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Act 1, scene 1
Act 1, scene 2
Act 1, scene 3
Act 2, scene 1
Act 2, scene 2
Act 2, scene 3
Act 2, scene 4
Act 2, scene 5
Act 2, scene 6
Act 2, scene 7
Act 2, scene 8
Act 2, scene 9
Act 3, scene 1
Act 3, scene 2
Act 3, scene 3
Act 3, scene 4
Act 3, scene 5
Act 4, scene 1
Act 4, scene 2
Act 5, scene 1
Themes
All Themes
Prejudice and Intolerance
Human and Animal
Law, Mercy, and Revenge
Greed vs. Generosity
Reading and Interpretation
Love and Friendship
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Shylock
Antonio
Portia
Bassanio
Symbols
All Symbols
Stones, Rings, and Caskets
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices
Allusions
Dramatic Irony
Ethos
Flashbacks
Foil
Foreshadowing
Genre
Idioms
Imagery
Irony
Logos
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Pathos
Satire
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Soliloquy
Stream of Consciousness
Style
Tone
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Act 1, scene 1 Quiz
Act 1, scene 2 Quiz
Act 1, scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, scene 1 Quiz
Act 2, scene 2 Quiz
Act 2, scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, scene 4 Quiz
Act 2, scene 5 Quiz
Act 2, scene 6 Quiz
Act 2, scene 7 Quiz
Act 2, scene 8 Quiz
Act 2, scene 9 Quiz
Act 3, scene 1 Quiz
Act 3, scene 2 Quiz
Act 3, scene 3 Quiz
Act 3, scene 4 Quiz
Act 3, scene 5 Quiz
Act 4, scene 1 Quiz
Act 4, scene 2 Quiz
Act 5, scene 1 Quiz
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The Merchant of Venice
by
William Shakespeare
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Introduction
Intro
Plot Summary
Plot
Summary & Analysis
Act 1, scene 1
Act 1, scene 2
Act 1, scene 3
Act 2, scene 1
Act 2, scene 2
Act 2, scene 3
Act 2, scene 4
Act 2, scene 5
Act 2, scene 6
Act 2, scene 7
Act 2, scene 8
Act 2, scene 9
Act 3, scene 1
Act 3, scene 2
Act 3, scene 3
Act 3, scene 4
Act 3, scene 5
Act 4, scene 1
Act 4, scene 2
Act 5, scene 1
Themes
All Themes
Prejudice and Intolerance
Human and Animal
Law, Mercy, and Revenge
Greed vs. Generosity
Reading and Interpretation
Love and Friendship
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Shylock
Antonio
Portia
Bassanio
Symbols
All Symbols
Stones, Rings, and Caskets
Lit Devices
All Literary Devices
Allusions
Dramatic Irony
Ethos
Flashbacks
Foil
Foreshadowing
Genre
Idioms
Imagery
Irony
Logos
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Pathos
Satire
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Soliloquy
Stream of Consciousness
Style
Tone
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Act 1, scene 1 Quiz
Act 1, scene 2 Quiz
Act 1, scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, scene 1 Quiz
Act 2, scene 2 Quiz
Act 2, scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, scene 4 Quiz
Act 2, scene 5 Quiz
Act 2, scene 6 Quiz
Act 2, scene 7 Quiz
Act 2, scene 8 Quiz
Act 2, scene 9 Quiz
Act 3, scene 1 Quiz
Act 3, scene 2 Quiz
Act 3, scene 3 Quiz
Act 3, scene 4 Quiz
Act 3, scene 5 Quiz
Act 4, scene 1 Quiz
Act 4, scene 2 Quiz
Act 5, scene 1 Quiz
Theme Wheel
Theme Viz
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Act 4, scene 2 Quiz
The Merchant of Venice: Act 5, scene 1 Quiz
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Test your knowledge of Act 5, scene 1. Submit your answers to see your results and get feedback.
What do the references to famous couples at the beginning of this scene suggest about love?
1 of 9
That true love is everlasting
That love is easy and natural
That love is difficult and perilous
That love isn't everything
What do Lorenzo's comments about the stars and the music of the spheres suggest about his beliefs?
2 of 9
That he thinks the universe is chaotic and unpredictable
That he thinks the universe is beautiful and ordered by divine law
That he thinks the universe is indifferent to human emotions
That he thinks the universe is a constant source of conflict and turmoil
What does Portia ask Lorenzo and Jessica to keep secret?
3 of 9
The fact that she was at the monastery
The fact that she has been absent from her estate
The details of her plan involving the rings
The outcome of the court case
When Bassanio introduces Portia to Antonio, what does he say about his friendship with Antonio?
4 of 9
He says that he is bound to Antonio
He jokes that Antonio is a dangerous man
He says Antonio is the kindest soul in the world
He hints that Antonio might be in love with him
What does the final trick involving the rings highlight?
5 of 9
The transactional aspect of romantic relationships
The power struggle between couples
The danger of making promises one cannot keep
The importance of trust in friendships
What does Portia pretend to be furious about?
6 of 9
Bassanio's dishonesty
Bassanio giving away the ring
Bassanio's lack of attention towards her
Bassanio's inability to defend himself
What does Portia pretend to have done in order to get the ring back from the lawyer?
7 of 9
She pretends to have stolen it from the lawyer's office
She pretends to have traded another valuable item for it
She pretends to have won it back in a court case
She pretends to have slept with the lawyer
What good news does Antonio receive in this final scene?
8 of 9
He learns that he will receive a large inheritance
He learns that his legal troubles have been resolved
He learns that three of his ships have come to harbor
He learns that he will become a partner in a successful business
What question does the play's lighthearted ending invite audiences to ask themselves?
9 of 9
It invites the audience to question whether the remorseless characters are any better than Shylock
It invites the audience to question whether Shylock will perhaps return to take revenge
It invites the audience to question whether or not the characters value money more than they value love
All of the above
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Weigel, Moira. "The Merchant of Venice."
LitCharts.
LitCharts LLC, 22 Jul 2013. Web. 27 Apr 2025.
Weigel, Moira. "The Merchant of Venice." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 22 Jul 2013. Web. 27 Apr 2025.
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