Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
GRATIANO: O learned judge! – Mark, Jew: a learned
judge!
SHYLOCK: I take this offer, then; pay the bond thrice,
And let the Christian go.
(i) Why does Shylock suddenly decide to accept this offer? [2]
(ii) Who has made this offer? Who stops Shylock from accepting this offer? [2]
(iii) Shylock decides to leave the court without even receiving the principal amount.
What other crime is he accused of? What further punishment does he face for this
crime?
GRATIANO: O learned judge! – Mark, Jew: a learned
judge!
SHYLOCK: I take this offer, then; pay the bond thrice,
And let the Christian go.
(i) Why does Shylock suddenly decide to accept this offer? [2]
(ii) Who has made this offer? Who stops Shylock from accepting this offer? [2]
(iii) Shylock decides to leave the court without even receiving the principal amount.
What other crime is he accused of? What further punishment does he face for this
crime?
Answers & Comments
i think this Questions are of the last scenes and i haven't reached there , please think twice before copying my ans. it might be contrary as i had took a mindset of the extract of ACT-1
Answer:
(i). Shylock has been insisting to have his bond and justice. Portia has caught Shylock in his own trap by saying that he can lawfully claim his pound of flesh but he must not shed a single drop of blood. Shylock understands that he has been outwitted and decides to accept the offer.
(ii). Bassanio, who is Antonio's friend, has made this offer to Shylock.
Portia stops Shylock from accepting this offer because he has refused it in front of the whole court.
(iii). Shylock has indirectly attempted to take the life of a Venetian citizen, that is, Antonio.
According to the Venetian law, if it was proven against a foreigner that he attempted to take the life of a Venetian, the state of Venice shall seize one half of his goods and the other half goes to the person whom he tried to kill (in this case, Antonio).
Hope it helps.
Have a good day!