Q 01/05

What is Shylock's trade in the play?

A) Ship-owner

B) Moneylender

C) Lawyer

D) Merchant

Answer · why

B) Moneylender

The title character is actually Antonio, the merchant who defaults on the loan; Shylock is simply the more memorable part.

Q 02/05

Between which years is The Merchant of Venice believed to have been written?

A) 1608 and 1610

B) 1589 and 1591

C) 1601 and 1603

D) 1596 and 1598

Answer · why

D) 1596 and 1598

Francis Meres mentioned it in 1598, so it must already have been familiar on stage by then.

Q 03/05

How is The Merchant of Venice classified in the First Folio of 1623?

A) A romance

B) A comedy

C) A tragedy

D) A history

Answer · why

B) A comedy

Despite that label it is remembered chiefly for its dramatic scenes and Shylock's demand for a pound of flesh.

Q 04/05

How many ducats does Bassanio need to borrow so he can woo Portia in style?

A) 3,000

B) 300

C) 500

D) 10,000

Answer · why

A) 3,000

He has squandered his own estate, and Antonio has bailed him out repeatedly before.

Q 05/05

Why does Antonio have no ready cash to lend Bassanio himself?

A) His ships and goods are all at sea

B) He gave his fortune to the church

C) He lost it gambling with Gratiano

D) He has just paid a huge fine

Answer · why

A) His ships and goods are all at sea

His vessels are bound for Tripolis, the Indies, Mexico and England, so he guarantees a loan instead.