Do you like Jessica?  Why?  In what ways are Portia and Jessica alike in the generousness of love though opposite in circumstances?

Is Jessica’s elopement to blame for her father’s joy in the wreckage of Anthonio’s ships and his final exaction of the bond?  Was it introduced in the Plot for this purpose?

ACT III

BASSANIO’S LUCK AND ANTHONIO’S LOSS

Shakespeare’s creed of love as engendered in the eyes may be illustrated by passages in many other plays as well as this.  What is meant by it?

Is Bassanio’s daring in venturing so much for his chance with Portia itself a sign of his fitness, or the reverse?  How is his casket significant of this test-stone—­i.e., adventurousness?

Is the match of Nerissa and Gratiano an irrelevance to Portia’s and Bassanio’s courtship or an enhancement of their happiness?  Show how the two points of climax in event and feeling balance absolutely but do not sacrifice each other?  Are Shakespeare’s experiments in bold juxtaposition of extreme fortune and happiness and utterly irretrievable devastation anywhere so poignant as the arrival of Anthonio’s letter at the betrothal of Bassanio and Portia?

QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION

Is the secret of Bassanio’s adventurousness the supreme honor in which he holds love?  Nothing else being of so much consequence, he yields everything to love.  Does Jessica, also?

The “manners” of Portia, according to Gildon, “are not always agreeable or convenient to her Sex and Quality; particularly where she scarce preserves her modesty in the expression.”  What is to be thought of this?

Is Anthonio’s letter characteristic of his nobleness as a friend, or is it too insistent upon bringing Bassanio to him, since to send such a letter was equivalent to fetching him?

Is it Portia’s best warrant as a noble bride and wife that she appreciates Anthonio’s message and friendship?

ACT IV

THE LUCK REDEEMS THE LOSS

By means of Bassanio’s luck in winning Portia’s love and hand Shylock is finally defeated of his malicious purpose.  Portia considered as the embodiment of Bassanio’s luck and the instrument bringing Shylock to confusion.

Does it matter whether the law-point is disputable or not since the traditional stories on which the Play is built up afford the opportunity for its use?

Does Shylock get Justice, since he had refused mercy?

Illustrate the legal knowledge and studies of Italian women of the Renaissance affording a parallel for Portia’s sagacity and leadership.  (For hints see pp. 256-260 in “First Folio Edition.”)

QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION

Do you think Shylock is wronged?