Question

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.

1. Why does Shylock suddenly decide to accept this offer?      [2] 
2. Who has made this offer? Who stops Shylock from accepting this offer?      [2]
3. 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?        [3] 
4. Later in this scene, how does the Duke show that he is merciful? What does Shylock say in response to the Duke’s act of mercy?         [3]

Answer 1

1. Shylock suddenly decides to accept the offer that Bassanio had made previously because now he is trapped and his plan of revenge has failed. Now he wants to gain whatever is possible.
2. Bassanio has made this offer. Portia stops Bassanio from accepting this offer.
3. Besides conspiring a murder against a Venetian citizen being a foreigner, Shylock has also attempted to murder a Christian.
   By the law of Venice, one half of Shylock's property will be given to Antonio, and the other half will go to the state's treasury. Further, Antonio forces him to convert into a Christian.
4. Later in this scene, the Duke pardons Shylock's life for his crime and reminds him that it was the difference between the Christians and the Jews. The Duke grants his life but confiscates all his property. To this, Shylock replies that he did him no good by granting him his life because although he has given him a house to live in, he has taken away all its pillars. Now he has no means to survive.