The Merchant of Venice Characters Quiz
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare · 8 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 6 min
Test your knowledge of The Merchant of Venice with 8 characters questions with answers and explanations — motives, relationships and how characters change. Ideal for revision once you have read the whole play.
Motives, relationships and how characters change. Drawn from the whole play — contains spoilers.
Skills tested: Character · Difficulty: Standard
The Merchant of Venice Characters questions
The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.
- How does Portia feel about her dead father's casket test?
She trusts it to find her the richest man · She plans to cheat it for Bassanio's sake · She resents that she cannot choose for herself · She thinks it is a harmless family game
- What grievance against Antonio does Shylock remind him of?
Antonio has spat on him and called him a dog · Antonio has cheated him in business · Antonio stole his daughter away · Antonio reported him to the Duke
- What does the Prince of Arragon's choice of silver reveal about him?
He thinks he deserves the prize · He is wise enough to doubt appearances · He values love above all wealth · He wants to please Portia alone
- How does Portia respond to news that Antonio's bond is forfeit?
She refuses to let Bassanio leave · She blames Bassanio for the danger · She offers gold to pay the debt many times over · She writes to the Duke for a pardon
- What does Portia, still disguised, ask Bassanio for as her fee?
The ring she gave him at their betrothal · A pound of his own flesh in jest · A share of Antonio's cargoes · A promise never to borrow money
- Why does Portia accuse Bassanio over the ring?
She truly believes he has another wife · To tease him, knowing she was the lawyer · She wants to break off the marriage · She thinks Antonio stole the ring
- Who is the 'merchant' of the title?
Shylock · Antonio · Bassanio · Tubal
- Who marries Nerissa?
Lorenzo · Antonio · Gratiano · Launcelot
More The Merchant of Venice practice: all The Merchant of Venice quizzes · characters quiz · themes quiz · plot recall quiz · read The Merchant of Venice free
Original questions written for Pagine. Quotations are from the public-domain text.
Frequently asked questions
Is this The Merchant of Venice Characters quiz free?
Yes. All 8 questions are free with answers and explanations. Play online with instant feedback, or print it as a test with an answer key — no sign-up needed.
What does the The Merchant of Venice Characters quiz cover?
8 characters questions drawn from every part of The Merchant of Venice. Motives, relationships and how characters change. It tests character at standard level.
Does it contain spoilers?
Yes — it draws on the whole play, including the ending.
Can I use it with a class?
Yes. Print it with the answer key for a reading check, homework or revision lesson, or share the link so students can take it online.
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