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• For Eduqas, The Merchant of Venice is examined in Section A of Component 1 of your English Literature exam – Shakespeare and Poetry.

• The question is in two parts. You will be asked an extract question and a separate essay question about the play as whole.

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Remember

This is a closed book exam, so you will not be allowed to take a copy of the text in with you.

The question for Eduqas is broken down into two parts:

• an extract-based question

• and an essay on the wider text.

For this guide, we will focus on the extract-based question only.

Example question

Read the extract below. Then answer the following question.

(a) Look at how Shylock and Antonio speak with one another in this extract.

• How do you think this extract shows Antonio’s prejudice and intolerance?

Refer closely to details from the extract to support your answer.

Before you start writing your answer, make sure you understand the question properly by asking yourself:

Your exam response will be marked using Assessment Objectives (AOs).

The ones for this question are below.

As part of your answer you will need to analyse how Shakespeare shows prejudice and intolerance in this specific extract.

At the start of your answer, it is helpful to have a short introduction.

An effective introduction should give a summary of the ideas you are about to present, and link to the question and the writer’s message.

After your introduction, each paragraph should include:

• A topic sentence, which uses some of the language of the question, to introduce your argument

• Evidence that supports your argument

• Analysis of the effects of language or dramatic techniques

• A final sentence that acts as a mini-summary.

You could include a short conclusion at the end of your answer to summarise the points you have made.

Example question

Read the extract below. Then answer the following question.

(a) Look at how Shylock and Antonio speak with one another in this extract.

• How do you think this extract shows Antonio’s prejudice and intolerance?

Refer closely to details from the extract to support your answer.

Answers could include:

In this extract, Shylock remembers and is subjected to antisemitic abuse from Antonio. The extract shows the prejudice that many Christians had towards Jewish people during Shakespeare’s time.

Antonio is intolerant of Shylock’s views and calls Shylock a "misbeliever". Antonio considers Shylock’s religious views to be wrong rather than just different to his own. The treatment given to Shylock here mirrors the treatment given to him by other Christians in the play, who call him “dog Jew”, “usurer” and “the Jew” rather than by his own name.

Another element of Antonio’s prejudice against Shylock, seen in this extract, arises from him being a moneylender who charges interest. Some Christians at the time accused Jewish people of “usury” - the lending of money at extortionate rates. This is why Antonio suggests it is better for Shylock to lend money to his enemy rather than his friend, as he will enjoy penalising his enemy with interest and charges for non-payment.

In addition to being verbally insulted for his religion and business practices, the extract shows that Shylock is physically abused by Antonio too. He is spat at and kicked, and treated worse than a dog: "You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, / And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur."

Shockingly, Antonio acknowledges his behaviour, and says that he would do the same again if he had the chance.

In the extract, Shylock uses a metaphor to describe Jewish suffrance as a "badge". He says that Jewish people have been forced to put up with so much prejudice and intolerance that they have become used to it and respond with “a patient shrug”. Shylock mocks this state of affairs when he asks if he should be grateful that Antonio wants to do business with him. He asks if he should “bend low” and speak with “whisp’ring humbleness”.