Mrchant of Venice(Act 4 Scene 1 and Line Study)

What does the Duke believe Antonio intends to do?
He believes Antonio is going to show Shylock mercy.

What does Shylock intend to do?
To receive his pound of flesh from Antonio.

Why must this law be allowed to stand (why can't the judge dismiss this case)?
Because if this bond is overruled it would threaten the legal security in Venice. 

Shylock is very clear about the restrictions in the wording of the deed. How does Portia use these loopholes? 
Portia found and used three loopholes- the first being no blood is to be spilled or else his land will be confiscated. The second is that Shylock is not to take more or less than the agreed pound of flesh or his land would be confiscated. The third is that any foreign person who attempts to murder someone in Venice would have half of his possessions given to the victim and half to the state. 

What penalties does Shylock now have to pay? Are they fair?
Shylock now has to have half of his possessions taken and given to Antonio and the other half was given to the state of Venice. They are fair because Shylock did break the law. 

How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result? 
Antonio said that he would go along with Shylock's punishments as long as his money was put in a trust to give to Lorenzo and Jessica. The pair receive a large sum of money due to this.

What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant?
She claimed the wedding ring of her husband, the ring that Bassanio agreed not to ever lose or give away. 

Portia tells Shylock 'the quality of mercy is not strained'. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him?
Portia makes a long speech about mercy, quoting, "No one shows mercy because he has to."She is willing for mercy.

Act Four, Scene One- Line Study

Antonio gives us three short images of how useless any attempt by Bassanio to save his life will be...

What are they?
Antonio says "You may question with the wolf Why he hath made the ewe bleat for lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops and to make no noise When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard As seek to soften that-than which what's harder.

What do they tell us about one of Shakespeare's interests?
I think that he likes nature.

Do you think this is an effective way of demonstrating the problem?

I think that this was a good part Antonio said because it showed a picture in your head of what he said and I think that's what Shakespeare wanted us to see and feel like it was part of us.

Shylock uses vivid comparisons when he wants to make a point.

What example does he use to illustrate the fact that the pound of flesh is his: ‘tis mine and I will have it’

Shylock uses terrible living conditions to compare what he was saying.

It is much longer comparison than the three used by Antonio but do you think it is more striking/effective/convincing?

I think it is because he is relating to Antonio more.