ACT
II Scene 1
1.
(i)
Where does this scene take place? Who are present in the scene? What
explanation
does Morocco give for his dark complexion?
This
scene takes place in a room in Portia's house at Belmont. People
present
are: Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, Nerrissa and
her
attendants. Morocco says that he got his dark colour because of the
fierce
of the Sun. He was born and brought up in a country where the sun is
very
close to the earth.
ii)
What qualities does a creature born in north have? Why?
People
born in north are fair-skinned. This is because the sun's rays are
so
faint in the north that they are hardly able to melt the frost, snow
and
icicles.
iii)
Who is Phoebus and what is meant by Phoebus' fire? What test does
the
speaker propose, to prove 'whose blood is reddest'?
Phoebus
in Greek mythology is one of the names of the Sun God, Apollo.
"Phoebus'
fire" means the rays of the sun. Morocco proposes that he
should
be matched with any fair-skinned man born in the north. They
should
open their veins to see whose blood is redder. Red blood was
considered
to be a sign of courage.
iv)
What effect does the physical appearance of Morocco have on the brave
men
and the prettiest women of his country?
Morocco's
physical appearance frightened the brave men whereas the
prettiest
women admired and loved it.
v)
On what condition is the speaker prepared to change his dark complexion?
What
idea do you get about the character of the Prince of Morocco from the extract?
The
speaker is prepared to change his dark complexion only to win
over
Portia's favour.
From
the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior and
self-assured
man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is
proud
of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is
better
than other people. He boasts of his red blood and the admiration
and
affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles and best of maidens.
2.
i)
What is the lottery of Portia's destiny? How does it prevent her from the
right
of voluntary choosing?
Lottery
of Portia's destiny refers to the lottery devised according to
her
deceased father's will. According to the lottery, each suitor has to
choose
from amongst the three caskets of gold, silver and lead and one of those
casket
is containing Portia's portrait. The suitor who will make the correct choice
will
win Portia's hand in marriage. The lottery of caskets designed by
her
father, thus prevents Portia from exercising her freedom of choice.
The
suitor, who will make the right choice will win her as wife.
ii)
Give the meaning of:
But
if my father had not scanted me,
And
hedged me by his wit, to yield myself
His
wife who wins me by that means I told you,
These
lines mean: "If I had not been limited and restricted by my father's
wisdom
and obliged to accept for a husband the one who will succeed
in
winning me by the means I have told you."
iii)
How prudent was Portia's father to have arranged her marriage through a
lottery?
Give
a reason for your answer.
Portia's
father was prudent to have arranged for her marriage through
a
lottery. We see that at the end the wisdom of her father prevails and
she
is won as wife by Bassanio whom she
loves and admires.
(iv)
Give the brief character sketch of the Prince of Morocco in this scene.
From
the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior and
self-assured
man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is
proud
of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better
than
other people. He boasts of his red blood and the admiration and
affection
he enjoys in his land from the nobles and best of maidens. He admits
that
the lottery of the caskets has no consideration for heroism and can be won by
anyone,
even an undeserving candidate. He harps on the idea of chance
-
choice, lottery, destiny, choosing, fortune and hazards.
3.
i)
What is meant by a 'scimitar'? What conquests did Morocco make by
using
his scimitar?
"Scimitar"
means sword. By using his sword, Morocco had slain the
Emperor
of Persia and a Persian Prince, who had defeated Sultan
Solyman
of Turkey thrice.
ii)
State two of the brave deeds Morocco is prepared to carry out in order
to
win Portia.
The
brave deeds Morocco is prepared to perform in order to win Portia are:
(1)
to challenge the most brave warrior on earth.
(2)
snatch away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear and dare
her
wrath.
iii)
Who are Hercules and Lichas? What could happen if they were to play
a
game of dice? In what way is this example applicable to Morocco?
In
Greek mythology, Hercules was renowned for his manliness, strength
and
exploits. Lichas was his servant. According to the legend, once
Hercules
and Lichas were playing a game of dice. By chance, the winning
throw
came from Lichas. This example is applicable to Morocco since
his
fame, wealth and achievements are of no help to him to win Portia.
He
is forced to take his chance against any inferior rival.
iv)
Why is the fortune said to be blind? What does Morocco fear since the
blind
fortune is leading him to choose the casket?
The
goddess fortune is usually represented blindfolded. Fortune is said
to
be blind due to the unaccountable variations in her dispensation of
favours
to mankind. He fears that as the blind fortune is leading him
to
choose the right casket, the outcome depends only on chance as in
a
game of dice.
v)
What final instruction does Portia give to Morocco before he is led to
make
the choice? .
Before
he is led to make the choice, Portia tells Morocco that he must take
a
chance. He must either leave the matter altogether and not make the
attempt
or swear in the Chapel before choosing, that if he makes the wrong
choice,
he will never again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.
vi)Why
does Portia ask Morocco to go to the temple before he makes the
choice
of the casket? -
Before
he makes the choice of the Casket, Portia asks Morocco to go to
the
temple to swear an oath that if he makes the wrong choice, he will
never
again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.
ACT
II Scene 2
Read
the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1.
i)
Who is Launcelot Gobbo? What inner struggle is going on in his
conscience?
What does his struggle show about the contemporary
Christian
practice? .
Launcelot
Gobbo is Shylock's servant. An inner struggle is going on in
his
mind between his conscience advising him to be a faithful servant
and
the devil tempting him to leave Shylock's service and take up
service
with Bassanio. Launcelot's inner struggle shows the contemporary
Christian
practice of struggling with the temptation to yield to it or not.
ii)
Why does Launcelot want to run away from the Jew? What does his
conscience
advise him to do?
Launcelot
wants to run away from the Jew because his master, Shylock is
the
very devil in human form. According to Launcelot, Shylock is a
miserly
man under whose service he remains famished. Besides, he fears
that
he would become a Jew if he served Shylock any longer. Initially,
his
conscience tells him not to run away from Shylock's household
and
to be careful. However, when the devil persuades him to flee, his
conscience
tells him that as he is the child of a good father or at least
a
good mother and so, he should stay where he is and not move.
iii)
Launcelot's speech provides some comic relief in the play. Why was such
a
relief needed in the context of the play? [Hint: What was happening
in
the previous scene?]
In-this
scene Launcelot provides some comic relief in the play. In the
context
of the play such a relief was needed because the previous scene
related
to the bond story, depicted a serious mood where Antonio agrees
to
sign a treacherous bond that stipulates a pound of his flesh in case
he
forfeits the agreement.
iv)
Enumerate the reasons given by Launcelot's conscience to stay on with
the
master.
Launclot's
conscience advises him not to run away as such an act of fleeing
is
a matter of contempt. It adds that he is the child of a good father or
at
least a good mother and hence he should stay on with the master.·
v)
Finally, whom does Launcelot obey - the devil or his conscience? How
is
the theme of racial discrimination brought out in Launcelot's decision
to
run away?
Finally,
Launcelot obeys the devil. The theme of racial discrimination is
brought
out in Launcelot's decision to run away because he runs away
from
his master, Shylock, who was a Jew and takes up service with
Bassanio,
a Christian.
vi)
How is the theme of conflict between the goad and the evil shown in
this
-scene?
The
theme of conflict between the good and the evil is shown in this scene.
Launcelot's
conscience advises him to stay on with his master while the
devil
advises him to flee. He feels the devil's advice as good and that
of
the conscience as rigid. He follows the good advice of the devil.
2.
i)
Where are Launcelot and old Gobbo? What is meant by 'true-begotten
father'?
Why can't old Cobbo recognise his son?
Launcelot
and old Gobbo are in a street in Venice. 'True-begotten father'
means
'my father who begot me". Old Gobbo cannot recognise his son
as
he is more than half-blind.
ii)
Why is old Gobbo looking for the way to Master Jew's house? How
does
Launcelot confuse the old man while giving directions to him to
reach
the Jew's house?
Old
Gobbo is looking for the way to the jew's house to go there to find
out
if his son Launcelot, who was working as a servant in Shylock's
household
is still there. Launcelot confuses Gobbo by giving him wrong
directions
to Shylock's house.
iii)
What was Gpbbo's reaction to the direction given to him by Launcelot?
Gobbo
says that by the saints, it was a difficult direction to follow.
iv)
What present has Gobbo brought to give to the Jew? What does Launcelot
say
to his father about it?
Cobbo
has brought a dish of cooked doves to give to the Jew. Launcelot
tells
his father to give Shylock a rope to hang himself with rather than
any
present because he has half-starved him.
v)
Launcelot plays a comic role in this scene. Give two examples of comedy
provided
by him.
When
Gobbo asks Launcelot the way to Shylock's house, the wrong
directions
which Launcelot gives him provide real comedy in the scene.
The
directions are too confusing for Old Gobbo to follow. The second
example
is Launcelot asking his father's blessing. He kneels before
his
father. Being blind, his father touches Launcelot's face and says that
Launcelot
has more hair on his face than that Dobbin, his cart-horse.
3.
Why
does Launcelot use high-sounding words in his conversation with
Gobbo?
What does Shakespeare want to convey to the audience in this
context
about the habit of some people in his time?
Launcelot
uses high-sounding words in his conversation with Gobbo to impress him
that
he possesses classical learning and is a gentleman.
Shakespeare
wants to convey to the audience the habit of some vain people of
his
time who pretended to be what they were not.
ii)
Why does Launcelot call old Gobbo 'father' in the first line of the extract?
Give
the meaning of:
'according
to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three
and
such branches of learning,
Launcelot
calls Old Gobbo 'father' in' the first line of the extract as he
plans
to reveal his identity gradually to him. In the given lines Launcelot
tells
Gobbo that according to his Fate or Destiny or the Three Sisters of
the
ancient Greeks and such other branches of learning the young man
is
dead.
iii)
How does Gobbo react to the news of the apparent loss of his son?
Old
Gobbo is stunned on hearing that his son is dead. He states that
his
son was his only support in his old age.
iv)
How does Launcelot show dramatically that he is Gobbo's son? Why
does
the former refer to his mother's name in the context?
When
Gobbo asks Launcelot to tell him whether his son is really dead
or
not, Launcelot dramatically confesses that he is Gobbo's son. But
Gobbo
does not believe him. Then Launcelot mentions the name of his
mother,
Margery, as a proof to show that he is really Gobbo's son.
v)
How does Gobbo show by words and actions that he is fond of his son?
Gobbo
is fond of his son. When Launcelot tells him that his son is
dead,
Gobbo is shocked to hear it and laments that his son was his
only
support in his old age. Further Gobbo does not believe Launcelot's
confession
till he mentions the name of his mother. When Launcelot
tells
him that he is his son, Gobbo, being blind, feels Launcelot's face
to
ascertain that he is actually his son.
vi)
Give any two humorous situations frorn this scene.
One
humorous situation is when Launcelot gives Gobbo directions to go
to
Shylock's house. The directions are so confusing that Gobbo does not
follow
it. Another humorous situation is the scene of Launcelot asking
his
father's blessing. He kneels in front of his father. His father feels
his
beard and says that Launcelot has more hair on his face than their
cart-horse,
Dobbin has on its tail.
4.
i)
What has just happened that makes Gobbo say that Launcelot has
changed?
What present did Gobbo bring? To whom does he want to
give
it?
When
Gobbo remarked that Launcelot has more hair on his face than
Dobbin,
their shaft-horse has on his tail, Launcelot responded that
Dobbin's
tail is growing less because when he last saw him, he had
more
hair on his tail than he had on his face. At this Gobbo remarked
that
Launcelot has changed. Gobbo has brought a dish of cooked doves
to
give to Shylock.
ii)
Give the meaning of:
(a)
My master's a very Jew: My master is a typical jew, i.e., he is a miserly
man.
(b)
give him a halter: give him a rope to hang himself with.
iii)
How can you conclude from the extract that Launcelot has been suffering
in
the Jew's service?
In
the extract Launcelot tells his father that under Shylock's service
he
has grown so thin for want of proper food that his ribs and bones
are
standing out prominently and can be counted with the finger. This
shows
that Launcelot has been suffering in the Jew's service.
iv)
What do you find strange in the expression: You may tell every finger I
have
with my ribs?
Launcelot
means to say that anyone can count all his ribs by feeling
them
with a finger. But Launcelot reverses the order, thus achieving a
comic
effect.
v)
What special privilege would Launcelot have if he serves Bassanio?
What
would happen if Launcelot were to serve the Jew 'any longer'?
If
Launcelot serves Bassanio, he will have the privilege of having new
uniforms.
According to Launcelot if he works any longer for the Jew,
he
may become a Jew himself. He means that it is impossible for him
to
remain in Shylock's service any further.
vi)
What kind of attitude against the Jews is shown in this scene?
The
miserly nature of the Jews is shown in this scene. Launcelot says
that
he is half famished under Shylock's service and adds that he has
grown
so thin for want of food that his bones and ribs are standing out
prominently
and can be counted with a finger.
5.
i)
How has Launcelot shown that he could speak for himself to be employed
by
Bassanio?
When
Old Gobbo delays in asking Bassanio to accept his son, Launcelot
in
his service, Launcelot cuts him short and tells Bassanio that he wants
to
serve him.
ii)
What impact is the palm-reading by Launcelot likely to make on the
audience?
The
palm-reading by Launcelot provides the audience a comic relief and
foretells
the good fortune that may happen in the life of Launcelot.
iii)
What does Launcelot predict about his wives and his escape from
dangers
to his life?
After
reading his palm, Launcelot foretells that he will have a long life.
He
will marry a large number of wives (eleven widows and nine maids
in
all). He will escape thrice from drowning and will have a hair-breadth
escape
once from falling out from a feather bed.
(iv)
What instructions did Bassanio give to the Gobbos and to his servants
after
employing Launcelot?
After
employing Launcelot, Bassanio tells the Gobbos to go to Shylock
and
bid him farewell and then reach his house. He tells his servants
to
get a uniform for Launcelot with more decorations or ornamental
stripes
than those of his other servants.
(v)
Before this extract Launcelot referred to a proverb which is applicable
both
to Shylock and to Bassanio. What was the proverb and how is it
applicable
to both of them?
The
old proverb that Launcelot mentions is: 'The grace of God is wealth
enough'.
He says that this proverb is equally applicable to Shylock and
Bassanio.
Bassanio is a good man and has the grace of God. Shylock
does
not have grace of God. But he has 'wealth enough'.
6.
i)
Give the context in which Bassanio speaks these words.
Bassanio
speaks these words to Gratiano when the latter makes a request
to
him to permit him to accompany him on his trip to Belmont.
ii)
Give the meaning of:
To
allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy
skipping spirit,
To
tone down your lively spirits by exercising a little moderation.
iii)
Briefly summarise the advice given by Bassanio to Gratiano in the extract.
Bassanio
tells Gratiano that he is uncontrollable, blunt and rough. These
faults
of his are acceptable to Bassanio and his friends as qualities of
his
nature. But his wild behaviour may be misunderstood at Belmont.
Hence,
Bassanio advices him to control his wild behaviour and tone
down
his lively spirits by exercising moderation.
iv)
Why does Bassanio ask Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont?
Bassanio
asks Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont because he fears
that
for people who don't know Gratiano, his behaviour will appear
as
faulty. His wild behaviour will be misunderstood at Belmont and
Bassanio
may lose all chances of marrying Portia.
v)
What assurance does Gratiano give to Bassanio about the latter's advice?
Gratiano
promises to behave in a proper manner. He says that he will
converse
gravely and will seldom use an oath. He will carry prayer
books
in his pockets and look most sedate. During the grace before
meals,
he will veil his eyes with his hat and solemnly say 'Amen'. He
will
do everything that politeness demands and follow all the customs
of
good manners, as though he is trying to please his grandmother by
showing
a quiet and serious behaviour.
vi)
What exception to Gratiano's behaviour is accepted for the particular
night?
Why?
Bassanio
tells Gratiano that his rude behaviour will be tolerated for the
night
because of the party. This is because Bassanio wants that night
to
be one of fun and mirth. He will be sorry to see Gratiano in a sad
mood.
Bassanio would prefer to see him in his wildest spirits and be
in
his most amusing mood.
ACT
II Scene 3
1.
i)
Give reasons for Launcelot's leaving Jessica's house.
Launcelot
left Jessica's house since her father Shylock was a miserly
Jew
and his stay as his servant has half-famished him. He felt that any
further
stay with him would make him like the Jew. Besides, Bassanio
has
accepted him in his service and Launcelot feels that Bassanio is a
better
master.
ii)
Give the meaning of:
Our house is hell, and thou,
a merry devil,
Didst rob it of some taste
of tediousness"
In
the above lines, Jessica says that her house is hell because of her
father's
avarice. Launcelot with his jolly nature and with his antics and
nonsensical
capering has relieved it of much boredom and dullness.
iii)
How does Jessica show in words and action that she liked Launcelot's
presence
in her house?
Jessica
shows in words and actions that she liked Launcelot's presence
in
the house. She calls him a merry devil and thanks him for reducing
the
boredom and dullness in her house. She offers him a ducat too.
iv)
What errand does Jessica give to Launcelot? What precautions does she
ask
him to take while doing the errand?
Jessica
gives to Launcelot the errand of delivering a letter to Lorenzo at
supper
in Bassanio's house that night. She advises him to deliver the
letter
to Lorenzo secretly.
v)
How does Jessica show herself as a scheming but prudent young lady?
In
what way is her character different from that of Portia?
Jessica
shows herself as a scheming lady when she plans to elope with
a
Christian boy, Lorenzo without the knowledge of her father. She
proves
herself to be prudent when she instructs Launcelot to deliver her
letter
to Lorenzo at Bassanio's party secretly. Her character is entirely
different
from that of Portia. While Portia obeys her deceased father's
will
to marry the one who wins the lottery of caskets, Jessica betrays
her
father and religion to marry Lorenzo.
2.
i)
How does Launcelot bid farewell to Jessica? In this context, what are
your
feelings for Launcelot, Jessica and Shylock?
Launcelot
bids farewell to Jessica calling her 'most beautiful pagan'
and
later 'most sweet Jew'. He says that tears prevent his tongue from
uttering
his feelings. We feel happy for Launcelot and Jessica. Launcelot
is
leaving his miserly master and is undertaking Bassanio's service
where
he will be happier. Jessica too will soon escape from the 'hell'
and
marry Lorenzo. We feel sorry for Shylock as he is still obstinate,
miserly
and with evil intentions. Further, he will lose his daughter as
well
as money.
ii)
Why does Jessica regret being the daughter of Shylock? What is the
'heinous
sin' referred to in the extract? Is it really a 'sin'? Give reasons
to
justify your answer.
Jessica
regrets for being the daughter of Shylock due to his behaviour,
for
making her home "hell.' Jessica describes her feeling of being ashamed for
being
her father's daughter as a 'heinous sin'. It is not really a sin because even
though
she is Shylock's daughter by birth, she does not actually detest her father but
detests his miserliness and tyrannical nature.
iii)
Give the meaning of:
But though I am a daughter
to his blood,
I am not to his manners,
The
above lines mean that although I am his daughter by birth, I don't
have
his habits.
iv)
Which promise has Lorenzo to keep? Describe the strife that jessica is
going
to end. Lorenzo has to keep the promise of eloping with Jessica that night. Jessica
will end the struggle between her desire to marry Lorenzo and
her
duty to her father, Shylock.
(v)
Explain Jessica's relationship with her father which is shown in the
scene.
Jessica
is a lively young girl who rebels against the oppression of her father and
the
joylessness of her life at. She calls her home 'hell'. She cannot get along
with
her father. She detests her father's miserliness and tyrinical nature. She
affirms
that though she is Shylock's daughter by birth, she does not share his
disposition. Besides, she is influenced by the Venetians around her to form a
different attitude to life than her
father's. She is ready to leave her father and elope with Lorenzo, a Christian.
ACT
II Scene 4
1.
i)
Why do Lorenzo and his friends plan to disguise themselves at dinner time ?
How
well are they prepared for the disguise?
Lorenzo
and his friends plan to disguise themselves at dinner time since they were organising
a masquerade for Bassanio's dinner party. During Elizabethan period the masque
was an amateur dramatic practice usually performed in private houses. The
players wore masks and costumes and took part in a torch procession, playing
musical instruments. They were not fully prepared for the disguise.
ii)
Who is supposed the torch-bearer? What is the actual purpose of having a
torch-bearer in the scene?
Jessica,
disguised as a boy, is supposed to be the torch-bearer. The actual purpose of having a torch-bearer in the scene is to
facilitate the elopement of Jessica with Lorenzo.
iii)
Whose letter does Launcelot bring? Why is it an important confidential letter?
How
does Lorenzo guess whose letter it is?
Launcelot
brings the letter of Jessica. It is an important confidential letter as it
contains Jessica's plan to elope with Lorenzo. On receiving the letter Lorenzo
guesses whose letter after looking at the handwriting. He declares that the
handwriting is familiar to him and the letter is written by a lovely, fair and
beautiful hand.
iv)
Who is giving the dinner party? Whom does Launcelot invite for dinner?
Bassanio
is giving dinner party. Launcelot invites Shylock for the dinner party.
v)
Describe briefly how the dinner party facilitates the elopement of Jessica with
Lorenzo. The dinner party facilitates the elopement of Jessica with Lorenzo.
Jessica is free to leave her house as her father is away at Bassanio's dinner
party. Lorenzo and his friends organise
a masquerade for Bassanio's dinner party. Jessica joins them as a torch-bearer dressed
as a boy and elopes with Lorenzo.
2.
i)
What information has Jessica given to Lorenzo regarding her elopement?
Jessica
informs Lorenzo about the arrangements she had made to elope with him. She will leave her father's house with money and
jewellery, disguised in the uniform of a page-boy.
ii)
According to Lorenzo, how could the Jew go to heaven? How can you conclude that
Lorenzo has a high opinion of Jessica?
According
to Lorenzo, the Jew, Shylock could go to heaven only because of his sweet and
gentle daughter. We can conclude that Lorenzo has a high opinion of Jessica
since he feels that if at all Shylock ever goes to heaven it will be because of
Jessica. He prays that no misfortune ever comes to her except for being
Shylock's daughter.
iii)
What does Lorenzo wish for Jessica? According to him, how could misfortune come to Jessica?
Lorenzo
wishes that no misfortune ever happens to Jessica for being the daughter of a
non-believing Jew. She has no stain of sin in her unless her birth is regarded
as a sin.
According
to Lorenzo, misfortune could come to Jessica for being the daughter
of
Shylock.
iv)
Give an example of racial discrimination hinted at in the extract.
Reference
to Shylock as a 'faithless Jew' is an example of racial discrimination
hinted
at in the extract. Christians believed that faithless Jews won't go to heaven.
v)
Describe the atmosphere of activity and pre-occupation prevailing in this short
scene.
An
atmosphere of activity and pre-occupation prevails in this scene. Activities
include
preparation for the masquerade and Jessica's elopement. Pre-occupation
regarding
the dinner party dominates the scene. Even Shylock is invited for the party. Launcelot
acts as a messenger in this scene. He delivers Jessica's letter to Lorenzo and
Lorenzo's reply to Jessica. He invites Shylock for Bassanio's party on
Bassanio's behalf.
ACT
II Scene 5
1.
i)
Why does Shylock accept the invitation to dinner? On what grounds
did
Shylock refuse to accept an invitation to dinner earlier in the play?
Shylock
accepts the invitation to dinner out of hatred and to eat the food
of
the extravagant Christian, Bassanio. In Act I, Scene 3 when Bassanio
invites
him for dinner he refuses to dine with Christians since they were
pork-eaters.
He asserted then that he would never eat, drink or pray
with
Christians although he is ready to do business with tnem.
ii)
Why is Shylock unhappy to accept the invitation this time too? Who is
the
prodigal Christian? Give the significance of the word: prodigal.
Shylock
is unhappy to accept the invitation this time too as he feels a
premonition
of some misfortune about to take place. The previous night
he
had a dream about money-bags which was considered as a bad omen.
Bassanio
is referred to as the prodigal Christian because he is a wasteful,
who
spends money extravagantly which he has borrowed from Shylock.
Prodigal
is a reference to the prodigal son described in the Bible who
wasted
his share of wealth by lavish and careless living.
iii)
Give the meaning of:
(a)'
I am not bid for love: I am not invited out of love. .
(b)
I am right loath to go: I hate to accept the invitation to dinner.
iv)
How Jessica and Lorenzo take advantage of Shylock's absence from
home
during dinner?
Jessica
and Lorenzo taking advantage of Shylock's absence from home
makes
a plan to elope. Jessica uses the occasion to leave home with her
father's
money and jewellery. Lorenzo uses the occasion to arrange the
masquerade
in which Jessica will be the torch-bearer and thus easily
elope
with him.
v)
What sort of a bad omen did Shylock have which made him think that
there
is some evil being plotted against him?
Shylock
had a dream about money bags on the previous night. To dream
about
money and all kinds of coins was considered as a bad omen. This
made
Shylock think that there was some evil being plotted against him.
2.
(i)
Who is the speaker of the above lines? To whom is he giving his advice?
Why
should the doors be locked?
Shylock
is the speaker of the above lines. He is giving this advice to
his
daughter, Jessica. When Launcelot tells him about the masquerade,
he
is alarmed for fear that such revelry may become unruly. He hates
their
frivolity. Hence, he asks Jessica to lock the doors of the house so
that
no sound of foolish displays may enter his serious house.
ii)
Where is the speaker going? What reason does he give for his going
out?
Who was Jacob? Why does the speaker swear by Jacob's staff?
The
speaker is going for Bassanio's dinner party. He is going out
for
dinner out of hatred for the Christians and to eat the food of the
extravagant,
Bassanio. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, the founder
of
the jewish race. According to Bible, Jacob, the ancestor of Shylock
had
a staff that proved a blessing to him. In Genesis 32:12,Jacob boasts
that
he had crossed river Jordan only with a staff yet returned with
companies
of men.
iii)
Give the meaning of:
(a)
Clamber not you up to the casements.
Do
not climb up to see from the windows.
(b)
sound of shallow foppery.
Shrill
notes of the fife.
iv)
Who are the 'Christian fools with varnished faces'? What were they
planning
against the speaker? What warning did the speaker have of
it
earlier?
Christian
fools with varnished faces refer to the Christians taking part
in
the masquerade at Bassanio's dinner party. They were planning to,
make
the speaker's daughter to elope with a Christian, Lorenzo with
the
speaker's money and jewellery. The speaker had warning of this in
the
form of a 'dream where he saw money bags and coins'.
v)
Does the person to whom the advice is given, follow the speaker's
advice?
Why?
The
advice was given to Jessica by her father, Shylock. She did not follow
the
advice and used the occasion of masquerade to elope with Lorenzo.
vi)
Summarise the advice of the speaker in your own words.
The
speaker advises his daughter, Jessica to lock up the doors. He tells
her
not to go upto the windows when she hears the drums and the
shrill
notes of the fife. He tells her not to stretch her neck out to gaze
over
the public street to look at Christian fools with painted faces. He
instructs
her to close all the windows of his house so that no sound of
the
foolish display enters his sober house.
3.
i)
What is meant by the 'patch' in the extract? What reasons does Shylock
give
to Jessica for parting with Launcelot?
The
word 'patch' in the extract means the clown or the fool or the
jester.
In olden days, the professional fools or jesters used to wear
multicoloured
patched costume: So the word patch is used in the extract
for
Launcelot. Shylock says that he is sending Launcelot to Bassanio
as
he would assist Bassanio in his spendthrift habits and waste his
borrowed
money.
ii)
Whom does Shylock wish to be ruined? Why?
Shylock
wishes Bassanio to be ruined because he wants to take revenge
upon
Antonio and can do so if Bassanio and Antonio fail to repay the
loan
on a stipulated date.
iii)
What does Shylock mean by saying 'drones hive not with me?
By
the above words, Shylock means that lazy people cannot live with
him.
Shylock says that Launcelot is lazy and cannot be his servant, so he allows
him
to join Bassanio's service.
iv)
What is meant by the 'borrowed purse'? For what purpose was it borrowed?
'Borrowed
purse' refers to the three thousand ducats borrowed by
Bassanio
from Shylock on the basis of the bond signed by Antonio.
The
money was borrowed to enable Bassanio to go to Belmont and win Portia in
marriage
after participating in the lottery of caskets.
v)
Why does Shylock ask Jessica to shut doors? Give the meaning of: 'Fast
blind,
fast find'
Shylock
asks Jessica to shut the doors to make his house safe from revellers
taking
part in the masquerade. He quotes an old proverb 'fast
bind,
fast find' which means that if you lock a thing up, you will find
it
safe. (Leave secure and you will find all secure.)
vi)
Describe briefly how Shylock becomes an instrument of fate in this
scene.
In
this scene, Shylock becomes an instrument of fate to further the action
in
the plot. On the one hand, his desire for revenge upon Antomo is
revealed
because he goes to the supper to help to consume Bassanio's
borrowed
money. He overlooks his religious principles which forbade him
dining
with Christians. He even ignores the premonitions of impending
evil
because of his revengeful nature. This provided Jessica an occasion
to
flee from home with money and jewellery and to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian.
Thus,
fate has used Shylock to further its plans.
