ACT -III Scene 2
CONTEXT QUESTIONS
Read the
extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1.
(i) Where
does this scene take place? What is meant by the first line of the
extract?
This scene
takes place in a room in Portia's house at Belmont. The first line refers to
Portia's maidenly modesty according to which she has no other choice except to
think, though she may not express her thoughts. Portia says enough to convey to
Bassan10that she loved him. She is
doubtful
whether Bassanio has understood what-she has said and wanted to explain
further. But then she is taken over by her maidenly modesty.
(ii)What
reason does Portia give at the end of her speech for speaking so long? What
does this show about her feelings towards Bassanio?
At the end
of her speech, Portia says that she spoke at length to stretch the time and
delay to the fullest extent Bassanio's act of choosing the caskets. This shows
that she has feelings of love for Bassanio and does not want to lose him stay
in Belmont for a month or two before he hazards the choice of the caskets.
(iii) Why
cannot Portia teach Bassanio to choose the correct casket? If Bassanio were to
make an incorrect choice what would Portia have wished?
Portia
cannot teach Bassanio to choose the correct casket as she has promised her
father not to reveal the secret of the caskets to anyone. She would never break
her pledged word. If Bassanio were to make an incorrect choice, Portia would
have wished that she had broken her
promise.
(iv) Give
the meaning of:
Beshrew
your eyes,
They
have o'erlook'd me and divided me;
The above
lines mean, ‘May your eyes be confounded. They have cast a spell on me and divided
me'. Portia says that Bassanio's eyes have cast a spell on her and divided her
for she no longer seems to be herself. She says that half of her belongs to him
and the other half to her. Even if the latter half is hers, it would still be
his. So she is entirely his.
(v) What
light does the extract throw on the character of Portia as a daughter and as a
lover?
The extract
shows that as a lover, Portia loves Bassanio and does not want to lose him and
wants to detain him with her for a month of two. Also she wants to train him how to choose the
right casket. She says that Bassanio's eyes have bewitched her and divided her.
She affirms that she is completely his. But as a dutiful daughter, she will
never guide Bassanio to choose the right casket ~s it would break her promise
to her father.
2.
(i)
Explain the meaning of 'he makes a swan-like end.' What contemporary belief
about swans is expressed in the extract?
There was
a contemporary belief that the swan, which is usually mute, sang a beautiful
song just before its death. The swan-song was sung only once. If Bassanio were
'to die', that is, to lose the love for Portia, by choosing the wrong casket,
then his end will be accompanied by the
fading music, like the swan that sings
before it dies.
(ii) Why
does Portia order music to be played while Bassanio makes the choice of caskets?
To what does Portia compare the music, should Bassanio choose correctly?
Portia
calls for music first of all to calm the excitement in her own heart and her
tension when Bassanio is choosing the casket. She further defends her action
saying that if Bassanio fails-he will bid him his last farewell in the midst of
music and thus will be like the swan that sings
before it
dies. If Bassanio succeeds, the music will add to the festive atmosphere of the
occasion, making. everyone happy.
(iii)How
could Portia's eyes be a watery death-bed ,for Bassanio?
Portia explains the condition if Bassanio
fails to choose the right casket. In that case, he will have a swan-like end.
Making the comparison more explicit, Portia says that her eyes with tears will
be Bassanio's watery grave as the river is the grave for the dying swan.
(iv) How
would the music call the dreaming bridegroom to his marriage?
If
Bassanio is successful in the choice of caskets then the music also represents
the sweet notes of music that awaken the dreaming bridegroom on the morning of
his marriage and tells him that his wedding day has come. It refers to an old
English custom of playing music under the windows of the bridegroom on the
morning of the wedding day.
(v)
In what way does Portia act as a romantic
heroine in this scene?
In this scene,
Portia acts as a romantic heroine. Her maidenly modesty and bright 'wit is seen
when she detains Ilassaniou little longer while making his choice. She accompliahcs
the difficult task of revealing to Bassanio her affection for him. When
Bassanio chooses correctly, she is happy and surrenders herself, her property
and her servants to Bassanio. She also offers him a ring and makes him promise
never to part with it.
3.
(i) Who is
Alcides? What is the 'virgin tribute"? How did Alcides save the Virgin
tribute?
Alcides
refers to young Hercules, son of Alcaeus. In Greek mythology, he is depicted as
a strong and courageous youth. 'Virgin Tribute' refers to Hesione, the
unmarried daughter of the Trojan King. Hesione was tied to a rock on the
sea-shore of Troy, expecting every moment to be devoured by the sea-monster.
Hercules saved the 'Virgin Tribute' by killing the sea-monster and setting her
free. Here Portia compares her tension and suspense while Bassanio makes his
choice of caskets to the anxiety of .Hesione, waiting for the sea-monster's
attack. She sees
Bassanio
as having more love than Alcides.
(ii) In
what way is Bassanio compared to young Alcides? Why does Portia here stand for
sacrifice'?
Portia
compares Bassanio to Hercules by saying that Bassanio has as much dignity of
bearing as Hercules had, but he goes with much more love than Hercules.
Hercules did not go to save Hesione out of love but to get the horses offered
as a reward. Here Portia compares herself
to
Hesione, who was offered as a sacrifice to a sea-monster. Similarly, if Bassanio
chooses the wrong casket, she will fall into the clutches of an unworthy
suitor.
(iii) Give
the meaning of:
(a) howling
Troy: the loud lamentations of the people of Troy at-the sacrifice of
Hesione.
(b) bleared
visages: means tear-stained faces. The reference is made to the Trojan
women who had assembled on the beach with tear-stained faces to wait arid watch
the result of the encounter between the sea-monster and Hercules.
(c) The
issue of the exploit: It means the outcome of the rescue operation.
It refers
to the outcome of the encounter between Hercules and the sea-monster.
(iv) What
are 'The rest aloof' referred to in the extract? Who are the Dardanian wives?
What were the wives doing in the scene when Alcides was saving the virgin
tribute?
'The rest
aloof' referred to in the extract are people in the room like Nerissa, Gratiano
and others whom Portia compares to Trojan women. Dardanian wives are Trojan
women. Dardanus was the mythical ancestor of the Trojans, who were called
Dardanians. The Trojan women had assembled on the beach with tear-stained faces
to wait and watch the result of the encounter between Hercules and the
sea-monster.
(v) Why
does Portia say, 'Go, Hercules'? What will she be doing at the same time?
Portia
asks Bassanio,'Go Hercules' because in her opinion the similarity between
Bassanio and Hercules is complete and perfect. Portia tells Bassanio to go
ahead and choose the casket. While he is choosing she will be watching the test
with much more anxiety than he, who has to
make the
choice. She says that if he lives, that is, he succeeds, she lives. If he
fails, it is death for her.
4.
(i) Which
theme in the play is highlighted in the above extract? How is it highlighted?
In the
above extract, the theme of appearance and reality is highlighted. Bassanio,
commenting on the caskets says that a pretty exterior may often hide a rotten
interior. The multitude is always led astray by decorations and adornments of
various kinds. He is highlighting this theme by providing the examples of
lawyers, religious heresies and cases of cowards, who assume outward signs of
valour.
(ii) How
can 'vice assume the external show of virtue?
Bassanio
says· that every wrong has some appearance of virtue. He explains it through
the example of a lawyer. In a law-suit, possession of a pleasing voice and
attractive presence in a lawyer, entirely hide any appearance of wrong in the
cause he pleads. The ornament of the voice gives an unsound plea, the false
appearance of a good reality. Similarly religious heresies can be glossed over
if a preacher makes them appear as true and just.
(iii)What
are stairs of sand'? To what are these stairs compared?
'Stairs of
sand' refer to a stairway made of shifting sand. Such a stairway is unreliable
and gives way beneath the footstep it should support. These stairs are compared
to cowards, who cultivate beards to give them the appearance of great warriors
like Hercules and Mars. The manly appearance is cultivated only to deceive the
world into thinking that they are formidable.
(iv) Who
is Hercules and who is frowning Mars? What are they, with their beards known
for?
Hercules
was a great hero in Greek mythology and Mars was the Roman god of war. Hercules
and Mars are referred to here because they, with their beards, stand for
strength, manliness and bravery.
(v) Give
the meaning of the following:
have livers white
as milk;
The
Elizabethans looked upon the liver as the seat of courage. A brave man's liver
was said to be red with blood. Cowards were spoken of as having white livers.
5.
(i)
Explain how is beauty purchased by weight? How does it make the wearers
lightest? (Give the two meanings of the word: lightest.)
Bassanio
says that if we take the case of beauty we find that an imitation of it is
easily obtainable and may be brought in the market. The cosmetics which enhance
beauty can be bought by weight in a chemist's shop. These bring about a marvelous
change in the appearance of women.
The word lightest
is punned on. Bassanio .means that the addition of cosmetics makes a woman
'light' that is fair colored. The other meaning of ,lightest' is to be
frivolous and fickle-minded.
(ii)What
is referred to as 'crisped snaky golden locks'? Who wears them and who is their
actual owner?
'Crisped
snaky golden locks' refer to false hair that women wear. Bassanio says that the
shining, golden tresses whose ringlets are tossed about by the playful breeze,
seen on the head of a woman, appear to be real. Actually it is false hair and
originally it belonged to a dead woman, who is lying in the grave.
(iii) What
is referred to as 'the dowry of a second head'? Who has bred this head? Where
is the head now?
The 'dowry
of a second head' refers to the. false hair (wig) worn by a woman, that appear
to be real but actually is a gift from some dead woman, i.e., it originally
belonged to a dead woman who is lying in the grave. Shakespeare refers to the
popular custom of wearing wigs
among the
Elizabethan women.
(iv) Why
does Bassanio say that ornament is but the guiled shore to a most dangerous
sea?
Bassanio
says that outward adornment is always deceptive. It is like the attractive but
treacherous sea-shore that leads people into perilous waters.
(v) Give
any two examples from Bassanio's speech to show that appearances are deceptive.
Bassanio asserts that appearances are
deceptive. Two examples he wear. Though they look real, they belong to a dead
person. The second example is that of a lovely scarf that hides the ugly face
of an Indian beauty. This is deceptive as people expect to see something better
than
an Indian
beauty when the scarf is removed.
6.
(i) Where
was the gentle scroll? Give the summary of what was written the scroll.
The gentle
scroll was in the lead casket. On the scroll it was written that since he has
not chosen by mere outward appearances, he may be fortunate and make his choice
as wisely as' wisely as he has done. Since this fortune has come to him, he
should be satisfied "and seek nothing more for his happiness. If he is
pleased with his luck and feels that fate has brought him happiness, he should
go to his beloved and claim her as his own with a loving kiss.
(ii) What
prize had the speaker won? Give the reasons which led to the winning of the
prize.
The
speaker has won Portia. The speaker chose the correct casket, i.e; lead
casket containing Portia's portrait. It’s simple looks impressed Bassanio
more than the protestations of gold and silver. Besides, the inscription
on the casket stated that the man, who chooses it, must give and hazard
his whole being which means his true love.
(iii) What
was the speaker asked to give and to receive?
The
speaker was asked to go to the lady and claim her as his own with a loving kiss
and receive a kiss from her.
(iv) Give
the meaning of:
(a) universal
shout: loud applause of joy. This refers to the clamour of the crowd at
Bassanio's choice of the right casket.
(b) Giddy
in spirit: overwhelmed with joy. This speaks of the bewildered state of
mind of Bassanio after his choice of the lead casket.
(v) To
whom does the speaker compare himself? In what way does he compare himself?
The
speaker compares himself to the one who is striving to win some contest; like
one of two prize-fighters. He compares himself as someone who wins a prize in
the contest.
(vi) Why
is the speaker doubtful whether what he sees is true?
Bassanio
is at the height of his joy after choosing the correct casket. He hears a loud
applause from the people' standing there. He is so bewildered by the outcome of
making the correct choice, that he is not sure if the applause is for him or
not. He asks Portia to confirm it and sanction it by returning his' kiss.
7.
(i) Which
possessions' of hers, does Portia' transfer to Bassanio after he Chose the
correct casket?
After
Bassanio chooses the correct casket, Portia transfers her mansion, her servants,
herself and all her possessions to him. :
(ii)Mention
three of the wishes of Portia which express her desire to excel In everything.
Portia,
for the sake. of Bassanio wishes that she were sixty times better than herself,
a thousand times more beautiful and ten thousand times wealthier. These wishes
express her desire to excel in everything for the sake of Bassanio.
(iii) On
what condition does she give the ring to Bassanio? How does the ring become a
part of the main plot in the story?
As a token
of her love to Bassanio, Portia gives him a ring. She warns him that if he
parts with the ring or loses it or gives it away, that will be a sign that his
love for her is dead and give her the right to reproach him. The ring becomes a
part of the main plot of the story as it starts the ring episode we come across
later in the play.
(iv) Give
the meaning of:
Let
it presage the ruin of your love,
And
be my vantage to exclaim on you.
These
lines mean: "Let that be a sign that your love for me is dead and it will
give an opportunity for me to accuse you for that." Here Portia asserts
that if Bassanio loses the ring she has given him, it will show the loss of his
love for her and will give her the right to reproach him.
(v) After
Portia's speech, what does Bassanio say in his excitement? What assurance does
he give to her about the ring?
After
Portia's speech, Bassanio is overpowered with emotion and he tells Portia that
her love and goodness have made him speechless. Regarding the spirit will flee
and his life will leave him. He will part with the ring only at his death.
8.
(i) Give
the context in which Gratiano speaks these words. What good wishes does he give
to Bassanio?
After
Bassanio's successful selection of the right casket and after the speeches of
Portia and Bassanio Nerissa greets them and wishes them great joy. Thereafter
Gratiano speaks these words. Gratiano wishes Portia and Bassanio that all the
joy and happiness they desire may be
showered
upon them.
(ii) What
request does Gratiano make to Bassanio?
Gratianio requests
Bassanio to grant him a special favour - that is, to permit him to allow him to
marry at the same time of the marriage ceremony of Portia and Bassanio.
(iii) What
condition does Bassanio put regarding Gratiano's request?
Bassanio
gives his consent most heartily, provided Gratiano can get a wife.
(iv)
Explain how Gratiano's fortune too 'stood upon the caskets'?
While Bassanio
wooed Lady Portia, Gratiano wooed her lady-in-waiting, Nerissa. However, the
promise that Gratiano received from Nerissa was that Nerissa would love
Gratiano provided that Bassanio had the good fortune of winning the love of
Portia by selecting the right casket. Thus, Gratiano's fortune too stood on the
caskets.
(v) How
has Gratiano-Nerissa episode added humour to the story in this' scene?
Gratiano-Nerissa
episode has added humour to the story. The romance and marriage of Nerissa and
Gratiano strengthen the old belief that characters in association with nobility
are themselves ennobled. Gratiano experienced the joy of love in the company of
Bassanio. Nerrisa being educated by her mistress Portia, was able to win a
gentleman' slave. Gratiano, with a keen sense of humour arouses much mirth and
laughter in the' scene.
9.
(i) Where
does the scene take place? Who brings the letter from Antonio to Bassanio?
This scene
takes place in a room in Portia's house at Belmont. Salerio brings the letter
from Antonio to Bassanio.
(ii) How
does Portia conclude that there is some bad news in the letter? What could be
the bad news according to Portia?
Portia concludes
that there is some bad news in the letter because as soon as Bassanio reads the
letter, his face turns pale and .he becomes greatly agitated. According to
Portia, the bad news in the letter must Be about the loss of someone loved' by
Bassanio. '
(iii) What
right does Portia now have to know from Bassanio the contents of the letter?
Portia
begs of Bassanio to tell her the cause of his sorrow as she and Bassanio are
one, and she ought to share in everything that happens to hirn. Hence, she asks
Bassanlo to tell her what news that letter has brought.
(iv)
Briefly state what Bassanio told Portia about the bond and the destruction of
Antonio's cargo ships. Bassanio tells Portia that the letter contains some of
the most unwelcome news. He tells Portia that he is deeply indebted to a kind
friend. This friend for his sake agreed to a bono with his worst enemy, a man who
hates him. He did this solely to supply Bassanio with the money he needed to
come to Belmont. Bassanio looks upon Antonio's letter as if it is his body and
the cruel words of the letter as wounds from which blood is 'gushing out. He
then tells that all the ships of Antonio have been wrecked on the dangerous
rocks.
(v) What
did Salerio say about Shylock's insistence on the forfeiture of Antonio's bond?
Salerio
says that even if Antonio had sufficient money to pay off his debt, Shylock
will not accept the payment. Shylock threatens to take legal action against the
city's governance and call in question the equality of rights of foreigners
with the citizens of Venice, if they refuse Shylock justice by bringing Antonio
to trial. Twenty merchants, the Duke and the noblemen of the highest rank in
Venice, have tried to persuade Shylock his malicious purpose of exacting the
full penalty for the forfeiture of the bond.
10.
(i) Who
are Tubal and Chus? What did Jessica hear Shylock say to Tubal and Chus about
the bond?
Tubal and
Chus are two Jewish friends of Shylock. When Jessica was at home, she had heard
Shylock swearing to Tubal and Chus that he will have the penalty carried out
and that a pound of Antonio's flesh would give him more pleasure than to be
paid the debt twenty times over.
(ii) What
would the Duke, law and influential citizens do to prevent Shylock from taking
his cruel forfeiture?
The Duke,
law and influential citizens would use all their powers of persuasion to
prevent Shylock from taking his cruel forfeiture.
(iii) What
is ·the danger if the forfeiture is denied to Shylock as per the terms of the
bond?
If the
forfeiture is denied to Shylock as per the terms of the bond, there was the
danger of Shylock taking legal action against the city's governors and call in
question the equality of rights of foreigners with the citizens of Venice.
Thus, there was the danger of Shylock bringing
discredit
to the business in Venice.
(iv) What
does Portia offer to do in terms of payment to Shylock in cash?
In terms
of payment to Shylock.in cash, Portia offers to pay him double the amount. Then
she says to give him double of six thousand and then three times of that. Later
she says that she will give him enough gold to pay the debt twenty times over.
(v) What
does Antonio's letter state about his last wish?
Since the
payment of the penalty means his death, Antonio's last wish is to see Bassanio
before he dies. He says that it will cancel all bonds and obligations between
Bassanio and him. However, he adds that Bassanio should do as he wishes and
should not pay any attention to Antonio's welfare.
11.Q:
What were Portia’s secret plans in sending Bassanio to Veniece?
(i) Portia gives money to Bassanio and sends
him to rescue Antonio. She makes a plan to disguise herself as a lawyer and
Nerissa as her assistant and then go to Venice to rescue Antonio from the
clutches of Shylock.
(ii)Q:
Give the meaning of:
(a) "call me wife': make me your wife,
get married to me. (b) With an unquiet soul': with a disturbed, grief stricken
mind.
(iii)Q:
What is Bassanio supposed to do as far as Antonio’s fortune of the bone in
concerned?
Bassanio was supposed to go to Venice and
offer double the amount of bond to Shylock and cancel the bond. If he did not
agree to that Bassanio is to offer him, double of six thousand ducats or three
times that amount or even twenty times the bond amount.
(iv)Q:What
would Portia and Nerissa suppose to be doing in Belmont after their husbands
leave for Venice ? What did they really do?
Portia and Nerissa were to stay in Belmont as
spinsters or widows after their husbands leave for Venice. But in fact they did
not do so. Portia and Nerissa went to Venice in disguise of a lawyer and her
assistant, respectively and played a constructive role in saving Antonio from
the clutches of Shylock.
(v)Q:
How important is the scene for the forward movement of the storyline?
This scene is important for the forward
movement of the storyline. It completes the casket story and brings it in
direct contact with the other stories the bond story, Jessica-Lorenzo love
story and the ring story. The ring story begins in this scene. The bond story
is revealed through Antonio's letter and Bassanio's return to Venice.
(vi)Q:
After the choice of casket by Bassanio, Portia takes over the leadership in the
play. What are your views on this statement?
It is true that after the choice of the casket by Bassanio, Portia takes over leadership in the play. When Antonio is in trouble, she offers Bassanio twenty times the bond amount to save Antonio. She herself dons the guise of a lawyer and using a perfect blend of mercy and justice saves Antonio.
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