KLINE MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF UBS

ASSIGNMENT 1

The Merchant of Venice Act 3- Scene 2

Std- X [Group 1]

Date- 3.7.21

Write answers to the following questions in your Literature notebooks.

These questions are in addition to the Workbook questions. Keep in mind the
general format of writing answers. Write each new point on a new line. Pay
attention to key words.
Workbook passage 1
Portia
And yet a maiden hath no tongue…
1) Explain the first line spoken by Portia.
2) Give the meaning of-
a. You venture for me
b. I am forsworn.
3) In these lines Portia makes her feelings for Bassanio clear. What does she
say?
4) What is Bassanio’s response to Portia’s speech?

Passage 2
Portia
Let music sound while he doth make his choice…
1) Just before Portia’s speech, Bassanio says , ‘ o happy torment’. Why is this
statement made?
2) What music does Portia want if ‘he’ wins?

Passage 3
Portia
Now he goes with no less presence…

1
 1) A song is played immediately after the given speech. Mention briefly its
contents.

Passage 4
Bassanio
There is no vice so simple but assumes some mark of virtue on his outer parts…
1) Mention two examples about law and religion Bassanio mentions in the lines
before the given extract to justify his opinion.
2) Give meanings of-
a. Assumes some mark of virtue on his outer parts
b. To render them redoubted

Passage 5
Bassanio
Look on beauty and you shall see…
1) Bring out the allusion to Midas. Why does he refer to gold as gaudy?
2) Which casket does he call ‘ a pale and common drudge ‘tween man and
man? Why?
3) How does Portia react to his choice? What prayer does she make to the god
of love?

Passage 6
Bassanio
A gentle scroll – Fair lady..
1) Why does Bassanio refer to Portia as thrice fair lady?

Passage 7
Portia
Myself and what is mine to you and yours is now…
1) What does Portia’s response tell us about her nature? In what way would
she want to be better for Bassanio’s sake?
2) Give the meaning of-
2
 a. And even now, but now
3) Earlier in the same speech Portia says she is ‘ unlessoned, unschooled,
unpractised girl’. What does she mean? Do you agree with the description of
herself?

Passage 8
No extra question

Passage 9
Portia
There are some shrewd contents…
1) Explain the reference to Jason just before the extract. Who had used this
allusion earlier?

Passage 10
When I was with him, I have heard him swear..
1) Who else had pleaded with ‘him’ to pardon Antonio? What had been the
response?
2) What question is posed by Portia just after this speech? What response does
she get?

Passage 11
Portia
First go with me to church and call me wife..
1) Why does Portia say, ‘You are dearly bought.’?
2) What are the contents of the letter which Portia wants to hear? What does
she tell Bassanio after hearing the contents of the letter?