Sceng r (i) Who is the speaker? What is his complexion? To whom are the | spoken? What explanation does he give for his complexion? am The Prince of Morocco, the speaker of the extract, from the Tropical region, is of dark skin. These lines are spoken to Portia. The Prince of Morocco says that he has dark skin which is the ‘gift’ of the sun under whose direct Powerful rays he was born and brought up. (ii) What is meant by ‘The shadowd livery of the burnish’d sun? The dark uniform (skin colour) because of the burning and bright sun. (iii) Who is Phoebus? What is referred to as Phoebus’ fire? What is meant by ‘scarce thaws the icicles’? Phoebus is the Greek Classical Sun god. Phoebus’ fire is the bright burning sunlight of the tropical region. Question 1 1S a person “Scarce thaws the icicles” means “hardly liquefy the long pointed spikes of ice.” (iv) What does the speaker plan to do to prove “whose blood is reddest”” What do you think about the speaker when he boasts about his blood? The Prince of Morocco plans to make an incision to prove that is reddest. his ps ieee of Morocco boasting about his red blood, his valour ewii achievements in an inflated language makes him lose the gmpatbY of the readers and audience. 3 (v) Give the meaning of the following: “this aspect of mine Hath fear'd the valiant.” This appearance of mine frightened the brave. (vi), What does the speaker say about ‘this aspect of mine’? On what condition does the speaker say that he would change his hue? What do you have to say about the person’s character based on the extract? The Prince of Morocco says that his blood is the reddest and that he can make an incision to prove it. This bravery of his is stated by him as “this aspect of mine”. The Prince of Morocco can change his hue only for winning the affections of Portia. He is a very self opinionated and boastful person who merely brags about his brave deeds. Question 2 (i) Who spoke these lines to whom? What “choice” is being talked about in the extract? Give reasons to justify why the speaker could not make the choice immediately after meeting the prince. Portia speaks these lines to the Prince of Morocco. The choice of future soulmate is talked about in the extract as Portia’s marriage is dependent on the lottery of Caskets. Portia could not make her choice immediately after meeting the Prince of Morocco as Portia cannot exercise her will of choosing or refusing anyone. Her marriage is dependent on the lottery of caskets. (ii) What is the lottery of her destiny? Is it really a lottery? Why do you think so? Do you think that such a lottery is justified? Give a reason to substantiate your opinion. It is a lottery of her destiny as the suitors’ success depends upon how they judge the metal and in what ways they analyze the inscriptions on the caskets. It is not really a lottery, because it tests one’s character. Only a person who is really in love with Portia and teady to hazard all for her sake will choose correctly. ‘i The lottery may seem unjustified in the hen we understand how it tests the character of thit, it seems justified. No one will be able to not willing to hazard all. (iii) What is meant by, “But if my father had not scanted me, And hedged me by his wit?” But if my father had not restricted me and bound me in by his wit (the casket device). (iv) Why does Portia refer the prince as a “renowned prince”? Ace to the extract what chance does the prince have of winning her? judge correctly if he is Portia refers to the Prince of Morocco as a “renowned Prince” as according to his own bragging about himself he is a brave man who has won many feats. No, the Prince of Morocco has no chance of winning her as he is vainly proud of himself and thinks too much of himself. (v) Do you think that Portia literally means what she says in the last three lines of the extract? Give a reason to justify your opinion. Yes, Portia literally means what she says because if the Prince of Morocco is successful in choosing the right casket then she cannot refuse the Moroccan prince. Therefore the Prince of Morocco has as much chance as any other suitor. Question 3 (i) Who is Morocco? Where has he come and why? The Prince of Morocco is one of the suitors of Portia. He has come from the Tropical region. He has come to participate in the lottery of caskets to win hands of Portia. (ii) Why makes Morocco say, “But, alas the while!”? Who are Hercules, Lichas, and Alcides? What does Morocco try to Prove by referring to these characters? What could happen if Hercules and Lichas were to play at dice? he Prince of Morocco sighs and Says “But, alas the while!” oa in the lottery of caskets everything depends on luck. Hercules was the superman of Greek mythology and Lichas was .. cervant. Alcides is another name of Hercules, By referring to ny ae the Prince of Morocco is saying that the lottery of eS!askets depends on luck. If Hercules and Lichas were to play a game Bt dice, then the greater throw by luck may come from Lichas, the ~ weaker man, Hercules’ servant. (iii) Enumerate the conquests achieved by Morocco with his scimitar. The Prince of Morocco has shown his courage in slaying the King of Persia and in defeating thrice the Sultan of Turkey. He, at the same time, is boastful as he talks about his courage in fighting against wild animals. (iv) State briefly the brave deeds Morocco is prepared to do in order to win Portia. The Prince of Morocco is prepared to make an incision to prove that he has the reddest blood, to prove that he is the bravest. (v) Why is the fortune thought to be blind? Do you think Morocco is aware of the possibility of losing in the lottery of the casket? What makes him think so? Fortune is thought to be blind as it can make a lesser man win over a stronger one, such as Lichas, the servant can win at a game of dice with his master Hercules, the stronger one, merely by luck. Yes, the Prince of Morocco is aware of the possibility of losing in the lottery of casket as he thinks that winning depends on one’s luck. He does not give much significance to the inscriptions on the casket and merely chooses the gold casket as he thinks Portia’s portrait cannot be anywhere but in gold casket. (vi) What choice does Portia offer Morocco before he makes his choice of the casket? Where is he requested to go just before he is led to make the choice of caskets? Why? Portia asks the Prince of Morocco that either he should not think of participating or if he decides to participate then he should make a vow that he would never talk to any lady in future ding marriage. me Portia requests the Prince of Morocco to g and after dinner take the gamble. He is that the success depends upon luck,Scene anon ioe a aa Question 1 (i) Who is the Jew? What was the Christian Elizabethan belief abou the Jews? Are the Christian justified in having such a belief? Shylock is the Jew referred to in the extract from Act II, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's comedy The Merchant of Venice. Elizabethans believed that Jews were outsiders to the Christian society. No, they were not justified in having such a belief as by ostracizing and abusing the Jews, the Christians society made their own enemies. (ii) What is meant by “devil incamation”? Why does Launcelot say that “the Jew is the very devil incamation”? Do you agree with Launcelot? The phrase “devil incarnation” is used in the extract to mean “devil in human form.” Launcelot thinks that the Jew, Shylock, is a “devil incarnation” as he is cruel, scheming and revengeful. Yes, we can agree to what Launcelot says as we see Shylock to be so in the course of the play. (iii) What is the relationship between Launcelot and the Jew? Who tempted Launcelot to run away from the Jew? What advice has Launcelot’s conscience given him? Launcelot is the servant at Shylock’s household. It is the devil which tempted him to run away from Shylock’s service. Launcelot’s conscience asked him to be faithful to his master Shylock and not leave him and go away to join the service of Bassanio.(iv) Explain briefly why Launcelot thinks it wise to run away? Launcelot thought it wise to run away from his master, Shylock, s he is @ devil in human form. Moreover, Shylock is a miser and «his service Ladtncelot remains a famished man. Besides that auncelot being a Christian is serving a Jew. ) Launcelot was undecided. What was his indecision? Was he able to get over his indecision? What does he finally do? Why? Launcelot was undecided about whether to leave the service of ‘Shylock and join Bassanio’s service. Yes, he was able to get over his indecision. Finally he left Shylock’s service to join Bassanio’s. He was able to do so as the Jew was a devil in human form, besides he was famished in Shylock’s service and Launcelot being a Christian was serving @ Jew. (vi) How is the theme of racial discrimination brought out in Launcelot’s decision to run away? The theme of racial discrimination is brought forth very nicely | by Shakespeare in Launcelot's decision to run away as Launcelot being a Christian was not willing to serve Shylock, merely because he is a Jew. Question 2 (i) What does “Ergo” mean? Why does Launcelot use this word? What makes Launcelot call old Gobbo “father” in the second line of the extyact? Is Launcelot really a “master”? Give reason for your answer. “Ergo” is a Latin word, which means therefore. Launcelot probably does not know the meaning of the word, but uses it to confuse Old Gobbo. Old Gobbo is the father of Launcelot; but as Old Gobbo is sand- blind therefore Launcelot is playing pranks with his father. No, Launcelot is not the master. He is the servant to Shylock. (ii) Give the meaning of the following: “according to fates and destinies and such odd sayings, the sisters three and such branches of learning.” The three sisters — Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos were called the Fates or Destinies. The phrase means that “according to the fate or destiny or such things, or the three sisters of the ancient Greeks, and other such learned conceptions of Fate.” Shakespeare is satirizinghere those people who are not content to use plain attempt to use learned words and phrases. Speech bu (iti) Why does old Gobbo feel deeply the death of his son? Old Gobbo feels deeply the death of his son as & ‘ any fai do so. He is stunned as his son ra was his only support at his ee (iv) How does Launcelot finally establish that he was old Gobbo’, - S son? Launcelot first confesses that he is Old Gobbo's son; but wh 2 len, Old Gobbo does not believe then Launcelot refers to his moth Margery as a proof to show that he is Old Gobbo’s son. (v) Why does old Gobbo think that Launcelot has a fine beard? When Launcelot at last confesses that he is Old Gobbo’s son, Old Gobbo, being sand-blind, touches Launcelot’s face to ascertain that Launcelot is his son. That is how old Gobbo comes to know that Launcelot has fine beard. (vi) With reference to the scene, give examples to show that old Gobbo is an affectionate father. Old Gobbo is an affectionate father as he feels very deeply and is shocked to hear that his son Launcelot is dead. This shows his affection for Launcelot. Question 3 (i) What has old Gobbo just said, which makes Launcelot say, "Well, well:..."7 Old Gobbo asked Launcelot as to how is the relationship between Launcelot and his master Shylock. It is as a reaction to this question that Launcelot is speaking these words in the extract. (ii) Give the meaning of : “as I have set up my rest to run away, so | will not rest till I have run some ground.” As I have made up my mind to run away, therefore | will not rest till I get some distance. (iti) What does the expression “a very Jew” tell about Shylock and about Jews in general? “A very Jew” is used by Launcelot to mean that Shylock is a true Jey, in the sense that _he should be re se other Jew. The expression shows the copy mindset about the Jews saaimed? ty does Launcelot suggest that his father give Shylock a halter instead of a present? i Halter is a rope to hang oneself with. Launcelot suggests to his father that he should give Shylock a halter instead of a present as Shylock should be hated for the person ne is — a devil in human form. (v) “I am famished in his service.” What do you come to know about the character of Launcelot and Shylock from this expression? Launcelot says that he is starved in his service. It shows that Shylock is either a miserly person or Launcelot is a huge eater. (vi) What is humorous in the expression, have with my “ribs?” “You may tell every finger I The words “fingers” and “ribs” are wrongly used by Launcelot. ey should be interchanged. Launcelot means that anyone can count all his ribs by feeling with a finger as he is starved in Shylock’s service. Launcelot inverts the words for comic effect. (vii) What are “rare new liveries”? Why are they given to Launcelot? The “rare new liveries” are the dresses that Bassanio is ordering or his servants for his visit to Belmont. They are given to Launcelot as he left the service of the Jew, hylock and joined the service of Bassanio. (viti) What would happen if Launcelot were to serve the Jew “any longer”? Launcelot thinks that if he was to serve the Jew, Shylock, any onger, then he himself would become a Jew. Question 4 (i) What does Gobbo mean by “defect of the matter”? What is really the “defect of the matter”? The word “defect” is used wrongly. It should be effect; to mean hat that is the matter in conclusion. : i The conclusion is that Launcelot is to lea oin the service of Bassanio. = (ii) What present has old Shylock spoken to Ba ~ Old Gobbo has bri seatShylock has earlier sai i id to Bass: i feeder and a lazy servant. phe 2 huge (iii) It is thought to be unwise for Launcelot to leave Shylock’s ser: to take up Bassanio’s employment. Do you agree? Why? ves It is unwise as Bassanio is asi i i pendthrift and lives money, as against Shylock who is a moneyed man. a (iv) What is the old proverb referred to by Launcelot? How well parted” between Shylock and Bassanio? The old proverb is “The grace of God is gear (possessions) enough” which means that the man with the grace of God has all he needs for his salvation. Bassanio being a Christian has the grace of God, while Shylock as a rich man has enough earthly possessions. is the proverb (v) What instructions does Bassanio give, shortly after engaging Launcelot, to the Gobbos and to his servants? After engaging or 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 other servants. (vi) State briefly in your own words some of the things that Launcelot foretold for himself, as he studied his palm. 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 hairbreadth escape once from falling out from a feather bed. Question 5 | (i) Who is the speaker? To whom are the lines spoken? Identify the context and comment. Gratiano speaks these words to ae . os io is inn atteeBelimont, In Act a oad a 6 Bassano, which ceidenied oe ie talkative and uncouth habits. Gratiano isp feaiaeithar ai a and for that he will ery every bit to become sober e . has this person made ® by 0 a en ca Bassanio tells Gratiano that he is |ese faults of his are acceptable to Bassanio and his friends as qualities of his nature but his wild behavior may be misunderstood people at Belmont. Hence, Bassanio advices him to control his ild behavior and tone down his lively spirits by exercising oderation. (iii) Give the meaning of the following: (a) put on a sober habit: to have decent clothes and a serious outlook (b) while grace is saying: prayer before meals is being said (c) in a sad ostent; in serious appearance of solemnity (d) all the observance of civility: all the outward forms of good manners. (iv) What are the changes in behavior that Gratiano intends making in his own case? 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’. (v) What is the effect of Gratiano’s speech on the person being addressed? As Gratiano promises to be sober, Bassanio agrees to take him along to Belmont. (vi) Why is Gratiano requested to be merry at dinner? Bassanio tells Gratiano that his wild behaviour will be tolerated for the night as there is the party. Bassanio wants the night to be ‘one of fun and mirth, therefore he will be sorry to see Gratiano in a sad mood, (vii) State briefly what you would find humorous in the extract. The humourous element in the extract is that Gratiano is promising things which does not make any meaning as a change in one’s outward civility does not change one’s nature. He will remain the same though for a temporary period when he goes to Belmont will put on a sober face.