BOOK

ACT Scene 1

ACT 11 Scene 1 a lottery. We see that at the end the wisdom of her father prevails
and she is won as wife by Bassanio whom she and adnures
CONTEXTQUESTIONS (iv) From the extract we know that the Prince of Moroco is a warnor
1. (i) This scene takes place in a room in Portia's house at and self-assured man. He has a large imposing physical apB•arance
Belmont. People
present are: Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egotst who thtnks
and her attendants. Morocco says that he got his dark Nerissa that he is better than other people. HC boasts of tus red bl€xxl
colour because
of the fierce sum He was bom and brought up in a country the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from tru• nobles
the sun is very close to the carth where and best of maidens. He admits that the lottery of the caskets has
(ii) PcopJe bom in north are fair-skinned. This is no consideration for heroism and can be won by anycgu•. even an
because the sun's rays
are so faint in the north that they are hardly able undeserving candidate. He harps on the idea of chan«• • choice.
snow and icicles.
to melt the frosc lottery, destiny, chosing, fortune and hazards
(iii) (v) Portia does not really mean that Morocco had a good chance
in Greek mythology is one of the names of of winntng her love. because in Act I. 2 she holds fortner
Apollo. "Phoebus' fire" means the rays the Sun God
of the sun. Morocco proposes suitors in contempt. She thanks the same of Monxco he is
that he should be matched with any boastful. Portia treats him With vx•rfectcourtesy and tact and sr•aks
fair-skinned man bom in the
north. They should open their veins as if she holds him in high esteem.
to see whose blood is redder.
Red blood was considered to be ttx•
a sign of courage. 3. (i) 'Scimitar' means sword. By ustng his sword. Morocco had
(iv) Morocco'sphysical appearance Emperor of n•rsia and a Ih•rsian PrincT. who had defeated Sultan
frightened the brave men whereas
the prettiest women admired and Solyman of Turkey thri«•.
loved it.
(v) The speaker is prepared
to change lus dark complexion (ii) The brave deeds Morocco is prepared to vv•rtorm m order to win
over Portia's favour. only to win Portia are:
From the extract we know (a) to challenge the most braw warrior on earth
that the Prince of Morocco is
and man. He has a large imposing a warrior (b) snatch away the young sueking from the aruf
and is proud of his dark physical appearance dare her wrath.
that he is better than other
complexion.He is an egoist who
people. He boasts of his thinks (iil) In Greek mythology. was renowtu•d
the admirationand affection red blood and strength and exploits I-ictus was hi' servant
he enjoysin his land from
and best of maidens. the nobles omx•I and a game
Z (i) Lottery of Portia's the winmng throw carne from I rtus example to
destiny
to her deceased father's refers to the lottery devised according Morocco his tame, m•alth and &tuev.-tn.•nt•are
will.
has to choose from amongst Accordingto the lottery, each suitor to htm to WinPortia Ile is to toke ho
lead the one the three caskets of gold, inferior rival
Portia's silver and
correct portrait. The suitor who (iv) Before he is led to make ten.
will win Portia's hand will make
caskets designed by her in marriage. The lottery
of must take a charuv Ile must etttx•t Lea•x•tru•
father, thus prevents sweat in ttu•
her freedom of choi«.. Portia from exercismg not make the attempt
The suitor. who will
make the nght choice makes ttu• to
lines mean: J had the ot marrog•
fathær's wisdom and obligednot been limitedand restricted by my ( v) ganid.•ss usual).
to
succeed in winning me by acceptfor a husband the one who to be blind due to t'u• ih
the means 1 ot favours to rnanbrmi tram that
Portia's father was prudent told you."
to arranged her marriage rum to the nght
through as tn a game dnv