PROJECT-1

About the author

-William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is one of the renowned names of English playwrights. He was a multi-talented
man who was a writer, poet and actor. He produced about one hundred and fifty-four sonnets, two
narrative poems, thirty-eight plays and a few verses. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon to a good
family with good financial status on 23 April, 1564.
He started his career as an actor and then he started writing. He produced most of his works from 1589
to 1613. He wrote many famous plays like Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, etc. In the year 1608,
Shakespeare wrote some of his finest works of the tragic genre like Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear.
These tragic genre works were some of the last works which he wrote in his last few years of life. Julius
Caesar and Romeo and Juliet are some of his most famous plays which are played in schools and
colleges on various occasions. He wrote vast, voluminous, unique and every different genre of plays.
William Shakespeare wrote "The Merchant of Venice" in the late 16th century, exploring themes of
justice, mercy, and prejudice. It is a tragicomedy featuring memorable characters such as the merchant
Antonio and the quick-witted Portia. Shakespeare's use of language and wordplay is evident
throughout the play.Several of Shakespeare’s works have been translated into other languages. Several
movies and plays are also played in his plays. His works are loved by everyone of every age group. He is
one of the most precious playwrights of the times. He died in his hometown at the age of 52 on 23 of
April,1616.
 GIST OF STORY
"The Merchant of Venice" is a play by William Shakespeare that explores themes of love, friendship, justice, and revenge. The
play is set in Venice, where a wealthy merchant named Antonio agrees to borrow money from a Jewish moneylender named
Shylock in order to help his friend Bassanio woo the beautiful and wealthy Portia.
Meanwhile, Shylock harbors a deep-seated hatred for Antonio because of the latter's frequent public humiliations of him for
his Jewish faith. Shylock agrees to lend Antonio the money but demands a pound of Antonio's flesh as collateral, should the
loan not be repaid on time. Antonio agrees, and Bassanio sets off to woo Portia with the borrowed money. Bassanio chooses
the right casket and wins Portia's hand, but their happiness is soon threatened when news arrives that Antonio's ships have
been lost at sea, leaving him unable to repay his debt to Shylock.
Shylock, seeking revenge on Antonio, takes the case to court. The case is presided over by the Duke of Venice, who is unable
to find any legal way out of the contract. In court, Shylock demands his pound of flesh, and Portia disguises herself as a male
lawyer to defend Antonio. She argues that Shylock's bond does not entitle him to any blood, and he must take the exact
amount of flesh specified in the bond without shedding a drop of blood, or else he will be punished severely. In the end,
Shylock is forced to forfeit his wealth and convert to Christianity, and Antonio is saved.

The play ends with the resolution of the various subplots, including the marriage of Bassanio and Portia and the
reconciliation of various characters.
 TOPICAL QUESTION

1….Antonio: Antonio is a wealthy Venetian merchant. He is kind-hearted and generous, and he offers to help his friend Bassanio
by borrowing money from Shylock However, he later finds himself in a difficult situation when he is unable to repay the loan, and
Shylock demands a pound of his flesh as a penalty. Antonio's character is important because he represents the Christian side of
the conflict, and his fate is intertwined with that of the other characters, also Antonio's willingness to put himself at risk to help
his friend Bassanio underscores the depth of their friendship and illuminates the importance of human connections in the face of
adversity.
Shylock: Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who is often portrayed as the villain of the play. He is a complex character who is both
sympathetic and ruthless. On the one hand, he is motivated by a desire for revenge against Antonio and the other Christians who
have mistreated him because of his religion. On the other hand, he is also a victim of discrimination and persecution, which has
made him bitter and resentful. Shylock's character is important because he represents the Jewish side of the conflict, and his
treatment by the Christian characters raises important questions about justice and mercy.
Portia: Portia is a wealthy heiress from Belmont, who is sought after by many suitors, including Bassanio. She is intelligent, witty,
and resourceful, and she is one of the most memorable female characters in Shakespeare's plays. Portia disguises herself as a
male lawyer in order to help Antonio and Bassanio in their legal dispute with Shylock. Her character is important because she
provides a voice of reason and compassion in the play, and she ultimately saves Antonio's life by using her legal expertise to find
a loophole in the bond. Portia's intelligence and wit make her an important character in the play, and her actions demonstrate
the importance of justice and mercy in society.
Portia is a character that I admire most in "The Merchant of Venice" due to her intelligence, wit, and loyalty. Despite her
reluctance to follow her father's wishes, she remains loyal to his legacy and helps her friends in their time of need. Portia is
also a strong, independent woman who defies gender norms, takes control of her own fate, and is brave enough to take risks,
such as disguising herself as a male lawyer to save Antonio's life. Her compassion and mercy are evident in her dealings with
Shylock, whom she advises to show mercy towards Antonio and offers an opportunity to convert to Christianity to avoid
punishment. Her beauty, wealth, and lavish lifestyle add to her appeal as a character, and her resources enable her to assist
those in need, such as when she pays off Antonio's debt to Shylock.

CONCLUSION

From this project we can conclude that all three characters - Antonio, Shylock, and Portia - play crucial roles in "The Merchant
of Venice" and are important to the development of the plot. Antonio is a loyal friend, Shylock represents the shrewd Jewish
moneylender who is also a victim of discrimination, and Portia is intelligent, resourceful, and compassionate. Of the three,
Portia is often the most popular character due to her admirable qualities, such as her quick wit, loyalty to her father's wishes,
and willingness to show mercy to others. Her role in saving Antonio's life during the trial is especially notable and adds to her
likability. However, each character plays an important role in the play's overall themes and conflicts.
 PROJECT-2
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author born on April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark. He was born into a poor family and
grew up experiencing hardship and neglect from his father. However, he developed a love for storytelling and writing, which
eventually led him to become one of the most famous fairy tale writers in the world.
Andersen’s first book of fairy tales, "Fairy Tales, Told for Children," was published in 1835, and it included stories such as "The
Tinderbox," "The Princess and the Pea," and "Thumbelina." Throughout his career, he wrote over 150 fairy tales, including "The
Little Mermaid," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Snow Queen."
Andersen's works were not only popular in Denmark but throughout Europe, and his fame eventually spread to America. He
was well known for his ability to weave complex and meaningful stories using simple language, and his fairy tales often
contained moral lessons that resonated with readers of all ages.
In addition to writing, Andersen was also a prolific traveler, visiting places such as Italy, Germany, France, and England, among
others. He was also a close friend of renowned Danish author and philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard.
Andersen passed away on August 4, 1875, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of beloved fairy tales that have continued to
enchant readers for generations.
GIST OF STORY
"The Little Match Girl" is a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, first published in 1845. The story follows the plight of a
poor little girl who is trying to sell matches on the street on a cold New Year's Eve. She is barefoot and inadequately dressed
for the cold weather, and her abusive father will beat her if she doesn't sell any matches. She is too afraid to go home empty-
handed.
As she walks along the street, she takes refuge in a corner and begins to light her matches for warmth. In the flame of each
match, she sees a beautiful vision - a warm stove, a sumptuous feast, and her deceased grandmother. But as soon as the
match burns out, the vision disappears, leaving her back in the cold and darkness.
In her desperation, the little match girl lights all the remaining matches at once, hoping to prolong the visions and the
warmth. When she finally succumbs to the cold and dies, her spirit ascends to join her grandmother in heaven.
The story highlights the harsh realities of poverty and child abuse, as well as the power of imagination and hope in the face of
adversity. It has been adapted into various forms of media, including ballets, operas, and animated films, and remains a
popular and poignant tale today.
Topical question
5……The Little Matchgirl is the protagonist of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, "The Little Match Girl." She is a poor and
homeless girl who sells matches to survive in the harsh winter cold. The story takes place on New Year's Eve, She is barefoot and
poorly dressed, shivering in the cold, has had no food all day, and no one has bought any of her matches. she is desperately
trying to sell enough matches to earn money to take home to her abusive father.
The Little Match Girl is a poignant representation of the plight of children in the Victorian era. Many children during this time
lived in extreme poverty, and were forced to work long hours in dangerous and unsanitary conditions. They often had little access
to education or medical care, and their lives were marked by illness, malnutrition, and premature death. The Little Match Girl's
story is a reminder of the suffering that many Victorian children endured, and the need for social and economic reform to
improve their lives.
In the present Indian society, children from poor families still face many of the same challenges that Victorian children did. Child
labor is a persistent problem in many parts of India, and many children are forced to work in hazardous conditions for long hours,
often without access to education or medical care. Malnutrition and preventable illnesses are also common, particularly among
children from marginalized communities. The Little Match Girl's story is thus relevant to contemporary India, as a reminder of the
need to address these social and economic challenges in order to improve the lives of children.
The Little Match Girl herself is a sympathetic character, despite being a mere child. She is brave and resourceful, trying to earn
money even in the face of extreme hardship. She is also imaginative and kind-hearted, wishing for the happiness of others even
as she suffers herself. Her tragic fate highlights the injustice of a world that allows such suffering to occur, and underscores the
importance of compassion and empathy in the face of human suffering
the Little Match Girl is a powerful symbol of the plight of Victorian children, and a reminder of the need for social and economic
reform to improve their lives. Her story is also relevant to the present day, particularly in India, where many children still face
similar challenges. As a character, she is both sympathetic and inspiring, embodying the virtues of bravery, resourcefulness,
imagination, and kindness. Her story is a testament to the power of literature to illuminate social issues and inspire compassion
and empathy for those who suffer.
 CONCLUSION

Through this project we can conclude that The Little Matchgirl is a poignant character that reflects the harsh reality of
impoverished children in both Victorian society and contemporary Indian society. Her struggle for survival, hopelessness,
and vulnerability represent the suffering of countless children who are neglected and marginalized in society. Through the
Little Matchgirl, Andersen portrays the urgent need for compassion and social responsibility towards children, who are often
the most vulnerable members of society. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing the
plight of impoverished children, both in the past and present