merchant of venice short Summary

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 4, Scene 1 – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English

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Passage – 1 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 16-34)

Paraphrase :

DUKE : Make room, and let him stand before us. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That you only carry this kind of malice To the very last hour of action; and then, it’s thought, You’ll show your mercy and remorse, more strangely Than your strange apparent cruelty is; And where you now exact the penalty,— Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh, You will not only loose the default, But, touched with human gentleness and love, Forgive half of the borrowed amount, Glancing with an eye of pity on his losses, That have been so heaped on his back lately, Enough to press a royal merchant down, And get sympathy for his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of stone, From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never trained To uses of tender courtesy. We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.

Word Meaning With Annotation

That thou but lead’st this fashion of thy malice, To the last hour of act : that you only continue this cruel course up the last moment…. to relent then, strange apparent cruelty : this strange cruelty of yours, which I think only apparent or assumed . where : whereas, loose the forfeiture : excuse payment of the penalty, forgive a moiety : let him off from paying a certain part of the principal sum, huddled : accumulated; pressed upon, royal merchant : a very great merchant; a prince among merchants, from brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint : from hearts as pitiless as brass and as rough as stone. Turks and Tartars : in the vague and imperfect knowledge of Asiatic races which the Elizabethans possess, such people were looked upon as types of barbarians, offices of tender courtesy : obligations imposed by courtesy and kindness.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What do the Duke and the world expect Shylock to do?
Answer:
The Duke and the world expect that Shylock will show pity at the last moment when the time to cut off a pound of flesh would come.

Question 2.
How does to Duke expect Shylock to conduct himself in regard to the demand of a pound of flesh?
Answer:
The Duke thinks that Shylock will exempt Antonio from the penalty of a pound of flesh. He will also remit a part of the principal amount of the loan of three thousand ducats.

Question 3.
Why is Shylock expected to do so?
Answer:
Shylock is expected to do so because he will be touched with gentleness and love.

Question 4.
What kind of answer is expected from Shylock?
Answer:
A kind answer is expected from the Jew.

Question 5.
What is pressing the Royal Merchants?
Answer:
The heavy losses sustained by the Royal Merchant are pressing him.

Passage – 2 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 35-62)

Paraphrase :

SHYLOCK : I have told your Grace of what I purpose, And, by our holy Sabbath, I have sworn To have the due and penalty of my promise to pay. If you deny it, let the danger light On your city charter and your city’s freedom. You ask me why I would rather choose to have A weight of dead flesh than to receive Three thousand ducats. I won’t answer that, Only to say I feel like it: have I answered you? What if a rat troubles my house, And I am happy to give ten thousand ducats To have it captured? What, aren’t you answered yet? There are some men that don’t love a dead pig; Some that are crazy if they see a cat; And others, when they hear the song of the bagpipe, Cannot hold their urine, because sympathy. Mistress of passion, persuades passion to the mood Of what it likes or hates. Now, for your answer; As there is no firm reason to be given, Why he can’t stand a dead pig ; Why he is afraid of a harmless, necessary cat; Why he wets himself when he hears a wailing bagpipe, Only that he must yield by force to such inevitable shame As to offend, himself being offended ; So I can give no reason, nor will I, More than I bear Antonio a deep-rooted hate and a certain intense dislike, That I follow a losing suit against him like this. Are you answered?

Word Meaning With Annotation

Posses’ d : informed; told, holy Sabbath : the sacred day of the week; Sunday, let the danger light, Upon your charter, and your city’s freedom : this is a threat to the Duke that some higher power may punish the city, if justice is refused to Shylock. carrion : dead; repulsive and unfit for food, ban’d: poisoned, gaping pig : sometimes a pig was prepared whole for the table, and set on a large dish with a lemon in its mouth. And other, when the bagpipe sings i’ the nose : many people with sensitive ears, do not like the wild notes of the bagpipe, which was probably known to Shakespeare as the national musical instrument of Scotland.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What information has Shylock given to the Duke?
Answer:
He has told the Duke that he would obtain the penalty which is due to him.

Question 2.
What, according to Shylock, will happen if he is denied the penalty of the bond?
Answer:
In that case the free rights and the freedom of the city of Venice will suffer.

Question 3.
What reason does Shylock give for insisting on having a pound of Antonio’s flesh?
Answer:
He does not give any reason. It is only a whim of his.

Question 4.
Why, according to Shylock, people like one thing and not the other?
Answer:
People like things according to their nature that produces emotions. It is actually the nature of a man which makes him like or dislike something.

Question 5.
What is the Shylock’s stack reason for pursuing a suit against Antonio?
Answer:
The reason is that he has deep hatred for Antonio.

Passage – 3 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 63-74)

Paraphrase :

BASSANIO : This is no answer, you unfeeling man,To excuse the flowing of your cruelty.

SHYLOCK : I am not required to please you with my answer.

BASSANIO : Do all men kill the things they don’t love?

SHYLOCK : Does any man hate the thing he wouldn’t kill?

BASSANIO : Every wrong is not a hate at first.

SHYLOCK : What! Would you have a serpent sting you twice?

ANTONIO : Please, if you think you question the Jew: You may as well go stand on the beach, And ask the main ocean to decrease his usual height; You may as well use questions with the wolf, Why he has made the mother sheep cry for the lamb;

Word Meaning With Annotation

Current of the cruelty : cruel course of action, think you question with the Jew : Do you think you can argue with the Jew?

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where are the speakers at this time?
Answer:
The speakers are at this time in a court of law in Venice.

Question 2.
What answer had the “unfeeling man” given?
Answer:
The unfeeling man, namely Shy lock; had told the Duke that he was not prepared to forego the pound of flesh to which he was entitled as a consequence of Antonio’s failure to have repaid the loan within the prescribed period of time. Shylock had also said that he now wanted the pound of flesh, and not the money, because of his hatred of Antonio and his loathing for that man.

Question 3.
What light do these verbal exchanges throw on the characters of the speakers?
Answer:
Shylock here appears as a man of inflexible resolve, while Bassanio is trying his best to prevail upon Shylock to give up his resolve which is to cut off a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Bassanio pleads for a humane view of the situation, but Shylock hates Antonio so much that he compares that man to a serpent. Antonio, intervening in the conversation between Bassanio and Shylock, tells Bassanio that it is futile to argue with Shylock because Shylock is as merciless and savage as the wolf which kills and eats up a lamb. Thus Antonio knows what kind of a man Shylock basically is.

Question 4.
Whose arguments are here more convincing : Bassanio’s or Shylock’s?
Answer:
The arguments of both Bassanio and Shylock have considerable force. Bassanio pleads for mercy from Shylock, while Shylock depicts Antonio as a man who had dpne great damage to him financially and also in terms of reputation. However, Bassanio’s arguments are certainly more convincing because it is extreme of cruelty and savagery on the part of a man to try to take the life of another man, no matter what his grievances against the other man might be.

Question 5.
Comment on Antonio’s assessment of the Jew’s attitude.
Answer:
Antonio’s assessment of the Jew’s attitude is perfectly sound. Shylock has certainly suffered much at the hands of Antonio; but he is undoubtedly a man without any human feeling. Antonio rightly compares Shylock to a wolf who kills a lamb and eats it up to satisfy his hunger. And Antonio then rightly points out that it is as futile to try to alter the Jew’s attitude of cruelty as it would be to ask the pine trees on the mountains not to let their branches move at all when strong winds are blowing in the sky.

Passage – 4 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 70-80)

Paraphrase :

ANTONIO : Please, if you think you question the Jew: You may as well go stand on the beach, And ask the main ocean to decrease his usual height; You may as well use questions with the wolf, Why he has made the mother sheep cry for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops and to make no noise When they are blown by the gusts of wind from the sky; You may as well do anything almost as hard As to seek to soften that—than what’s harder? His Jewish heart: so, I beg you, Make no more offers, use no farther means.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Think you question with the Jew : Do you think you can argue with the Jew? main flood : the tide, the ocean, bate : reduce, fretted : “agitated by”.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Who has been arguing with the Jew? What have been the bases of pleading by :

1. The Duke
2. Bassanio?

Answer:
In the trial scene, as the case comes for hearing, the duke makes an appeal to Shylock to drop his case against Antonio. This is followed by Bassanio’s request to the Jew to relent in his cruel attitude towards that helpless merchant.

1. First, the duke makes a very well-worded appeal to Shylock asking him to show pity to Antonio who has suffered heavy losses in his ships. He tactfully tells the Jew that everybody thinks that Shylock is only putting up an appearance of malice against Antonio. At last, he will show mercy by not only giving up the demand for Antonio’s punishment but also by forgiving a part of the principal amount of the loan. But Shylock claims that he has taken an oath to punish Antonio. So he cannot change his mind.
   Shylock refuses to explain why he is so cruel in his demand of a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. He gives many examples to prove that men hate certain things and cannot tolerate them. Similarly, he cannot tolerate Antonio. So he must exert his penalty. If the duke refuses to give him his legal due, it will bring a bad name to the rule of law in Venice.
2. As for Bassanio, Shylock dismisses him even more rudely. When Bassanio asks the Jew why he is giving such unreasonable answers, the Jew retorts that he is not bound to please him with his answer. When Bassanio asks if all men kill the things they do not like. Shylock wants to know if he should allow a snake to bite him twice. Thus, Bassanio’s pleading makes the Jew even more angry.

Question 2.
Were they able to convince the Jew? What was the Jew’s main answer?
Answer:
Both the duke and Bassanio failed to convince the Jew to have mercy on Antonio. Shylock’s main answer was that it was settled hate and a strong loathing for Antonio that he was pursuing a suit which involved a financial loss to him.

Question 3.
What does Antonio now say? Does he approve of any more pleading with the Jew?
Answer:
Antonio knows enough about Shylock’s obduracy and revengeful spirit. So he realises that arguing with the Jew is futile. The suspense of the trial is unbearable to him, and he prefers to hear the verdict.

Question 4.
Explain the following

1. making “the ewe bleat for the lamb”.
2. forbidding “the mountain pines’ To wag their high tops.”
3. “bid the main flood bate his usual height”

Answer:
Antonio makes several comparisons to explain the stubbornness of the Jew. It is futile to argue with him.

1. it is as futile as arguing with the wolf and asking him why he has devoured the lamb and thus
   made the mother- sheep cry in distress.
2. It is as futile as ordering the pine-trees growing on the mountain-tops not to shake their top most branches and not produce any sound when they-are agitated by the assaults made by the winds blowing over them.
3. It is as futile as going and standing on the sea-shore and calling upon the high tide to remain lower than its usual level.

Question 5.
Does Antonio speak in a mood of calm resignation? Is he afraid of consequences?
Answer:
Antonio speaks in a mood of philosophic resignation. He does not seem to be afraid of the consequences. He is ready to hear the judgement to let the Jew have what he wants. He knows that the Jew’s revenge is volcanic and sweeping in its motion and range. He, therefore, resigns before his fate.

Passage – 5 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 88-103)

Paraphrase :

DUKE : How shall you hope for mercy, giving none?

SHYLOCK : What judgment shall I dread, if I have done no wrong? You have many purchased slaves among you,Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,You use in low and in slavish ways, Because you bought them; shall I say to you” Let them be free, damn them to your heirs?” Why do they sweat under burdens? Let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Be seasoned with such rich meats? You will answer”The slaves are ours.” So I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is dearly bought; it’s mine, and I will have it.If you deny me, damn your law! There is no backbone in the laws of Venice. I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it?

Word Meaning With Annotation

You have among you many a purchas’d slave, Which (like your asses, and your dogs and mules) You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them. Shall I say to you, Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?, Why sweat they under burthens? Let their beds, Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates, Be seasoned with such viands? You will answer, “The slaves are ours” : Shylock argues that it is a common practice to keep slaves, and many in the court do so. The slaves are regarded as the property of the owner, and may be treated in any manner. Similarly this pound of flesh is his own property, and he may do what he likes with it without being brought to account. This passage shows well the unyielding and determined nature of Shylock, as well as the cruelty of his nature, parts : duties.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where are the speakers at this time?
Answer:
The speakers are at this time in a court of law m Venice.

Question 2.
On what basis does Shylock say that the pound of flesh being demanded by him is his, and that he will have it?
Answer:
Shylock makes a claim to a pound of Antonio’s flesh on the basis of the bond which Antonio had signed and which Antonio has forfeited.

Question 3.
Why does Shylock say that the pound of flesh “is dearly bought”?
Answer:
Shylock had given Antonio a loan of three thousand ducats which Antonio has failed to repay within the prescribed period of time. As Antonio has forfeited the bond which he had signed, Shylock is now entitled to a pound of Antonio’s flesh. In other words, having lost an amount of three thousand ducats, Shylock can demand a pound of Antonio’s flesh as the penalty specified in the bond. Three thousand ducats is a large amount of money; and therefore Shylock says that he has paid a heavy price for the pound of flesh which he is demanding. He would not now accept any amount of money in lieu of the flesh to which he is entitled; and so the price, which he is now paying for that flesh, is even higher than before because Bassanio is now willing to pay the Jew any amount of money in order to save Antonio.

Question 4.
What answer does the Duke give to Shylock’s question?
Answer:
Shylock’s question is whether or not the Duke is willing to enforce the law and let him cut off a pound of Antonio’s flesh. To this question, the Duke replies that he would use his authority to dismiss the court and to resume the proceedings only when a learned doctor of laws by the name of Bellario arrives here. The Duke says that he has sent for that learned lawyer to decide Shylock’s claim against Antonio.

Question 5.
To what extent does Shylock’s comparison of the pound of flesh with asses, dogs, and mules seem to you to be appropriate?
Answer:
Shylock’s comparison of a pound of Antonio’s flesh with asses, dogs, and mules owned by the Duke and by other persons in Venice is perfectly sound. The owners of asses, dogs and mules have full authority over their animals, and have a right to use them for any purpose they like. Shylock, having become legally entitled to cut off a pound of Antonio’s flesh, has now acquired similar authority over that flesh. The owners of those animals had paid a price to buy them and then to use them to carry goods from one place to another or for any other purpose, according to their requirements. Shylock too had purchased a pound of Antonio’s flesh at a certain price. He had given Antonio an amount of three thousand ducats which he had not got back; and, therefore, according to the terms of the bond, he has acquired a right over a pound of Antonio’s flesh which he can then use in any way he likes.

Passage – 6 (Act IV, Se.I, Lines 111-118)

Paraphrase :

BASSANIO : Cheer up, Antonio! What, man, have courage still! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and everything, Before you shall lose one drop of blood for me.

ANTONIO : I am a poisoned, castrated ram of the flock, Most ready for death; the weakest kind of fruit Drops first to the ground, and so let me.You cannot be better employed, Bassanio,Than to live on, and write my epitaph.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Tainted wether : an old and infirm sheep, meetest : fittest, epitaph : inscription on a tirnb stone

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where are the speakers at this time?
Answer:
The speakers are at this time in a court of law in Venice.

Question 2.
Under what circumstances does this dialogue take place?
Answer:
This dialogue takes place when Shylock’s case against Antonio seems to be going against Antonio. The Duke’s personal appeal to Shylock has produced no effect on Shylock; and Bassanio’s pleading with Shylock has also failed to serve any purpose.

Question 3.
Do you think that Bassanio is sincere in giving the assurance which he gives to Antonio in his speech?
Answer:
Bassanio is certainly sincere in giving Antonio the assurance that he would not allow the Jew to cut off any flesh from Antonio’s body, no matter what sacrifice he (Bassanio) might have to make. Bassanio is willing to give the Jew his own flesh, blood, bones, and every other part or organ of his body to save Antonio’s life. It is another matter that Shylock would not accept any such offer from Bassanio; but Bassanio is quite sincere in making the offer. Of course, Bassanio’s offer is made in a rhetorical manner and cannot be taken literally, but his sincerity towards Antonio cannot by doubted.

Question 4.
Why is Antonio willing to die?
Answer:
Antonio thinks himself to be a useless man now when he has become a bankrupt, and has completely lost his flourishing business. He compares himself to a sheep which becomes infected with some disease dangerous to the other sheep as well. It would be better if an infected sheep, and the continued presence of which in a flock of sheep can prove dangerous to the other sheep as well. It would be better if an infected sheep dies than that it should infect the other sheep as well. In the same way, Antonio would like to die instead of continuing to live and cause endless anxiety to his friends like Bassanio.

Question 5.
Explain the following expressions:

(a) a tainted wether of the flock
(b) Meetest for death
(c) and write mine epitaph

Answer:

(a) A tainted wether of the flock- an infected male sheep of a flock of sheep; a sheep which has caught some disease and which is likely to infect the other sheep as well, by its contact with the others. Actually the word “wether” means a male sheep which has been castrated and thus rendered incapable of impregnating the female sheep.
(b) Meetest for death- most fit to die. The word “meet” in this sense means “proper” or “appropriate”. “Meetest” is the superlative degree of the word “meet” which is here an adjective. “Meetest” therefore means “most proper” or “most appropriate”.
(c) And write mine epitaph- and compose the epitaph to be inscribed on my tomb. “Epitaph” means the words (in prose or in verse) which are inscribed on a tombstone. An epitaph is generally a tribute paid to a dead man or woman by his or her relatives or admirers.

Question 6.
What feelings does this piece of dialogue arouse in your heart?
Answer:
This piece of dialogue arouses our sympathy for Antonio and our admiration for Bassanio. We are filled with deep pity at the fate which Antonio is on the verge of meeting; and we certainly admire Bassanio for his sincerity towards his friend who is in deep trouble.

Passage – 7 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 121-133)

Paraphrase :

BASSANIO : Why do you sharpen your knife so earnestly?

SHYLOCK : To cut the default from that bankrupt there.

GRATIANO : You make your knife sharp, not on the sole of your shoe, But on your soul, harsh Jew, but no metal can, No, not the hangman’s axe, be sharpened to half the sharpness of your sharp hate. Can any prayers get through to you?

SHYLOCK : No, none that you have sense enough to make.

GRATIANO : Oh, damn you, stubborn dog! And, for your life, let justice be blamed. You almost make me change my mind, About agreeing with Pythagoras That the souls of animals send themselves into the bodies of men.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly : at this stage of the play, the actor who plays the part of Shylock bends down and proceeds to sharpen the edge of his knife upon the leather sole of his shoe, forfeiture : that which has been forfeited, or the flesh, not on the sole: but on thy soul (harsh Jew), Thou mak’st thy knife keen : the Old English word for soul was sawol. While the spelling had changed by the time of Shakespeare it is possible that it was pronounced rather like “sowl”, to rhyme with “howl.” no, not the hand man’s axe : the official who executed condemned men was called the “hangman”. Low bon criminals or men charged with ordinary offences were executed by hanging. But noble or political prisoners would be beheaded with an axe, manipulated by the same hangman, inexorable : ‘inexecrable’ “too bad for execration.” and for thy life let justice be accus’d : and we must accuse the spirit of Justice for allowing you to live, thou almost mak’st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves, Into the trunks of men : Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher who believed that souls of men or animals appeared several times on the earth, assuming sometimes higher and sometimes lower forms of life.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where are the speakers at this time?
Answer:
The speakers are at this time in a court of law in Venice.

Question 2.
What is the difference between “sole” and “soul” as used by Gratiano? In what sense has the word “keen” been used?
Answer:
The word “sole” means the bottom side of a shoe, and the word “souel” means the spirit of a man. A sole is made of leather (and, in some causes, of rubber), while a soul is the spirit which dwells inside a body and which is immortal. The words “sole” and “soul” have an identical pronunciation though they have different meanings. Thus we have a pun here. The word “keen” as used here means “sharp.”

Question 3.
In what way is Shylock making his knife keen on his soul?
Answer:
Gratiano means to say that Shylock’s knife has been made sharp by the cruelty of his spirit, and not as a result of his rubbing the knife against the leather sole of a shoe.

Question 4.
Explain the line : “And for thy life let justice be accus’d”.
Answer:
Justice itself would deserve to be condemned and denounced if it allows a revengeful and savage man like Shylock to continue to live in this world. Gratiano means to say that the law should take ‘‘cognizance of Shylock’s inhumanity and savagery, and should condemn him to death instead of allowing him to cut off another man’s flesh and killing the other man.

Question 5.
Who was Pythagoras?
Answer:
Pythagoras was an ancient Greek Philosopher who believed in the transmigration of the soul. According to him, the soul of a man might, after his death, enter the body of an animal, and vice versa. (That is the belief that many Hindus also hold even in these scientific times).

Passage – 8 (Act IV Sc.I, Lines 128-140)

Paraphrase :

GRATIANO : Oh, damn you, stubborn dog! And, for your life, let justice be blamed. You almost make me change my mind, About agreeing with Pythagoras That the souls of animals send themselves Into the bodies of men. Your dog-like spirit That must have been ruled by a wolf Hanged for killing a human, his evil soul Falling quickly even from the gallows, And, while you lay in your unholy mother, Sent itself into you, because your desires Are wolfish, bloody, starved, and hungry.

SHYLOCK : Until you can scream the seal from off my promise to pay, You only insult your lungs to speak so loud.

Word Meaning With Annotation

A Wolf, who hang’d for human slaughter : In the olden days it was not uncommon for animals to be formally executed like criminals, fell : fierce; cruel, unhallowed : wicked; vile, infus’d itself in thee : poured itself into the body, offend’st thy lungs : injure your lungs; put them to useless labour.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Why does Gratiano use an abusive language for Shylock? What has exactly provoked him so much?
Answer:
All appeals to Shylock to have mercy on Antonio, have failed. The Jew is bent upon inflicting penalty on his enemy by cutting off a pound of flesh from his body. Gratiano reminds Shylock that he is bringing damnation to his soul by persisting in his blood-thirsty course.
When Gratiano asks Shylock if any prayers can influence the Jew, Shylock curtly answers that no words can soften his heart. In sheer desperation, Gratiano bursts into a language of abuse. He calls Shylock a merciless dog.

Question 2.
Why does Gratiano blame justice?
Answer:
Gratiano blames justice for allowing a person like Shylock to live and enjoy human rights. This blood-thirsty fellow is less like a human being and more like a beast.

Question 3.
What makes him “waver” in his faith? What is his faith?
Answer:
Gratiano is a Christian, but on seeing a man like Shylock, his faith in Christianity is shaken. He begins to believe in the doctrine of the ancient Greek philosopher, Pythagoras. This doctrine is known as the doctrine of transmigration of souls.This meant that the souls of animals often entered the bodies of men.

Question 4.
In what respect does he seem to agree with Phytha- goras?’
Answer:
Accounting thus for Shylock’s behaviour, Gratiano says his spirit was earlier in a wolf who was hanged for killing human beings. Then this spirit fled from the body of wolf, and entered Shylock’s mother’s womb. This is the reason that Shylock has his insatiable wolfish desires. In this respect Gratiano seems to agree with Phythagoras.

Question 5.
How does Shylock respond to Gratiano’s outburst?
Answer:
Shylock responds to Gratiano’s angry outburst in a calm and assured manner. He knows the futility of all curses uttered against him. So long as Gratiano’s curses cannot erase Antonio’s seal from his bond, he (Gratiano) is only injuring his lungs to curse the Jew so loudly.
In a malevolently patronising attitude, Shylock advises Gratiano to look to his wit or it will be ruined past all repair. Shylock stands for law, and abusing or cursing him is altogether foolish.

Passage – 9 (Act IV Sc. I Lines 182 to 203)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : The quality of mercy is not restricted; It drops as the gentle rain from heaven On the place beneath the clouds. It is twice blessed : It blesses him that gives mercy and him that takes mercy. It’s most powerful in’ the most powerful people; it suits The throned king better than his crown; His royal wand shows the force of earthly power, The quality to amaze and rule, Where the dread and fear of kings sits; But mercy is above the wave of this wand, It sits on a throne in the hearts of kings, It is a quality of God himself; And earthly power then shows itself like God’s When mercy goes with justice. So, Jew, Though justice is your plea, consider this, That if we all got justice, none of us Would see salvation; we pray for mercy, And that same prayer teaches us all to do The deeds of mercy. I have spoken this much To soften the justice of your plea, Which if you follow, this strict court of Venice Must give a ruling against the merchant there.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Strain’d : forced; compelled, becomes : adorns; renders beautiful, his sceptre shows the force of temporal power : his sceptre is the emblem of worldly power, temporal means, in this sense, “worldly” as opposed to “heavenly.” Read “wordly power which attracts feelings of awe and respect for his majesty, and caused the dread and fear with which men think of kings.” “dread” and “fear” did not signify terror, but rather “deep veneration.” sceptred sway : the worldly rule which is symbolised by the sceptre, it is an attribute to God himself : it is a divine quality, and one which God Himself possesses, when mercy seasons justice : when mercy lessens the severity of justice, though justice be thy plea, consider this, That in the course of justice, none of us, Should see salvation : this is a statement of the Christian doctrine that we are all sinners, and therefore must throw ourselves on God’s mercy. If we were judged with strict justice, not one of us would deserve heavenly happiness, to mitigate the justice of thy plea : to persuade you to put forward a milder demand than that for strict justice.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What does she mean by saying that the quality of mercy is not strain’d?
Answer:
It means that mercy cannot be shown under compulsion.

Question 2.
How can the flow of mercy be described?
Answer:
The flow of mercy is as natural and spontaneous as the drops of rain falling from the sky on the earth.

Question 3.
How does mercy confer a double blessing?
Answer:
Mercy is a blessing for him who receives. It is also a blessing for him who shows mercy. Thus it is a double blessing.

Question 4.
When does an earthy power conduct itself like God?
Answer:
An earthly power acts like God when it seasons justice with mercy.

Question 5.
Why according to Portia, should we do deeds of mercy?
Answer:
We pray to God for mercy. That prayer teaches us to perform merciful acts. To deserve God’s mercy, we should show mercy to others

Passage – 10 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 207-220)

Paraphrase :

I’ll swear to pay it ten times over On penalty of the loss of my hands, my head, my heart; If this is not enough, it must seem That evil wins over truth. And, I beg you, Twist the law once to your authority; To do a great right, do a little wrong, And deprive this cruel devil of his will.

PORTIA : It must not be; there is no power in Venice that can change an established law; It will set a precedent, And many errors by the same example Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

SHYLOCK : A prophet from the Bible come to judgment! Yes, a prophet! Oh, wise young judge, how I honour you!

Word Meaning With Annotation

Wrest once the Law to your authority : for one occasion, use your authority to change the course of the law. decree established : a law which is fixed and on the statute book, precedent : an example which might be followed by other judges, will rush into the state : will speedily appear in the business of the State, a Daniel come to judgement, yea a Daniel : Daniel, one of the great Jewish characters of the Old Testament, was a man famed for wisdom and sound judgment. Shylock takes his name here as a representative or type of the perfect judge.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Who will be bound to pay it ten times? What is the original sum? Why does the speaker offer to pay ten times?
Answer:
It is the trial scene of the play, “The Merchant of Venice”. Shylock has taken the stand that he wants the forfeiture of the bond. All appeals to him to take mercy on Antonio, have failed. Portia appears in the duke’s court as the young lawyer. She finds the case quite clear. She also tries to appeal to the good sense in Shylock, but all in vain. Then she asks if Antonio cannot make the payment. At once, Bassanio offers to make the payment on behalf of his friend. He offers to make twice the principal. If that is not acceptable, he is ready to make ten times that sum. The original sum is three thousand ducats. Bassanio offers ten times this sum in order to tempt Shylock to accept, the money and spare Antonio’s life.

Question 2.
What else does the speaker offer? Why he make such an offer?
Answer:
Bassanio knows that his dear friend’s life is in danger. He is ready to do anything to save him. He, therefore, assures Shylock that if he fails to pay ten times the sum, he will forfeit his hands, his head and his heart. In short, Bassanio mortgages his own life if that can satisfy the Jew.

Question 3.
Explain what argument is given to say that “malice bears down truth”?
Answer:
Bassanio says that if Shylock is not prepared to accept even times what he lent, it must be apparent that his malice is defeating all sense of fairness. Shylock is then interested more in satisfying-his malice than in getting justice.

Question 4.
What is ultimately suggested by the Bassanio?
Answer:
Bassanio suggests that in these extraordinary circumstances the law for once may be made inoperative. He argues that a little wrong, i.e. suspending the operation of the law, may be allowed to do a great right, i.e. saving Antonio’s life. By doing this, it will be possible to prevent the devilish Jew from getting what he wishes to have, i.e. a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
Bassanio implores the judge to twist the law a little in order to save the life of an honest man like Antonio. Shylock could not be prevented from mischief by following a strictly legal procedure.

Question 5.
What is Portia’s opinion on the question of Venetian law?
Answer:
Portia rejects Bassanio’s suggestion. She asserts that there is no power in Venice which change law. It will set a bad precedent and this example will be quoted in future to do wrong things. If this is allowed, other mistakes will find their way into the administration of the state.

Question 6.
How does Shylock respond to Portia’s interpretation of law?
Answer:
Shylock is delighted to Portia’s argument while rejecting Bassanio’s appeal to interfere with law. He thinks that Portia is pleading in such a manner that he must win the case. So he praises her skill and sense of justice. Shylock compares Portia with Daniel, a young Jewish prophet who in case had exposed the falsity of certain witnesses by cleverly cross-examining them.

Passage – 11 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 223-241)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : Shylock, there’s three times your money offered to you.

SHYLOCK : An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury on my soul? No, not for Venice.

PORTIA : Why, this promise to pay is penalty; And lawfully the Jew may claim A pound of flesh by this, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful.Take three times your money; ask me to tear up the promise ta pay.

SHYLOCK : When it is paid according to the terms. It appears you are a worthy judge;You know the law; your explanation Has been most sound; I charge you by the law, Of which you are a well-deserving upholder, Proceed to judgment. By my soul, I swear There is no power in the voice of man To change my mind. I wait here on my promise to pay.

ANTONIO : Most heartily I beg the court To give the judgment.

PORTIA : Why then, it is like this:You must prepare your chest for his knife.

Word Meaning With Annotation

An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No not for Venice : Shylock gives us an additional reason that he has sworn a sacred oath (in the Jewish synagogue) not to be dissuaded from exacting what is due under the bond. This oath he cannot break, without committing a serious sin against his religion, according to the tenour : according to the strict wording and meaning, a well deserving pillar : “a worthy representative.” Shylock says that Portia is an equally strong supporter of the structure of the law. I stay here on my bond : I base my claim strictly on my bond.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where are the speakers at this time?
Answer:
The speakers are at this time in a court of law in Venice.

Question 2.
Why does Shylock refuse an offer of money?
Answer:
Shylock refuses the offer of money because he wants to put an end to the life of a man whom he regards as his enemy and whom he hates fiercely.

Question 3.
What makes Portio say: be merciful, Take thrice thy money, bid me tear the bond.
Answer:
Portia in these words makes a two fold appeal to Shylock. Originally she had suggested that Shylock should accept the money and spare Antonio’s flesh. She had then appealed to Shylock to show mercy to Antonio and spare his life. Now she combines both those appeals into one. She first asks him to show mercy and then, in the same breath, she appeals to his greed, suggesting that he should accept three times the amount which he had given to Antonio as a loan. Thus she tries her utmost to induce Shylock to soften or relent. She would like to put an end to the dispute in this way, and to tear the bond on the basis of which Shylock is demanding a pound of Antonio’s flesh in order to kill him.

Question 4.
Why does Antonio beseech the court to proceed to judgment instead or wanting the judgment to be delayed?
Answer:
Antonio is feeling impatient because Shylock has refused to budge from his position in spite of many appeals which have been made to him. Antonio does not want that any more appeals should be made to the Jew because he knows that the Jew is not going to relent. He sees no point in the proceedings of the court being prolonged because he feels certain that no purpose would be served by delaying them. Being a serious-minded and stoical kind of man, he wants that the proceedings should be expedited, and the judgment be delivered without any further appeals being made to the Jew.

Question 5.
What causes a turn in the course of events as depicted here?
Answer:
The turn in the events is caused by Portia’s sudden announcement that the Jew can have a pound of Antonio’s flesh but that the Jew must not shed a single drop of Antonio’s blood in the course of his cutting off the flesh.

Passage – 12 (Act IV Sc. I Lines 260 to 277)

Paraphrase :

ANTONIO : Only little: I am ready and well prepared. Give me your hand, Bassanio: goodbye! Don’t grieve that I am doing this for you, Because here Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her habit: it is still her habit To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view an age of poverty with hollow eye and wrinkled brow; She cuts me off from the lingering repentance Of such misery. Commend me to your honorable wife: Tell her the story of Antonio’s end; Say how I loved you; speak fairly about me in death; And, when the tale is told, ask her to be the judge of Whether Bassanio didn’t once have a love. Only be sorry that you shall lose your friend, And he is not sorry that he pays your debt; Because if the Jew only cuts deep enough, I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart.

Word Meaning With Annotation

It is still her use, to let the wretched man out-live his wealth : fortune often ruins a man, and allows him to live on in miserable poverty after his wealth has gone, but she is more kind to Antonio in mercifully allowing him to die at the same time, an age of poverty : the prospect of spending his old age in poverty, lingering penance : prolonged suffering, speak me fair in death : speak well of me to her after I am dead, a love : a friend who felt deep love. I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart : even in the moment of tragedy, Shakespeare makes Antonio speak with grim humour, using the double meaning which characterised the wit of the day. “With all my heart” means in the first place, “With the utmost willingness.” But there is the literal meaning that the Jew would cut out the whole of Antonio’s heart as part of the pound of flesh. This is a tense moment, but it is relieved by this humorous remark. The courageous character of Antonio and his frank manliness make a sharp contrast with the malice of the Jew.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Who is the speaker of these lines?
Answer:
Antonio is the speaker of these lines.

Question 2.
What is the state of the speaker’s mind?
Answer:
He is fully prepared for his death.

Question 3.
Why does the speaker think that fortune is kinder to him?
Answer:
He thinks fate is kinder to him because it is always the customs of fate to let the wretched man live even when he is absolutely penniless. He is being allowed by fate to die. Thus he would not live a life of poverty.

Question 4.
What does Antonio want Bassanio to do?
Answer:
Antonio wants Bassanio to convey his greetings to his (Bassanio’s) honourable wife. He also wants him to tell her the manner of his death.

Question 5.
What does the Antonio expect Bassanio’s wife to judge?
Answer:
He wants her to judge whether Bassanio did not at one time have a sincere friend.

Passage – 13 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 288-299)

Paraphrase :

NERISSA : It’s well you offer it behind her back; The wish would other make a noisy house.

SHYLOCK : These are the Christian husbands! I have a daughter; would any of the stock of Barabbas the thief had been her husband, rather than a Christian! We are wasting time; Please, enforce sentence.

PORTIA : A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is yours. The court awards it and the law gives it.

SHYLOCK : Most rightful judge!

PORTIA : And you must cut this flesh from off his breast. The law allows it and the court awards it.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Thpse be the Christian husbands : to Shylock, the words of Bassanio and Gratiano appear unnatural, and he infers “That shows how little Christian husbands think of their wives.” would any of the stock of Barrabas, Had been her husband, rather than a Christian : Barabbas was a murderer in the Bible, and murder is a crime which is particularly rare and greatly abhorred among the Jews. Yet Shylock says that he would have preferred to see Jessica married to a descendant of Barabbas, rather than a Christian. I pray thee pursue sentence : Carry out the sentence, please!

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Who is ‘you’ referred by Nerissa in the first line of extract? What is the offer made and why would it make an unquiet house?
Answer:
The person referred to as ‘you’ is Gratiano. He has made an offer that is likely to make an unquiet house. He has declared that he loves his wife, but he wishes that she were in heaven, so that she could request some heavenly power to change the mind of the villainous Jew.
Nerissa remarks that it is better for Gratiano to make this offer in the absence of his wife. If she heard this, she would be annoyed with her husband. This would make an unquiet house. There is dramatic irony in Nerissa’s remark. She herself is his wife and she is listening to what he has said. This fact is not known to Gratiano because Nerissa is dressed as the lawyer’s clerk.

Question 2.
Name two husbands who have said something which makes Shylock exclaim “These be the Christian husbands”. What have they said about their wives?
Answer:
The two husbands are Bassanio who is Portia’s husband, and Gratiano, who is Nerissa’s husband. Both these husbands have offered to sacrifice their wives to save Antonio from the cluthes of the cruel Jew.
Shylock, to whom everything no Jewish is inferior and mean, here sneers at what he considers the lightness of these two Christian husbands in offering to sacrifice their wives. Shylock says that he would prefer his daughter to marry a Jew.

Question 3.
Give two reasons-one financial, the other emotional- which made Shylock annoyed with his daughter.
Answer:
Shylock is annoyed with his daughter for two reasons. One is financial. She stole her father’s ? ducats and precious stones before leaving his house. Secondly, she gave Shylock emotional pain by eloping with a Christian. Elopement of a daughter is always scandalous for a father. But Shylock is twice pained because she ran away with the member of a community whom he hates.

Question 4.
Who is Barrabas? Why is he preferred in comparison to a Christian? Briefly state why Shylock hates Christians?
Answer:
Barrabas was a murderer whose story figures in the Bible. He was set free while Jesus Christ. was sentenced to be crucified, Murder is a sin which is particularly rare and highly contemptible r act amongst the Jews. Yet Shylock says that he would have preferred to see Jessica married to a descendant of Barrabas rather than to a, Christian.
Shylock has his cogent reasons to hate Christians. The first reason is that the Christians hate him y just because he is a Jew. They hate him because he does the business of money-lending. He earns his profit by charging interest on the loans he gives to people. The Christians disapprove . this business of money-lending for profit. Shylock has been insulted by Christians often at the stock exchange where merchants gather to do business. One of the Christians, Antonio, lends money to people and his loans are interest-free. This harms the business interests of the Jew. Thus, these are the many reasons why Shylock hates Christians.

Question 5.
What quarrel does Nerissa have with her husband towards the end of the play? What is humorous in that incident?
Answer:
Towards the end of the play, Nerissa has quarrel with her husband. They are back to Belmont. When she finds that Gratiano’s marriage ring is missing, she charges him with infidelity. She blames hirb for making a gift of her ring to some other woman.
It is a humorous incident. Gratiano does not know that he gave his ring to Nerissa herself when she was dressed as the’ lawyer’s clerk. Later he finds it difficult to defend himself before his wife, who enjoyed the fun at his cost.

Question 6.
What is meant by “We trifle time”? ‘What sentence does Portia pursue? What is the outcome of her sentence?
Answer:
Shylock is in a hurry. He does not want the court to waste any more time. He wants to hear the final judgement. He is itching to take his revenge by cutting off a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. He requests the court to pass the sentence without delay.
Portia has accepted the Jew’s claim. She declares that a pound of Antonio’s flesh is Shylocks. The court awards it and the law allows it. Thus, Portia passes the judgement that the court gives Shylock the right to get a pound of Antonio’s flesh according to the provisions of the law. However, when Shylock jubilantly proceeds forward with a knife in his hand, tables are turned against him. Portia who gave the hope, finally demolishes the fine structure of the Jew’s success. Shylock is defeated and Antonio honourably acquitted.

Passage – 14 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 300-310)

Paraphrase :

SHYLOCK : Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, get ready.

PORTIA : Wait a minute; there is something else. This promise to pay does not give you here a jot of blood; The words expressly are “a pound of flesh:” Then take your promise to pay, take your pound of flesh; But, in the cutting it, if you shed One drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, seized By the state of Venice.

GRATIANO : Oh, upright judge! Mark, Jew: Oh, learned Judge!

SHYLOCK : Is that the law?

Word Meaning With Annotation

Jot : tiny particle, is that the law : Shylock speaks in utter bewilderment,’ and appears a comic, hesitating figure on the stage, with all his arrogance and confidence gone.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Whom does Shylock call a “learned judge”? Why does he give such a praise to anyone?
Answer:
Shylock praises Portia as a learned judge. She is disguised as a young lawyer. She has interpreted the Venetian law. She has upheld the claim made by the Jew. She has declared that the bond’s forfeiture cannot be denied because Antonio has failed to repay the loan within the time limit. Shylock is delighted to hear a verdict favourable to him.

Question 2.
Shylock talks of a “sentence”. What is this sentence? Whom does he ask, “come, prepare”?
Answer:
Shylock talks of the sentence which gives to the Jew the right to cut off a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. The court has awarded it according to the provisions of the law. He now victoriously turns Antonio to prepare himself for a deadly stab from his enemy.

Question 3.
“Tarry a little, there is something else,” What has been said already, to which something need be added?
Answer:
Portia interrupts Shylock as he moves towards Antonio. She asks him to wait a bit to consider some very important legal point. She has already awarded to the Jew a pound of flesh claimed by him. That was the simple meaning of the bond. But the young lawyer has a very fine point to make now. This will hinder the unqualified execution of the sentence.

Question 4.
What does the bond give the Jew ? What is it that it does not give him?
Answer:
Portia agrees that the bond entitles the Jew to receive his pound of flesh. But the words expressly mention only a pound of flesh and no more. It does not give him a single drop of blood.

Question 5.
What is the warning given to the Jew?
Answer:
Portia warns the Jew that he may cut off a pound of flesh but he should not shed a drop of blood. If he sheds one drop of Christian blood, his lands, hjs goods shall be confiscated by the state of Venice. This is the law of Venice.

Question 6.
Does Shylock continue to claim a pound of flesh from the merchant’s body? Does he change his stand at any stage? What is the consequence?
Answer:
When Shylock finds that he has been defeated on his own ground, he changes his stand. He; . agrees to receive three times the original sum. Bassanio is willing to make this payment But the r young lawyer pushes the Jew into a tight corner by telling him that he would be given no payment. He must have his bond. As a consequence, the Jew loses all his money. He also receives punishment for conspiring to take a citizen’s life.

Passage – 15 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 316-330)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : Wait! The Jew shall have all justice; wait! Don’t hurry:- He shall have nothing but the penalty.

GRATIANO : Oh, Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge!

PORTIA : So, get ready to cut off the flesh. Don’t shed any blood; or cut less nor more, Exactly just a pound of flesh: if you take more, or less, than a just pound, whether it is only so much That makes it light or heavy in the substance, or the division of the twentieth part of one poor scruple; no, if the scale turns only by a hair,You die, and all your goods are seized.

GRATIANO : A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have you at a disadvantage.

Word Meaning With Annotation

He shall have nothing but the penalty : having led Shylock into the trap, Portia is determined not to let him off lightly. He was afforded numerous opportunities of withdrawing with a profit before this; now the tables are completely turned, and he who would show no mercy to Antonio is to have none himself, as makes it light or heavy in the substance : “As will make the amount of it light or heavy.” or the division of the twentieth part of one poor scruple : the word “or” seems to connect this with the previous line as an alternative. It is a repetition of the previous line, and the general sense is “ or if it varies from an exact pound by the twentieth part of a scruple.” A scruple was a very small unit of weight, if the scale do turn but in the estimation of a hair : “if it is estimated that one side of the scale varies from the other by as much as a hair’s breadth.” confiscate : an old past participle, equal to “confiscated” on the hip : this phrase is taken from wrestling. To have a man “on the hip” meant to secure such a hold on him that he was helpless, and could be easily thrown by his opponent.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where does this dialogue take place and when?
Answer:
This dialogue takes place in a court of law in Venice; and it takes place after Portia has made it impossible for the Jew to cut off any flesh from Antonio’s body, and when the Jew expresses his willingness to accept the money and let Antonio go.

Question 2.
To whom are Gratiano’s remarks addressed, and what is the significance of these remarks?
Answer:
Gratiano’s remarks are addressed to Shylock. Gratiano’s remarks here are bitterly sarcastic. He is poking fun at Shylock and tormenting him with his savage irony. Indeed, Gratiano’s irony now is as savage as Shylock’s desire for revenge had previously been.

Question 3.
Who was Daniel?
Answer:
Daniel is the name of a Biblical personage. According to the Biblical account, Daniel was a man of exceptional wisdom. He delivered judgments which were unique in their wisdom and their justice.

Question 4.
Explain the line : “Now infidel I have you on the hip.”
Answer:
Gratiano describes Shylock as a misbeliever, and says that now he has the misbeliever in his grip. As a Christian, Gratiano regards a Jew as an infidel (or a non-believer in Christ and in the faith which Christ preached). To have somebody on the hip means to have him in one’s hold or in one’s grip.

Question 5.
What are your feelings as you go through this dialogue?
Answer:
We at this time feel greatly relieved because Portia has been able to rescue Antonio from the Jew’s clutches; and we also enjoy the manner in which Gratiano ridicules and mocks at Shylock who has been thwarted in his purpose. Gratiano shows an exceptional talent for making sarcastic remarks which are most appropriate at this time, and which the audience in a theatre would greatly relish. The tables have been turned upon Shylock; and Gratiano is now repeating Shylock’s own words in order to mock at him. We have here to remember that previously Shylock had used these words for the judge: “An upright judge, a learned judge! A second Daniel,” etc.

Passage – 16 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 343-359)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : Wait, Jew. The law has yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice, That, if it is proved against an alien That by direct or indirect attempts He seek the life of any citizen, The party against whom he schemes Shall seize one half his goods; the other half Comes to the public treasury of the state; And the offender’s life lies at the mercy Of the Duke only, above all others. In which predicament, I say, you stand; Because it appears by this obvious proceeding That indirectly, and directly too, You have schemed against the very life Of the defendant; and you have incurred The danger that I just read to you. So, kneel down, and beg mercy of the Duke.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Tarry Jew : on the stage, Shylock is shown as startled by those words, wondering what fresh development is to come, alien : any foreigner or person not a native of Venice, citizen : a native of Venice, the party ‘gainst the which he doth contrive : this is in imitation of the Language of the law. Portia may be supposed to quote from the exact words of this particular law, “against the which” is particularly typical of the affected working of legal documents. It is thought that Shakespeare served at one time of his life in a lawyer’s office, and it is his accurate knowledge of legal terms which lends some show of probability to the theory, contrive : conspire; plot, seize : “take possession of’ or “become entitled to.” privy coffer : the state treasury, gainst all other voice : no other person except the Duke has power to decide whether the offender shall live pr die. difficult situation; position, the danger formerly by me rehears’d : the penalties which 1 have just stated.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What does Portia mean by telling Shylock that the law hath yet another hold on him?
Answer:
Portia means to say that Shylock is in the clutches of law in one more respect.

Question 2.
What has been laid down in the laws of Venice?
Answer:
The law of Venice say that if a foreigner has tried directly or indirectly to take the life of any native citizen of Venice, the victim shall be entitled to get one half of the property of the defaulter. The other half will be attached by the state treasury. The life of the defaulter would be at the mercy of the Duke.

Question 3.
Can the decision on the Judgement of the Duke be changed?
Answer:
No. It cannot be changed by any other person.

Question 4.
What does Portia find Shylock guilty of?
Answer:
She finds Shylock guilty of having plotted against the life of Antonio.

Question 5.
What does Portia order Shylock to do?
Answer:
Portia orders Shylock to go down on his knees and beg mercy of the Duke of Venice.

Passage – 17 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 372-386)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : What mercy can you give him, Antonio?

GRATIANO : A free rope with a nooses; nothing else, for God’s sake!

ANTONIO : So if it pleases my lord, the Duke, and all the court To set the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, as long as he will let me have The other half to use, to give it, On his death, to the gentleman That lately stole his daughter: Two things more, that, for this favor, He presently becomes a Christian; The other, that he records a gift, Here in the court, of everything he has when he dies To his son, Lorenzo, and his daughter.

Word Meaning With Annotation

A halter gratis : a rope free of charge, to hang himself, quit : remit; excuse, so he will : on condition that he will, become a Christian : would be the cruellest blow of all for Shylock, for his adherence to the Jewish faith has seemed the only point in his nature which redeemed him from being purely mercenary, record a gift : “draw up a legal document for the assignment of property.” Such a document was called a “deed of gift”.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
To whom does Portia expect Antonio to show mercy? What role is Portia playing?
Answer:
Portia is speaking to Antonio as a young lawyer interpreting the Venetian law in the court of the Duke. She asks Antonio if he will show mercy to Shylock.

Question 2.
Was Shylock earlier asked by Portia to show mercy to Antonio? What was his response then? What is his situation now?
Answer:
A short while ago, Portia had asked Shylock if he will show mercy to Antonio. Then it was Antonio in the dock. He had failed to repay the loan, and he was to lose a pound of his flesh to the Jew. The Jew then refused to have mercy on Antonio. He was not willing to receive his money with interest. He was bent upon cutting off a pound of flesh from the body of the defaulter.
Now the situation has reversed. Shylock who was in a winning position earlier, finds himself in a tight comer. He is now charged with conspiring to take the life of a Venetian citizen, i.e.’ Antonio. Antonio is now in a position to take mercy on the Jew’.

Question 3.
How this scene show difference between the attitudes of Jews and Christians?
Answer:
The scene bring out a contrast between the attitudes of Jews and Christians. This points has been emphasised by the Duke in his speech addressed to Shylock. The Duke said that the Christian spirit is to forgive while the Jewish spirit is to avenge. The Duke, being a Christian, forgave Shylock’s life even without his asking for it. But half of his wealth was given to Antonio. The other half which was to the treasury of the state, was to be commuted to a fine if Shylock showed a humbler attitude.

Question 4.
What does Antonio suggest about the fine which was to be charged by the state from the Jew?
Answer:
Antonio requests the Duke to remit that part of Shylock’s fine which is to go to the state. Shylock may be allowed to retain half of his property by paying a fine only.

Question 5.
What would Antonio do with the other half of the property?
Answer:
Antonio will receive the other part of the property belonging to the Jew, which he will keep in trust. This he will give to – Lorenzo (who has married Shylock’s daughter) at the death of the Jew.

Question 6
Comment on Antonio’s character as revealed in his response to this situation.
Answer:
Antonio gives that concession to Shylock on two conditions. First, he must become a Christian at once. Secondly, he must write a deed leaving all his property at his death to his son-in-law Lorenzo and his daughter. Jessica.
Thus. Shylock will be deprived of only half of his property which will be held in trust by Antonio, the other half will remain with him if executes a will bequeathing all his possessions to his daughter and son-in-law. Antonio’s gesture raises him further in our estimate. He is now a man without financial resources. He could have kept the Jew’s property. But he leaves his legal share for the Jew’s daughter.

Passage – 18 (Act IV, Sc.I, Lines 398-410)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : I humbly desire your Grace’s pardon; I must go away tonight toward Padua, And it is proper that I leave right away.

DUKE : I am sorry that you cannot stay. Antonio, thank this gentleman, Because, in my opinion, you owe him a lot. Exit Duke and his train.

BASSANIO : Most worthy gentleman, my friend and I Have been acquitted today Of grievous penalties by your wisdom; instead of Three thousand ducats, due to the Jew, We will freely pay for your courteous pains.

ANTONIO : And stand indebted, over and above, In love and service to you forever.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Meet : necessary. I am sorry that your leisure serves you not : I am sorry that you do not have the leisure time to come, gratify this gentleman : “reward this gentleman”, much bound to him : under a deep obligation to him.” in lieu whereof : “in requital of your services.” we freely cope your pains withal : “we freely remunerate you for your kindly labours.” No other case of cope being used in this sense is found in Shakespeare.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Where are Portia and the Duke? Why does Portia asks to be excused? What, in reality, is the reason for the excuse?
Answer:
Portia and the Duke are in the Duke’s court in the connection with the trial of Antonio who has failed to repay the loan to Shylock. Portia is disguised as a young lawyer, interpreting the’law of
After the trial is over, the Duke invites Portia for a dinner at his residence. Portia begs to be excused for not being able to join him. She says that she has to reach Padua, and for that she must start immediately. In fact, Portia will not waste any moment after the court is adjourned, since she with Nerissa has to reach Belmont before their husbands do.

Question 2.
Why does the Duke call Portia a “gentleman” ? Give the meaning of the word ‘gratify’. Why, according to the Duke, must Portia be gratified?
Answer:
The Duke calls Portia a gentleman even though she is a woman. It is because she is dressed as a young lawyer, posing to be a gentleman and not a woman. The word ‘gratify’ here means to give reward for something done by the young lawyer. The Duke asks Antonio to thank and reward the young lawyer, Portia, who is solely responsible for saving his life. As a judge, it seems strange that she should accept any reward. But it is necessary for the needs of the drama which concludes with the happy resolution of the ring- episode.

Question 3.
What does Bassanio offer to Portia in order to gratify her on Antonio’s behalf? What does Antonio say in support of Bassanio’s offer?
Answer:
On behalf of Antonio, Bassanio comes forward. He expresses his gratitude to Portia for releasing his friend from the worst forfeiture and penalty. For this he gladly offers that sum of three ‘ thousand ducats as compensation for the lawyer’s efforts.
Antonio supports his friend’s offer by saying that no amount of money can repay their debt of gratitude for the lawyer. They would owe love and service to him for ever.

Question 4.
How does Portia respond to Bassanio’s offer? What does Bassanio ask Portia to grant him. What two things Portia asks for? What is the humour in the conversation that follows?
Answer:
Portia speaks humbly that she is satisfied with what she has done. Thus his effort has been fully paid. She has been fully compensated by having succeeded in saving the gentleman from a harsh penalty. She never did anything for money. She only wishes them to recognize her when they meet again. This simple sentence has a deeper meaning. When they meet again. Bassanio would not recognize her in his wife the erstwhile lawyer.
Bassanio insists on the lawyer accepting some token of remembrance. He wants her to grant this request to him. She then agrees to accept a pair of gloves and the ring which Bassanio is wearing on his finger. Now Bassanio tries hard to save this ring, and Portia refuses to accept anything else. Finally, Bassanio has to yield.

Question 5.
Briefly state your opinion of Portia at this point of the play.
Answer:
The trial scene ends with a note of comedy. We see the situation growing tense in the beginning, but with Shylock’s defeat the atmosphere changes. And all this is the outcome of the role played by Portia. We admire Portia for her sharp intelligence, her self-possession, her sagacity, her sweet reasonableness and her capacity for practical jokes.

Passage – 19 (Act IV. Sc.I, Lines 430-444)

Paraphrase :

BASSANIO : There’s more that depends on this ring than its value. I will give you the most expensive in Venice, And find out where it is by proclamation: Only for this ring, please, excuse me.

PORTIA : I see, sir, you are free in making offers; You taught me to beg first, and now I think You teach me how to answer a beggar.

BASSANIO : Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; And, when she put it on, she made me vow That I should not sell, or give, or lose it.

PORTIA : That’s the excuse many men use to save their gifts. And, if your wife is not a mad woman, And knows how much I have deserved this ring, She would not hold out in being your enemy forever For giving it to me. Well, goodbye!

Word Meaning With Annotation

There’s more depends on this than on the value : “This ring is of sentimental, rather than intrinsic value.” and find it but by proclamation : he will cause it to be proclaimed in Venice that he wishes to buy an expensive ring, so that he may receive specimens from the various jewellers and select the best one. only for this I pray you pardon me : but excuse me from giving this one thing, you teach me how a beggar should be answer’d : and now you refuse me, as one sually does a beggar, scuse : a contracted form of “excuse.” she would not hold out enemy for ever for giving it to me : “she might be angry on first hearing of it, but she would not retain her anger for long when she had heard Bassanio’s explanation.” Portia’s reasons are skilful and sound, and make Bassanio appear very mean in refusing such a simple request. She goes away in a mood of hurt and offended dignity, yet full of quiet courtesy, and makes Bassanio look even more discourteous

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
“There is more depends on this than on the value.” What is meant by this statement. Why has Bassanio to say this?
Answer:
Bassanio says these words to Portia who insists on having his ring as a reward for her role in the trial before the Duke. Bassanio explains to the young lawyer that the ring has a significance for him beyond its price. He wants to be true to his oath to his wife.

Question 2.
What does Bassanio promise to give Portia? What for? What is he unwilling to give her?
Answer:
Bassanio promises to give Portia the most expensive ring available in Venice. He will find it by openly announcing it in the city that he is ready to buy such a ring. But he is unwilling to give her the ring he is at present wearing on his finger:

Question 3.
What does Portia protest in response to Bassanio’s words, “only for this I pray you pardon me.”
Answer:
When Bassanio begs to excused for not sparing his own ring, Portia pretends to be offended at his refusal. She taunts him for not keeping his promise to give her whatever she asked for and. She protests that first he pressed upon her a gift, and when she asked for it, he held it back. Thus, he has treated her like a begger.

Question 4.
Why does Bassanio reveal the secret of the ring?
Answer:
Portia will not listen to any of Bassanio’s entreaties. She must have the ring. Bassanio is thus ultimately forced to reveal the secret of the ring. This is the ring which his wife gave him with a pledge that he would not lose it, itt is for this reason that the ring has its emotional value far beyond the actual value in terms of money.

Question 5.
How does Portia induce Bassanio to part with the ring?
Answer:
Portia then induces Bassanio to part with his ring by saying that” unless his wife were mad, she would not quarrel over his giving it to so deserving a person as the lawyer who had saved his dearest friend’s life. Her reasons are sound and her argument is skillful. All this makes Bassanio appear very mean in refusing such a simple request.

Question 6.
At what stage does Antonia intervene to settle the issue? What follows this?
Answer:
In a mood of pretended annoyance, Portia leaves the scene. In her absence, Antonio prevails upon Bassanio to make a gift of the ring to the young lawyer. He wishes that the great service done by the lawyer combined with Bassanio’s love for his friend may prove stronger than the command which Bassanio’s wife gave him. Bassanio can no longer resist. He sends Gratiano with the ring to be given to Portia. There, Gratiano is also going to lose his ring to Nerissa who will make such a demand from him.

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Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 5, Scene 1 – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English

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Passage – 1 (Act V, Sc.I, Lines 49-65)

Paraphrase :

LORENZO : Sweet soul, let’s go in, and wait there for them to come. And yet, it doesn’t matter; why should we go in’? My friend Stephano, let them know, please, Within the house, that your mistress is at hand, And bring your music outside. How sweet the moonlight sleeps on this bank! We will sit here and let the sounds of music Creep into our ears; soft stillness and the night Compliment the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica: look how the sky Is covered thick with layers of bright gold; Even the smallest star that you see Sings like an angel as it moves, Still singing like a choir to the young-eyed cherubs; Such harmony is in immortal souls;. But, while this muddy earth of decay Buries us, we can’t hear it

Word Meaning With Annotation

Expect : await, signify : make known the fact, become : suit. touches of sweet harmony : notes of sweet music, patines : plates, orb : star, but in his motion like an angel sings : that does not produce sweet music, young-eyed : bright-eyed, cherubins : angels, muddy vesture of decay : body of perishable flesh, grossly : so as to make our souls gross or dull.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What does Lorenzo suggest to his sweet heart?
Answer:
Lorenzo suggests to his beloved that they should go inside and wait for the arrival of Bassanio and Gratiano. Then he drops the suggestion.

Question 2.
What does Lorenzo tell Stephano to signify?
Answer:
Lorenzo tells him to go and tell the servants that their mistress was about to come and they should bring their musical instruments in the open air.

Question 3.
Describe the moon-light scene and the playing of music.
Answer:
The moon-light is falling gently on the bank. Musicians are playing on the musical instruments. A soft silence and the time of night befit the playing of musical instruments.

Question 4.
Describe briefly the beauty of the sky.
Answer:
The sky is studded with the bright, golden stars. Even the smallest planet produces an angelic music.

Question 5.
Why cannot human beings hear the music of spheres?
Answer:
Human beings cannot hear the music of the Spheres because their bodies are made of insensitive clay.

Passage – 2 (Act V, Sc.I, Lines 70-87)

Paraphrase :

LORENZO : The reason is your spirits are observant; Because only look at a wild and wanton herd, Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Pushing crazy limits, bellowing and neighing loudly Which is the hot condition of their blood; If they only hear may be a trumpet sound, Or any air of music touches their ears, You will see them make a mutual stop, Their savage eyes turned to a calm gaze By the sweet power of music: so the poet Pretended that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods; Only music for the time changes his nature From not so wooden, hard, and full of rage. The man that has no music in him, Or is not moved by harmony of sweet sounds,’ Is fit for treasons, plots, and stealing; The movement of his spirit is as dull as night, And his affections are as dark as the place between Earth and hell. Don’t trust such a man. Listen to the music.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Attentive : rapt in attention, wanton : mischievous, race : breed, unhandled colt: young horses not broken in. fetching mad bounds : bounding madly, hot condition of their blood : their own natural wild condition, perchance : by chance, make a mutual stand : come to a standstill together, modest : mild, feign : imagine, nought : nothing, stockish : unfeeling, concord of sweet sounds : sweet melody, stratagems : plots, spoils : thefts, motions of his spirits : his thoughts and feelings

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What effect does music produce on wild horses?
Answer:
Wild horses become lame on hearing music.

Question 2.
What impact did Orpheus create by the power of his music?
Answer:
Orpheus had the power to draw trees, stones and floods to him with his music.

Question 3.
How does Lorenzo characterise a man who does not like music?
Answer:
Such man is fit for treacherous actions, plots and acts of plunder. The impulses of the mind of such a person are dull as the time of night. His feelings are as dull as the regions of hell.

Question 4.
Is a man also does not love music reliable?
Answer:
He is not reliable.

Question 5.
What do you understand by treasons, stratagems and spoils?
Answer:
Treasons mean treacherous deeds, Stratogems are Conspiracies and spoils are looting.

Passage – 3 (Act V, Sc.I, Lines 147-158)

Paraphrase :

GRATIANO : About a hoop of gold, a worthless ring That she gave me, whose inscription was, For all the world, like knife maker’s poem on a knife, “Love me and leave me not.”

NERISSA : Why do you talk of the inscription or the value? You swore to me, when I gave it you, That you would wear it until the hour of your death, And that it would go with you to your grave; You should have respected and have kept it Though not for me, but for your intense oaths. Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge, The clerk will never grow a beard that took it.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Hoop : circle, ring, posy : a short verse of poetry, cutler’s poetry : verses or mottos engraved on knife- blades. respective : scrupulous, careful.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Which quarrel is referred to in the extract? What does Shakespeare want to show by introducing a quarrel among the lovers?
Answer:
The quarrel referred to in the extract is between Gratiano and his wife Nerissa. This is about the ring given by Nerissa to her husband which he does not have in his possession now.
Shakespeare introduces a quarrel among the lovers to produce the comic effect in the serious atmosphere’ of the play. ‘The Merchant of Venice’ assumes the seriousness of a tragedy, particularly in the Trial Scene when Antonio’s life is threatened by the forfeiture of the bond. The playwright introduces the ring episode to relieve the tension. Thus, the play concludes happily. „ The quarrel itself is a practical joke played by Portia and Nerissa on their husbands.

Question 2.
Give the meaning of :

(a) a hoop of gold
(b) cutler’s poetry.

Answer:

(a) A ‘hoop’ is a circular band of metal or anything, here made of gold. It is contemptuously used for the ring. Gratiano wants to minimise the importance of the ring so that there may not be much fuss about it.
(b) It was customary to have inscriptions on spoons and table knives. They were perhaps not so poetical in tone. Gratiano says humorously that the motto inscribed on the ring was like the one on a piece of cutlery. It was the least poetic.

Question 3.
Who had given the ring to Gratiano? What promise was made by him at that time about the ring?
Answer:
Nerissa had given the ring to Gratiano soon after their marriage. At that time. Gratiano had made the promise to his wife that this ring was a token of her love, and he would never lose it.

Question 4.
To whom did Gratiano give the ring? Why? What is the practical joke about the ring episode?
Answer:
Gratiano gave the ring to the lawyer’s clerk. The practical joke about the rings is that he actually gave it to none other than his own wife. Nerissa who was disguised as the lawyer’s clerk. Nerissa had herself demanded it in order to tease his husband on returning home. Gratiano was unable to recognise the lawyer’s clerk in the new out fit.

Question 5.
What does Portia say about the quarrel referred to in the extract?
Answer:
On hearing the sharp exchange of words between Nerissa and Gratiano; Portia comments that there is a quarrel so soon after their marriage. She does not expect such a development.

Question 6.
Why did Portia join in accusing Gratiano of doing wrong ? what did she say about the ring she had given to Bassanio, before she had finished speaking against Gratiano?
Answer:
Portia soon joins Nerissa in accusing Gratiano for so non-seriously parting with his wife’s first present to him. She does so to caution Bassanio that a similar attack is going to be launched on him for a similar lapse. She concludes her speech by saying that if Bassanio ever behaved in this manner, she would go mad in grief.
There is a dramatic irony in this speech of Portia’s. She naturally takes the side of the woman in this loving battle between sexes. Thus she cleverly introduces the parallel quarrel about her own ring, reminding them that there was a ringing similarly given by her to Bassanio. She is deliberately making the situation uncomfortable for Bassanio, and increasing the effect of irony for the delight of the audience.

Passage – 4 (Act V, Sc.I, Lines 200-212)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : If you had known the virtue of the ring, Or half the worthiness of her who gave the ring, Or your own honor to hold the ring, You wouldn’t have parted then with the ring. What man is there so very unreasonable, That, if you had’ bothered to defend it With any terms of earnestness, lacked the modesty To encourage the thing be held as a ceremony? Nerissa teaches me what to believe : I’ll die for it, but some woman took the ring.

BASSANIO : No, by my honor, madam, by my soul, No woman took it. but a civil doctor, Which refused three thousand ducats of me, And begged for the ring, which I denied him, And let him go away displeased.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Worthiness : ment. your own honour : your duty as an honourable man. contain : preserve, wanted : lacked, ceremony : a sacred pledge, civil doctor : doctor of civil law, lawyer.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
What defence has Bassanio given in the lines preceding the passage, for losing the ring?
Answer:
In the lines preceding this passage, Bassanio makes an earnest plea while explaining the circumstances in which he was compelled to part with the ring. He is sure that Portia will excuse him if she comes to know to whom the ring was given away. She will understand if she learns for whom it was done, and last of all, the reluctance with which it was finally given to the lawyer.

Question 2.
How does Portia reject his argument to magnify his offence?
Answer:
Portia seems to reject her husband’s argument. She is equally vehement in magnifying his offence of parting with the marriage ring soon after his marriage.
Portia rejects Bassanio’s plea as incredible. She thinks that if he had zealously defended the ring, no man would have been so unreasonable and unmannerly to ask for the ring which was a ceremonious gift.

Question 3.
What effect the repetition of the word ‘ring’ achieves?
Answer:
Portia succeeds in seriously embarrassing her husband. She achieves the effects of strong emphasis by repeating the word ‘ring’ at the end of each line four times.

Question 4.
Is Portia right in accusing her husband that he gave the ring to some other woman?
Answer:
Portia is right in accusing her husband for giving away the ring to ‘some woman’. But, as the audience know, the woman whom he gave the ring was no other than Portia herself, without knowing it.

Question 5.
How far is Bassanio truthful in saying that he did not give the ring to any woman?
Answer:
Bassanio is truthful when he swears that he did not give the ring to a woman. He gave it to the lawyer, who appeared to be a youngman. He gave it unwillingly under pressing circumstances. This too is true. And yet he gave it unknowingly to the ‘young man’ who was actually a young woman’, i.e. Portia herself.

Question 6.
What is the source of amusement in this dialogue?
Answer:
This dialogue should be very amusing for the audience. The pleasure is derived from the fact that what Bassanio and Gratiano do not know, is well known to the audience. It is a delightful situation to watch young husbands being be fooled and teased by their newly-wedded wives.

Passage – 5 (Act V, Sc.I, Lines 223-246)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : Don’t let that doctor ever come near my house; Since he has gotten the jewel that I loved, And which you swore to keep for me, I’ll become as free as you; I won’t deny him anything I have, No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed. I shall know him, I am well sure of it. Don’t sleep a night from home; watch me With one hundred eyes; if you don’t, if I am left alone, Now, by my virginity which is still my own, I’ll have that doctor for my lover.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Jewel : costly ring, liberal : generous, know : recognise, lie : sleep, from : away. Argos : a hundred eyed monster, yet mine own : still intact, my bed fellow. : sleep with me, rut with me.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Who speaks these words? To whom are these addressed? Where are these persons?
Answer:
Portia is the speaker of these words, and she is in conversation with Bassanio. They are in Belmont at Portia’s residence. Both have returned from Venice after attending Antonio’s trial.

Question 2.
Who is the ‘doctor’ referred to in the lines? Has the other person said something earlier?
Answer:
The doctor referred to is the Doctor of Law, whom Bassanio referred to as the civil doctor. He is the person who interpreted the Venetian law in the court of the Duke in the dispute between Shylock and Antonio.

Question 3.
Which Jewel has the doctor taken away? What is the speaker’s complaint?
Answer:
Portia complains that the doctor has taken away the ring which was given by her to her husband as a token of her love. This she mentions as a Jewel’. By this she means a precious thing.

Question 4.
Why does the speaker say the following? “Let not the Doctor e’er come near my house.”
Answer:
Portia has heard Bassanio’s version of how he.could not resist the doctor’s earnest demand for the ring. She now says that if the doctor was so very persuasive, then Bassanio must see to it that he does not come that way. If he could while away the ring from his finger, it was just possible the same doctor may succeed in prevailing upon her to part with her most valuable possession, which was her honour and chastity.
Portia here pretends to have great grievance against the doctor. She goes to the extent of saying that she would become as free in her associations as was Bassanio. Then she would not refuse the doctor anything, as a retaliation for Bassanio’s licence.

Question 5.
Does the speaker give any warning to the, other person?
Answer:
Portia warns Bassanio not to stay away from home even for a night. The doctor might come in his absence and form intimate relations with Portia. Bassanio must guard against this possibility.

Question 6.
“Watch me like Argos,” Explain the reference about Argos.
Answer:
Portia wants Bassanio to watch her carefully, i.e. with a hundred eyes, as Argos watched Argos in classical mythology was a person with hundred eyes. Only one of his eyes slept at a time. For this reason, Juno directed him to keep watch over another goddess with whom Jupiter had fallen in love.

Passage – 6 (Act V, Sc.I, Lines 267-279)

Paraphrase :

PORTIA : Don’t speak so indecently. You are all amazed: Here is a letter; read it at your leisure; It comes from Padua, from Bellario: There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, Nerissa there, her clerk: Lorenzo here Shall witness that I set out as soon as you left, And even just now returned; I have not yet Entered my house. Antonio, you are welcome; And I have better news in store for you Than you expect: unseal this letter right away; There you shall find three of your merchant ships Have richly come into harbor suddenly.You will not know by what strange accident I happened to get this letter.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Grossly : in a vuglar way. amaz’d : astonished, your leisure : in your free time, there : in that letter, witness : support my statement, set forth : started, but e’en now : a moment ago, just now. news in store : waiting for me. unseal : open. Argosies : merchant ships, richly : laden with rich Cargo, suddenly : by chance, chanced on : happened to get.

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
“Speak not so grossly, you are all amazed,” Portia advises not to speak ‘grossly’. What have they been talking? Why are they amazed? Who are the other people present there.
Answer:
They had been talking something indecent. Portia said that she would sleep with the young lawyer if he came there. Nerissa said that she would have relations with the lawyer’s clerk. All this was said to tease Bassanio and Gratiano. At last, Portia decides to stop talking in that manner.
All are amazed to see that Portia has got the ring which Bassanio presented to the doctor of the laws. Similarly. Nerissa has the ring which Gratiano gave to the lawyer’s clerk. This amazement changes into embarrassment to hear from the two woman that they slept with other men to secure these rings.

Question 2.
Which letter is being shown by Portia? What is the need of showing this letter?
Answer:
Portia is showing them a letter written by Dr. Bellario of Padua, authorising Portia to act as his representative while arguing the case in the court of the Duke in Venice.
She needs to show this letter to those present there to prove to them that the doctor who defended Antonio in the court was no other person that Portia herself. Bassanio, Gratiano, Antonio and others are listening to her account in sheer amazement.

Question 3.
What are the new facts revealed by Portia? Where has she come from?
Answer:
Portia springs a surprise on everybody by telling everybody that she and Nerissa have just returned from Venice. They had left the house soon after Bassanio and Gratiano left for Venice. – This fact can be confirmed from Lorenzo, who was left in charge of the house in her absence.
Tire new facts revealed by Portia are that she herself acted as the doctor of laws in the court of the Duke. Nerissa stood beside her as her clerk. After concluding the case in the court and extracting the rings from Bassanio and Gratiano, these two clever women rushed back to Belmont to overtake their husbands.

Question 4.
What good news does Portia have for Antonio?
Answer:
Portia has a good news for Antonio. She has a letter with her which gives the information that three of Antonio’s merchant ships laden with merchandise have reached home safely. Antonio had earlier been told that all his ships have been destroyed in the sea. This means that Antonio is once again a rich merchant of Venice.

Question 5.
Does she have any good news for Lorenzo and Jessica? Is Portia anyway responsible for bringing this good news for them?
Answer:
portia does have a very good news for Lorenzo and Jessica. She has with her a deed signed by Shylock beqeathing his share of the property for his daughter and son-in-law. He would have disinherited Jessica who had eloped with a Christian.
Portia has played a vital role in not only saving Antonio’s life, but, also in interpreting law in a manner that pushed Shylock into a tight comer. Half of the Jew’s property went to Antonio and the remaining was left to be used by Shylock in his life time. Thereafter, it goes to Jessica and Lorenzo. In this, Antonio has also played a gracious role. He is to hold half the Jew’s property 1 only as a trust, to pass it on to the Jew’s daughter and son-in-law.

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Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1 – Passages with Reference to the Context – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English

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Passage – 1
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 1-5)

Context : These are the opening lines of the play The Merchant Of Venice, Spoken by Antonio. The merchant speaks to his friends Salarino and Salanio. Antonio makes a confession of the mysterious melancholy which oppresses him. He is shown as a sad man at the beginning of the drama even before anything happens to him. His sadness strikes the key¬note of his character.

Explanation : Antonio says that he does not know why he is so sad. Frankly speaking, this sadness has taken hold of him. You complain that you find this sadness very depressing for you. He can assure you that it has a similar effect on his spirits. He is totally ignorant how and where he came to have this melancholy, what has given rise to it and what its nature is.

Passage – 2
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 8-14)

Context : These lines are spoken by Salarino in The Merchant of Venice when Antonio is seen in a melancholy mood in the opening scene.

Explanation : Salarino tries to suggest a possible reason for Antonio’s melancholy. He says that Antonio’s mind is worried by thoughts of his richly laden merchant ships which are voyaging on the ocean. These ships of Antonio rise above smaller vessels just as rich men rise above ordinary citizens. Smaller ships bow to and salute Antonio’s ships just as humble persons bend respectfully before rich men. Salarino here describes Antonio’s ships in highly, complimentary words.

Passage – 3
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 17-22)

Context : These lines are taken from Act I Scene I of The Merchant of Venice. Salanio, one of Antonio’s friends speaks to Antonio, when the latter complains of his mysterious and strange melancholy.

Explanation : Salarino assures Antonio that if he were busy in a business enterprise as Antonio is, all his thoughts would center round what danger would the ships face. He should be constantly holding up a blade of grass in the air to find out if the wind was blowing in a direction favourable to his ship’s course. He should be consulting maps to find out what harbours, ports and road steads could lend shelter to his ships in case of need and danger. And to find anything that was likely to endanger the safety of his shops should, beyond all doubt, make him unhappy.

Passage – 4
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 50-56)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. Antonio’s friends offer several explanations of his melancholy but Antonio does not admit any of those explanations to be true. At this point Salarino makes the comment quoted in above lines.

Explanation : Salarino swears by Janus (two faced gods) the Roman god of gates and doors, who can see both ways, that Nature has created people of strange temperaments. There are some people who are so jovial and good humoured that they laugh at trifles even as parrots laugh to see a bagpiper-one who plays on a bagpipe. Others wear such a sad, gloomy expression that they will not laugh even at a joke that can amuse the most serious man in this world. Salarino swears by Janus, the two faced god, because he has to describe people of two opposite temperaments. A parrot laughing at a bagpipe implies people who will laugh without rhyme or reason. Nestor is a character in Greek mythology. He was known for his over-seriousness. These lines show Antonio as a man of naturally melancholy temperament.

Passage – 5
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 80-86)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. Antonio’s friends have been trying to find reasons for his melancholy. Antonio says that he is by nature a serious and gloomy man. Gratiano in this passage comments upon Antonio’s statement.

Explanation : Gratiano says that he would rather be a jester than a kill-joy. He would like to remain happy and gay till his very old age. It is better to drink heavily, even if it is harmful to health, than to sink in despair and feel worried to death. He cannot understand why a man in the prime of his life should feel sad and keep quiet like the stone statue of his grandfather. Why should a man be lazy and inactive in spite of youthful energy? Why should he contract diseases like jaundice by remaining continuously ill-tempered? Antonio’s melancholy seems causeless to Gratiano. He, therefore, condemns it in a witty manner.

Passage – 6
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 88-94)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. Antonio’s friends have been discussing his melancholy. Antonio has said that his melancholy is temperamental and not due to any particular cause. Gratiano makes the following comment upon it.

Explanation : There are some people in this world who wear upon their faces a serious expression. Such people are like a pool of standing and stagnant water. They put on such serious airs deliberately and intentionally. Their object is to earn a reputation for wisdom, seriousness and deep thoughtfulness. They wish to appear to be prophets who must not be interrupted while they are uttering words of wisdom. Gratiano is here making fun of Antonio’s melancholy.

Passage – 7
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 115-118)

Context : These words are spoken by Bassanio to Antonio in The Merchant of Venice. Bassanio describes Gratiano’s habit of talking too much with very little meaning.

Explanation : Bassanio says that Gratiano’s talk contains very little sense. To find sense in Gratiano’s talks is like searching for two grains of wheat buried in two large heaps of chaff. It demands much time and much effort to discover the sense in Gratiano’s words and, when that sense has been discovered, the discoverer feels that it is not worth the pains that he has spent.

Passage – 8
(Act I, Sc.I, Lines 167-172)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. Bassanio wants a loan of- money from his friend Antonio in order to try his luck at winning Portia. He praises highly the lady whom he wishes to marry for her wealth as well as beauty.

Explanation : Portia’s beauty and accomplishments, says Bassanio, are not a secret from anyone. She is so widely known that men of high rank and position go to Belmont, where she live, from all countries and lands. Her like Colchos. Just as Jason went to Colchos in order to win the golden fleece, similarly suitors from far near go to Belmont in order to win fair Portia.

Passage – 9
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 5-8)

Context : These words are spoken by Nerissa to Portia in The Merchant of Venice. Portia has said that she is feeling sick of the world. Nerissa replies that happiness lies in having neither too much wealth nor too little.

Explanation : Nerissa says that people who have too much of wealth are as sick of life as people who are penniless. A person who has neither too much, nor too little is, therefore, lucky. A man who possesses too much wealth grows old to early; while he who has neither too much nor too little lives very long.

Passage – 10
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 11-20)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. Nerissa has said that those who, like Portia, own too much wealth are as unhappy as those who have little. It is better, therefore, to be neither very rich nor very poor. Portia praises the wisdom of Nerissa’s remark.

Explanation : It is much easier to say wise things than to do them. If doing them were as easy as saying or knowing them, there would have been much greater happiness in the world than there is now. In the case small places of worship like chapels would have become churches; that is, they would have attracted more people and that would have led to a greater piety, and more kindness would have been shown to the poor. Thus, the happiness of the poor would have transformed their cottages into palaces. A really good priest is one who himself practices what he preaches. It is much easier to teach others to follow the right path than to follow it oneself. Reasons may dictate certain wise courses of action but one’s impulses usually ignore such dictates. Youth is generally nor rash and unthinking; so it never follows the rules of good conduct or good advice. Youth is swift like a hare and the advice of experienced people is a cripple. Youth cannot be caught in the net of good counsel. A young man never stops to consider the advice given to him. Portia ends her speech by saying that this way of talking and reasoning will not help her in getting husband. It is useless to analyses human nature, she says.

Passage – 11
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 37-39)

Context : These words, spoken by Portia to Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice express Portia’s opinion about the Neapolitan Prince who is a candidate for Portia’s hand.

Explanation : Portia humorously calls the Neapolitan Prince a colt (the young one of a horse), because he constantly talks about the horse. In calling him a colt, she also means that he is a wild fellow. The Prince, says Portia, takes great pride in the fact that can himself shoe his horse. He thinks it a great qualification. Portia is making fun of the Neapolitan Prince’s exaggerated interest in his horse.

Passage – 12
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 41-45)

Context : These words, taken from the Merchant of Venice, express Portia’s opinion about the Count Palatine, one of the suitor of Portia. Portia is talking to her maid, Nerissa.

Explanation : Portia says that the Count Palatine is all time frowning and that he seems to think that he will not bother very much if he is rejected by Portia. He is so serious-minded that he does not smile even at funny stories. If he is so foolishly serious-minded in youth, he will surely become a hardened pessimist in his old age.

Passage – 13
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 50-58)

Context : These words, taken from The Merchant of Venice, and contain Portia’s comment on one of her suitors, namely, Monsieur Le Bon, the French Lord.

Explanation : Portia says that she is willing to consider Monsieur Le Bon a human being only on the -ground that the God made him. She means that he is not fit to be regarded as a human being. She further says that making fun of people is a sin but that she cannot help making fun of this man. This fellow talks of his horse even more proudly than the Neapolitan prince. He has a worse habit of frowning ever, than the Count Palatine. He pretends to possess all sorts of accomplishments but actually he possesses none. He will start dancing when he hears a bird like the throstle singing. He will fight a duel even with his own shadow. He has no character ‘or personality of his own as he combines in himself the various qualities of at least twenty different persons. Marrying him would mean marrying twenty husbands. Portia says that if this fellow were to hate her she would not mind. If he were to love her, no matter how desperately, she would never be able to respond to his love.

Passage – 14
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 65-69)

Context : This is Portia’s comment on one of her suitors in The Merchant of Venice. Portia is talking to Nerissa and the target of satire if Falconbridge, the young baron of England.

Explanation : Portia says that the young baron of England is certainly as beautiful as a picture, but no one can talk with a picture, because a picture is dumb and cannot talk. She will not be able to talk to him because she does not know English and he does not know Italian or French. She then describes his strange was of dressing because he wears clothes of mixed fashions. He wears a jacket of an Italian design, breeches of a French cut, a hat of a German style, while his manners are a mixture of the manners of all countries.

Passage – 15
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 71-75)

Context : These words are spoken by Portia to Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice. Portia here gives an amusing description of the Scottish lord, one of her suitors.

Explanation : Portia says that the Scottish lord possesses a very sympathetic heart and charitable feelings. When the Englishman gave the Scottish lord a box on his ears, the Scottish lord promised to return it as soon as he would be in a position to do so. The Frenchman stood the Scottish lord’s surety in this transaction, and gave an assurance that the Scottish lord would certainly fulfill his promise to return the box. This assurance made the Englishman give another box to the Scottish lord.

Passage – 16
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 77-79)

Context : These words are from The Merchant of Venice spoken by Antonio in reply to Gratiano’s remark that Antonio looked sad because he had too much regard for the world and its good opinion of him. Antonio is in the company of Bassanio, Lorenzo and Gratiano. A short time before, when the play opens, Antonio says to Salarino and Salanio that he is sad but he does not know the cause of his sadness. Salarino and Salanio had tried in their own way to account for the sadness of Antonio. According to them he was sad either because he was thinking about his ships or because he was in love. But Antonio had rejected both these explanations. Now when the new group of friends arrives, they also note that Antonio is looking rather sad and careworn. Gratiano is the first to express this feeling.

Explanation : Antonio, not knowing the cause of his sadness, tells Gratiano that he regards this world as nothing more than a stage, upon which everybody has to play his part. He feels that his part in the drama of life set on the world’s stage is a serious one.

Passage – 17
(Act I. Sc.II, Lines 3-8)

Context : These lines are from Act I, Scene II of The Merchant of Venice and are spoken by Nerissa, Portia’s waiting maid. Portia has just remarked that she has become ‘aweary’ of the world.

Explanation : Nerissa somewhat philosophically says that Portia’s sadness proceeds from superfluity of wealth, for true happiness lies in the golden mean. Her opinion is that persons who have too much of anything are in as bad a condition as those who have too little of it. Therefore, the best condition is to be neither too wealthy nor too poor, because those who have too much money indulge themselves in excess and grow old very soon while those who have just sufficient to keep themselves healthy live longer.

Passage – 18
(Act. I, Sc.II, Lines 16-19)

Context : These lines occurs in Shakespeare’s famous play lines The Merchant of Venice. When Portia resents the manners of her marriage and complains of sadness. Nerissa like a philosopher says that (his sense of weariness is the malady of the idle rich who live a pampered life of enjoyment and superfluity. She adds that competency and not superfluity will ensure happiness. Portia admits it but says that the problem is that it is very difficult to put a maximum into actual practice.

Explanation : Portia says that the rational nature of man may frame rules for controlling the passion, but human beings both men and women especially in youth, are apt to be governed by passions which are deaf to the appeal of reason. The laws of reason are easily overthrown by youthful impulse, just as ordinary nets meant for catching hare are skipt over by him. The wild impulse of youth is like a hare and moral, laws are like a cripple that pursues a hare to catch him but fails to do so. Similarly, moral law falls to keep under control wild passions of youth.

Passage – 19
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 31-35)

Context : These words are spoken by Shylock in Scene III of Act I of The Merchant of Venice. Shylock and Bassanio have been talking about the loan of three thousand ducats for a period of three months for which Antonio is to stand as a surety. Shylock tells Bassanio that he could stand surety for him. Although all Antonio’s fortunes ‘are at sea’ yet Shylock considers him sufficient. But before giving that loan Shylock must see Antonio and speak to him.

Explanation : When Bassanio invites Shylock to dinner, where he could talk to Antonio, Shylock says that he would have commercial dealing with the Christians but would not mix with them socially. He would not dine with a Christian because they eat pork which is a prohibited food for the Jews. Shylock contemptuously refers to swine as the dwelling place of the devil; he is alluding to the miracle of Jesus Christ who compelled certain evil spirits to come out of two men, and allowed them to enter the bodies of a herd of swine.

Passage – 20
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 33-42)

Context : These lines are spoken by Shylock in Act I Scene III of The Merchant of Venice. While Shylock is discussing with Bassanio the loan of three thousand ducats on Antonio’s security, the merchant himself makes his appearance. On seeing him, Shylock at once bridles up within himself. He mutters, “How like a fawning publican he looks” thereby giving vent to all the pent up rage and venom of his heart.

Explanation : Antonio is a Christian and he hates the Jew. The Jew is a money-lender by profession: and Antonio brings down the rate of interest in the market by lending money without any interest, which is a loss to the business of Shylock, Shylock hates Antonio because he is a Christian and lends money free of interest and moreover for his (Antonio’s) hatred of the sacred Jewish nation. Naturally he talks in terms of having a revenge upon Antonio.

Passage – 21
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 98-99)

Context : These lines occur in Act I Scene III of The Merchant of Venice. When Antonio approaches Shylock for a loan, Shylock alludes to the insulting treatment which he has met with at the hands of Antonio. Shylock has endured patiently all the insults hurled at him by Antonio because he and the other members of his race are noted for their power of tolerance. Shylock here refers to the age long suffering and grievances of the Jews of Europe.

Passage – 22
(Act I, Sc.II, Lines 119-123)

Context : These lines are spoken by Portia in The Merchant of Venice when a servant brings the information that the four suitors who had previously arrived are about to depart while a fifth The Prince of Morocco is about to arrive.

Explanation : Portia says that she is very happy to learn that the four suitors are departing. She wishes she could be as happy at the arrival of the fifth suitor. The Prince of Morocco, she says, might be as holy as a saint but his black complexion would make him look like a devil. She can agree to regard this man as a priest before whom she has to confess her sins, but she would certainly not like to become the wife of such a man.

Passage – 23
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 21-25)

Context : These words are spoken by Shylock to Bassanio in reply to Bassanio’s request for a loan. Shylock’ clever and cunning as he is exaggerates the dangers to which the ships of Antonio are exposed.

Explanation : Shylock asks Bassanio how he can be certain that, if he gives a loan to Antonio, his money will be safe. True that Antonio is a wealthy merchant but all his money is invested in ships and merchandise. There can be no certainty that Antonio’s ships will return safely to harbour. What are ships? They are just made of wooden boards. What are sailors? They are just human beings. There are not only thieves on land like land-rates; but there are also but there are also thieves on water like water rats— that is, there are pirates (sea-robbers). Antonio’s ships may be seized by sea-robbers. What then is the surety that Shylock’s money will be safe? Besides the danger from sea-robbers, there is also the danger from storms and rocks.’ Antonio’s ships may get wrecked. Under these circumstances, if Shylock lends money to Antonio, he will be taking a great risk. And yet, he says, nobody can doubt that Antonio’ is a man of wealth.

Passage – 24
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 75-79)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. Shylock defends his practice of charging interest by citing the old testament in the following manner.

Explanation : When Jacob, who was the third in succession from Abraham, decided to quit his uncle Laban’s place, they came to an understanding. The agreement was that Jacob should have for his wages, as many of his uncle’s lambs as were born streaked and pied. This was a method to gain and Jacob was blessed by God. It is advisable to make profits and enrich oneself as long as one does not steal other people’s money.

Passage – 25
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 87-91)

Context : These words are spoken by Antonio to Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice. Shylock has defended his practice of charging interest on loans by citing an example from the Bible. Here is Antonio’s comment.

Explanation : Antonio says that even the devil will sometimes quote cases from the Bible to justify his devilish conduct. A wicked person, quoting the authority of the Bible in support of his actions, is like a villain who wears a smile in order to pretend friendship. Such a man is like a nice-looking apple which is rotten inside. How strange that all false things have an attractive appearance!

Passage – 26
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 108-118)

Context : These lines are taken from The Merchant of Venice. The speaker is Shylock who is addressing Antonio when the latter has requested a loan of three thousand ducats from the Jew.

Explanation : Shylock reminds Antonio of the insults and indignities that the latter has been heaping upon the Jew. Antonio has often called the Jew a dog and has often spat on his clothes. Now Antonio wants a loan from the same Jew. How should the Jew behave now? asks Shylock. How can a dog or cur lend money? Why should Antonio now expect money from Shylock whom he holds in contempt? Should Shylock bend low to Antonio and offer him the loan respectfully? Should he give him three thousand ducats for having been called a misbeliever, a cut-throat dog, etc.? Should he give him the money for having been insulted, degraded, and spat upon?

Passage – 27
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 5-7)

Context : These lines occur in Act II, Scene VI of The Merchant of Venice. Gratiano and Salarino, masqued, are waiting and waiting for Lorenzo at a pent house projecting from Shylock’s place of residence.

Explanation : These lines contain Salarino’s reply to the remark of Gratiano who is surprised that Lorenzo, a lover, is not meeting them at the appointed time. According to him, lovers during their courtship and the period prior to their marriage are over-punctual in keeping their engagements relating to the love-affair: Salarino takes the cue from Gratiano and insinuates that Lorenzo is not so faithful to Jessica now as Jessica is his. Lovers are ten times more ready to plight truth in the case of new love than they are to keep old love inviolate. They are quick in making new love but slow when love has been made. Venus, “Love-drawn”, the unscrupulous goddess of love, is more ready to be present at an engagement than at a marriage.

Passage – 28
(Act I, Sc.III, Lines 149-156)

Context : These lines, taken from The Merchant of Venice, are spoken by Shylock when Bassanio tries to prevent Antonio from signing the bond.

Explanation : Shylock appeals to Abraham and expresses his surprise at the suspicious nature of Christians. He says that because Christians are merciless in their own dealings with others, they regard others also as equally merciless. He asks Bassanio what he can gain by cutting a pound of Antonio’s flesh in case Antonio fails to repay the loan before the fixed date. He adds that a pound of a goat’s flesh or a cow’s flesh is more valuable than a pound of human flesh.

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Merchant of Venice Act 2, Scene 2 Modern English Translation Meaning Annotations – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English

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Original Text
Act II Scene II

Modern English Reading
Act II Scene II

LAUNCELOT : Certainly, my conscience will allow me to run from this Jew my master. The devil is at my elbow and tempts me, saying to me, “Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot” or “good Gobbo” or “good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, get going, run away.” My conscience says, “No; be careful, honest Launcelot, be careful, honest Gobbo” or, as I said before, “honest Launcelot Gobbo, don’t run; scorn running with your heels.” Well, the most courageous devil tells me to pack. “Go!” says the devil; “Away!” says the devil. “For heaven’s sake, wake up a brave mind,” says the devil ’and run.” Well, my conscience, hanging, about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, “My honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man’s son”—or rather “an honest woman’s son;”—because indeed my father experienced some things, earned some things, he had a kind of taste;—well, my conscience says, “Launcelot, don’t budge.” “Budge,” says the devil. “Don’t budge,” says my conscience.” Conscience, “I say, you advise me well.” “Devil,” I say, “you advise me well.” To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who, God save us all! is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should listen to the devil, who, deliver us from evil! is the devil himself. Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnate; and, in my conscience, my conscience is only a kind of hard conscience, to offer to advise me to stay with the Jew. The devil gives the more friendly advice: I’ll run, devil; my heels are at your commandment; I will run.
Enter old Gobbo with a basket.

Word Meaning With Annotation

The fiend : Satan; the devil, scorn running with thy heels : “to take to one’s heels” is a colloquial phrase meaning “to take to flight.” pack : depart. Via : ‘Take the road’, hanging about the neck of : restraining, holding back. (Just as we might imagine a wife hanging about the neck of her husband, restraining him from some act.) God bless the mark ! : this expression was used as an apology for having used any coarse expression: here for having used the name of the devil, which was supposed to be unlucky, saving your reverence : used in the same sense as “God bless the mark !”

Original Text

Modern English Reading

GOBBO : Master young man, you, please; which is the way to Master Jew’s?

LAUNCELOT : Oh, heavens! This is my biological father, who, being more than half¬blind, nearly stone blind, doesn’t know me: I’ll try to confuse him.

GOBBO : Master young gentleman, please, which is the way to Master Jew’s?

LAUNCELOT : Tum up on your right hand at the next turning, but, atthe next turning of all, on your left; damn it, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house.

GOBBO : Be God’s sonties, it will be a hard way to go. Can you tellme whether one Launcelot, who lives with him, lives with him or not?

LAUNCELOT : Are you taking about young Master Launcelot? Listen to me now; now I will really get him. Are you talking about young Master Launcelot?

Word Meaning With Annotation

Master Jew’s : The word “Master” is used here as a title of respect, with much the same effect as “Sahib”, sand-blind : half-blind, “high-gravel” blind represents a further stage of blindness, but it is still not so bad as “stoneblind” i.e. completely blind, confusions : wrongly used by Launcelot, who means “conclusions”, turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but, at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house : this is deliberately given as a confused and senseless direction, sonties : God’s health, so perhaps it was customary to swear by the health of the Deity. Or it may mean “By the saints.” raise the waters : brings tears to the old man’s eyes by telling him that his son was dead.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

GOBBO : No master, sir, only a poor man’s son; his father, although I say it, is an honest, exceedingly poor man, and, thank God, well enough to live.

LAUNCELOT : Well, let his father be what he will be, we’re talking about young Master Launcelot.

GOBBO : Your worship’s friend, and Launcelot, sir.

LAUNCELOT : But please, therefore, old man, therefore, I beg you, are you talking about young Master Launcelot?

GOBBO : Of Launcelot, if it pleases you, sir.

LAUNCELOT : Therefore, Master Launcelot. Don’t talk about Master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman,—according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning,—is indeed dead; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

GOBBO : Damn it, God forbid! The boy was the very support of my age, my very prop.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Though I say it : an apology for boasting of his own honesty and poverty, well to live : may mean “in good health”. But the more common meaning would be “well to do.” a : a contraction for “he”; it is used only in the speech of uneducated countrymen, your worship’s friend : you may call him your frignd, but he is not entitled to be called “Master”. Ergo : Latin word for “therefore”. Launcelot uses it here because it sounds learned, but he seems not to know the use or meaning of the word, an’t please your mastership : if it please you, sir! talk not of Master Launcelot, father : the word “father” was used as a respectful form of address to any old man. the sister three, and such branches of learning : the three sisters, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, were also called the Fates and Destinies; they are the symbolic classic conception of fate and destiny, ranches of learning : may be read as “learned names and phrases.” Shakespeare is satirising those people who are not content to use plain speech, but attempt to use learned words and phrases, staff of my age, my very prop : Launcelot had been a source of support to his father, just as a staff is to a feeble person, or a prop to a wall.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

LAUNCELOT : Do I look like a club or a beating stick, a staff or a prop? Don’tyou know me, father?

GOBBO : Unhappy the day! I don’t know you, young gentleman; but please tell me, is my boy—God rest his soul!—alive or dead?

LAUNCELOT : Don’t you know me, father?

GOBBO : Sorry, sir, I am half-blind; I don’t know you.

LAUNCELOT : No, indeed, even if you had your eyes, you might not know me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. Well,old man, I’ll tell you news of your son. Give me your blessing; truth will come to light; murder cannot be hidden long; a man’s son may, but, in the end, truth will come out.

GOBBO : Please, sir, stand up; I am sure you are not Launcelot, my boy.

LAUNCELOT : Please, let’s have no more fooling about it, but give me your blessing; I am Launcelot, your boy that was, your sonthat is, your child that shall be.

GOBBO : I cannot think you are my son.

LAUNCELOT : I don’t know what I shall think of that; but I am Launcelot, theJew’s man, and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Cudgel : a club or lathi, this is used palyfully and is suggested by the literal meaning of the word “staff’ m the previous line, hovel-post : a wooden post or upright used in the building of a hovel or hut. It is a wise father that knows his own child : this coarse expression still persists in English. The meaning is, of course, that if a man has a wife who is immoral, he can never tell whether the child which is bom belongs to him or not. truth will out : truth cannot be conceaed. let’s have no more fooling : Let us cease to talk in jest about it. I know not what I shall think of that: but I am Launcelot, the Jew’s man; and I am sure Margery, your wife, is my mother : the thought is again of the coarse nature such as pleased the calsses of Elzabethans. Launcelot says that no man can be sure who his father was, although there is no doubt about his mother. It is an echo of the words “It’s a wise father that knows his own child.”

Original Text

Modern English Reading

GOBBO : Her name is Margery, indeed: I’ll swear, if you are Launcelot, you are my own flesh and blood. Lord of us all,what a beard you’ve got! You have got more hair on your chin than Dobbin my thrill-horse has on his tail.

LAUNCELOT : It should seem, then, that Dobbin’s tail grows backward; I am sure he had more hair on his tail than I have on my face when I last saw him.

GOBBO : Lord! how you have changed! How do you and your master get along? I have brought him a present. How do you get along now?

LAUNCELOT : Well, well; but, as for me, as I have made up my mind to run away, so I’ll not rest until I have run some ground. My master’s a very Jew. Give him a present! Give him a halter. I am starving in his service; you can count my ribs with your fingers. Father, I’m glad you’ve come; give your present toone Master Bassanio, who indeed is giving rare new clothing to new servants. If I don’t serve him, I’ll run as far as God has any ground. Oh, rare fortune! Here comes the man: give the present to him, father; because I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.
Enter Bassanio with a follower or two [one of them Leonardo.]

Word Meaning With Annotation

Dobbin my fill-horse : ‘fill-horse’ denotes a horse used for drawing a cart, and “Dobbin” has always been an affectionate name bestowed on a horse in England, grows backward : becomes less instead of longer of : used instead of “on.” set up my rest : determined; resolved. This phrase is derived from a gambling game, and meant to stand upon the cards in one’s hand, relying that they would be better than those of an opponent, you may tell every finger I have with my ribs : the words “finger” and “ribs” should be interchanged. Launcelot means that he has not been sufficiently fed while in Shylock’s service, with the result that anyone is able to count all his ribs by feeling with a finger. But he makes this mistake, something a kin to what we call a “Spoonerism.” who, indeed, gives rare new liveries : In the meantime, Bassanio is engaged in fitting out his expedition to Belmont, and evidently Launcelot has heard that Bassanio’s servants are being clothed in fine new suits of uniform. I am a Jew : “May I become a Jew myself etc.” Launcelot means that this is- equally impossible as it is for him to remain longer in Shylock’s service.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

BASSANIO : You may do so; but let it be quickly so that supper is ready by five of the clock at the latest. See these letters are delivered, get the servants’ clothes made, and ask Gratiano to come now to my house.
Exit a servant.

LAUNCELOT : To him, father.

GOBBO : God bless you, sir!

BASSANIO : God have mercy, what do you want with me?

GOBBO : Here is my son, sir, a poor boy—

LAUNCELOT : Not a poor boy, sir, but the rich Jew’s man, that would, sir,—as my father shall specify.

GOBBO : He has a great infection, sir, as one would say, to serve—

LAUNCELOT : Indeed the short and the long is, I serve the Jew, and have a desire, as my father shall specify—

GOBBO : His master and he, God save you, sir, are almost like cousins—

LAUNCELOT : To be brief, the very truth is that the Jew, having done me wrong, causes me,— as my father, being I hope an old man, shall frutify to you—

GOBBO : I have here a dish of doves that I wish to give you, sir; and what I want is—

Word Meaning With Annotation

Grammercy : An exclamation denoting thanks; Bassanio acknowledges the respect paid in the words “Your worship”, he hath a great infection : He has a great desire. The word “infection” is deliberately used wrongly instead of “affection” saving your worship’s reverence : “with apologies to you Sit.” or “if I may mention the fact, Sir.” frutify : another word used wrongly by Launcelot; he means “explain” or “set forth”.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

LAUNCELOT : In very brief, what he asks is impertinent to myself, asyou, sir, shall know from this honest old man; and, though I sayit, though old man, yet poor man, my father.

BASSANIO : One of you speak for both of you. What do you want?

LAUNCELOT : To serve you, sir.

GOBBO : That is the very defect of the matter, sir.

BASSANIO : I know you well; you have gotten what you ask for. Shylock your master spoke with me today, And has recommended you, if it is a recommendation To leave a rich Jew’s service to become The follower of so poor a gentleman.

LAUNCELOT : The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of God, sir, and he has enough.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Impertinent : ridiculous mistake. He means “pertinent” i.e. “my application pertains to or concerns myself.” defect : Gobbo means the “substance” or “effect” of the matter, and hath preferr’d thee, if it be preferment : the verb “prefer” meant either to recommend or to promote, the old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir; you have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough : the proverb is “The grace of God is better than gear (possessions).” lodging : place of abode, guarded : “braided”. In the first place the edge of the cloth was bound with material to protect it and keep it form fraying. Then it came to mean additional cloth applied by way of ornament. Launcelot is to have a uniform with more ornamental stripes on it than the other servants.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

BASSANIO : You speak well. Go, father, with your son. Say goodbye to your old master, and find out where I live. Give him clothes that are less showy than that of his fellows; see it gets done.

LAUNCELOT : Father, go in. I cannot get a service, no! I have never had a tongue in my head! Well; if any man in Italy has a better table that offers to swear on a book, I shall have good luck. Come on; here’s a simple line of life; here’s a small number of wives; sadly, fifteen wives is nothing; eleven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man. And then to escape drowning three times, and to be in fear for my life with the edge of a feather bed; here are simple escapes. Well, if Fortune is a woman, she’s a good woman for this guy. Father, come; I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.
Exit Clown. Exit Launcelot.

Word Meaning With Annotation

If any man in Italy have a fairer table, which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune! : The general sense is- “Any one who has (or who can swear he has) a hand better endowed than mine, is lucky indeed.” “Table” is a technical term in palmistry, meaning the palm of the hand on which the lines are read. It is enough to remember that Shakespeare depicts Launcelot as overjoyed by his good luck, and makes him speak in a confused and excited manner, simple line of life : a clearly marked line on his palm, denoting that he will have long life, coming-in : that which comes in, i.e. something acquired, to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather bed : The sense is “and I see also from my hand that I shall at one time be in danger of losing my life, and also I see the symbol of a bed, denoting a wealthy marriage for me.” a good wench for gear : a kind lady for showing me this prospect of possessions. in the twinkling of an eye : “in an instant’, or, as the saying goes, As
quickly as you could wink.”

Original Text

Modern English Reading

BASSANIO : Please, good Leonardo, think about this: Once these things have been bought and orderly put away Come back quickly, because I feast tonight with My best-esteemed acquaintance; hurry up, go.

LEONARDO : You have my best efforts to get everything done as you ask. Exit Leonardo. Enter Gratiano.

GRATIANO : Where’s your master? LEONARDO:Over there, sir, he’s walking. GRATIANO: Mr. Bassanio!— BASSANIO:Gratiano!

GRATIANO : I have to ask you something.

BASSANIO : You’ve got it.

GRATIANO : You mustn’t say no: I must go with you to Belmont.

BASSANIO : Why, then you must go. But listen, Gratiano;You are too wild, too rude, and loud, Qualities that become you happily enough,And, in such eyes as ours, don’t appear to be faults; But where no one knows you, why there, these qualities Show something that’s too liberal. Please, take pains To behave yourself and to control Your wild spirit, so that I won’t be misunderstood As to why I came, because of your wild behavior, And lose my hopes of marriage.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Orderly bestowed : carefully placed on board the ship, feast: entertain, hie thee : “Betake yourself’ or “Go.” you have obtained it : Bassanio grants the request before he knows what it is. parts : characteristics; manners, too liberal : overdone; too bold, allay : to weaken; to abate, skipping spirit : unruly disposition. I be misconstrued : I should find my errand misunderstood.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

GRATIANO : Mr. Bassanio, listen to me: If I don’t put on a sober habit, talk with respect, and swear only now and then, wear prayer- books in my pocket, look demurely, No more, while grace is saying, hood my eyes like this with my hat, and sigh, and say “amen;” Use all the observances of manners, as one well studied in a sad display in order to please his grandmother, never trust me anymore.

BASSANIO : Well, we’ll see your behavior.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Put on a sober habit : assume quieter manners, wear prayer books in my pocket : to give people the impression that he was a devout man, given to religious exercises, demurely : modestly ; equietly. hood mine eyes, thus with my hat : men of quality wore hats at meals; probably the custom was that when the grace (prayer of thanks) was being said, they held the hat reverently in front of the face. Amen : the word which concludes a prayer. Use all the observance of civility : company with the usages of good society, sad ostent : appearance of solemnity.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

GRATIANO : No, but tonight is an exception; you shall not judge me by what we do tonight.

BASSANIO : No, that would be a pity;I would beg you rather to put on your boldest face of happiness, because we have friends that offer merriment. But goodbye; I have some business to see to.

GRATIANO : And I must go to Lorenzo and the rest; But we’ll visit you at suppertime.
Exeunt.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Bar to-night : make an exception of tonight gauge, judge, that were pity : it would be a pity to do so. boldest suit of mirth : “Your gayest dress”, or “Your most mirthful mood.” the latter is more suitable to the context.

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Merchant of Venice Act 2, Scene 3 Modern English Translation Meaning Annotations – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English

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Original Text
Act II Scene III

Modern English Reading
Act II Scene III

JESSICA : I am sorry that you will leave my father like this: Our house is hell, and you, a happy devil, Robbed it of some taste of boredom. But goodbye; there is a dollar for you; And, Launcelot, you will soon see Lorenzoat supper, who is your new master’s guest: Give him this letter; do it secretly. And so, goodbye. I wouldn’t have my father see me talking with you.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil : our home has been as miserable as hell, but enlivened somewhat by the presence of such a merry fellow as yourself. Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness : who relieved the monotony a little.

Original Text

Modern English Reading

LAUNCELOT : Goodbye! Tears exhibit my voice. Most beautiful pagan,most sweet Jew! If a Christian doesn’t play the rogue and get you, I am much deceived. But, goodbye! these foolish drops drown my manly spirit some what; goodbye!
Exit.

JESSICA : Goodbye, good Launcelot.It’s a pity, what hateful sin it is in me to be ashamed to be my father’s child! But, although I am a daughter from his blood, I am not from his manners. Oh, Lorenzo! If you keep your promise, I shall end this strife, Become a Christian and your loving wife.
Exit.

Word Meaning With Annotation

Tears exhibit my tongue : emotion keeps him from speaking. I shall end this strife : Jessica has been divided between loyalty to her father and love for Lorenzo; now she declares that the latter has won.

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