GRADE -10

SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Title – Drama -The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Sub Title - Act 3 (all scenes); Act 4, Sc 1

Act 3 scene -1
The rumours of Antonio's losses grow more frequent and circumstantial. Shylock is torn apart with rage at
Jessica's reported extravagance with his long-hoarded wealth, and with malignant joy as he hears of Antonio's
misfortunes and impatiently awaits the forfeit of his bond.

Summary and Analysis

Solanio and Salerio discuss the unlucky events that have befallen Antonio. It is rumoured that another of
Antonio's ships has been wrecked. Solanio and Salerio worry that Antonio will be ruined because of the "cruel
bond" (contract) that Antonio has made with Shylock. Just then, Shylock himself appears.
Though Shylock and Antonio have made a perfectly legal contract, the Christians see Shylock's actions as
"cruel." The scene also suggests that weeks or months have passed since the end of Act 2

Shylock accuses Solanio and Salerio of having helped Jessica elope from his house. They boast that, indeed,
they did help. Shylock damns them. When Solanio says that Jessica was old enough to choose her own
husband and leave home, Shylock responds that, no, she is his "flesh and blood" (3.1.33) and should have
stayed. Salerio taunts him that there is "more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet (a deep
black stone) and ivory" (3.1.34–5).
In 2.3:, Jessica pondered whether you are related to someone because you share blood or because you share
similar "manners." Shylock here argues that "flesh and blood" are the true measure of relatedness. But Solanio
and Salerio's response that the beautiful "white" Jessica is completely unlike the "black" Shylock indicates that
they believe one's manners, or even one's willingness to be Christian, define relatedness.

Solanio then asks whether Shylock has heard any more news of Antonio's losses at sea. Shylock says he has,
and ominously adds that Antonio can look forward to the "extraction" of his bond. Solanio can't believe that
Shylock would really want a pound of Antonio's flesh, but Shylock affirms that he wants it to "feed" his
"revenge" (3.1.54) on Antonio for mocking him, causing him to lose money, and insulting the Jewish "nation"
(3.1.50).
In 1.3, Shylock argued that charging interest is just like breeding sheep. Now Shylock explicitly states that his
desire for revenge will involve manipulating a legal obligation (the "bond," or contract) in order to treat
Antonio like a piece of meat, an animal carcass, that is used as food.

Shylock goes on to say that a Jew has "hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions" and is "fed
with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is" (53–7). If you prick a Jew, he'll bleed, if
you tickle him he'll laugh, if you poison him, he'll die. It follows, just as logically, Shylock argues, that if you
wrong a Jew, he will seek revenge, just as a Christian would. Shylock promises to use the same "villainy" that
the Venetian Christians "teach," and to beat them at their own game.
Shylock argues that what he's doing—using the legal system to persecute the Christian Antonio—is exactly
what the Christians have done to him and to all Jews, which is true. And in arguing for the justice of his
revenge, Shylock denies any distinction between Christians and Jews. They're all humans, he argues, based on
their identical animal functions: bleeding, dying, etc. Shylock treats the need for revenge as another animal
need.

Extract I.
Q1. Where does this scene take place? Whom does 'she' refer to in the first line of the extract? What is said
about her in the extract?
Ans. The scene takes place in a street in Venice. In the first line 'she' refers to the rumour or report which is
personified as an old woman. When Salarino talks about Antonio's ship, Salanio wishes that rumour may prove
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

to be a big liar in this case as any old woman who ever gossiped with our neighbours over her gingerbread
cakes and made her neighbours believe that she mourned sincerely for the death of her third husband.

Q2. What was said earlier about the place where Antonio’s ship was wrecked? Where did the news about the
ship-wreckage spread?
Ans. Earlier, it was told that Antonio's ship was wrecked in the sea, at a spot known as Goodwin. The news
about the ship's wreckage spread at the Rialto, the place where the merchants met for transactions.

Q3. Give the meaning of: "without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk".
Ans. The given words mean: without speaking much. That is, coming directly to the point without wasting
much time.

Q4. How does Shylock react to the loss of Antonio's ship?

Ans. Shylock was pleased to hear about the loss of Antonio's ship. He calls Antonio a beggar who used to
come to market with a huge smile. He says that Antonio must keep his promise of paying back the loan.

Q5. What feelings for Antonio are expressed by Salarino and Salanio in this scene? Who enters the scene at
this time? What does Salanio say about his daughter?
Ans. In the scene, Salanio and Salarino express their feelings of concern and sympathy for Antonio.
Shylock enters the scene at this time. When Shylock blames Salarino and Salanio for his daughters' elopement,
Salarino says that there is difference between him and his daughter as there is between the colours black and
white or as there is between red wine and white wine.

Extract II.

Q1. Whose flight is being talked about? Where has the person flown? With whom has the person flown?
Ans. The flight of Jessica is being talked about. She has flown to Belmont. Jessica has flown with Lorenzo.

Q2. What bad news, besides the flight of the bird, is given just before the arrival of Shylock?
Ans. Just before the arrival of Shylock, the news about the wreckage of Antonio's ship is given.

Q3. Give the meaning of: the bird was fledged; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam.
Ans. The given words mean that it is the nature of a fully feathered young bird to leave the nest when it is old
enough. He means to say that Jessica was old enough to leave her parents and start her own life.

Q4. What steps has Shylock taken to get back the flown bird?
Ans. Shylock took all possible steps to get back his daughter. He asked the Duke for justice and even
persuaded him to check the ship in which Bassanio left for Belmont. Later, it was said that someone saw
Lorenzo and Jessica in a gondola. Shylock took the help of his friend Tubal to find and bring back Jessica to
him.

Q5. How does Salarino compare after the extract, the character of the flown bird with that of Shylock?
Ans. After the extract, Salarino compares the character of Jessica and Shylock. He says that Jessica is a
complete contrast to Shylock just as black is to white or as ordinary red wine is to expensive white wine.

Extract III.

Q1. What is meant by a 'bankrupt' as well as a 'prodigal'? Why has the man gone bankrupt? Why is he called a
prodigal?
Ans. A 'bankrupt' means a person who does not have enough money to pay off his debts.
'Prodigal' means a spendthrift who spends money carelessly.
The man has gone bankrupt because his ship was wrecked in the sea. He is a spendthrift who has spent his
money carelessly and has gone bankrupt. That is why he is called a prodigal by Shylock.
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Q2. What is known as Rialto? Why was the man said to go 'so smug upon the mart'?
Ans. The Venetian stock exchange, where the merchants used to meet to do their business deals, was known as
the Rialto. The man used to go to Rialto smiling and satisfied, because he was sure of his financial position as
he owned a number of ships. Shylock says these words to compare Antonio's financial position in the past with
his present condition.

Q3. Give some incidents to show that the man referred to in the extract used to insult Shylock?
Ans. The man referred to in the extract is Antonio. He used to insult Shylock. Antonio insulted Shylock's
business, made fun of his profit, spat on him, kicked him, heated his enemies and cooled his friends. Antonio
hurt Shylock by doing these things because Shylock was a Jew.

Q4. How did the bankrupt cause loss to Shylock in Venice?

Ans. The bankrupt caused loss to Shylock in Venice by lending money without interest, and affecting
Shylock's business of lending money at high rate of interest.

Q5. How is the bankrupt likely to go into a loss? How will such a loss affect Shylock as far as his revenge and
financial position is concerned?
Ans. The bankrupt is likely to go into a loss as his ship has been wrecked. Besides he needs to pay back the
3000 ducats he had borrowed from Shylock for Bassanio. Such a loss will help Shylock to get his revenge.

Extract IV.

Q1. Who is the thief referred to in the extract? What had the thief stolen? What loss has Shylock suffered due
to the theft?
Ans. The thief referred to in the extract is Shylock's daughter Jessica. The thief has stolen his money, gold and
gems. After the theft, Shylock has to spend money to find Jessica. So he has suffered loss upon loss due to the
theft.

Q2. Who is Tubal? Why did he go to Genoa?

Ans. Tubal is a friend of Shylock. He is also a Jew. He went to Genoa to search for Jessica who had eloped
with Lorenzo.

Q3. What news did Tubal bring from Genoa about the thief?
Ans. Tubal brought the news that he went to the places in Genoa where he heard some news about Jessica but
could not find her.

Q4. The extract refers to 'satisfaction' and 'revenge'. In what context are the expressions used by Shylock?
Ans. Shylock uses the expressions satisfaction and revenge in the context of his efforts to find his daughter and
his money stolen by her. His efforts to find her and get the money back were failures. So he doesn't have the
satisfaction of getting back his daughter and money. He also can't get revenge on the people who hurt him.

Q5. State what ill-luck befell Antonio. Why was Shylock happy over the news?
Ans. One of Antonio's large ships has been wrecked in the sea. This was the ill-luck that befell Antonio.
Shylock was happy over the news as he could now take revenge on Antonio, if Antonio couldn't pay back the
loan.

Extract V.

Q1. Why does Tubal say that Antonio is undone? What makes him say with certainty that Antonio is undone?
Who is Leah? Why is she referred to in the extract?
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Ans. Tubal says that Antonio is undone because he has heard from some sailors that one of Antonio's large
ships has been wrecked in the sea. Leah was Shylock's wife. She is referred to in the extract because she had
given a ring to Shylock, which was stolen by Jessica, who later sold it to buy a monkey.

Q2. In what mood is Shylock in the scene? How is Tubal said to be torturing him?
Ans. In this scene, Shylock is very sad. Tubal is said to be torturing him when he tells the news about his
daughter. Tubal tells Shylock that he could not find his daughter, that his daughter spent eighty ducats in one
night and that she exchanged his wife's ring for a monkey.

Q3. What is Shylock's reaction on hearing about Antonio's misfortune? How is he going to punish Antonio?
What would he gain by his revengeful action?
Ans. Antonio's misfortune makes Shylock happy because he will be able to take his revenge on Antonio. He
will punish Antonio by exacting a pound of flesh from any part of his body. By his revengeful action, he can
remove Antonio from Venice, which will help to increase his business.

Q4. What is a synagogue? What can you conclude from Shylock's journey towards the synagogue?
Ans. A synagogue is a place of worship of the Jews. Shylock's journey to the synagogue shows us that he is a
religious man and that he feels pride in his Jewish heritage.

Q5. In what way, by the end of the scene, does Shylock convince the audience that his attack on Antonio is
without any mercy? Which character trait of Shylock is shown in this scene?
Ans. In this scene Shylock explains the insults he has suffered, for years, from Antonio. He says that he will do
the same as his enemies. He says that he will take Antonio's heart. This shows that Shylock is a vengeful man
who will suffer patiently and wait for the perfect opportunity to take his revenge.

Act 3, Scene 2
Synopsis:
Portia advises Bassanio to postpone choosing for fear he should make the wrong choice. Bassanio declares
himself unable to live in uncertainty. Portia is overjoyed when Bassanio correctly chooses the lead chest
containing her picture. Giving Bassanio a ring as a symbolic act to indicate her giving to him both herself and
everything that is hers, Portia insists that he treasure the ring. Gratiano announces that he and Nerissa will also
marry. Salerio, Lorenzo, and Jessica arrive with the news of Antonio’s financial ruin and the apparently certain
destruction that he will soon suffer at Shylock’s hands. Portia offers to pay the debt many times over and tells
Bassanio to return to Venice immediately after their wedding to save Antonio.

1. Portia :
I pray you, tarry, pause a day or two
Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,
I lose your company : therefore, forbear awhile.
There’s something tells me (but it is not love)
I would not lose you; and you know yourself,
Hate counsels not in such a quality.
But lest you should not understand me well
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought
I would detain you here some month or two
Before you venture for me. I could teach you
How to choose right, but then I am forsworm

Q1.To whom are these words addressed? What request does the speaker made to the person addressed?
Ans:These words are addressed to Bassanio. Portia requests him to wait for a couple of days before making the
choice of the caskets.
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Q 2.What’s the meaning of ‘forbear’? Why is the person asked to forbear?

Ans:‘Forbear’ means, to show patience or wait for a while before making the choice. Portia is scared that if
Bassanio makes a wrong choice, he’ll have to leave immediately as per the conditions and she’ll be deprived of
his company. There’s something that tells her that she should not lose him.

Q3.Explain ‘a maiden hath no tongue but thought’.

Ans:A maiden’s modesty prevents her from expressing her love directly. A young girl has no choice. She only
thinks of her feelings but cannot express them.

Q 4.What does the given passage tell you about Portia’s attitude towards her father?
Ans:The above given passage portrays Portia as a devoted and loving daughter. Even though her father is not
alive, yet she is deeply attached and very much loyal to his memory. She is determined in marrying only as per
her father’s will even at the risk of losing the man she loves.

Q 5.Why does Portia wish that she had not forsworn?

Ans:Portia wishes that she had not taken the oath to reveal the right casket because after meeting Bassanio she
wishes to guide him in the right choice of the caskets as she loves him and wants to be his wife.

2. Bassanio :
Let me choose;
For as I am, I live upon the rack.
Portia : Upon the rack, Bassanio ! then confess
What treason there is mingled with your love.
Bassanio : None but that ugly treason of mistrust,
Which makes me fear th’ enjoying of my
love : There may as well be amity and life
’Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.
Portia : Ay, but Ifear you speak upon the rack,
Where men enforced do speak anything.
Bassanio : Promise me life, and I’ll confess the truth.
Portia : Well, then, confess, and live.

Q 1.Why does Bassanio want to make the choice as soon as possible?

Ans:Bassanio can no longer bear the suspense and the uncertainty. He wants to make the choice and know if
Portia can be his.

Q 2.What’s the meaning of ‘rack’? Explain in detail its significance.

Ans:‘Rack’ here means torture of not knowing the outcome of choosing the caskets. The rack was an
instrument in the old times used to torture the suspects and make them confess their sin. The person used to be
tied to a frame which was stretched and the pain of stressing the limbs was unbearable. Here Portia and
Bassanio are also tortured as their feelings are stretched to the limit.

Q3.What’s the ‘treason’ mentioned here? Explain the comparison in the extract. How is this reference relevant
here?
Ans:Treason is disloyalty. Portia playfully asks what disloyalty has Bassanio committed to be on the rack.
Bassanio says the torment is due to the doubt whether he will be able to choose correctly. This is taking away
his peace of mind; so he wants to make the choice fast.

Q 4.What has been spoken by Portia earlier that reveals her feelings for Bassanio?
Ans:Portia had revealed her feelings by asking Bassanio to stay back and wait a while before making the
choice. She says his eyes have cast a spell on her and divided her. One half is his and the other half is also his
as she gives herself to Bassanio.
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Q 5.What’s the significance of this scene?

Ans:This is the famous casket scene that makes the drama very popular. The theme of appearance and reality
culminates in this scene. All that glitters is not gold; even humble and not so good looking things have value.
The others who chose gold and silver were blinded by pride and desire for worldly things. It is Bassanio,
guided by true love makes the right choice and wins the hand of Portia.

3. Portia :
Away then ! I am lock’d in one of them :
If you do love me, you will find me out.
Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof.
Let music sound while he doth make his choice;
Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end,
Fading in music : that the comparison
May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream
And watery death-bed for him.

Q1.What does Portia mean by, ‘Away then’? Is she happy in saying this? Give reason.
Ans:Portia is asking Bassanio to go ahead with the choice of the casket. She is not very happy as she is anxious
about the outcome. She wants to enjoy his ‘ company at least for a month or so, but if he makes a wrong
choice, he’ll have to leave her.

Q 2.Explain ‘I’m locked in one of them’. What is Nerissa and others asked to do?
Ans:Portia shows the caskets and says that her portrait is locked in one of them. The one with her portrait is the
right choice. Nerissa and others are asked to stand a little distance away, so that Bassanio can make the choice.

Q3.Why should the music sound?

Ans:The music should sound so that the right atmosphere is created for the choice. It is also to soothe the
tension. The music may be to warn Bassanio against giving importance to appearance over less showy things.

Q 4.What contemporary belief about swans is expressed here?

Ans:The contemporary belief expressed is that swans sing only once, just before they die. In fact, swan just
disappears into a distance, singing its last song.

Q 5.What does Portia want to do to make the comparison more proper?

Ans:Portia compares Bassanio to a swan. To make the comparison more proper, she says that her tears will
become the stream in which the swan will drown itself. If he fails to make the right choice, he’ll have to leave
and that will drown Portia in grief. The stream will be Bassanio’s grave, as he’ll be seen no more.

Q 6.What music will be played if Bassanio wins?

Ans:If Bassanio makes the right choice, the music will be like the sound of the trumpet, when loyal subjects
bow before the newly crowned king. It will be like the melodious sound that reaches the ear of a dreaming
bridegroom at dawn, to call him for his marriage.
4. Portia :
Now he goes,
With no less presence, but with much more love,
Than young Alcides, when he did redeem
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
To the sea-monster.

Q1 .Who is the ‘he’ mentioned in the first line? Who is Alcides?

Ans:The ‘he’ mentioned here is Bassanio who is venturing to make his choice of the caskets. Alcides was
Hercules, the Greek hero who saved the daughter of the Trojan king from a sea monster. He was famous for his
courage.
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Q 2.Why is the ‘he’ compared to Alcides?

Ans:Bassanio is being compared to Hercules or Alcides as he is also venturing for a prize in the form of Portia.
His mission is also adventurous and risky as the attempt of Alcides who had to rescue the princess who was
being given as a sacrifice to a sea monster.

Q 3.What adventurous deed did Alcides do? How is his act is compared to the act ‘he’ is going to make?
Ans:Alcides rescued Hesoine, the virgin princess of Troy, from being sacrificed as a virgin tribute to a sea
monster. Alcides did it not for love, but for the horses offered as a reward. Portia imagines herself as Heroine
and Bassanio rescuing her with more love than Alcides had for the girl.

Q4.Give the meaning of ‘virgin tribute’ and ‘howling Troy’.

Ans:Virgin tribute is the sacrifice of unmarried daughter of the Trojan king to appease the sea monster. The
women of Troy were grief stricken to see this pitiable sight and cried loudly in miseiy.

Q5.In what state of mind is Portia now?

Ans:Portia is full of anxiety about the outcome of the choice. Bassanio’s success will give her life and
happiness. She will watch the choice with more anxiety than Bassanio shows although he is the one going to
make the choice.

5. Bassanio :
So may the outward shows be least themselves :
The world is still deceiv’d with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being season’d with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil ? In religion,
What damned error, but some sober brow
Will bless it and approve it with a text.
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament ?
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.

Q 1.Bring out the context of the passage.

Ans:Bassanio is about to make the choice in this last of the casket scenes. He was shown the caskets by Portia
and was asked to wait before making his choice, but Bassanio can’t stand the tension and decides to go for it.
Portia orders for music to ease the tension. It warns Bassanio against choosing according to appearance.

Q2.What major theme of the play is dealt with in this extract?

Ans:The theme of appearance against reality is the theme dealt within the extract. The world is always misled
with outward show.

Q3.What two examples are given by Bassanio to prove his point?

Ans:Bassanio gives examples from the Law and religion. In the law court, a case most dishonest may be
pleaded with utmost eloquence to conceal the face of the evil. In religion some pious looking person may do a
sin but justify it with verses from the scriptures. A vice is concealed by the appearance of virtue.

Q 4.Explain the last two lines of the extract.

Ans:The last two lines means that an evil may not have the least element of goodness in it and not the least
touch of grace about it; but it is possible for that evil to wear some mark of virtue on its outward appearance.

Q5.What does Bassanio say about cowards soon after this?

 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Ans:Bassanio says that cowards with hearts are as deceptive as a sand staircase. They may wear a beard like
that of Hercules or the frowning Mars but on close observation; they turn out to be lily livered cowards. They
show off as though they are most courageous and hard to deal with.

6. Bassanio :
Therefore, thou gaudy gold,
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee;
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge
‘Tween man and man : but thou, thou meagre lead,
Which rather threaten’st than dost promise aught,
Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence,
And here choose I: joy be the consequence !

Q1.What does the speaker say about beauty before this extract? What idea is brought out here?
Ans:Bassanio says that artificial beauty can be purchased by weight in a chemist’s shop and those who wear
most of this artificial make up are light, in character. The idea that one should not go by appearance is brought
out. Gaudy things are for show; they lack value.

Q 2.Why does the speaker talk about crispy golden locks earlier? What do they turn out to be at times?
Ans:The speaker talks about crispy golden locks again to reinforce the idea that appearance is deceptive.
Beautiful, crispy locks may be a wig, made by hair borrowed from another head that may be lying now in a
tomb. Outward shows are treacherous shores of a dangerous sea at times.

Q3.Who is ‘Midas’? What was hard food for him? Why?

Ans:Midas was the mythical king of Phrygia from Greek mythology. He had asked for the boon that
everything he touched should turn to gold. When he touched his food, it turned to gold and he could not eat it.
Gold was hard food for him. Therefore, he remained hungry. Then he realized his foolishness

Q 4.Why does Bassanio not choose the golden casket?

Ans:Bassanio doesn’t choose the golden casket as he feels that, all that glitters is not gold. It may invite you to
its outward show but deceives you rvhen it comes to reality. Thus, he rejects the gold casket with its inviting
inscription.

Q5.What does Bassanio call the silver casket? Why? Why does Bassanio choose the lead casket?
Ans:Bassanio calls the silver casket ‘thou pale common drudge’. He considers it as an ordinary slave passing
from hand to hand as coins. He chooses the lead casket as the ugly material seems to warn rather than promise
anything. The plain message on it moves him than the eloquent words engraved on the other caskets.

Q 6.What does he find inside the lead casket? What does he say about the thing found inside it?
Ans:Bassanio finds Portia’s portrait inside the lead casket. He says only a demy god could have created such a
lovely picture which is almost like the person herself. The eyes seem to move, lips be slightly parted as though
they fire in motion. Her hair is as though the artist has worked like a spider spinning a golden web to entrap the
hearts of men. But all his praises seem to do injustice to her portrait just as the portrait does underestimate the
original beauty, that is, Portia herself.

7. Portia :
Myself and what is mine, to you and yours
Is now converted : but now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion, master oj my servants,
Queen o’er myself; and even now, but now.
This house, these servants, and this same myself
Are yours, my lord’s. I give them with this ring;
Which when you partfrom, lose, or give away,
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Let it presage the ruin of your love,

And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

Q1.Where are Portia and Bassanio? Two other people are also present. Name them.
Ans:Portia and Bassanio are in Belmont, in a room in Portia’s house. Gratiano and Nerissa are also present
there.

Q 2.Which possession does Portia want to transfer to Bassanio? What does this show of her character?
Ans:Portia offers herself, her house, her servants and a ring to Bassanio. She, like a true wife, generously
offers everything to Bassanio. This shows her deep love for her husband and desire to please him.

Q3.In what ways does Portia want to excel herself?

Ans:Portia wants to excel herself in many ways. She wants to be a thousand times more beautiful, ten thousand
times richer and many times better in virtues, property and friends. She calls herself inexperienced, untrained
and uneducated girl but she is happy that she is young enough and capable enough to improve.

Q4.On what condition does she give the ring to Bassanio?

Ans:Portia gives an expensive ring to Bassanio, saying that he should not part with it at any time, at any cost. If
and when he parts with it, it’ll be a sign of his diminishing love for her and that will give her an opportunity to
accuse him for that.

Q 5.Explain the last two lines of the extract. How do these become significant later in the play?
Ans:The last two lines mean that if Bassanio gives the ring away that will be a sign that his love is dead and
Portia will take it as an opportunity to accuse him of that. These words become significant later in the play, as
Bassanio feels obliged to give the ring to the lawyer who asks for it as the fee for rescuing Antonio. Portia
berates him for giving away the ring without revealing herself as the lawyer. This is a source of humor in the
ring episode.

Q 6.What does Bassanio say in reply to this speech of Portia?

Ans:Bassanio says that he is deprived of words. Only blood running in his veins can show his emotions. There
is so much confusion in his thoughts like the one that follows after the speech of a prince, amid the applause of
the delighted audience. His confused joy cannot be expressed. He promises that when the ring leaves his finger
it’d be a sign that Bassanio is dead. In other words, he’ll not part with that ring till he dies.

8. Salerio :
Not one, my lord.
Besides, it should appear, that if he had
The present money to discharge the Jew,
He would not take it. Never did I know
A creature, that did bear the shape of man,
So keen and greedy to confound a man.

Q1.To whom is Salerio speaking? Where is he? Who else are with him?
Ans:Salerio is speaking to Bassanio. He is in Belmont, in Portia’s house where the caskets are kept. Lorenzo,
Jessica and Portia are with him.

Q 2.What is Salerio referring as ‘No one’? What has he brought for Bassanio? What’s the content of that?
Ans:When Bassanio asks Salerio to confirm that no ship of Antonio has escaped from getting lost, he says not
a single one. He has brought a letter from Antonio addressed to Bassanio. The content of the letter is that
Antonio’s ships have miscarried, his creditors are mercilessly troubling him, his resources are very low, and
the Jew is waiting for the forfeiture. If he pays for the penalty, he will not be alive and he wants to meet
Bassanio before he dies. If Bassanio fulfills his wish, all debts owed to Antonio will be cleared.
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Q 3.According to the speaker, what would not the Jew do? How is he describing the Jew in this extract?
Ans:According to Salerio, even if Antonio pays the money to the Jew, it’ll be too late, as the time for the
forfeiture is over and as per the condition, he will insist on taking one pound of flesh. He describes the Jew as a
creature that has taken the shape of a man, who is so keen and greedy to bring ruin to another man.

Q 4.What does the speaker say about the efforts of the Jew in extracting the forfeiture?
Ans:The Jew urges the duke at morning and at night to take speedy actions. He threatens legal actions against
the country’s legal system, if he is denied justice. Twenty merchants, the duke himself and the noblemen of the
highest rank have tried to persuade him but no one is able to prevent him from his revengeful claim.

Q 5.What does Jessica say about her father just after this extract?
Ans:Jessica says that she had heard her father conversing with Tubal and other Jews that he would rather have
a pound of Antonio’s flesh than twenty times the value of the debt. She says that she knows well that unless the
law and the higher powers intervene, it is going to be tough for Antonio.

9. Portia :
What, no more ?
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond;
Double six thousand, and then treble that,
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.
First go with me to church and call me wife,
And then away to Venice to your friend;
For never shall you lie by Portia’s side
With an unquiet soul.

Q 1.To what information does Portia say, ‘What no more? In what way had Bassanio praised Antonio just
before this?
Ans:When Portia comes to know that the debt owed by Antonio is only three thousand ducats, Portia says
‘What no more?’ Bassanio had praised Antonio as his dearest friend and kindest man with the best of intention
who never gets tired of showing kindness to others. He displays the old spirits of Roman honor more than any
other person in Italy.

Q2.What does Portia advice Bassanio regarding the bond? What does it show of her character?
Ans:Portia advises Bassanio to pay Shylock six thousand ducats and cancel the bond. If it is not enough, he
should double the six thousand and multiply that by three. This shows that she is generous at heart. As a true
wife, she considers her husband’s honor and problems as hers and she values his friendship.

Q 3.What does she tell Bassanio to do before he leaves? Why does she want Bassanio to leave immediately?
Ans:Portia tells Bassanio to go to church, marry her, and then go to the rescue of his friend. She wants
Bassanio to leave immediately as she knows that Bassanio’s mind will be troubled as long as his friend is in
dire trouble. She doesn’t like her husband to be in a distraught condition when he is with her. Moreover, it is
his duty to be with his friend who has helped him in spite of the risk to his life.

Q 4.How will Portia and Nerissa spend the days of separation? What does Bassanio promise his wife at the end
of the scene?
Ans:Portia and Nerissa will live as unmarried women or widows. Bassanio promises his wife that he will hurry
up and come back to Belmont as soon as possible. No bed will be guilty of his stay; no rest will keep him
separated from his wife.

Q 5.What is Portia actually going to do? Does she succeed in her mission?
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Ans:Portia along with Nerissa is planning to go to Venice dressed in male attire to argue the case for Antonio.
Yes, she succeeds in saving Antonio with her argument that not a drop of blood should be shed while taking
the flesh.

Act 3, scene 3
Synopsis:
Antonio seeks out Shylock in an effort to get the moneylender to listen to him. But Shylock insists that the
terms of the bond be fulfilled. Antonio is resigned to death provided Bassanio is there to see him die.
‘Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause
But since I am a dog, beware my fangs’. (Lines : 6-7)
Q.Where is Shylock addressing Antonio ? Why is he in a revengeful mood ? What does he want ?
Ans:Shylock is addressing Antonio in a street in Venice. He is in a revengeful mood at this time chiefly
because of his daughter’s elopement with a Christian. He wants to satisfy his sense of outrage by harming
Antonio.

‘Pray God, Bassanio come

To see me pay his debt, and then I care not’! (Lines : 34-35)
Q.In which context does Antonio want to see Bassanio for the last time ?
Ans:Antonio knows that Shylock being heartless and cruel will not spare his life, and the Duke will not be in a
position to go against the law. It is in this context that he wants to see Bassanio before he dies.

.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Antonia :
The duke cannot deny the course of law:
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, if it be denied,
Will .much impeach the justice of his state;
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
These griefs and losses have so bated me,
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
To-morrow to my bloody creditor.
Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not!

(i) Where is Antonio ? Who is he addressing ? Who has brought him there ?

Answer: Antonio is in the street of Venice, in the custody of the jailor. He is addressing Salarino, his friend.
The jailor has brought him there in order to have a talk with Shylock.

(ii) What does Shylock want the jailor to do early in the scene ? How does he react to Anotonio’s request to
listen to him ?
Answer: Shylock wants the jailor to watch Antonio closely lest he should escape. He reacts angrily to
Antonio’s request to listen to him. He does not want to hear any petition – for mercy.

(iii) What makes Antonio say that the Duke cannot refuse to let the law take its course ?

Answer: Antonio says that the Duke cannot refuse to let the law take its course because then the laws of the
state will become suspect, especially in the eyes of the foreign merchants. The prosperity of the state of Venice
depend its reputation as a free and fair Merchant city.

(iv) What tells you that he has already suffered a lot ? What is his attitude at the moment ?
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Answer: He has already suffered mentally and bodily and is reduced to a skeleton. His attitude is now of calm
resignation to his fate. He is now mentally prepared for any eventuality.

(v) What is his last wish ? What does it tell you of his character ?
Answer: His last wish is to see Bassanio, his dearest friend, before he breathes his last. It reveals his intense
love for Bassanio. He is a sincere and devoted friend.

1. What does Shylock ask the jailer to do? Give two reasons from the extract to justify why Shylock was
against Antonio.

Shylock asks the jailer to guard Antonio closely and see that he does not escape. He tells him not to plead with
him to show mercy to Antonio. The extract shows that Shylock was against Antonio. He insists on having the
bond saying that he has taken an oath to exact the full penalty of the bond. Besides, he says that since Antonio
called him a 'dog’. Antonio should beware of his teeth, as they can bite.

3. What does Shylock say after this extract, blaming the jailer for bringing Antonio out of prison?

After this extract, Shylock angrily tells the jailer that he is surprised at his being so foolish as to yield to
Antonio's request and to bring him out in the open. He censures the jailer for bringing him out.

4. How does this short scene show the determination of Shylock to extract the penalty as stipulated in the
bond?

This short scene shows the determination of Shylock to extract the penalty as stipulated in the bond. His
passion for revenge is revealed in this scene, when he savagely cries to the jailer to guard Antonio closely and
see that he does not escape. He refers to the bond five times in the scene and refuses to listen to Antonio's
pleas. His determination is sealed by his statement that he has sworn an oath that he will have his bond.

5. Describe briefly how this scene prepares the audience for the climax of the Trial scene.

This scene is important because it brings the action near to the Trial Scene It adds suspense to the bond story as
it shows that it is impossible for Antonio to escape Shylock's revenge. This scene fills the interval before the
Trial scene and allows time for Bassanio's journey from Belmont to Venice

Q1. What has enraged Antonio to speak in this manner? According to Antonio, why does Shylock seek his
life?

Ans:When Antonio's continuous pleas to Shylock to listen to him fail and he insists on having his bond,
Antonio get enraged. He says that Shylock wants to take away his life because he has frequently helped
Shylock's debtors out of his clutches when they approached him for help. This has made Shylock to hate him.

Q2. Who are the strangers referred to in the extract? What commodity do they have in Venice?

Ans:Strangers referred to in the extract are the traders and businessmen from other countries doing business in
Venice. Here, specific reference is to Shylock, a Jew, a foreigner. They do trade and business in Venice.

Q3.Can the Duke deny the course of law to strangers? Why?

Ans:The Duke cannot deny the course of law to strangers. Firstly, the rights and privileges of trade that
foreigners have in Venice cannot be denied. If denied they will expose the justice system of the state to
reproach. Secondly, the prosperity of Venice depends on its trade with foreign nations. If injustice is done to
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Shylock, other foreigners will raise alarm and objections. They will lose confidence in the justice system and it
will affect the trade in the city.

Q5. What final wish does Antonio express before he would die? What does it reveal about his character?

Ans:Antonio's final wish is to see Bassanio before he dies. This shows his great love and affection for
Bassanio, Antonio resigns himself to his fate but takes comfort in the thought that he is going to die for the
sake of his friend.

Act 3, scene 4
Synopsis:
Portia entrusts the management of her household to Lorenzo and pretends to leave with Nerissa for a house of
an order of nuns. She sends a messenger to Dr. Bellario of Padua and tells Nerissa that they, in disguise as
men, will follow their husbands to Venice.

1. Portia :
I never did repent for doing good,
Nor shall not now : for in companions
That do converse and waste the time together.
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love,
There must be needs a like proportion
Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit;
Which makes me think that this Antonio,
Being the bosom lover of my lord,
Must needs be like my lord. If it be so,
How little is the cost I have bestow’d
n purchasing the semblance of my soul.
Q1.To whom is Portia replying in this manner? What has that person just said to Portia?
Ans:Portia is talking to Lorenzo in this manner. Lorenzo has just praised Portia’s decision to send Bassanio to
Antonio. He says she has a good understanding of spiritual friendship. That is why she willingly bears the
absence of her husband; but if she knew the person whom she has shown this kindness and honor, how good a
man and a good friend of her husband, she’ll feel proud of her action. In fact, this action is more valuable than
her other generous actions so far.

Q2.Explain the meaning of ‘companions that do converse and waste the time together’. What is meant by
‘equal yokes of love’ and ‘lineaments’?
Ans:‘Companions that do converse and waste the time together’ means friends who spend time talking to each
other. ‘Equal yokes of love’ means bound to each other like a pair of oxen and ‘lineaments’ mean
characteristics.

Q 3.What makes Portia come to the conclusion that Antonio and Bassanio are similar?
Ans:Portia feels when two friends spend their time together and interact with each other, bearing equal respect
and love for each other in their souls, there is bound to be some similarity in face, manners and disposition.

Q 4.What does Portia tell Lorenzo about her plans in the next few days, till Bassanio returns?
Ans:Portia tells Lorenzo that she has made a solemn vow to live in prayer and meditation, with no other
attendant but Nerissa, till their husbands return. They are going to live in a monastery two miles away.

2. Portia :
I thank you for your wish, and am well pleas’d
To wish it back on you : fare you well, Jessica.
[Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo]
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Now, Balthazar,
As I have ever found thee honest-true,
So let me find thee still. Take this same letter,
And use thou all th’ endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua : see thou render this
Into my cousin’s hand, Doctor Bellario;
And look what notes and garments he doth give thee,
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin’d speed
Unto the traject, to the common ferry
Which trades to Venice. Waste no time in words,
But get thee gone : I shall be there before thee.
Q1.Who is Balthazar? What is Portia’s estimation of him?
Ans: Balthazar is Portia’s trusted servant. Portia has always found him honest and trustworthy and she is sure
that he’ll continue to be so and will do the present assignment with utmost sincerity and responsibility.

Q 2.What job has Balthazar been entrusted with?

Ans:Portia entrusts Balthazar with the job of taking a letter to her lawyer cousin Bellario to Padua. He has to
do this fast and bring the papers and dresses given by the lawyer and reach the landing place of the ferry bound
for Venice.

Q3.Give the meaning of ‘imagined speed’ and traject’. What reply does Balthazar give to these instructions?
Ans:‘Imagined speed’ means quickly, with the speed that imagination takes and ‘traject’ is the landing place
for the ferry. Balthazar replies that he will fulfil all the instructions as fast as possible.

Q 4.What does Portia tell Nerissa just after this?

Ans:Portia tells Nerissa. she has work in hand which Nerissa need not know for the present. The only thing she
should know now is that they will see their husbands sooner than they think.

3. Portia :
They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit
That they shall think we are accomplished
With that we lack. I’ll hold thee any wager,
When we are both acoutered like young men,
I’ll prove the prettierfellow of the two,
And wear my dagger with the braver grace,
And speak between the change of man and boy
With a reed voice, and. turn two mincing steps
Into a manly stride, and speak of frays
Like a fine bragging youth
Q1.Explain ‘but in such a habit that they shall think we are accomplished with what we lack’.
Ans:Portia says that their husbands will see them in such a dress that they will think they are equipped with
qualities of men which they actually lack.
Q 2.For what does the speaker lay a bet with Nerissa? How does the speaker intend to behave to justify their
disguise?
Ans:Portia bets that being dressed as a man, she would be the smarter of the two (Portia and Nerissa). She
claims that she would wear her dagger more gracefully and would speak like a man. She would convert her
lady like steps into manly strides. For her to brag and lie like a youth would be easy and she would claim to
have caused many women to faint at the sight of this youth. She would very easily learn a thousand tricks of
these boasting fellows.

Portia will tell lies like how noble ladies sought his love but being rejected fell sick and died. Then she would
wish she had not done that and regret her behaviour. She has thousand raw plans in her mind, which brew in
the minds of boastful school boys.
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Q 3:What question does Nerissa ask thereafter? What reply does she get?
Ans:Nerissa is confused so she asks Portia whether they are going to dress as men? Portia pretends to think
that Nerissa means ‘take men for lovers’ so she ridicules Nerissa for asking such a question. She further says
that someone with a dirty mind would feel that they are ready to fall into the arms of men. She then assures
Nerissa that she will disclose her entire plan to Nerissa on their way to Venice.

Act 3 Scene 5
In a garden at Belmont, the jester Launcelot is teasing Jessica that he fears that she is damned because she is a
Jew ("the sins of the father are to be laid on the children"), but she reminds Launcelot that her husband
Lorenzo has made her a Christian by marrying her. "The more to blame he," Launcelot jokes: "This making of
Christians will raise the price of hogs."

Lorenzo joins them then and pretends jealousy on finding his wife alone with Launcelot. He orders Launcelot
to go inside and "bid them prepare for dinner." He suddenly turns to Jessica then and asks her, "How dost thou
like the Lord Bassanio's wife?" Jessica praises Portia as being without equal on earth. Lorenzo jokingly
responds, "Even such a husband / Hast thou of me as she is for a wife." Jessica is ready to comment on his
teasing when he urges her to save her comments and they go for dinner.
laid upon – revenged upon
plain – honest
agitation – wrongly used for cogitation which means thought
damned – fated to go to Hell
1. Launcelot :
Yes, truly; for, look you, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children; therefore I promise you, I fear
you. I was always plain with you, and so now
I speak my agitation of the matter : therefore be o’ good cheer; for, truly, I think you are damned. There is but
one hope in it that can do you any good, and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither.
Jessica : And what hope is that, I pray thee ?
Launcelot : Marry, you may partly hope that your father got you not, that you are not the Jew’s daughter.
Jessica : That were a kind of bastard hope, indeed : so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me.
Launcelot : Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and mother : thus when I shun Scylla (your father)
I fall into Charybdis (your mother): well, you are gone both ways.
Jessica: I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian.

Q 1.Who, according to the speaker, is the father here? What sins is he referring to? Who is the child?
Ans :According to the speaker, Shylock is the father here. He sins by lending money to people with heavy
interest and shows no mercy on anyone, as he is greedy for money. Jessica, the daughter of Shylock, is the
child who is being talked about in the above lines.

Q 2.Who is damned and why? What is the only hope, according to the speaker?
Ans :Launcelot believes that Jessica is damned because she is the daughter of the cunning Shylock. Being the
daughter of such a sinner, she will have to pay for her father’s sins. Though Launcelot feels that there is only
one hope for Jessica and that is to hope that her father had not begot her, which is a false hope.

Q 3.How does the person, who is ‘damned’, reacts? How can this person be saved?
Ans:If Jessica hopes that if she was not the Jew’s daughter then she will have to be punished for the sins of her
mother which means that she is doomed from both the sides i.e., from her father’s as well as from her mother’s
side. Jessica says that her husband, Lorenzo, who is a Christian and has made her a Christian, will save her.

Q 4. There are four complaints against the speaker. What are they? What does Jessica say in reply?
Ans :Seeing, both Jessica and Launcelot are talking to each other, Lorenzo points out to Launcelot that he will
grow jealous of him if he’ll find him whispering to his wife in the corners. Secondly, Jessica reports to
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Lorenzo that Launcelot very bluntly stated that she is damned and that Lorenzo is not a good member of his
community.

Lorenzo also holds Launcelot responsible for impregnating a Moorish woman. Finally, Launcelot is accused of
playing with words to his advantage, twisting and turning their meanings as he desires. Jessica replies that her
husband needs no suspicion as she and Launcelot have fallen out as he has flatly said that she has no place in
heaven as she isn’t a Christian.

Q 5.What humorous remarks does Launcelot say about Christian community soon after this extract?
Ans :Launcelot says that Lorenzo is to be blamed for adding to the Christian community by adding one more
Christian. They have enough of Christians and this addition will create one more pig eater, thereby increasing
the price of the pigs; ultimately, the demand will be too much that there will not be a decent slice of bacon to
be cooked on their fire.

2. Lorenzo :
O dear discretion, how his words are suited !
The fool hath planted in his memory
An army of good words, and I do know
A many fools, that stand in better place,
Garnish’d like him, that for a tricksy word Defy the matter.
How cheer’st thou, Jessica ?
And now, good sweet, say thy opinion;
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio’s wife ?

Q 1.Who is the speaker talking about? What observation does he make about him?
Ans :The speaker is Lorenzo. He is talking about Launcelot Gobbo, the fool. Lorenzo laughs at Launcelot’s
ability to use words at his discretion and fit them for his purpose. Lorenzo also says that he knows of many
fools better than Launcelot (perhaps professionally) but he outruns them all.

Q 2.What is Jessica’s opinion of Bassanio’s wife?

Ans:Jessica feels that Portia, Bassanio’s wife, is beyond any comparison. He is blessed to have such a lady as
his wife and he should now, lead an honorable life. Having her as his wife, he’ll lead a heavenly life on earth.
She always draws an example by saying that if there was a heavenly match between two gods and two earthly
women were on the wager, one being Portia, something else would have to be gambled for the other as there
was no other woman in the world to match Portia.

Q 3.What humorous exchange of words takes place between husband and wife at the end of the scene?
Ans: Lorenzo says that Jessica has a husband with all the qualities of an ideal husband just as Portia has for an
ideal wife, Jessica replies that she should be allowed to decide that. When Lorenzo suggests that they should
talk about it over dinner, Jessica says that she’d prefer to talk about his qualities when she has the inclination to
do so. Then Lorenzo says that it’ll be better if they have such pleasant conversation while eating, as no matter
what she says, he’ll be able to digest it along with the other things on the table.

Q 4.How does the scene end? What impression do you get about the relationship between the couple?
Ans: The scene ends on a very sweet note with a romantic conversation between Jessica and Lorenzo. He
claims that the way Portia is the best wife, similarly Lorenzo has no match as a husband. Jessica insists on
being given the opportunity of expressing her opinion on that. Thus, continuing their love prate, they move to
the dinner table. From this, we understand that the couple shares a strong bond of love and are passionate about
each other. They can spend hours together in each other’s company.

Q5.In what way is the scene important to the play?

 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Ans: The scene is a light-hearted interlude that acts as dramatic relief before the commencement of the
emotionally charged court scene. The interaction between the newly married Lorenzo and Jessica provides
romance and sweetness to the play. It gives the time gap for Portia’s journey to Venice. Jessica’s superlative
praises enhances Portia’s character. Launcelot’s clowning and punning is to entertain the common crowd. The
comedy would heighten the effect of the court scene.

Act 4 Scene 1
At the court of law in Venice, the Duke, Antonio, Bassanio, Salerio, Graziano, and various notable personages
are gathered for Antonio's trial. Shylock is called into court, where the Duke addresses him first. The Duke
says that he and the whole world are certain that Shylock has only let things get this dangerous out of malice.
They're all sure that at the last minute Shylock will go back on his cruelty and they even expect his mercy will
extend to forgiving some portion of the debt, as Shylock
knows about Antonio’s crippling losses at sea.

Shylock speaks for himself at court, rather than having a lawyer. He says he's sworn by the Jewish holy
Sabbath that he'll get what he's owed for Antonio's forfeiture of the bond. Further, if the city should fail to
enforce Antonio's oath, their charter and their
freedom will be called into question.

Portia enters and is introduced to the court as "the learned doctor Balthazar." She's all business and
immediately asks Antonio if he admits to his oath with Shylock. Antonio does, and Portia immediately
concludes, "Then the Jew must be merciful." Shylock's retort is that he isn't asking for mercy—especially not
from a Christian God, he seems to implicitly add. He reiterates that he's here to see justice served according to
the law, no more and no less.
As Shylock prepares to cut into Antonio’s flesh, Portia suddenly halts the process. She says the bond allows for
a pound of flesh, but not for the shedding of blood. If Shylock takes a drop of Christian blood from Antonio,
then the law of Venice states that Venice can confiscate his land and goods. Shylock is incredulous, but Portia
points out that since Shylock was so keen on following the letter of the law, he's got to follow all of
the law, including the law on assaulting Christians.

1. Duke :
I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.

Q1.Who is ‘thee’ in the first line? Where are they and why?
Ans:The ‘thee’ in the first line refers to Antonio. They are right now in the court for the case between Antonio
and Shylock. Antonio has forfeited the bond so Shylock is liable to take a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.

Q 2.Who is being spoken about? Why is this person being described in such a manner?
Ans: The duke is talking about Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. As Shylock is an unfeeling and ruthless Jew
and his hatred for Antonio is so strong that he has forgotten humanity, and in spite of the duke begging for
mercy for Antonio he is not ready to give up his bond. His heart is filled with hatred with no place for mercy.

Q 3.Who is the ‘adversary’ referred to here? What does the Duke mean by ‘stony adversary’ and ‘in human
wretch’?
Ans.The adversary referred to here is Shylock. By ‘stony adversary’ and ‘inhuman wretch’ the Duke means
that Shylock is stone hearted and he does not possess the feelings of humanity.

Q 4.Who are the other people present? Who enters the scene next? What are his demands and why?
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Ans: The other people present are Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio and the officers of the court. Shylock enters the
scene next. He only wants his bond and nothing else. He was offered twice the amount due, but he only wants
a pound of Antonio’s flesh. His hatred for Antonio is so deep that nothing else can satisfy him but his life.

Q 5.Whose arrival is awaited? Does this person turn up? Why?

Ans :The duke is awaiting the arrival of a learned doctor, Bellario, from Padua whom he has called to
determine the case. Since Doctor Bellario is unable to come he sends a letter stating that he is sending a learned
lawyer in his place. Therefore instead of Bellario comes the learned lawyer.

Q 6.Give details of the person who comes. How does this person change the present situation?
Ans:The person who comes in place of Bellario is actually, Portia dressed as a lawyer. With her wit and
intelligence, she turns the tables against Shylock. Antonio wins the case and he also gets half of Shylock’s
property. As per the bond, Shylock can have a pound of flesh, nothing less and nothing more and while cutting
this pound of flesh he has to make sure that he doesn’t shed even a single drop of blood. This, of course was
not possible, therefore, Shylock has to accept what the state of Venice decides.

2. Antonio :
I am a tainted wether of the jlock,
Meetestjor death : the weakest kind offruit
Drops earliest to the ground; and so let me.

Q 1.Under what circumstances does this dialogue take place?

Ans: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.

Q 2.The listener has been given a task by the speaker. What is it? Why does he say that?
Ans:Antonio asks Bassanio to write his epitaph because that would be the most suitable task for him as he is
his best friend and no one can understand him better than Bassanio.

Q 3.Why is Antonio willing to die?

Ans:Antonio thinks himself to be a useless man now when he was bankrupt, and has completely lost his
flourishing business. He compares himself to a sheep, which gets infected with some disease, and his
continued presence in the flock of sheep can prove to be dangerous to the other sheep as well. It would be
better if the infected sheep dies. In the same way, Antonio would like to die instead of continuing to live and
cause endless anxiety to his friends like Bassanio.

Q 4.What feelings does this piece of dialogue arouse in your heart?

Ans :This piece of dialogue provokes sympathy for Antonio and respect for Bassanio. A deep pity has been
aroused at the fate, which Antonio is on the edge of meeting; and we certainly admire Bassanio for his
sincerity towards his friend who is in profound dilemma.

Q 5.Who enters the scene next? What news does this person bring?
Ans :Nerissa, dressed as the lawyer’s clerk, enters the scene next. Nerissa has come with a letter from Bellario,
a renowned Doctor of law. The letter states that since Bellario is unwell he is sending a learned lawyer by the
name of Balthazar to handle the case.

3. Portia :
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
Shed thou no blood; nor cut thou less, nor more,
But just a pound offlesh : if thou tak’st more,
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

Or less, than a just pound, be it but so much

As makes it light or heavy in the substance,
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.

Q1.Who are the two people in conversation? The speaker lays down a condition, what is it?
Ans :The two people in the conversation are Portia, dressed as the lawyer and Shylock, the Jewish
moneylender. As per the bond, Shylock can take only a pound of flesh. It does not permit him to take a single
drop of blood. He must weigh a pound of flesh, accurately, without shedding even a ‘jot’ of blood.

Q 2.Another person, present here, applauds the speaker for his judgment. Who is this person? Why does he
react in this manner?
Ans :Gratiano, a friend of Bassanio and Antonio, also present in the court, is very happy when Portia comes
out with this condition. When Portia allows Shylock to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body, nearest to
his heart, Shylock is very happy and calls Portia a great judge, Daniel. But now seeing that the tables have
turned against Shylock, he applauds and makes fun of Shylock and ridicules him.

Q 3.What would be the penalty if the law is broken? Give details.

Ans: If Shylock sheds a single drop of blood while taking his pound of flesh, as per the bond, then all his
property would be confiscated, and he would have to face a death sentence. His life would be at the mercy of
the Duke.

Finally, the duke spares Shylock’s life and half his property goes to the state of Venice and the other half,
which was to go to Antonio, is given to Lorenzo and Jessica, on Antonio’s request. Shylock is made to sign a
deed in which half his property is bequeathed to his daughter and son-in-law. Also, Shylock has to turn into a
Christian. Therefore, he is left completely defeated and drained.

Q 4.The tables have turned. How? Who is responsible for it?

Ans:Portia’s wit and intelligence turn the tables against Shylock. Antonio has lost all hope and is sure that the
Jew will take his revenge and Antonio will have to pay the penalty of breaking the bond with his life. Shylock
is all ready to take his pound of flesh when he is stopped by Portia, stating that Shylock can only have a pound
of flesh and without shedding a single drop of blood.

Shylock has no choice but to let go of his dearest enemy. In fact, he not only has to forget about getting his
principal but also loses all his property and has to face the humiliation of turning into a Christian. All this
happened because of Portia.

Q 5.Characterize the speaker.

Ans:The speaker, Portia, is a woman of substance. Her beauty matches her intelligence, clearly defying the
phrase, ‘beauty without brains’. She is quick¬witted, beautiful and intelligent and comes as an antidote to
Shylock’s malice. However, in the beginning of the play, we do not see her potential because she is engrossed
in her father’s will. But here also we realize that she is an obedient daughter. She is fun-loving as we can see in
the ‘ring episode’, but here also she is sensible enough to stop the fun before it goes too far.

4. Portia :
You press me far, and therefore I will yield.
Give me your gloves, I’ll wear them for your sake;
And (for your love) I’ll take this ring from you.
Do not draw back your hand; I’ll take no more,
 GRADE -10
SUBJECT – Literature in English(ERM)

And you in love shall not deny me this.

Q1.Who is pressing whom and why?

Ans:Portia, in the garb of a lawyer, yields to the offer made by Bassanio, her husband. He insists that the
lawyer (Portia) must accept a token of remembrance from them for saving his dearest friend Antonio, from the
clutches of the unfeeling Jew, Shylock. Bassanio feels indebted to the lawyer, wants to show his gratitude, and
thus makes this offer.

Q 2.Whose gloves does the speaker wear and whose ring is demanded? What is the intention behind this?
Ans:Portia, the speaker of the above lines agrees to wear Antonio’s gloves as a token of his remembrance and
demands Bassanio’s ring, which has been gifted to him by his wife, Portia, which he had sworn never to part
with. Portia, knowing that Bassanio cannot part with this ring, still demands for it just to have a little fun.
Though towards the end of the play she reveals her real identity but plays around with Bassanio just to add to
the humor of the play. It’s all for fun.

Q 3.Who draws back his hand? Why is he so reluctant to part with the ring?
Ans:Bassanio, Portia’s husband, draws back his hand, as he, under no circumstances, can part with this ring
because when Portia had given this ring to him she had put down a condition that if ever Bassanio parts with
this ring it would mean an end of their love and relationship.

Q 4.Why is the speaker adamant to have the ring? What offer is made by the owner of the ring? How does he
justify himself?
Ans:Portia insists on having this very ring because she claims that she has a fancy for it and wouldn’t accept
anything else. Actually, she is playing around with Bassanio, her husband, which of course, he is not aware of.
Bassanio tries to convince Portia by saying that this ring is too trivial and that he would find the most
expensive ring in Venice for the lawyer. Finally, Bassanio comes out with the truth that since this ring was a
gift from his wife he couldn’t part with it. Also while giving it to him, she had made him vow that he should
never sell, give or lose this ring. Therefore, he must be excused for this.

Q5.How does the scene ends?

Ans:The scene ends with Portia succeeding in getting the ring from Bassanio on Antonio’s request. Antonio
tells Bassanio that he should give more importance to his friend’s love and the lawyer’s ‘deserving’s’ than to
his wife’s commandments. Finally, Gratiano runs behind Portia to give her the ring and invite her to dinner.
Bassanio and Antonio finally make plans to leave for Belmont the next day.