Category: English Summary

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Chivvy Summary in English by Michael Rosen

Chivvy by Michael Rosen About the Poet

Poet Name	Michael Wayne Rosen
Born	7 May 1946 (age 74 years), Harrow, United Kingdom
Movies	Chocolate Cake, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Education	University of Liverpool, Watford Boys Grammar School

Chivvy Summary in English

The word ‘chivvy’ means urging someone continuously to do something. Grown-ups usually have the habit of asking the children to do or not to do something in order to teach them good manners. They would tell the child to speak up, not to talk while eating something, not to look fixedly at anybody, not to point, not to pick or clean the nose. Most children don’t like such instructions.

Grown-ups also teach the young ones to say please, to keep quiet, to shut the door behind them, keep a hankie, not to drag feet, and take their hands out of their pockets.

They shout at the children to pull their socks up, to stand straight, to say ‘thank you’, not to cut in, and not to rest their elbows on the table. They tiy to teach manners, and rules of a cultured life. They also expect the children to think independently and behave nicely.

Chivvy Summary in Hindi

Chivvy शब्द का अर्थ होता है कि किसी व्यक्ति को निरन्तर कुछ करने की नसीहत देते रहना। बड़ी आयु के लोगों की आमतौर से आदत होती है कि वे बच्चों को शिष्टाचार सिखाने हेतु हांकते या मना करते रहते हैं। वे बच्चों से कहेंगे- बोलो, (गूंगे बनकर मत बैठो), खाना खाते समय बातें मत करो, किसी की ओर घूरते मत रहो, किसी की ओर अंगुली से संकेत मत करो, तथा अपनी नाक मत साफ करो। अधिकांश बच्चों को यह अच्छा नहीं लगता।

वयस्क लोग छोटों को सिखाते रहते हैं कि ‘कृपया’ शब्द बोलो, चुप रहो, कमरे में प्रवेश करने के पश्चात दरवाजा बन्द कर दो, रुमाल पास रखो, पैरों को घसीटते हुए मत चलो तथा जेब से हाथ बाहर निकाल लो।

वे बच्चों को डॉटकर बताते हैं कि अपनी जुराब ऊपर खींच लो, सीधे खड़े होना सीखो, धन्यवाद देना मत भूलो, दूसरों की बातचीत में दखल मत दो तथा मेज पर कोहनी टिका कर मत बैठो। वे बच्चों को शिष्टाचार तथा सुघड़ जीवन शैली के नियम सिखाते हैं। वे यह भी अपेक्षा करते हैं कि बच्चे स्वतन्त्र रुप से निर्भय तथा शिष्ट आचरण करें।

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Golu Grows a Nose Summary in English by Rudyard Kipling

Golu Grows a Nose Summary in English

It was a time when the elephant had no trunk. Golu was a baby elephant. He had only a bulgy nose. He ‘could only move it from side to side. But he couldn’t pick up things with it.

He was full of questions. He asked his aunt, the ostrich why she didn’t ever fly like other birds. He asked his tall uncle, the giraffe why his skin has spots. He asked the hippopotamus why his eyes were always red. Finally, he asked the monkey why melons tasted like melons.

One day Golu asked the mynah bird what the crocodiles always had for dinner. The bird directed him to the Limpopo river to find out. Taking a lot of sugarcanes, ba¬nanas and melons, he went to the great river. He met a python, and put his question and got no reply.

Golu moved on the river bank when he saw a log of wood. It was really the cunning crocodile. Golu put his question to him. He told that he would give the reply in his ear. It caught Golu by the nose, and told that today he would eat the elephant. It started dragging him hard into the stream.

Golu cried for help. The python came and coiled fast round Golu’s stomach. Both pulled very hard. At each pull Golu’s nose grew longer and longer. He was free at last.

In two days his nose grew cool but it did not shrink. Instead, it turned into a trunk. However, it proved to be very advantageous. Golu first hit a stinging fly dead with his trunk. Then he plucked the grass and put it into his mouth. The trunk enabled him to dig up some mud and throw it on his head. He thanked the python for its help.

Golu Grows a Nose Summary in Hindi

एक समय ऐसा भी था जब हाथी की सूंड नहीं होती थी। गोलू एक बच्चा हाथी था। उसकी नाक उभरी हुई थी। उसे वह इधर-उधर हिला तो सकता था पर उसके द्वारा कोई चीज उठा नहीं सकता था।

वह प्रश्न बहुत किया करता था। उसने अपनी चाची उस शुतरमुर्ग से पूछा कि आप अन्य पक्षियों की भाँति क्यों नहीं उड़ती हो। उसने अपने लम्बे चाचा जिराफ से पछा आपकी त्वचा पर ये धब्बे क्यों हैं। वह दरियाई घोडे से जराफ स पूछा आपका त्वचा पर ये धब्बे क्यों हैं। वह दरियाई घोड़े से प्रश्न करता है कि तुम्हारी आँखें हमेशा लाल क्यों होती हैं। अंत में वह बन्दर से पूछता है कि तरबूज का स्वाद तरबूज जैसा क्यों होता है।

एक दिन गोलू ने मैना पक्षी से पूछा कि मगरमच्छ रात्रि भोज में क्या खाते हैं। पक्षी ने उसे इसका पता लगाने के लिए लिम्पोपो नदी पर भेज दिया। ढेर सारे गन्ने, केले तथा तरबूज लेकर वह नदी की ओर चल दिया। रास्ते में उसे एक अजगर मिला, उसने उससे भी वही प्रश्न किया पर कोई उत्तर न मिला।

गोलू नदी तट पर पहुंचा जहाँ उसने लकड़ी का एक कुंदा देखा। वास्तव में वह धूर्त मगरमच्छ ही था। गोलू ने उससे अपना सवाल पूछा। उसने कहा वह जवाब उसके कान में देगा। उसने गोलू की नाक पकड़ ली और कहा आज वह हाथी का भोजन करेगा। उसने उसे जोर लगा कर नदी में खींचना शुरु कर दिया।

गोलू ने सहायता की गुहार लगाई। अजगर ने आकर गोलू के पेट को लपेट लिया। दोनों पूरा जोर लगाते रहे। हर खिंचाव के साथ गोलू की नाक लम्बी होती गई। अंत में वह पकड़ से छूट गया।

दो दिनों में उसकी नाक ठण्डी हो गई किन्तु सिकुड़ी नहीं। बल्कि वह सैंड बन गई। यह काफी लाभदायक हुआ। सबसे पहले गोलू ने डंक मारती मक्खी को सूंड से मार दिया। फिर उसने घास उखाड़ी और उसे अपने मुँह तक पहुँचा दिया। सूंड़ ने उसे मिट्टी खोदकर अपने सिर पर डालने में मदद कर दी। गोलू ने अजगर की सहायता के लिये उसे आभार व्यक्त किया।

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Animal Farm Chapter 10 Summary

Several years passed by, many animals attained age and died and few recall the days before the Rebellion. The animals completed a new windmill, which is used not only for generating electricity but for milling corn, a far more profitable endeavour. The farm seems to have grown richer, but only the pigs and dogs live comfortable lives. Squealer explains that the pigs and dogs do very important work-filling out farms.

The other animals largely accept this explanation, and their lives go on very much as before. They never lose their sense of pride in Animal Farm or their feeling that they have differentiated themselves from animals on the other farms. The inhabitants of Animals Farm still fervently believed in the goals of the Rebellions world free from humans, with equality for all animals.

One day, Squealer takes the sheep off to a remote spot to teach them a new chant. He informed others that he was teaching them to sing a new song. Not long afterward, the animals have just finished their day’s work when they hear the terrified neighing of a horse. It is Clover, and she summons the others hastily to the yard. There, the animals gaze in amazement at Squealer walking towards them on his hind legs. Napoleon soon appears as well, walking, upright, worse, he carries a whip. Before the other animals have a chance to react to the change, the sheep began to chant as if on cue :” Four legs good, two legs better!”

Clover whose eyes are foiling in her old age, asks Benjamin to read the writing on the barn wall where the Seven Commandments were originally inscribed. Only the last Commandment remains : “All animals are equal”. However, it now carries an addition : “But some animals are more equal than others” In the days to follow, Napoleon openly begins smoking a pipe of Jones in his mouth and wears his clothes. His favourite show was dressed in Mrs. Jones clothes, and the other pigs subscribe to human magazines, listen to the radio, and begin to install a telephone, also wearing human clothes that they have salvaged from Mr. Jones’ wardrobe.

One day, the pigs invite neighbouring human farmers over to inspect Animal Farm. The farmers praise the pigs and express, in diplomatic language, their regret for past “misunderstandings”. The other animals, led by Clover, watch through a window as Mr. Pilkington and Napoleon toast each other, and Mr Pilkington declares that the farmers share a problem with pigs : “If you have your lower animals to contend with,” he says, “We have our lower classes!”. Mr. Pilkington notes with appreciation that the pigs have found ways to make Animal Farm’s animals work harder and on less food than any other group of farm animals in the county.

He adds that he looks forward to introducing these advances on his own farm. Napoleon replies by reassuring his human guests that the pigs never wanted anything other than to conduct business peacefully with their human neighbours and that they have taken steps further to that goal. Animals on Animal Farm will no longer address one another as “Comrade”, he says, or pay homage to Old Major, nor will they salute a flag with a horn and hoof upon it. All of these customs have been changed recently by decree, he assures the men. Napoleon even announces that Animal Farm will now be known as the Manor Farm, which is, he believes, its “Correct and original name”.

The pigs and farmers return to their amiable card game, and the other animals creep away from the window. Soon the sounds of a quarrel draw them back to listening. Napoleon and Pilkington have played the ace of spades simultaneously, and each accuses the other of cheating. The animals, watching through the window, realize with a start that, as they look around the room of the farmhouse, they can no longer distinguish which of the card players are pigs and which are human beings.

Animal Farm Chapter 10 Summary Word Meanings :

• Rheumy – Watery
• Frugally – Economical in use or expenditure, not wasteful
• Taciturn – Reserved or uncommunicative in speech.
• Morose – Sullen and ill tempered.
• Stone – 14 pounds (= 6.35 Kg)
• Haughty – Arrogant
• Inebriated – Drunk
• Invariably – Always
• Stroll – To walk in a slow relaxed manner.
• To cease – To stop

Animal Farm Chapter 10 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It was just after the sheep had returned on a pleasant evening when the animals had finished work and were making their way back to the farm buildings, that the terrified neighing of a horse sounded from the yard. Startled, the animals stopped in their tracks.
(i) From where did the sheep return? Under whose supervision were they? What were they taught while they were in this place?
(ii) It was the neighing of Clover – the horse, whose voice startled the animals?
(iii) How did the animals react to this sight at first? Why were they not able to protest?
(iv) Why did Clover lead Benjamin gently to the end of the barn immediately after this? What did they find written on the wall?
(v) What strange and disturbing change did the animals observe in the pigs when they peered in at the dining room window later that evening? Comment on the irony of situation.
Answer:
(i) The sheep returned from a piece of waste ground at the other end of the farm.They were under the supervision of Squealer, a small, white, fat porker, who served as Napoleon’s second-in¬command and minister to spread propaganda among the other animals. There they were taught a new song by squealer, “Four legs good, tivo legs better.”

(ii) The animals ran to Clover after hearing her cries. The sight that their eyes met shook them totally. They saw a pig walking on his hind legs. The pig was none other than Squealer. Then came other pigs, some were able to walk with a bit of difficulty while others had no problem at all. Then Napoleon also came walking like a human being.

(iii) The animals were in utter shock at seeing the pigs walk like the human beings on their hind legs. They were terrified and were about to protest.
Before the other animals have a chance to protest, as of a signal, the sheep started bleating out loudly, “Four legs good, two legs better.”

(iv) Clover’s eyes are foiling due to old age, so she took Benjamin gently along to the barn wall where the Seven Commandments were originally inscribed.
On the wall only the last Commandment remained. “All animals are equal.” However, it now carried an addition : “But some animals are more equal than others.”

(v) When later in the evening the animals peered in at the dining room window, they saw that the pigs had made friendship with the human beings. They were all sitting at a table, drinking beer and playing a game of cards. They also heard how the humans ridiculed the hard working animals of the farm and how Napoleon again rechristened the Animal Farm to ‘Manor Farm’.

The irony here is that, it was the pigs who started the rebellion and changed the name of the farm to ‘Animal Farm’ and developed the belief system known as ‘Animalism and The Seven Commandments’. The animals later realized that after moving out of the tyranny of the humans they would soon fall under the despotic rule of the pigs and be exploited, deceived, cheated and slaughtered by them.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
One day in early summer, Squealer ordered the sheep to follow him, and led them out to a piece of waste ground at the other end of the farm, which had become overgrown with birch saplings. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer’s supervision.
(i) Who is Squealer ? What are we told immediately after the extract ?
(ii) What happens on a pleasant evening when the animals, after completion of their work, are returning to the farm ?
(iii) Narrate briefly the sight that is seen by the animals in the yard.
(iv) What is the effect of what they see on the animals ? What do the sheep suddenly bleat out ?
(v) ‘That evening loud laughter and bursts of singing came from the farmhouse’. Describe the scene that was seen by the wonder-struck animals.
Answer:
(i) Squealer was one of the pigs living in the Animal Farm. He was a devotee of Napoleon and had the duty of spreading his lies and deceit. Immediately after the extract, it is told that the sheep remained in the waste ground for about a week and Squealer was teaching them a new song.

(ii) It was a pleasant evening and all the animals were returning to the farm after a hard day’s labour. Then suddenly, they heard a loud neighing of a horse. They were startled and stopped immediately. Then again the sound came, it was Clover’s. They run to see what the matter was.

(iii) The animals ran to Clover after hearing her cries. The sight that their eyes met totally shook them. They saw a pig walking on his hind legs. The pig was none other than Squealer. Then came other pigs. Some were able to walk with a bit of difficulty while others had no problem at all. Then Napoleon also came walking like a human being.

(iv) The animals were in utter shock at seeing the pigs walk like the human beings on their hind legs. They were terrified and were about to protest. Just then, as a signal, the sheep started bleating out loudly, “Four legs good, two legs better.”

(v) The animals were looking through the window. The pigs had made friendship with the human beings. They were all sitting at a table, drinking beer and playing a game of cards. They also heard how the humans ridiculed the hard working animals of the farm and how Napoleon again rechristened the Animal Farm to ‘Manor Farm’. All the fights, the rebellion, the sacrifices everything else was same.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
‘If you have your lower animals to contend with,’ he said, ‘we have our lower classes!’
(i) Who is the speaker of these lines ? To whom are they addressed ?
(ii) Why does the speaker say this ?
(iii) Where are the other animals ?
(iv) What similarities do we notice between the pigs and human beings ir. this chapter ?
(v) What is the author trying to show through these lines ?
Answer:
(i) These lines are spoken by Mr. Pilkington of Foxwood Farm to Napoleon and his cabinet, during their well- catered retreat inside the farmhouse while raising a toast and dispelling all doubts and misunderstanding between the animals and human beings.

(ii) Mr Pilkington and other farmers had been invited by Napoleon to inspect the Animal Farm and after the inspection they are invited to the farmhouse for a meeting. The human beings are really impressed with the way the pigs have managed Animal Farm and praise it. These lines emphasise the bonding and the similarity between the pigs and human beings by the end of the chapter.

(iii) The other animals are watching the human beings and the pigs from outside the window.

(iv) The pigs have started walking on hind legs and changed the principle of Animalism to “four feet good, two feet better.” The Seventh Commandment is changed to “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal”. The pigs have started drinking alcohol and use language to abuse their fellow animals. They have started carrying a whip to train other animals as they consider themselves superior. These are the traits that the pigs show which resembles human beings.

(v) The quote serves to emphasize directly the significance of Animal Farm as a social commentary, drawing a parallel between the downtrodden animals and the working class of the world.

 

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

Animal Farm Chapter 9 Summary

Rebuilding of the windmill begins immediately after the celebration. Boxer had been hurt in the battle of the windmill and was nursing a split hoof. Boxer refused to take even a day off work and did not show any trouble. Boxer works harder than ever. His thoughts are now turning to retirement, for which, under the laws of Animal Farm, he is due next year. In the meantime, another cold winter with little food must be endured.

The rations of all the animals except that of the pigs and the dogs, were reduced- Squealer was still making a fool of all the animals by giving them figures. He informed them that they had been doing much better than the days of Jones and the animals believed him. However, by now they have forgotten life under Jones. Squealer never failed to point out that now they were not slaves.

The strain of the resources of the farm grows. The four sows had given birth to thirty-one piglets between them. It was easy to understand that they were Napoleon’s kids. Napoleon announced that he would teach the piglets himself and that a new classroom must be built for the piglets, who are instructed to remain aloof from the other animals. The schoolroom is in addition to the requirement to rebuild the windmill and the need to keep the farm supplied with various other requirements.

Potatoes are sold, and practically every egg laid by the hens is sold to earn the money required for these supplies. There was a shortage of money. The exploitation of the animals had long begun without their realising it. The other animals were suffering but somehow the pigs were comfortable enough. They were actually putting on weight when others were starving. In February, the barley was prepared into beer and it was announced that all barley would be reserved for the pigs. Napoleon was having the largest share of the beer daily.

Napoleon now introduces a weekly event called, the spontaneous demonstration, where every animal would leave its work to march in military procession around the farm, so as to instil pride in the animals in the achievements of the farm since the Rebellion. It comforts the animals to know that, no matter how hard their lives are, at least they have the benefit of being their own masters. In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic and Napoleon was made the President. Later, more news about Snowball’s treachery were revealed.

Another consolation around this time is the reappearance of Moses, the raven and his tales of Sugar Candy mountains. He returned after many years. The animals failed to understand why he was being allowed to live on the farm when the pigs called him a liar. They were tolerating him, giving him an allowance of beer everyday. The building work around the farm continues through the summer, heavily dependent on the extraordinary efforts of Boxer. He was famished and a bit old now but never faltered. He is showing some signs at this stage that his strength is failing. He himself is hoping to get as much work done as possible before he retires. Then one summer evening, he collapses.

All the animals rush to his side, unable to bear the thought that anything might happen to him. He was getting weak day after day but only his will kept him going. He did not pay heed to Clover and Benjamin’s working, and one day his lungs gave away. He was lying near the quarry unable to get up. The pigs were informed at once, but Squealer came about a quarter of an hour later. Squealer promised to send him to the town so that the veterinary surgeon can treat him. Clover and Benjamin spend as much time as they can over the next few days nursing him. Then, while all the animals are all at work, the van comes to take Boxer away.

They would not have noticed, except Benjamin, who gallops across the farm to tell them that Boxer is being taken away. No one has ever seen Benjamin gallop before. The animals rush to the yard in time to see the van begin to pull away. They start to wave goodbye to Boxer, but Benjamin is very agitated, and tells them to read the letters on the van. Muriel reads out the sign on the van, which describes the van as belonging to the local horse-slaughter. The animals try to warn Boxer, who tries to kick his way out of the van, but he has no strength and the kicking from the van soon dies away.

Three days later Boxers’ death was announced. Squealer informed everyday that he was with him at his death bed. He makes a moving speech in praise of Boxer. He explains the sign on the van by saying that the veterinary surgeon brought the van from the horse slaughter, and had not yet replaced the sign. The animals are relieved to hear this, and are greatly consoled by Squealer’s further descriptions of the wonderful care and treatment that Boxer received in his final hours.

Napoleon pays his respects to Boxer at the meeting on the following Sunday He tells them that it was not possible to return Boxer’s remains for burial on the farm, but that he will be commemorated with a wreath instead. Napoleon announces a memorable banquet for Boxer, which takes place in the farmhouse shortly afterwards, attended only by the pigs.Then one night, there were strange sounds from the farmhouse and no one stirred out of it before noon the following day. It was learnt that the pigs had acquired money to buy themselves whisky.

Animal Farm Chapter 9 Summary Word Meanings:

• Poulitics – A soft mass of material consisting of flour, herbs etc, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation
• Rations – A fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to a person during a time of shortage.
• Flanked – Be on each or on one side of.
• Stratagem – A plan or scheme to outwit an opponent
• Faltered – Lose strength or momentum.
• Interment – The burial of a corpse in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites.
• Oration – A formal speech given on a ceremonial occasion.
• Laurels – Any number of shrubs and other plants with dark green glossy leaves.

Animal Farm Chapter 9 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health, but Boxer paid no attention. His twelfth birthday was approaching. He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stdne was accumulated before he went to pension. Late one evening, in the summer, a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer. He had gone out alone to drag a load of stone down to the windmill. And sure enough, the rumour was true
(i) In what condition did the animals find Boxer ?
(ii) Why did the animals feel uneasy when Squealer told them that Boxer would be sent to a hospital at Willingdon for treatment ? How did Squealer reassure them ?
(iii) How much longer did Boxer expect to live ?
How did he plan to spend his remaining days ?
(iv) What was written on the van that took Boxer away ? What did Boxer do when he heard the screams of the animals ?
(v) What was the new name given to Animal Farm by Napoleon ? What strange transformation did the animals notice on the faces of the pigs ? What is the significance of this transformation?
Answer:
(i) Boxer had fallen down. He was lying on the side and couldn’t get up. His neck was stretched out, he was unable to raise his head. His eyes were glazed, his sides matted with sweat. A thin stream of blood had trickled out of his mouth.

(ii) Except for Molly and Snowball, no other animal had ever left the farm, and they did not like to think of their sick comrade in the hands of human beings. However, Squealer easily convinced them that the veterinary surgeon in Willingdon would treat Boxer better than anyone on the farm.

(iii) Boxer expected to live another three years, and he looked forward to peaceful days that he would live in the corner of the big pasture. It would be the first time he would have the leisure to study and improve his mind. He wanted to learn the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet in that time.

(iv) Alfred Simmonds’, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler, Willingdon. Dealer in Hides and Bone – meal. Kennels supplied’. Boxer tried to kick his way out, when he heard the screams of the animals.

(v) New name given was Manor Farm. The faces of the pigs were just like the human faces. The pigs resembled the men against whom they had rebelled to set up the Animal Farm. Power had corrupted them and they were just looking like the humans.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Late one evening in the summer, a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer. He had gone out alone to drag a load of stone down to the windmill.
(i) What had happened to Boxer ?
(ii) What had happened to Boxer earlier ?
(iii) How can you say that Boxer was a devoted worker of the farm ?
(iv) What was decided for Boxer after this ?
(v) How had the pigs deceived poor Boxer ?
Answer:
(i) Boxer was growing old. He had been warned by both Clover and Benjamin not to overstrain himself but he would not listen. He was working at the quarry one day, pushing a stone for the windmill when his lungs gave way and he fell on the ground.

(ii) Boxer had a split hoof earlier. He had suffered with a split hoof when he was fighting in the ‘Battle of the Windmill’. His hurt hoof took a long time to heal.

(iii) There is no exaggeration in saying that Boxer was the most devoted worker of the farm. He worked diligently for its betterment. He woke up earlier than others and did crucial work. After his hoof healed, he worked even harder. There was no stopping him. He just wanted to get things completed before he retired.

(iv) About a quarter of an hour after getting to know about Boxer, Squealer appeared, full of sympathy and concern. He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with the very deepest distress of this misfortune to one of the most loyal workers on the farm and was already making arrangements to send Boxer to be treated in the hospital at Willingdon as he would be getting a much better treatment there.

(v) After Boxer had fallen at the quarry, it was decided that he was to be sent to the hospital in Willingdon. The other animals were against it but they were convinced by Squealer who told them that they would not be able to take better care of him at the farm. However, the greedy pigs had sold him to a slaughterhouse. Boxer had gotten old and was now of no use to them. He was about to retire.

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Call of the Wild Chapter 6 Summary

Having frozen his feet that past December, John Thornton walks a slight limp. Staying with Thornton during the spring, Buck’s strength is also restored. Buck’s muscles swell, and flesh returns to cover his bones. He makes friends with John Thornton’s other dogs, Skeet and Nig. They await the raft that will carry them to Dawson. Skeet is motherly and nurses Buck’s wounds during his convalescence. Nig is also quite friendly. The dogs manifest no jealously towards Buck. The kindness of John Thornton arises for them as well. Buck adores him, and goes wild with happiness when Thornton touches him or speaks to him.

He does not even like to lose sight of Thornton, however, Buck retains the wildness that has been growing in him since he was first kidnapped. If a strange dog appears, he fights fiercely, and always prevails. He never shows any mercy. He also hears the call of his wild nature, and apart from Thornton, he no longer has any ties to the human world. Later that year, a man named “Black” Burton, picks a quarrel with Thornton at a bar.

Burton hits him, and is immediately attacked by Buck. He barely escapes with his life, and as a result of his defense of his master, Buck gets a reputation through all the camps in Alaska. Again when John falls into the rapids of a river, Buck aids Hans and Pete in rescuing him and breaks three ribs. That winter, Buck’s fame spreads even farther throughout Alaska, when he wins a bet that Thornton makes in a bar.

The bet is that Buck can start a sled that weighs a thousand pounds. The test takes place in the street outside the bar, and Buck succeeds in his task, breaking the sled out of the ice and pulling it for one hundred yards. This feat of Buck wins sixteen hundred dollars for his master. A man then offers to Buck for twelve hundred dollars, but Thornton is not interested in selling Buck.

Call of the Wild Chapter 6 Summary Word Meanings

• Entice – Provoke someone to do something through persuasion
• Convalescence – Gradual healing through rest after sickness or injury
• Pompous – Puffed up with vanity
• Expediency – The quality of being suited to the end in view
• Eloquent – Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
• Transient – Lasting a very short time
• Beckon – Summon with a wave, nod, or some other geture
• Chasm – A deep opening in the earth’s surface
• Uncanny – Surpassing the ordinary or normal
• Hankering – A yearning for something
• Impede – Be a hindrance or obstacle to
• Jagged – Having a sharply uneven surface or outline
• Veer – Turn sharply; change direction abruptly
• Appalled – Struck with fear, dread or consternation
• Quibble – Evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections.
• Jubilant – Full of high-spirited delight
• Ebb – Flow back or recede
• Lurch – Move suddenly or as if unable to control one’s movements

Call of the Wild Chapter 6 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What trait in Buck’s characters ensures that he will survive in the North? How is this aspect of his character shown in the story ?
Answer:
Buck has inner strength and leadership. Buck is tenacious and assertine. In his former life, these traits would be aggressive and discouraged. Buck was merely a pampered pet. Although Buck’s new world is much harsher than his old world. It also suits Buck better.Buck is beginning his inner strength and purpose. Buck was docile and submissive. These traits in Buck’s character ensure that he will survive in the North.

Question 2.
What underlines Thornton’s mastery over Buck ?
Answer:
Buck’s devotion to Thornton is so great that it is blind. While Buck lives for Thornton, he will also die for him. This steadfast obedience underlines Thornton’s mastery over Buck.

Question 3.
How did Thornton test Buck’s loyalty ?
Answer:
Thornton test’s Buck’s loyalty by commanding him to jump off its ledge. Buck starts forward, but Thornton grabs him before he can toss himself over the ledge. Buck’s unwavering obedience delights and disturbs Thornton.

Question 4.
How did Buck save his master’s reputation?
Answer:
In chapter 6, just before Buck returns to the primitive world, Jack London shows us the love, and the devotion of an animal. Buck saves Thornton’s reputation by pulling a thousand pound load and winning a ton of money for.

Question 5.
Why is Thornton known as the “ideal master”?
Answer:
Buck’s relationship with Thornton is unique because it is defined by love, making Thornton the “ideal master”. Buck does not work for, or guard Thornton, but loves him. Yet this love is so potent that it enslaves Buck, quelling his instinctual desire to go into the forest and compelling him to follow Thornton, wherever he may go.

Question 6.
How do you come to know that the relationship between Buck and Thornton is one of mutual love and respect?
Answer:
When Buck rescues Thornton, he only repays John for rescuing his life-man and dog rely on each other not only to live, but to survive in the face of nature’s unforeseen calamities and conditions. Buck and Thornton are willing to risk their lives for the other shows that their relationship is one of mutual love and respect.

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
For that matter, they were all loafing Buck, John Thornton, and Skeet and Nig-waiting for the raft to come that was to carry them down to Dawson. Skeet was a little Irish setter who early made friends with Buck, who, in a dying condition was unable to resent her first advances.
(i) Give the reference of the above passage.
(ii) Write briefly about Thornton’s other dogs.
(iii) How does Buck show his love to Thornton?
(iv) How does Buck act towards Pete and Hans?
(v) What did Buck hear one night.
Answer:
(i) The above extract has been taken from Chapter 6 -‘For the Love of a Man’ of the novel, “The Call of the Wild” written by Jack London. John Thornton having frozen his feet walks with difficulty. They all await the raft which will carry them to Dawson.

(ii) In Chapter 6, the dogs of John Thornton which are referred here are, Skeet and Nig. Skeet is motherly and nurses Buck’s wounds, when the eater is in trouble. Nig is also described as a friendly creature. The dogs love Buck, even John Thornton has feeling of kindness towards the dogs.

(iii) Buck’s true, in fact, genuine love is described in the chapter. To express his love towards Thornton, Buck closes his mouth around Thornton’s hand in a fake bite. Buck even adores him, and is wild with happiness when Thornton touches him or speaks to him.

(iv) Pete and Hans are John Thornton’s friends, in fact, partners. Buck tolerates both of them in a passive way. When Hans and Pete arrived on the long expected raft Buck refused to notice their arrival also. This shows he indifferent behavior towards Hans and Pele.

(v) One night Buck sprang from sleep. From the forest came the call, distinct as never before. In an open place among the trees, he saw a long, lean, timber wolf. The wolf fled at the sight of Buck.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
But Thornton fell on his knees besides Buck. Head was against head, and he was shaking him back and forth. Those who hurried up heard him cursing Buck, and he cursed him long and fervently, and softly and lovingly.
(i) What do you know about the Forty Mile Creek?
(ii) How would you describe Mathewson’s bet?
(iii) How will the money that Buck won help John, Pete and Hans?
(iv) What was Buck’s reaction when he reached the camp?
(v) What were the things that stood out in Buck’s vision about the other world?
Answer:
(i) Forty Mile Creek is a dangerous river in the Yukon valley referred in chapter 6 in the novel, “The Call of the Wild” written by Jack London. Buck saves Thornton’s life when he is boating in the Forty Mile Creeks. Forty Mile was a mining community that flourished a few years before the big strike in the Klondike region.

(ii) John Thornton boasts that Buck can start a thousand pound load, break it out, walk off with it for a hundred yards. This leads to a bet with Mathewson, which is of $ 1,000. John O’ Brien lends the money to Thornton to match Mathewson’s bet. Thornton whisper’s to Buck, “As you love me, Buck. As you love me” in order to encourage him to win the bet.

(iii) John pays off his debts with the money that Buck earns from the bet; and he sets off together with his dogs and his friends, Pete and Hans. This is the most lucrative contribution to John Thornton and his partners. This bet happened outside the Eldorado Saloon.

(iv) When Buck returned to the deserted camp, he scented Thornton down to the edge of a pool. All day Buck roamed restlessly above the camp. He knew John Thornton was dead. It left a great void in him, a void which ached and ached.

(v) The salient thing of the other world seemed fear. And closely akin to the visions was the call still sounding in the depths of the forest. The most impressive thing about Buck was his massive bear gut that stood out. Buck was a stately creature; he carried himself with aloof dignity. Buck sacrificed his life out of moral.

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The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Summary Workbook Answers

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Summary

The play starts with Antonio, a rich merchant of Venice, complaining to his friends about a melancholy that he cannot find any reasons for, his friends feel that it could be because of the worry regarding the safety of his merchant ships that may be threatened by storms or sea pirates. Antonio denies this by saying that his merchandise is widely distributed and does not depends upon those ships only. Solanio says that it may be due to love, but Antony dissents this and states that, he hates falling in love. So his friends attribute the melancholy to his ‘strange’ nature.

After the departure of these two friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo arrives. Gratiano teases Antonio by suggesting that he is too much bothered about the opinion of the world or he wants to appear as a wise man. Antonio replies that he treats the world ‘but as the stage’, a stage every man has to do a role and his is a sad one. Gratiano immediately responds, and says that he is not the one willing to be sad, he wants to enjoy his youth before the age descends upon him. He departs by advicing Antonio to overcome his sadness and not to be its victim.

When he is left alone with Bassanio, he asks his friend about his visit to a lady. Bassanio then confesses that he is in love with a rich lady from Belmont, but without any money, because of his extravagant nature, he’ll not find a chance to woo the lady. He will be at a disadvantage as compared with the other rich suitors. He requested Antonio to lend him sufficient money, but Antonio does not have any ready cash as his ‘fortunes are at sea’ but offers to stand as a guarantee for a credit to raise the money.

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Summary Word Meanings

1. in sooth – truly
2. want-wit – a dull fellow
3. argosies – merchant ships
4. signiors – gentlemen
5. portly – stately
6. burghers – citizens
7. pageants – decorated floats
8. overpeer – look over the heads of
9. petty traffickers – small commercial boats
10. reverence – respect
11. woven wings – canvas sails
12. broth – soupshallows and of
13. flats – shallow waters and sandbanks
14. Andrew – common name for big ships
15. dock’d – run ashore
16. bechanced – happened
17. Janus – a Roman God at doors who has two faces-one frowning and the other smiling
18. vinegar aspect – bitter nature
19. Nestor – an old and wise Greek General who would not laugh at silly jokes
20. marvelously – considerably
21. let my liver – a liver environed by wine will produce rich blood that will enliven one’s disposition
22. mortifying – miserable
23. alabaster – marble white stone used in making statues
24. jaundice – sickly and complaining
25. profound conceit – deep thought,
26. ope – open
27. gudgeon – a small foolish fish easily caught
28. exhortation – good advice
29. a neat’s tongue dried – an ox-tongue preserved and ready to be eaten
30. prodigal – extravagant
31. aged – in debt extremest
32. means – utmost capacity or resources
33. shaft – arrow,latter
34. hazard – second loan
35. fleece – wool
36. Jasons – adventurous sailors
37. presages – prophesies
38. thrift – profitable success
39. rack’d – stretched.

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Summary Questions and Answers

1. Antonio :
In sooth, I know not why I’m so sad :
It wearies me; you say it wearies you;
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn;
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me.
That I have much ado to know myself.

Question 1.
To whom are these words addressed? Where are the characters?
Answer:
These words are addressed to Salerio and Solanio, friends of Antonio. The characters are on a street in Venice.

Question 2.
Explain : ‘And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself.
Answer:
Antonio means that his sadness has made him act in a foolish manner. He finds it difficult to recognize himself in this present mood and claims given to the ignorant of the source of his woe.

Question 3.
Explain the meaning of the given extract.
Answer:
Antonio, the merchant feels sad but he doesn’t know the reason for his sadness. It makes him melancholic, but he doesn’t know from where he got it, what it consists of or of what origin it is! The sadness makes him such an idiot that he has trouble in recognizing himself.

Question 4.
What reasons does his friend give for Antonio’s state of mind?
Answer:
Antonio’s friends think that he is feeling depressed because he is worried about his ships laden with precious cargo floating in the sea. He is anxious about the safety of his ships.

Question 5.
What purpose does Shakespeare achieve by beginning the play in this manner?
Answer:
The merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy. It possesses many depressing incidents. The gloomy opening sets the stage for that. Antonio has a vague premonition of the misfortune that is about to overtake him. Shakespeare leaves the audience with vague forebodings of future calamity.

2. Salerio :
Your mind is tossing on the ocean,
There where your argosies with portly sail,
Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood.
Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea,
Do overpeer the petty traffickers,
That curtsy to them, do them reverence,
As they fly by them with their woven wings.

Question 1.
Who is being addressed? Apart from the two characters, who else is there with them?
Answer:
Salerio is addressing Antonio. Apart from these two characters, Solanio is also there.

Question 2.
To what remarks of the listener, does Salerio make these comments? To what are the ships compared? How do the shops move? What is meant by ‘petty traffickers’? What do they do when they see the argosies?
Answer:
Antonio talks about a vague sadness that troubles his mind. He says it makes him a dull-wit, making him difficult to understand himself. To this, Salerio replies that it may be due to his anxiety about the safety of his precious cargo in his ships tossed about by the unpredictable seas. The ships are comparable to gentlemen and rich citizens who walk in a stately manner overlooking the commoners.

Question 3.
Give the meanings of:
(a) Argosies of Portly sail
(b) Pageants of the sea
(c) Woven Wings
Answer:
(a) Argosies of Portly sail – the phrase means merchant ships loaded with rich cargos sailing majestically on the seas.
(b) Pageants of the sea – pageants are decorated floats moving in a procession.
(c) Woven wings – canvas sails.

Question 4.
How would have Solanio behaved if he had such Argosies on the sea? What would have made him sad?
Answer:
Solanio would have been so concerned about his business ventures on the sea that he will be holding-up a grass to know the direction of the wind, looking over the maps for ports and channels. He would be scared to look at any object that would remind him of the risks at sea.

Question 5.
Do you think these are the reasons which make Antonio sad? Give reasons.
Answer:
Antonio is not sad thinking about the safety of his cargo. In fact he is rather confident as his cargo is distributed in various ships. His fate is not dependent on the fate of a one ship or in one place.

Question 6.
Explain briefly as to what Salerio has tried to convey in the last five lines.
Answer:
Salerio presented a beautiful image of the richly-laden ships of Antonio. Those ships were referred as to the nobleman who tower above the smaller trading merchants, similarly large vessel ships would surpass the smaller merchant ship which would bow before them due to respect. Antonio’s ship would pass the small vessels at a high speed because their sails were like the wings which enable birds to fly through the air.

Question 7.
What idea does the reader gets about Antonio’s financial status? What is its significance in the play?
Answer:
From Salerio’s description, the reader gets to know that Antonio is one of the richest merchants in Italy. He has several merchant ships that are currently on sail. When his ships sail on the ocean, it seems a royal procession is on, and the other ships like common people, bow in front of royalty.

It is significant information, showing that Antony is the titular hero, who unfortunately suffers from some set- back, and fail to settle the bond with Shylock: this leads to the very famous Bond story, one of highlights of the play.

3. Salerio :
My wind, cooling my broth,
Whould blow me to an ague, when I thought
What harm a wind too great might do at sea.
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run
But I should think of shallows and of flats,
And see my wealthy Andrew dock’d in sand
Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs
To kiss her burial.

Question 1.
What would be the feelings of the speaker if he saw the wind cooling his broth?
Answer:
Salerio says that if his business ventures are in the sea, he would be anxious and his thoughts would travel to them at every point of time as if he is cooling the hot soup with his breath. He would be worried about the powerful wind that may make the ships lose direction and would make him tremble in the same way as he is suffering from high fever trembles.

Question 2.
What is meant by ‘sandy hour-glass’? How would the speaker feel if he saw the hour glass?
Answer:
In ancient days a glass full of sand was to indicate the passing of time. The sight of the sand in the hour glass would remind him of danger of hidden sand banks and shallow water. The danger of the ship getting stuck in the sand where the water is not sufficiently deep for a ship to sail over it smoothly.

Question 3.
Give the meanings of:
(a) Ague
(b) Shallows and flats
(c) Wealthy Andrew
Answer:
(a) Ague – fever that makes one tremble.
(b) Shallows and flats – shallow waters and sand banks.
(c) Wealthy Andrew – richly laden ship.

Question 4.
What is referred to as ‘Wealthy Andrew’? Why is it so?
Answer:
Wealthy Andrew means ship carrying expensive cargo. The richly laden ship might get stuck in sand. The ship might over turn with its top-sails plunging low into the water and getting buried in the sand.

Question 5.
How does Antonio reply to his speech?
Answer:
Antonio says he is not worried about losing his money as his fortune does not depend on one ship; he has many ships going in different directions
and even if something happens to one ship other ships are there to compensate for the loss.

4. Salerio :
Should I go to church
And see the holy edifice of stone,
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks,
Which touching but my gentle vessel’s side
Would scatter all her spices on the stream,
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks;
And, in a word, but even now worth this,
And now worth nothing?

Question 1.
How would Salerio feel if he goes to a church?
Answer:
Salerio says that if he goes to church seeing the stone building, he would be reminded of the rocks in the sea which might touch the sides of his gentle ships and make holes in them, and then all his rich spices, silks and other valueable material would be scattered in the ocean.

Question 2.
Bring out the context of the extract.
Answer:
In the opening scene, we see Antonio in a sad state of mind. His friends Salerio and Solanio ask him for the reasons behind his sadness. Antonio is unable to figure out his sadness. So the friends feel it may be because of the anxiety for his precious cargo tossing on the ocean.

Salerio says that if he had been in Antonio’s place, he would start getting frightened if he saw the church building. The stone edifice would remind him of the rocks in the sea that might harm his ships making the entire cargo float in the sea. It is like owning so much in one minute and losing everything in the next moment.

Question 3.
What is the ‘holy edifice’? What will it signify to him ? What is the symbolic meaning of the comparison drawn?
Answer:
The holy edifice is the stone building of the church. It would remind him of the dangerous rocks in the sea, which might cause immense damage to his imaginary ship. The symbolic meaning is that life is so unpredictable. We build-up expectations but what happens the next minute is nobodys prediction. “There is many a slip between the cup and the lip”.

Question 4.
Explain the following: ‘but even now worth this and now worth nothing’.
Answer:
Just before an imaginary disaster Salerio’s imaginary ship ‘Andrew’ would be worth a fortune, but after its wreckage, it would worth nothing. All its rich merchandise would be washed away by the waves of the sea.

Question 5.
What would be the feelings of Solanio, if his argosies had been out in the sea?
Answer:
Solanio says that if his cargo is in the sea, then he will be every time anxious about its safety. He will be holding the grass to determine the direction of the wind and looking over the maps to study sea ports and channels and every object that might suggest misfortune to his business schemes will depress him.

Question 6.
Give meanings of:
(a) My gentle vessel’s side
(b) Enrobe the roaring waters
Answer:
(a) My gentle vessel’s side-gentle vessel is Antonio’s precious ship. The speaker says Antonio is worried thinking whether the rugged rocks in the sea, will strike against the sleek sides of the ship.

(b) Enrobe the roaring waters-cover the sea with the rich cargo of costly spices and silks.

5. Salerio :
Now, by two-headed Janus,
Nature hath fram’d strange fellows in her time :
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes,
And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper;
And other of such vinegar aspect
That they’ll not show their teeth in way of smile,
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

Question 1.
Explain the comparison drawn out with Janus?
Answer:
When Antonio says that the cause of his sadness is not the anxiety about his ships, nor love, Salerio swears by the Roman God, the two headed Janus, who sports a smiling face and a sad face. It implies that there are two opposite kinds of men.

Some always look out through half closed eyes as they are always laughing without any reason, even at the sound of the bagpipers. Others have a sour expression that they will not open their lips to smile even at a very pleasing joke or an amusing joke.

Question 2.
Who is Nestor? Why is he mentioned here?
Answer:
Nestor was an old and the wise Greek General who fought in the Trojan War. A joke had to be extremely funny to make him laugh. Here he is mentioned to show that there are such people with sour disposition that they will not laugh at any point of time.

Question 3.
Explain :
(a) Laugh like parrots at a bag piper
(b) Vinegar aspect
Answer:
(a) Laugh like parrots at a bag piper – the music of a bagpiper was considered woeful which should bring on tears not laughter. The parrot is a bird believed to be foolish and laughs at everything even in a mournful tune.

(b) Vinegar aspect – sour expression. There are human beings who have such a gloomy aspect that they would not show their teeth by smiling at a joke.

Question 4.
What conclusion does Salerio come with the sadness of Antonio?
Answer:
Salerio says that Antonio is unhappy as he is not happy; certain people are of such disposition that they are unhappy without any reason.

Question 5.
Comment on the parting remark of Salerio.
Answer:
Salerio says that he would have stayed longer with Antonio till he forgot his sadness and felt merry if worthier friends like Bassanio had not come to visit him at that time. He is sure that they are better company and Antonio will enjoy with them. He and Solanio will meet Antonio at leisure when time permits, after their business is over.

6. Gratiano :
Let me play the fool:
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come,
And let my liver rather heat with wine
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.
Why should a man, whose blood is warm within,
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster,
Sleep when he wakes, and creep into the jaundice
By being peevish ?

Question 1.
What observation had Gratiano earlier made regarding Antonio? Is he correct in his observation?
Answer:
Gratiano had remarked that Antonio didn’t seem well. He felt that Antonio was too concerned with the worldly affairs. He advises him that people lose everything when they worry over their business. According to him, Antonio has changed a lot. He is not correct as far as the reason for Antonio’s sadness is concerned. Antonio is buffering from a melancholy but not because of anxiety over his business.

Question 2.
To what comment made by Antonio does Gratiano give this reply? Who else are there with Gratiano at this moment?
Answer:
Antonio replied to Gratiano’s words by saying that he gives as much importance to worldly affairs as required. According to him, the world is a stage where every man has to play a role. His role is a sad one. It is to this comment Gratiano makes this reply. Bassanio and Lorenzo are with him.

Question 3.
What does the speaker prefer to do? What does it depicts about his character?
Answer:
The speaker prefers to have wrinkles made with laughter on his face. He wants to be merry and play the fool rather is a victim of sadness. This shows that Gratiano has a positive approach to life. He sees the brighter side of things and does not worry too much about worldly affairs.

Question 4.
Give the meaning of: And let my liver groans.
Answer:
Gratiano says that he would not mind to drink wine heavily even if his liver gets damaged. He doesn’t want to starve his heart with fun and feel worried about death. In other words, he believes in enjoying life rather than wallow in trivial matters.

Question 5.
Explain : ‘grandsire cut in alabaster’ and ‘creep into the jaundice by being peevish’.
Answer:
Gratiano believes that a man with warm blood flowing through him should not sit like an expressionless and motionless statue of his grandfather’s tomb. He should not weaken his heart by groaning; Neither he should be sleepy during waking hours and behave in an irritated manner as though he is suffer¬ing from jaundice.

Question 6.
What’s the Elizabethan belief about jaundice?
Answer:
Elizabethan believed that the jaundice was caused because of anxiety, jealousy and bad temper. They believed there’s a close connection between the mind and the body.

7. Gratiano :
There are a sort of men whose visages
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond,
And do a wilful stillness entertain.
With purpose to be dress’d in an opinion
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,
As who should say, ‘I am Sir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark !’

Question 1.
According to Gratiano why is he speaking in such a stem manner? To whom are these words being addressed to?
Answer:
Gratiano’s love for Antonio makes him speak in this manner. He doesn’t want his friend becoming a victim of melancholy. These words are being addres¬sed to Antonio.

Question 2.
What sorts of men are described here? How do they look?
Answer:
Men who refuse to smile, who sport an expressionless face are descri¬bed here. Their faces look like the motionless waters of the lakes whose surface is covered with scum.

Question 3.
Explain- “Do cream and mantle like a standing pool”.
Answer:
Still waters in a pool or lake are covered with scum preventing any movement. In the same way some people wear an artificial layer of expression of seriousness to earn a reputation of wisdom.

Question 4.
According to the speaker why do some men put on an air of solem¬nity?
Answer:
According to Gratiano, some people put on an air of solemnity to show that they are wise and mature. They put on an air of ‘Sir Oracle’ who speaks only wisdom. Actually, it is to escape from being branded fools.

Question 5.
Later on he refers to gudgeon. In what context is he referred to? What opinion do you get of Gratiano from this scene? What does Lorenzo say later about him?
Answer:
Gudgeon is a small unworthy fish easily caught. Gratiano asks Antonio not to throw the melancholic bait to catch the cheap fish called popularity. We feel Gratiano speaks a lot but whatever he says has a lot of meaning.

He is philosophical and gives good advice to Antonio. Moreover, he loves Antonio and wants to cheer him with his witty talk. Later on, Lorenzo says that when Gratiano speaks, he never gets a chance to speak.

Question 6.
How does Gratiano prefer to have wrinkles? Why? Give another instance where he reveals his preference for enjoying life. What does he say about grandfather cut in alabaster?
Answer:
Gratiano prefers to have wrinkles with mirth and laughter. He is basically a jolly good fellow who wants to spread cheer among his friends. He also says that he would rather heat his liver with wine than cool his heart with miserable groans. Alabaster is a kind of clay or stone of which statues are made up.

Gratiano wonders why anybody with warm blood in him sits like the statue of his grandfather cut in marble, and appear sleeping in the morning hours when he has to be active and cheerful.

Question 7.
Explain:
(a) ‘I am Sir Oracle’
(b) Let no dog bark
Answer:
(a) ‘I am Sir Oracle’- Sir Oracle is the wisest and most respected person, who can prophesy the future. A person, in fear of revealing his ignorance, can behave like sir Oracle and keep silent and pretend like a wise man. Sir Oracle seems to say that when he speaks in all his wisdom, other common people should remain quiet.

(b) Let no dog bark- They are the dogs that should stop barking.

Question 8.
What was Gratiano’s advice to Antonio in the end of his speech? Brief it.
Answer:
Gratiano advise Antonio to give up his serious and melancholic expression. He should not behave like some fake people, who pretend wise to cover up their ignorance. He should be more communicative and share his feelings with his friends. He asks him to cheer up and not tot go around looking so glum.

8. Bassanio :
Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate.
By something showing a more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance :
Nor do I now make moan to be abridg’d
From such a noble rate.

Question 1.
To what inquiry of Antonio does the speaker make this reply? What details do you get about the lady later in this scene?
Answer:
Antonio inquires about the lady to whom Bassanio has decided to pay a visit secretly. Later in the scene, Bassanio informs that there is a rich lady from Belmont who is fairer than the word beautiful. She has great virtues. Her name is Portia and is as worthy as Cato’s daughter and Brutus’ wife. The whole world is aware of her worth. Many suitors are on their way to win her hand, but since she has given him silent messages through her lovely eyes, Bassanio is hopeful of wooing her.

Question 2.
What does Bassanio mean by ‘disabled mine estate’? Why does he say this?
Answer:
By ‘disabled mine estate’, Bassanio means that he has wasted his fortune. He says this because he had been living in a way more lavish manner than his means permits.

Question 3.
What do you understand by the term ‘to be abridged’? Why is Bassanio forced ‘to be abridged’? Does he feel sorry for it? What does this show of his character? What is his chief care now?
Answer:
‘To be abridged’ means ‘to be curtailed’. Bassanio was forced to be abridged because he could not maintain his high standard of living with his present insufficient monetary resources.

He does not feel sorry for it. This shows that Bassanio is aware of his shortcomings and is ready to take the blame on himself. His immediate priority now is to honorably clear off his debt and have enough money to visit Belmont.

Question 4.
How much does Bassanio rate Antonio in his affection and res¬pect?
Answer:
Bassanio considers Antonio as his true friend. He has confidence in Antonio that he can share with him all his thoughts and worries. He can reveal all his plans to him. He is sure Antonio will help him out as always with his money and affection.

Question 5.
What opinions have you formed about the speaker’s character ?
Answer:
Bassanio initially comes across as a spoilt brat who has squandered away all his money in living a lavish lifestyle. He shamelessly asks Antonio’s help to enable him to woo a rich lady with a promising fortune. But later on, we find that he is not such an irresponsible and uncaring person.

He was reassuring Antonio that he would be returning the money once his mission is accomplished. He is frank in confessing about his shortcomings. Also the scene reveals that he has an optimistic enthusiasm which motivates him to search for a fortune rather than waiting for the fortune to come to him.

9. Bassanio :
In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft,
I shot his fellow of the self-same flight
The self-same way with more advised watch,
To find the other forth; and by adventuring both,
I oft found both.

Question 1.
In what context does Bassanio speak these words?
Answer:
Bassanio speaks these words to Antonio in order to reveal his depleted circumstances. He confesses that his wayward living has made him lose his fortune. But he has a plan to make his life better. For whlchhe requires Antonio’s help.

Question 2.
Bring out the meaning of the extract. What does he want to establish with this childhood example?
Answer:
In the above extract, Bassanio talks about his school days when he sometimes shot an arrow from his bow and then could not find it. So, in order to locate that arrow, he used to shoot another one having same size, weight and capacity to travel through the air in the same direction. This time he used to maintain a greater alertness as to the point at which it was likely to fall.

Then he used to search for both the arrows and often find both of them. With this childhood example, he wants to convince Antonio for lending him a second loan so that he may be able to recover even the money which was lent earlier to him by Antonio.

Question 3.
What aspect of the speaker’s personality is revealed here?
Answer:
The speaker’s words shows his boyish belief. He is pinning his hope on a childhood example but the very determination in his voice proves that he is not ready to cry over the losses but is ready to make an attempt and try to compensate his losses.

Question 4.
What assurance does the speaker give here?
Answer:
The speaker assures Antonio that he need not worry about the loan; he’ll definitely get enough money to pay.

Question 5.
How does Antonio respond to these words?
Answer:
Antonio says that he doesn’t have to waste his time by confessing his love. In fact, he wrongs him by doubting his readiness to help him with money. He just has to tell him what he wants and he will be obliged to do it.

10. Bassanio :
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,
For the four winds blow in from every coast
Renowned suitors; and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece;
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchis’ strand,
And many Jasons come in quest of her.
O my Antonio, had I but the means
To hold a rival place with one of them,
I have a mind presages me such thrift
That I should questionless be fortunate.

Question 1.
Who is the lady being talked about? Why is the speaker talking about her at this time?
Answer:
The lady being talked about here is Portia, a rich and a beautiful lady, whom Bassanio met at Belmont. Bassanio is talking about her at this time because he wants to woo her and win her hand but as he has no money, he asks Antonio to lend him some more money which he promises to repay after his marriage.

Question 2.
Explain the meaning of ‘Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth, For the four winds blow in from every coast Renowned suitors’. To whom this lady has been compared in the extract and in what way?
Answer:
Bassanio says that the whole world knows about the worth of Portia and famous suitors from every coast are sailing towards Belmont with the desire of marrying her. This lady has been compared to a golden fleece in the extract as her golden locks of hair hang on both sides of her face.

Question 3.
Bring out the significance of ‘golden fleece’, ‘Colchos strand’ and ‘Jason’.
Answer:
Here Portia’s golden soft hair is compared to the golden fleece of ram mentioned in Greek mythology. Jason was a Greek hero who led a party to Colchos in Asia, near the Black Sea to get the fleece. It was a difficult journey but he succeeded with the help of Medea, who was in love with him.

Question 4.
What does Bassanio request his friend to do? How will the friend benefit from his action?
Answer:
Bassanio requests his friend Antonio to help him financially, so that he can go to Belmont and marry the worthy lady. From this action he assures his friend Antonio that he will return the first and the second loan after becoming rich with his wife’s money.

Question 5.
How does his friend respond to this request?
Answer:
Antonio says that all his money is invested in his ships which are still at sea. They should see what his credit can do in Venice. He will stretch his resources to the maximum so that Bassanio has enough money to go to Belmont. The money can be mobilized either on his credit or personal surety.

Question 6.
How is this request of Bassanio going to affect Antonio’s future?
Answer:
Antonio takes credit on a personal surety to arrange money for his friend. He comes under the clutches of Shylock, the usurer who hates Christians and wants to take revenge for all the insults they have showered upon him because he is a Jew. He approaches the court of law for justice and even demands a pound of flesh from Antonio as recompense. Thus, Antonio has to undergo a lot of mental strain and imprisonment due to this request.

 

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The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Summary Workbook Answers

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Summary

The elopement of Lorenzo and Jessica is the main event that takes place in this scene. Gratiano and Salerio are waiting for Lorenzo outside Shylock’s house. Lorenzo is late and the friends are surprised as normally lovers reach before time. They also remark that mostly lovers keep their appointment in time as long as they are engaged, but once they marry all promises are forgotten. Lorenzo comes at this time and apologizes for being late.

He calls Jessica who appears above, dressed as a boy. She throws down a casket full of money and Jewels. Jessica is ashamed of stealing money as well as her disguise. But she consoles herself by saying that love is blind and lovers sire unaware of the foolish things they do.

Lorenzo tells Jessica that she’s going to be his torch bearer. The idea of holding a light to her may expose her identity. After being reassured, she goes back to the house to lock the doors and fetch more ducats. Lorenzo tells Gratiano that Jessica is the most faithful and loving lady.

When she comes down, the lovers leave with Salerio.Gratiano meets Antonio who has been looking for him. Antonio informs him that Bassanio’s party has been cancelled as the wind has changed and the time is right to set sail for Belmont. Gratiano is delighted, as he is eager to leave for Belmont.

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Summary Word Meanings

1. penthouse – porch
2. make stand – wait, marvel wonder
3. out-dwells his hour – late
4. Venus – goddess of love who rides in a chariot drawn by pigeons
5. wont – likely to
6. unforfeited – unbrohen
7. ever-holds – always true
8. untread again – retrace his steps
9. tedious measures – boring steps
10. unabated fire – undiminished spirit or enthusiasm
11. younger – a youngster
12. scarfed bark – ship decorated with flags and bunting
13. strumpet wind – uncontrolled wind
14. over-weathered
15. ribs – storm beaten sides
16. ragged – torn
17. abode – delay
18. albeit – although
19. tongue – voice
20. pains – troubles
21. exchange – change of clothes
22. pretty follies – small acts of foolishness
23. Cupid – god of Love
24. hold a candle to – hold up a light to reveal
25. shames – shameful dress
26. sooth – indeed
27. obscur’d – hidden
28. garnish – costume
29. play the runaway – slipping away
30. gild – adorn with gold
31. beshrew me – curse me
32. constant soul – loyal heart
33. Fie – shame.

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Summary Questions and Answers

1. Gratiano:
That ever holds : who riseth from afeast
With that keen appetite that he sits down ?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unhated fire
That he did pace them first ? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d.
How like a younger or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg’d and embraced by the strumpet wind !
How like the prodigal doth she return.
With over-weather’d ribs and ragged sails.
Lean, rent, and beggar’d by the strumpet wind !

Question 1.
To which comment does Gratiano say, ‘That ever holds’? What does it mean?
Answer:
That ever holds means that Gratiano is agreeing with whatever was said before. Salerio had said mostly, lovers are in a greater hurry than the wings of Venus’ pigeons to keep their engagement, than their marriage promises.

Question 2.
Explain, ‘All things that are with more spirit chased than enjoyed’. Which two examples does the speaker give to prove his point?
Answer:
This means that there is more pleasure in pursuit than enjoyment. The speaker first says that no one gets up from the dinner table with the same hunger as he sat down to dine. Then he takes the example of a horse, which cannot retrace his steps with the same enthusiasm as he had earlier.

Question 3.
Explain the meaning of scarfed bark and strumpet wind. What does the want on wind do?
Answer:
Scarfed bark is the ship decorated with flags at the outset of a journey. Strumpet wind is uncontrolled wind. The strumpet wind in its fury blows and pushes about the ship, making it look like an impoverished thing.

Question 4
Give the meaning of:
‘How like a younger or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay,
Hugg’d and embraced by the strumpet wind!’
Answer:
The meaning is that when the ship starts its journey, it is like a young man dressed in all finery, hale and hearty.
But after it is tossed about by the harlot wind, it is battered and torn, more like a spendthrift, returning exhausted like a beggar.

Question 5.
Who comes just after this extract? What does he say to his Mends?
Answer:
Lorenzo comes just after this and apologizes to his friends for making them wait. It was some urgent business, which made him late. He promises to wait for his friends in the same way when they go to steal their wives.

2. Jessica :
What! must I hold a candle to my shames ?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscur’d.

Question 1.
Bring out the context of the extract.
Answer:
The scene takes place In the street outside Shylock’s house. Lorenzo, with his friends, are waiting for Jessica to join them. Jessica, dressed as a boy throws at Lorenzo, a casket full of money and jewels. She is ashamed of her disguise and when Lorenzo tells her that she is going to be the torch bearer, she is embarrassed. She tells him that it is a torch bearer’s duty to light up and reveal everything whereas she has to hide her identity to elope.

Question 2.
Explain, ‘must I hold a candle to my shames? What does this show of her character’?
Answer:
Jessica asks whether she should hold a light to her boyish dresses that fills her with shame as she is masquerading. For her the idea of holding a light is frightening which could expose her identity. She is modest and honest. It’s her love that makes her adopt this disguise.

Question 3.
Explain the last two lines of the extract.
Answer:
The last two lines means, that holding up the torch is the duty of a torch bearer. But if she does so, she’ll be revealing her identity, which she is supposed to conceal.

Question 4.
How does Lorenzo reassure Jessica? Earlier how had Lorenzo summarized his love for Jessica?
Answer:
Lorenzo tells Jessica that she is hiding in the charming get up of a boy. She doesn’t have to worry about getting detected. He had said that Jessica was wise, fair and faithful and he loved her heartily. She would always be placed in his loyal heart.

Question 5.
What information does Antonio give at the end of the scene? How does Gratiano react to this?
Answer:
Antonio at the end of the scene informs Gratiano that Bassanio’s party has been called off. Since the wind is blowing in favourable direction and the time is right to set sail for Belmont, both are eager to get on board to sail off from Venice to the promising and romantic Belmont.

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Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Summary

After arriving at Skagway from Dawson for the second time, the dogs are in a wretched state. The journey took one month. Buck has lost twenty-five pounds in weight. Within four days, Buck and his mates are sold to Charles, a middle-aged man, and Hal, a man of about nineteen. Travelling with the men is Mercedes, who is Charles’s wife and Hal’s sister.

Buck’s new owners are incompetent, and overload the sled. The dogs are unable to move it. Hal calls them lazy and whips them, although Mercedes tries to persuade him not to. An onlooker suggests that Hal help the dogs by freeing the runners of the sled that are frozen in the snow.

When this is done, the dogs are able to pull the sled, but it is so badly loaded, it overturns. The owners reluctantly cut the load in half, and acquire six more dogs, making a total of fourteen. The newcomers, are not of much use, however, and nor does Buck have his heart in the work.

He knows he cannot depend on his new masters, because they do not know how to do anything.They are barely travelling ten miles a day, and it is inevitable they will run short on dog food. One of the dogs,Dub, is injured, and Hal shoots him. Six dogs die of starvation. As the going gets tougher, the three travellers fall to quarrelling.

Mercedes insists on riding on the sled, which adds intolerably to the load pulled by the weak and starving dogs. Hal, Charles and Mercedes are insensitive to the suffering of the animals. But the seven remaining dogs continue to pull the sled, despite their ill-treatment. One day Billie falls and cannot get up. Hal kills him with an axe and cuts him out of the traces. The team knows this fate approaches. The next day Koona goes, but the five remaining struggle on, despite their serious pains. The spring weather is beautiful, but no one can take notice of it.

The ice on the river is beginning to break up, but they manage to reach the camp of John Thornton at the mouth of White River. Thornton tells them to take no more chances on the melting ice. Hal refuses to take his advice and wants to continue. But he cannot persuade his exhausted dogs to get up, so he whips them until they begin to move. But Buck refuses. Hal takes up the club, but Buck will not move. He is too numb.

Thornton intervenes, striking Hal, and telling Hal he will kill him if he hits the dog again. Hal draws a knife, but Thornton knocks it out of his hand. Hal decides to make off without Buck. They pull out from the bank and start off down the river. After a quarter of a mile, the ice break up and the men and dogs are all drowned.

Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Summary Word Meanings:

• Totter – Move without being stable
• Congested – Overfull as with blood
• Remonstrance – The act of expressing earnest opposition
• Unwieldy – Difficult to us because of size or weight
• Aver – Declare
• Computation – The procedure of calculating
• Cajole – Influence or flattering
• Squaw – An American Indian woman
• Innocuous – Not causing disapproval
• Terse – Brief
• Inarticulate – Deprived of the use of speech
• Convulse – Stir about violently
• Evince – Give expression to
• Wretched – Characterized by physical misery

Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Who is the new owner of Buck? Describe the situation of Buck’s sale again briefly.
Answer:
The new owner of Buck is a team, in fact a family of amateur settlers who are “out of place” in Northland. They are Hal, Charles and Hercedes. The sled dog team arrives at Skaguay, thirty days later and the dogs are weary.

Question 2.
How do the new masters behave with of the dog team ?
Answer:
The dogs are taken to the camp, where Hal’s sister and Charles’ wife, Mercedes loads up the sled with pots, pans clothes and tents. The sled is so heavy that the dogs cannot pull it. Hal proceeds attempting to spur the dogs forward with his whip.

Question 3.
Why does Buck distrust his new owners ?
Answer:
Buck distrusts his new owners, observing that they are undisciplined, disorderly, and unable to learn. Because Hal miscalculates their rations. Hal, Charles and Mercedes constantly squabble making them “callous” to the suffering of their animals.

Question 4.
Why do Hal, Charles and Mercedes perish ?
Answer:
Hal, Charles and Mercedes ultimately perish because they disrespect nature. They refuse to relinguish their possessions, they ignore the warnings of melting ice, and Hal nearly kills Buck. Buck follows his intuition, emphasizing that his feral senses are strong. Buck’s survival process that not all masters are worthy. Thornton’s brave rescue of Buck shows that he is worthy to take up ownership of Buck.

Question 5.
Explain the statement, “The most important thing of this world seemed fear”.
Answer:
The vision of the strange man from the other world came to Buck frequently. The hairy man could spring up into the trees, and travel just as fast on the ground-never falling, never missing his grip. In fact, he seemed as much at home among the trees as on the ground. And similar to the visions of the hairy man was the call, still sounding in the depths of the forest, filling Buck with great- unrest. This is very clear by the end of the chapter, “The most important thing of this world seemed fear.”

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Three days passed, by which time Buck and his mates found how really tired and weak they were. Then, on the morning of the fourth day, two men from the States came along and bought them, harness and all for a song. The men addressed each other as “Hal” and “Charles”.
(i) Give the reference of the above extract?
(ii) Describe Charles.
(iii) Charles and Hal’s camp is in what condition when Buck and the sled-dogs enter it?
(iv) Who quickly made friends with Buck?
(v) What advice do the men from the neighbouring states give to Charles, Hal, and Mercedes regarding their
load on the dog sleds?
Answer:
(i) The above extract has been taken from chapter 5, ‘The Toil of Trace and Trail’ of the novel, “The Call of the Wild”, written by. Jack London. In the introductory part of the chapter, Hal and Charles purchase the sled- dog team from the Scotch half-bread.

(ii) In chapter-5, Charles is described as a middle aged, light coloured man, with weak and watery eyes and a moustache that twisted fiercely and vigorously and concealed the dropping lip.

(iii) When Buck and the sled-dogs enter the camp of Charles, and Hal’s, the author describes the camp as ship shod and slovenly, the tent is half stretched, the dishes are kept unwashed and everything is in disorder.

(iv) Skeet, a little Irish setter, quickly made friends with Buck.As a mother cat washes her kittens, so she washed and cleansed Buck’s wounds. Nig, a huge black dog was
equally friendly with Buck.

(v) When the dogs are unable to pull the sleds, the men from the neighbouring tents lend a piece of advice to Charles, Hal and Mercedes. They tell them that the load was very heavy and the dogs are tired and they need rest. They tell them that it would be better if Charles and Hal would half the load and double the dogs.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
This was the first time Buck had failed, in itself a sufficient reason to drive Hal into a rage. He exchanged the whip
for the customary club. Buck refused to move under the rain of heavier blows which now fell upon him.
Answer:
(i) Mercedes is Charles’ wife. She cries and implores Buck to pull harder to stop the whipping. She is too preoccupied with weeping over herself. She is never too tired of quarrelling with Charles and Hal. She is too soft and has been chivalrously treated all her life.

(ii) When the tent was loaded on the sledge, it was very heavy. Even Mercedes and Thornton felt that the load is top-heavy. The dogs were tired also, and weak. The dogs strained against the breast bands unable to move the sledges. Hal thinks the team’s inability to move the sledges were because the dogs were lazy. But in fact, the dogs were not lazy, the load was heavy and the dogs were exhausted.

(iii) ‘Black’ Burton picked up a quarrel with the newcomer, when Thornton stepped in. Burton struck out without warning. Buck rose as he attacked Burton. Burton was able to block Buck and his throat was torn open and from that day Buck become famous in Alaska and made up his reputation.

(iv) When Thornton was carried downstream, Pete and Hans attached a line to Buck’s neck and shoulders and launched him into the stream. Back pulled Thornton into the bank and had three broken ribs.

(v) Buck and half a dozen other dogs, John Thornton, Pete and Hans travelled to the East on an unknown trail. At the end of their wandering, they found a shallow mineral deposit in a broad valley. The gold showed like butter across the bottom of the washing-pan. The gold was stacked in moose-hide bags, and soon they had a heap of treasure.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Thornton stood between him and Buck, and evinced no intention of getting out of the way. Hal drew his long hunting knife. Mercedes screamed, cried, laughed and manifested the chaotic abandonment of hysteria. Thornton rapped Hals knuckles with the axe-handle, knocking the knife to the ground. He rapped his knuckles again as he tried to pick it up. Then he stopped, picked it up himself, and with two strokes cut Buck’s traces.
(i) Describe the character of Mercedes?
(ii) Why were the dogs lazy?
(iii) How did Buck become famous in Alaska?
(iv) How did Buck break his ribs?
(v) What did the team find when they were searching for Thornton’s fabled mine?
Answer:
(i) In the novel ‘The Call of the Wild’ written by Jack London, Hal is described as a youngster between nineteen and twenty. He is a person who is by nature known for his callowness.

(ii) John Thornton’s partners left him to camp alone the previous December, after he froze his feet and had difficulty in walking. He was limping. But before leaving him behind, his partners ensured that he was comfortable and could manage by himself.

(iii) Buck followed Thornton around for the simple reason that he had become deeply attached to him. Buck always returns to Thornton’s fireside, as he feels secured in the presence of Thornton.

(iv) At the end of all their wandering, Thornton and his team members, did not find the lost mine. They found a shallow mineral deposit in a broad valley. The gold showed like butter across the bottom of the washing pan.

(v) Buck feels a strong connection with Thornton, his final master and is deeply devoted to him. He finds Thornton fair towards him, whereas, he felt a kind of angry revulsion towards his previous masters. This also proves that even animals feel the love and care imparted to them.

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The Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 Summary Workbook Answers

The Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 Summary

This is the most romantic scene of the play. There is peace and tranquility in Belmont in contrast to the legal atmosphere of Venice. In moonlit Belmont, Lorenzo and Jessica compare themselves to famous lovers from classical literature, like Troilus and Cressida, Pyramus and Thisbe, and Dido and Aeneas. Though there is a lot of romance in this scene, the scene is saved from being over- romantic when the couple starts teasing each other and their love prate is interrupted by the arrival of a messenger. The messenger comes with the news of the arrival of Portia and Nerissa from the monastery.

Launcelot comes with the news that Bassanio and Antonio will arrive the next morning. Lorenzo calls for music and both, Lorenzo and Jessica sit on the grassy bank beneath the stars. Lorenzo says that the movement of the heavenly orbits creates music, which the mortals cannot hear till they are alive. The musicians arrive and music is played. Lorenzo declares that the person who does not like music deserves the world’s worst cruelties and betrayals.

Portia and Nerissa arrive at Belmont and listening to the music Portia says that the music sounds even better because of the beautiful night and the candles that light up her estate enchant her. Portia believes that the worth of things largely depends upon the context in which they are experienced. Portia is greeted by Lorenzo and she requests him not to reveal the fact to her husband that she was away.

Trumpets sound and Portia greets Bassanio, Antonio and Gratiano who have arrived. Nerissa chastises Gratiano for breaking his promise and parting with the ring. Gratiano tells Nerissa that he had given the ring to the lawyer’s clerk as a fee. Portia confirms to Nerissa that her husband would have never done such a thing. Gratiano corrects her by saying that Bassanio has given his ring to the lawyer who saved Antonio. Portia is very upset and she tells her husband that she will never visit his bed again until he gets back his ring.

Bassanio pleads with Portia to understand that how important it was for him to part with his ring and that it was justified. Portia and Nerissa are not ready to accept anything and they argue that the rings have been given to other women. They say that as if their husbands have been infidel so will they be. Even they will part with their precious things and share their beds with other men. They then give their husbands other rings saying that these ones should be taken better care of.

Gratiano and Bassanio recognize the rings as those they had given to the lawyer and his clerk. Portia and Nerissa claim to have taken the rings from those men by being intimate with them. The two men feel sad at being cuckolded. Then Portia reveals that she was the lawyer and Nerissa her clerk. Antonio receives news that some of his ships have miraculously touched the port. Lorenzo is told that he will receive Shylock’s fortune. All the pairs rejoice in their own fortune.

The Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 Summary Word Meanings

1. Troilus – Trojan hero
2. Cressida – Troilus1 beloved
3. This be – beloved of Pvramus
4. o’ertrip – walkover
5. ere himself – before she saw the lion
6. dido – Aeneas’ beloved queen of Carthage
7. willow – a branch of the willow tree a symbol of forsaken love
8. wild – barren
9. waft – waved
10. medea – the enchantress who loved Jason
11. renew – bring back to youth
12. Aeson – father of Jason
13. steal – run away and rob
14. unthrift love – penniless lover
15. vows of faith – oaths of loyalty
16. shrew – quarrelsome woman
17. slander – defame
18. out-night you – beat you in this game of ‘in such a night’, stay about wander
19. leave hollowing – stop shouting
20. post – messenger
21. become – suit
22. touches – sounds
23. patens – small pieces of shiny metal-the stars
24. quiring – singing
25. vesture of decay – clothing of mortality (the human body)
26. diana – the classical goddess of the moon
27. draw – attract
28. spirits -mind
29. wanton – playful
30. unhandled – untrained
31. fetching mad bounds – taking wild jumps
32. feign – imagine
33. naught – not
34. stockfish – stubborn
35. concord – harmony
36. stratagems – plots
37. erebus – a dark space in the Greek underworld
38. substitute – deputy
39. be by – is present
40. his state empties itself – his fame and glory vanishes
41. brook – stream
42. bestows – gives
43. attended – listened to
44. wren – a song bird
45. endymion – Goddess Diana’s lover
46. daylight sick – unhealthy
47. hold day – have daylight
48. heavy husband – sorrowful husband
49. sort all – decide everything
50. acquitted of – repaid for
51. breathing courtesy – verbal politeness
52. paltry – petty
53. posy – words engraved on a ring
54. cutler’s poetry upon a knife – doggerel verse
55. vehement – forceful
56. scrubbed – stunted
57. prating – talkative
58. riveted – fixed
59. aught – anything
60. abate – reduce
61. terms of zeal – determination
62. suffer’d – allowed
63. held up – saved
64. beset – overcome
65. argus – a monster with a hundred eyes
66. to mine own protection – to look after my own honour
67. mending of highways in summer – like highways do not need mending in summers similarly newly wedded
68. women do not need lovers
69. cuckolds – husbands whose wives are infidel
70. manna – heavenly food
71. inter’gatory – questions
72. couching – sleeping.

The Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 Summary Questions and Answers

1. Lorenzo :
The moon shines bright: in such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees.
And they did make no noise, in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls.
And stgh’d his soul toward the Grecian tents.
Where Cressid lay that night.

Question 1.
Who is the other person present? Where are they right now? What has brought them here?
Answer:
The other person present is Jessica, beloved of Lorenzo and the daughter of the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Right now, both are in the garden of Portia’s palace in Belmont. Shylock’s hatred for Christians did not allow Lorenzo and Jessica to get married therefore she fled from her father’s house with her Christian lover, Lorenzo.

Question 2.
In what mood is the speaker? What kind of a night is it?
Answer:
Lorenzo is in a very romantic mood. The night is moon lit and the sky is full of stars. There is sweet wind blowing and the trees are dancing in the breeze. The night is soft and quiet.

Question 3.
The speaker speaks of Troilus and Cressida. Who are they? Why is he reminded of them?
Answer:
Troilus was a Trojan warrior, who was separated from his beloved, Cressida, when she was taken into the enemy (Greek) camp. He is reminded of these two lovers because the night is romantic and apt for lovers to meet. The way he wants Jessica, even Troilus would be longing for Cressida.

Question 4.
Which other people are mentioned by the two people in conver¬sation? Give details.
Answer:
The other couples mentioned by Lorenzo and Jessica are Pyramus and Thisbe, Dido and Aeneas, Medea and Jason. Thisbe, seeing the lion, ran and dropped her scarf. The lion mauled the scarf and seeing this bloody napkin Pyramus thought that Thisbe was dead and he stabbed himself. The queen of Carthage, Dido, was deserted by her lover, Aeneas, so she stood at the sea-bank waving a willow. Medea, the enchantress, loved Jason so she restored his father back to youth.

Question 5.
Who enters the scene, next? What news has he brought?
Answer:
Portia’s servant Stephano, enters the scene. He brings the news of, the arrival of Portia, his mistress, along with Nerissa, before the break of day, stopping by at small shrines by the roadside praying for a happy married life.

2. Lorenzo :
The man that hath no music in himself,
Not is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fitfor treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus :
Let no such man be trusted.

Question 1.
According to the speaker, what does a person, who does not like music, deserve? Whom is he talking to?
Answer:
According to the speaker, Lorenzo, the person who does not like music is fit for destruction and treason. He is a dull person and he is a person not to be trusted. His spirits are ‘dull as night and his affections dark as Erebus’. Lorenzo is in conversation with his beloved, Jessica.

Question 2.
The listener gives examples to prove the impact of music. What are they?
Answer:
Lorenzo tells Jessica that even if, by chance, the music falls into the ears of a breed of untrained and youthful colts, which are jumping playfully here and there, bellowing and neighing, they will stand still at once. Their savage eyes will turn gentle. Lorenzo also talks about how Orpheus, a Greek musician, charmed even lifeless objects with his music.

Question 3.
Who enters the scene next? Where are they coming from, actually?
Answer:
Portia and Nerissa enters the scene next. Though they claim that they are coming from a monastery nearby but they are actually coming from Venice after winning the case against Shylock in favor of Antonio.

Question 4.
What philosophy does one of these two people highlight? Explain clearly.
Answer:
Portia believes that everything has its own worth, but nothing is good alone, without taking the circumstances into consideration. She says that in the presence of greater glories the smaller deeds are hidden. Like in the absence of a king his deputy shines but in the king’s presence his glory vanishes.

Question 5.
How would you describe this act in comparison to other acts of the play and why?
Answer:
This act is by far a lighter act and there is happiness all around. The ending is happy which is required of a comedy. All the couples come together and everyone gets what they desire. In fact, there is a fairytale touch to the act. The serious atmosphere of the court room in the previous acts is a contrast to the jolly mood of this act.

The sad downfall of Shylock is contrasted with the happiness of all the couples. Lorenzo and Jessica put themselves in the league of classical lovers and talk of music and love. Portia and Nerissa play pranks on their husbands though things are controlled before they go too far. Everything falls into place miraculously and everyone is happy.

3. Portia :
You were to blame I must be plain with you
To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift;
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger,
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
I gave my love a ring and made him swear
Never to part with it:

Question 1.
Who is the speaker blaming and for what?
Answer:
The speaker of the above lines is Portia. She is blaming Gratiano, Nerissa’s husband, for parting with the ring that his wife had given him. He had promised Nerissa that he would never part with the ring under any circumstances.

Question 2.
What is the speaker boasting about? What shocks the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker, Portia, is boasting about the love and commitment that her husband has for her. She says that she can swear by anything that if it were her husband, he would have never parted with his ring under similar conditions. Portia is shocked to hear from Gratiano that Bassanio had ended up giving his ring to the lawyer who had saved Antonio’s life.

Question 3.
How does the speaker react to this revelation? What conditions does the speaker put down and for whom?
Answer:
Portia is shocked and she can’t believe that Bassanio could part with such a precious gift as this one. Portia threatens her husband, Bassanio that she would not come to his bed till she sees the ring. She shows her anger and displeasure and tells Bassanio that she is sure that he has given the ring to a woman and not a man. She also threatens Bassanio that if that lawyer ever came near her she would become as liberal as Bassanio with the lawyer and give him her body, her husband’s bed and everything else.

Question 4.
Who is ‘my love’? What has this person done? How does this person justifies himself?
Answer:
‘My love’ here refers to Bassanio, Portia’s husband. Bassanio has given his ring to the lawyer who saved Antonio. The ring had been given to Bassanio by Portia saying that he would never part with the ring, under any circumstances. Bassanio justifies himself by saying that had Portia known why, for whom and how unwillingly he had given away the ring she would never have been so displeased.

Question 5.
Who comes to the rescue of these people? What promise does he make?
Answer:
On seeing the couples fight, Antonio feels that he is responsible for all this. He promises the two ladies that their husbands will never again break their promises which he swears by his soul. Antonio is the security.

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The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 2 Summary Workbook Answers

The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 2 Summary

The scene opens in a street of Venice. Portia sends Nerissa to look for Shylock’s house so that the deed can be signed which gives Lorenzo and Jessica Shylock’s property. Gratiano then enters the scene presenting Bassanio’s ring to Portia. Nerissa also demands for Gratiano’s ring which he gives her thinking that the clerk deserves a gift as much as the lawyer (Portia). Now both the ladies have their husband’s rings. Portia then asks Gratiano to help Nerissa find Shylock’s house. The women plan to reach Belmont a day before their husbands can reach therefore they decline the dinner invitation.

The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 2 Summary Word Meanings

1. this deed – the document in which he promises to make Lorenzo his heir
2. upon more advice – having thought more about the matter
3. thou may’st – you can
4. warrant – assure
5. old – a lot of
6. out them – put them to shame
7. tarry – wait.

The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 2 Summary Questions and Answers

1. Portia :
Inquire the Jew’s house out, give him this deed,
And let him sign it We’ll away tonight,
And be a day before our husbands home :
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

Question 1.
Who are the two people in conversation? Who is the Jew? Why are they looking for his house?
Answer:
The two people in the conversation are Portia, dressed as a lawyer and Nerissa, dressed as her clerk. Both are in the garb of men. The Jew is the money lender, Shylock, who lends money on interest and is an unfeeling man. Since he has lost the case against Antonio he must sign a deed for which they are looking for his house.

Question 2.
What is in the deed? What brought about this deed?
Answer:
Shylock cannot cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body without shedding a drop of blood hence, he has no choice but to let go of his bond and accept the decision of the court. According to the law of Venice, half of Shylock’s property would go to the state of Venice and the other half would go to Antonio. Antonio in turn lets go of his half and makes Shylock sign a bond in which he must bequeath Antonio’s half to his daughter, Jessica and son-in-law, Lorenzo.

Question 3.
Who are the husbands? Why is the speaker so eager to reach home before the husbands? Where is the home?
Answer:
Gratiano, Nerissa’s husband and Bassanio, Portia’s husband are being spoken of here. Portia, the speaker along with Nerissa, her lady-in-waiting, are eager to reach home before their husbands because the husbands are unaware of their wives’ disguise and they still want to keep it a secret from their husbands. They are all bound for Belmont.

Question 4.
Who is Lorenzo and why will he be happy to see the deed?
Answer:
Lorenzo is Jessica’s husband, a Christian and Jessica, being Shylock’s daughter is a Jew. Being the owner of such a large property, which is least expected, would definitely make him happy.

Question 5.
Who enters the scene, hereafter? What transpires between this person and the speaker?
Answer:
Gratiano, Nerissa’s husband, enters the scene. Gratiano offers Bassanio’s ring to Portia and invites her to dinner. Portia accepts the ring, very happily but refuses the invitation for dinner, saying that she needs to reach Padua at the earliest. She then requests Gratiano to show Shylock’s house to Nerissa, her clerk.

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Summary Of Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare

Summary of Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice Summary Introduction to the Play

The Merchant of Venice is a very popular play written by William Shakespeare in the sixteenth century. It ranks along with Hamlet as Shakespeare’s one of the most frequently performed dramas. The play is perhaps, most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for Shylock and his famous ‘Hath riot a Jew eyes’ speech. Equally notable is Portia’s speech about the ‘quality of mercy’. The pound of flesh theme never fails to appeal the audiences.

This play is classified as a Tragic Comedy, as it depicts the misfortune falling upon the characters and thereby, depicting the elements of tragedy, as the play continues, it eventually concludes on a blissful note with justice prevailing in the end.

One school of critics believes that the drama is fundamentally allegorical, addressing the themes like the triumph of mercy over justice, New Testament forgiveness over Old Testament law, and love over material wealth moralizes the play. Another group of commentators, observing several ambiguities in the play’s apparent endorsement of Christian values, contends that Shakespeare actually censures Antonio’s and the Venetian’s Audacity against Shylock.

The title character is the merchant Antonio but the central figure of the play, in the eyes of modern readers and spectators, is of course Shylock. There can be no doubt that he appeared to Shakespeare’s contemporaries on a comic personage. Since he makes his final exit before the last act, by no means he can be referred as the protagonist. To the Elizabethan audiences he seems to be an old man, with rapacity, miserliness, his usury, and his eagerness to dig for another the pit into which he himself falls, seemed ludicrous. Towards the end of the play, we find him as a half-pathetic creation, a scapegoat, a victim and in this sense, he cannot be categorized as a villain.

This play owes its popularity to its characters and the complexities woven around them. It has been crafted and exhibited in such an organized manner that it absolutely adheres its audiences.

The Merchant of Venice Summary Characters in the Play

• Antonio—A wealthy Venetian merchant.
• Bassanio—Antonio’s friend, who is in love with Portia; suitor likewise to her.
• Gratiano, Solanio, Salerio—Friends of Antonio and Bassanio.
• Lorenzo—A friend of Antonio and Bassanio, who is in love with Jessica.
• Portia—A rich heiress of Belmont.
• Nerissa—Portia’s waiting maid, who is in love with Gratiano.
  Balthazar—Portia’s servant.
• Stephano—Nerissa’s disguise as Balthazar’s law clerk.
• Shylock—A rich Jew, moneylender, Of Venice and Jessica’s father.
• Tubal—A Jew; Shylock’s friend.
• Jessica— Shylock’s daughter, who is in love with Lorenzo.
• Launcelot Gobbo—A foolish man in the service of Shylock.
• Old Gobbo—Father of Launcelot.
  Leonardo—Bassino’s servant.
• Duke of Venice—The Venetian authority who presides over Shylock-Antonio case.
• Prince of Morocco—Suitor to Portia.
• Prince of Arragon—Suitor to Portia.

Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, Servants to Portia, and other attendants.

The Merchant of Venice Summary

Bassanio, a young Venetian of noble rank, wishes to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia, of Belmont. Having squandered his estate, Bassanio approaches his friend Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice, kind, generous person, who has regularly bailed him out, for three thousand ducats needed to subsidise his expenditures as a suitor. Antonio agrees, but since he has inadequate cash because his ships and merchandise are engaged at the sea. He promises to cover a bond if Bassanio can find a lender, so Bassanio turns to the Jewish moneylender Shylock and names Antonio as the loan guarantor.

Shylock, who hates Antonio because of his Anti-Judaism campaign and his customary refusals to borrow or lend money with interest, is initially reluctant, citing the abuse he has suffered at Antonio’s hand, but he eventually agrees to lend Antonio the sum without interest upon the condition that if Antonio is unable to repay it at the specified date, he may take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Bassanio does not approves of Antonio accepting such a risky bond; Antonio is surprised by what he sees as the moneylender’s generosity (no “usance” — interest—is asked for), and he signs the contract. With money at hand, Bassanio leaves for Belmont with his friend Gratiano, who has asked to accompany him. Gratiano is a likeable young man, but is often flippant, overly talkative, and tactless. Bassanio warns his companion to exercise self-control, and the two leave for Belmont.

Meanwhile in Belmont, Portia is awash with suitors. Her father left a will stipulating that each of her suitors must choose correctly from one of three caskets—one each of gold, silver and lead. If the suitor chooses the right casket, then he gets Portia. The first suitor, the luxurious Prince of Morocco, chooses the gold casket, interpreting its slogan “Who choose’th me shall gain what many men desire” as referring to Portia.

The second suitor, the conceited Prince of Arragon, chooses the silver casket, which proclaims “Who choose’th me shall get as much as he deserves”, imagining himself to be full of merit. Both suitors leave empty-handed, having rejected the lead casket because of the baseness of its material and the uninviting nature of its slogan: “Who choose’th me must give and hazard all he hath.”

The last suitor is Bassanio, whom Portia wishes to succeed, having met him before. As Bassanio ponders his choice, members of Portia’s household sing a song which says that “fancy” (not true love) is “engend’red in the eyes, with gazing fed”, prompting Bassanio to disregard “outward shows” and “ornament” and chooses the lead casket, winning Portia’s hand.

In Venice, Antonio’s ships are reported lost at sea. This leaves him unable to satisfy the bond. Shylock is even more determined to exact revenge from Christians after his daughter Jessica had fled away from home and eloped with a Christian, Lorenzo, taking a substantial amount of Shylock1 s wealth with her, and a turquoise ring which was a gift to Shylock from his late wife, Leah. Shylock has brought Antonio before the court of the Venetian Duke.

At Belmont, Bassanio receives a letter stating that Antonio has been unable to return the loan taken from Shylock. Portia and Bassanio marry, as do Gratiano and Portia’s handmaid Nerissa. Bassanio and Gratiano then leaves for Venice, with money from Portia, to save Antonio’s life by offering the money to Shylock. Unknown to Bassanio and Gratiano, Portia has sent her servant, Balthazar, to seek the counsel of Portia’s cousin, Bellario, a lawyer, at Padua.

The climax of the play comes in the court of the Duke of Venice. Shylock refuses Bassanio’s offer of 6,000 ducats, twice the amount of the loan. He demands his pound of flesh from Antonio. The Duke, wishing to save Antonio but was unable to nullify a contract, refers the case to a visitor who introduces himself as Balthazar, a young male “doctor of the law”, bearing a letter of recommendation to the Duke from the learned lawyer Bellario.

The doctor is actually Portia in disguise, and the law clerk who accompanies her is actually Nerissa, also in disguise. As Balthazar, Portia repeatedly ask Shylock to show mercy in a famous speech, advising him that mercy is twice blest: “It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” However, Shylock adamantly refuses any compensation and insists on the pound of flesh.

As the court grants Shylock his bond and Antonio prepares for Shylock’s knife, Portia points out that the contract only allows Shylock to remove the flesh, not the “blood”, of Antonio. Further damning Shylock’s case, she tells him that he needs to precisely cut only one pound of flesh, no more, no less; she advises him, “if the scale do turn, but in the estimation of a hair, “Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.” Thus, if Shylock were to shed any drop of Antonio’s blood, his “lands and goods” would be forfeited under the Venetian laws.

Shylock, clearly unable to comply with this law, asks instead that he be given the six thousand ducats, Portia refuses his request, explaining that she has already ruled according to the contract and that it must be carried out. Shylock wishes the court to completely drop his case and forgive Antonio the entire three thousand ducats. Portia again refuses his request, on the ground that he has already refused it “in the open court”.

Portia also finds that Shylock is guilty of conspiring to kill Antonio, and explains that the law in Venice states that if any foreigner conspires against the life of a Venetian, then he should forfeit all his wealth, half is taken as a fine by the state, and half of his wealth is to be given to the man against whom he conspired. In addition, the Duke is granted the power of life and death over him.

When Shylock is pardoned by the Duke, he informs the court that he would prefer death rather than lose everything he owns. Antonio gives Shylock’s property back to him with the understanding that he will bequeath his entire estate to Lorenzo and Jessica and he must also convert to Christianity.

Bassanio does not recognizes his disguised wife, and offers to reward the supposed lawyer. Initially, she denies, but after his continuous persuasion for a token of gratitude, Portia requests him for his ring and Antonio’s gloves. Antonio parts with his gloves without a second thought, but Bassanio gives the ring only after much persuasion from Antonio, as earlier in the play he promised his wife never to lose, sell or give away his bond of love. Nerissa, as the lawyer’s clerk, also succeeds in likewise retrieving her ring from Gratiano, who is also unable to recognize her disguise.

At Belmont, Portia and Nerissa taunt, and pretend to accuse their husbands before revealing their disguise as the lawyer and his clerk in disguise. After all the other characters make amends, Antonio learns from Portia that three of his ships were not stranded and have safely returned from the sea.

The Merchant of Venice Act Wise Summary

• The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 2 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 3 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 2 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 3 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 4 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 7 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 8 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 9 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 1 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 2 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 3 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 4 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 5 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 2 Summary
• The Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 Summary

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Summary

Venue  – Venice
Characters  – Antonio, Salerio, Solanio, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano

Antonio, a Merchant of Venice, talks of his sadness with his friends Salerio and Solanio, who believe that his heavy investments at sea must cause him worry. When he says that it doesn’t bother him, since his wealth isn’t invested in just one ship, they claim he must be in love. Antonio shrugs this off as well.

When Bassanio enters, he tells Antonio of Portia, a rich and beautiful woman he has fallen in love with, and, although he has borrowed money from Antonio before and hasn’t paid it back, asks to borrow money again so that he may court her, and thus, have enough money to pay Antonio back completely. Even though Antonio’s money is tied up in the ships, he allows Bassanio to see what kind of loan he can secure with Antonio’s credit.

Word Meanings

• Owe – Commitment to pay or repay in return
• Wearies – Fatigue
• Argosies – Large merchant ships
• Broth – Soup
• Shallows – Not very deep
• Edifice – Building
• Vinegar aspect – Sour look, negative attitude
• Kinsman – Relative
• Leisure – Free time
• Mortifying – Humiliating
• Exhortation – Communication urging someone to do something
• Moan – Complaint
• Quest – Search

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 2 Summary

Venue — Belmont
Characters — Portia, Nerissa

In Belmont, Portia complains to her servant Nerissa that she cannot choose her own husband; her dead father has stipulated in his will that Portia’s suitors must pass a test in which they must choose among three caskets one lead, one silver, and one gold, to find which one contains her portrait. The one who chooses correctly will become Portia’s husband and inherit her fortune, but if the suitors fail, they may never marry. Portia and Nerissa discuss the faults of suitors who have come and gone, and remembered Bassanio as one who might be worthy to be her husband.

Word Meanings

• Aught – Anything
• Surfeit – In excess
• Decree – Law
• Colt Wild – young horse
• Afeard – Afraid
• Requite – Return love
• Acquainted-  Familiar
• Imposition – Condition
• Thy – Your
• Seek – Wish to meet
• Shrive – Give spiritual consolation

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 3 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Bassanio, Shylock, Antonio

Shylock agrees to lend Bassanio three thousand ducats for three months based on Antonio’s credit but is skeptical, since all of Antonio’s assets are tied up at sea. He confesses in an aside that he hates Antonio, because he is a Christian who lends money without interest, which makes Shylock’s profession as a moneylender difficult. Shylock has also been offended by Antonio’s public, physical and verbal assaults against him for usury, which is considered a sin by Christians. When Shylock points out Antonio’s hypocrisy, Antonio points out he makes the exception for Bassanio, not for himself.

Word Meanings

• Stead – Help
• Argosy – Merchant ship
• Peril – Risk, hazard
• Bethink – Think seriously
• Fawning – Submissive
• Publican – Tax collector
• Wrought – Planned
• Inserted – Mentioned
• Doit – A copper coin
• Merry sport – A joke
• Dismay – Fear
• Before the day – Before the expiry of the bond

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 Summary

Venue — Belmont
Characters — Portia, the Prince of Morocco

Prince of Morocco has come to take the casket challenge to win Portia’s hand, but she tells him that if he fails, he may never marry.

Word Meanings

• Mislike – Misunderstand
• Livery – Uniform(skin)
• Thaws – Melts
• Incision – Blood-letting
• Hedged – Confined
• Scimitar – Sword
• Outstare – Look more defiant
• Hazard – Tough choice

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 2 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Launcelot, the Old Gobbo, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano

Launcelot Gobbo, Shylock’s servant, ponders running away from Shylock to serve another master. He encounters his father, Old Gobbo, who is nearly blind and doesn’t recognize his son. Launcelot plays a trick on his father, misdirecting him and pretending that Launcelot is dead, but soon reveals himself and asks for his father’s blessings. During their reunion, Launcelot begs Bassanio to have him as a servant.

Bassanio then sees Gratiano, who asks to go to Belmont with Bassanio. Bassanio allows Gratiano to accompany him, making clear, however, that Gratiano needs to be at his best behaviour, since he has a reputation for being a wild man. Gratiano agrees, but asks that his behaviour not be judged on the basis of partying they plan to do that night.

Word Meanings

• Heed – Care
• Budge – Move
• Sand-blind – Half blind
• Beseech – Request
• Cudgel – Staff/stick
• Alack – Alas
• Liveries – Uniforms
• Anon – Soon
• Frutify – Certify
• Preferment – Promotion
• Trifle – Line
• Wench – Lady
• Misconstrued – Misunderstood
• Gauge – Judge

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 3 Summary

Venue –  Venice
Characters  – Jessica, Launcelot
Jessica tells Launcelot that she too, plans to run away from her father’s house with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo.

Word Meanings

• Merry : Amusing
• Rob : Take away
• Taste of : A little
• Heinous : Deadly

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 4 Summary

Venue  –  Venice
Characters –  Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salerio, Solario, Launcelot

Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salerio and Salanio make plans for the masquerade, a Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) celebration, discussing whether or not they should arrange for torchbearers. Launcelot, on his way to invite Shylock to dine with Bassanio, arrives with Jessica’s letter detailing her plans for escape, which includes taking her father’s gold and jewels. Lorenzo tells Gratiano that Jessica will be disguised as a page and will serve as a torchbearer during the night’s festivities.

Word Meanings

• Quiwidy – Prethiy
• Break – Break the seal
• ProvIded – Provided with
• Direted – Asked
• Pemur – Read
• Faithless – Non-beliver

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Shylock, Jessica, Launcelot

Shylock reacts angrily to Launcelot’s leaving him, but accepts the invitation to eat with Bassanio despite some nagging premonitions. Launcelot hints to Shylock that there will be a Shrove Tuesday masquerade that night, and Shylock orders Jessica to lock up the house so as to avoid getting robbed by the revellers. Launcelot tells Jessica that Lorenzo will go through with their plans.

Word Meanings

• Pen-house – Shelter
• Holds – Applies
• Untread – Retrace
• Baggard – Mad poor
• Abode – Wait
• Beshrew – Curse
• Presently – Soon

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 6 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Gratiano, Salerio, Lorenzo, Jessica

Gratiano and Salerio meet Lorenzo outside Shylock’s house, in order to help Jessica, now dressed as a young man, escape with a casket of Shylock’s gold and jewels. As Gratiano is about to leave for the revelries, Antonio catches him, saying that Bassanio’s ship is about to depart, so he’d better skip the festivities.

Word Meanings

• Yonker – Smart boy
• Scarfed –  With flags
• Strumpet – Harlot
• Cupid  – God of love
• Garnish – Dress
• Beshrew – Curse
• Fie – Shame

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 7 Summary

Venue – Belmont
Characters – Portia, the Prince of Morocco

In Belmont, Morocco enters the lottery to win Portia’s hand in marriage. He reads the inscriptions on each of the casket and selects the gold one, whose inscription reads, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire”. Since the gold casket is made of such a valuable material, he reasons, it is the only one fit to contain Portia’s image. When he opens the casket, he finds a skull with a scroll in the eye socket. When he leaves, Portia declares that she hopes that all “men of his complexion” choose the same way.

Word Meanings

• Discover – Reveal
• Blunt – Plain
• Withal – With that
• Graved – Engraved
• Cerecloth – A type of shroud
• Insulp’d – Stemped
• Frost – Cold disappointment

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 8 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Salerio, Solanio
In one of the most racially charged scenes in the play, Solanio, recounts for Salerio, Shylock’s reaction to Jessica’s

Word Meanings

• Outcries – Cries
• Amorous – Loving
• Outrageous – Shocking
• Reason’d – Discussed
• Fraught – Loaded
• Slubber – Spoil

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 9 Summary

Venue – Belmont
Characters – Portia, The Prince of Arragon

Arragon undergoes the casket test and selects the silver casket, which reveals a portrait of a “blinking idiot.” As soon as Arragon leaves, word comes that Bassanio has arrived to try the test.

Word Meanings

• Injunctions – Conditions
• Multitude – Majority
• Martlet – A bird
• Chaff – Rubbish
• Blinking – Winking
• Amiss – Wrong
• Wroth – Anger
• Heresy – Rumour

The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 1 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Salerio, Solanio, Shylock, Salerio

Tubal Solanio and Salerio have heard reports that confirm that Antonio’s ships have indeed wrecked, and they are concerned about his bond with Shylock. Shylock, still reeling from his daughter’s escape, hears from Salerio about Antonio’s bad fortune, and his grief turns to anger. Salerio questions whether Shylock will really take his pound of flesh from Antonio, and Shylock responds that he will take it in revenge, just as a Christian would (“Hath not a Jew” speech, 11.50-69).

Tubal, another Jew, confirms Antonio’s shipwrecks and tells Shylock that he hasn’t found Jessica, but has heard that she has spent 80 ducats in one night and has traded her mother’s ring for a monkey. Enraged, Shylock gets an officer to arrest Antonio in order to collect his bond.

Word Meanings

• Rialto – Stock exchange
• Knapped – Nibbled
• Betimes – In good times
• Jet and Ivory – Black and White
• Rhenish – White wine
• Thwarted – Obstructed
• Hearsed – Put in coffin
• Argosy – Merchant ship

The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 2 Summary

Venue – Belmont
Characters – Portia, Bassanio, Nerissa, Gratiano.

Bassanio arrives in Belmont to vie for Portia’s hand, and she tries to delay his choice so as to spend more time with him in case he chooses incorrectly. She wishes she could teach him how to choose, and in fact gives him clues in her song, but will not defy the letter of the law of her father’s will. When Bassanio chooses correctly, Gratiano reveals that he is in love with Nerissa, completing the third romantic couple of the play.

Lorenzo, Jessica, Salerio, and a messenger arrive from Venice, and Bassanio receives the news that Antonio has been arrested. Portia offers to repay the debt even twenty times over, and Bassanio makes plans to return to Venice to try to rescue his friend.

Word Meanings

• Tarry – Wait
• Besnrew – Curse
• Peize – Retard
• Deliverance – Liberation
• Flourish – Notes of triumph
• Alcides – Heracles, a great Greek warrior
• Visages – Faces
• Excrement – Appearance
• Counterfeit – Likeness
• Mansion – Big building
• Solemnize – Celebrate
• Fleece – Golden Fleece
• Despatch – Expedite
• Twain – Two

The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 3 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Shylock, Antonio, Solanio

Shylock takes Antonio to jail, with Antonio pleading for mercy in vain. Solanio and Antonio discuss whether the Duke will dismiss the case, but Antonio believes the law will hold.

Word Meanings

• Look to him – Keep a watch on him
• Fangs – Teeth
• Impenetrable – Which cannot be satisfied
• Forfeitures – Penalties
• Impeach – Deny

The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 4 Summary

Venue – Belmont
Characters – Portia, Lorenzo, Nerissa

Portia leaves her estate in the hands of Lorenzo while pretending to stay at a monastery a few miles away during their husbands’ absence. Instead, she gets documents and legal clothing from her lawyer cousin so she and Nerissa may go to Venice. Portia promises that she will divulge her plan on the way to Venice.

Word Meanings

• Conceit – Idea
• Amity – Friendship
• Semblance – Likeness
• Imposition – Task
• Traject – Ferry
• Mincing – Short, quick

The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 5 Summary

Venue – Belmont
Characters – Launcelot, Jessica, Lorenzo

In a scriptural debate, Launcelot tells Jessica that he believes that she is damned for her father’s sins, but she asserts that because of her husband, she will not be. Launcelot complains about the conversion of the Jews, which, since they will not be forbidden to eat pork, will raise the price of bacon. Lorenzo enters and berates Launcelot for getting a Moorish servant pregnant.

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 “for table-talk.” So with loving jests, they go into dinner.

Word Meanings

• Agitation – Thought
• Rasber – Piece of bacon
• Flatly – Plainly
• Wit-snapper – A witty person
• Trickry – Tricky
• Pawnd – Pledged

The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters -Shylock, The Duke, Portia, Nerissa, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano

Shylock refuses to dismiss the bond, even for repayment of twice the original loan. The Duke tries to reason with Shylock, asking him to have mercy in order to gain mercy, but Shylock argues that, since he has purchased his pound of flesh, it is his to do with as he likes.Portia and Nerissa show up disguised, respectively as a young lawyer and a clerk, just as the Duke is ready to allow Shylock to claim his bond. Portia acknowledges the bond, but appeals to Shylock with her “quality of mercy is not strained” speech. When he refuses, Portia says the law must be upheld, but asks him to reconsider mercy. Still, he demands his bond.

As Shylock prepares his knife and the scales on which to weigh the flesh, Antonio bids a passion-filled farewell to Bassanio, who declares that he would give up his wife to keep Antonio alive, to Portia and Nerissa’s chagrin.As the sentence comes down, Portia reveals the loopholes in the law: not a drop of blood may be spilled with the taking of the pound of flesh; and precisely a pound of flesh may be taken, no more or less. Otherwise, all his possessions will be confiscated by the state of Venice. When Shylock backpedals, trying to take the payment rather than the bond, Portia shows no mercy.

Furthermore, since Shylock has essentially plotted murder, his property will be split between Antonio and the State, and he is subject to the death penalty. The Duke allows him to live but requires that not only should Shylock’s property be willed to Lorenzo and Jessica, but that Shylock become a Christian as well. Shylock assents, saying, “I am not well”. Antonio and Bassanio offer to pay the disguised Portia and Nerissa for their help. They refuse, but Portia agrees to take Antonio’s gloves, asking Bassanio for his wedding ring. Bassanio initially refuses, but recants, sending Gratiano to deliver the ring.

The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1 Summary Word Meaning

• Stony – Cruel
• Obdurate – Obstinate
• Moiety – Part
• Commiseration – Pity
• Gaping – With open mouth
• Loathes – Hates
• Abject – Degrading
• Viands – Rich food
• Importunity – Request
• Impugn – Attack

The Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 2 Summary

Venue – Venice
Characters – Portia, Nerissa, Gratiano

Portia and Nerissa deliver the deed for Shylock to sign. Gratiano catches up to deliver Bassanio’s ring to them.Nerissa decides to get Gratiano to give up his ring, and both plot to make the men sorry for what they ever did.

Word Meanings

• Deed – Document
• Swear – Promise
• Warrant – Assure
• Old – Hard
• Tarry – Wait

The Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 Summary

Venue – Belmont
Characters – Portia, Lorenzo, Jessica, Nerissa, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano

In Portia’s garden, Lorenzo and Jessica compare themselves to famous romantic couples of myth and literature. When servants inform them of their masters’ arrivals, Lorenzo asks for music with which to greet Portia, noting its power to charm.

Portia and Nerissa arrive, warning the servants not to mention their absence. Upon his return, Bassanio introduces the women to Antonio. Portia and Nerissa quarrel with Bassanio and Gratiano respectively, about their missing rings, withholding their husbands’ marital privileges until they have their rings back. In fact, both women confess they slept with the lawyer and his clerk to retrieve their rings.

Before the men are too shocked at their wives’ “unfaithfulness,” Portia shows them a letter from her lawyer cousin explaining their roles in saving Antonio’s life. In true romantic form, Antonio’s ships miraculously return, Lorenzo and Jessica learn they will inherit Shylock’s fortune, and everyone retires tct bed as morning comes.

Word Meanings

• Soul – Signs of love
• Unthrift – Thriftless
• Hark – Listen
• Hermit – Priest
• Orb – Star
• Feign – Imagine
• Speed – Prosper
• Bound – Obliged
• Scant – Cease to express
• Riveted – Fastened
• Void – Empty
• Mending – Repairing
• Starved – Hungry
• Sore – Acutely

The Merchant of Venice Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Morocco :
Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus’fire scare thaws the icicles.
And let us make incision for your love
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath feared the valiant. By my love I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have loved it too. I would not change this hue
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

Portia :
In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.

(i) Where is this scene set? Account for Morocco’s presence in this place.
(ii) What can you assess of Morocco’s appearance and character based on the given extract ?
(iii) Mention any three actions that Morocco says he would be happy to perform in order to win Portia.
(iv) What does Morocco have to swear before he makes his ‘hazard’
(v) Portia speaks of ‘the lottery of my destiny’. What exactly is she referring to? What in your opinion are Portia’s feelings regarding this matter ?
Answer:
(i) The scene is set in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. The prince of Morocco is here to try his luck in choosing the correct casket amongst the lead, silver and gold, which the suitors are suppose to choose in order to marry the beautiful heiress, Portia.

(ii) Morocco seems to pass a flamboyant and overbearing nature. He is absolutely not embarrassed about his dark skin and proudly proclaims his peerage.

He comes across as a self-assured and boastful person when he declares that inspite of his skin tone, the most courageous fear him and he has impressed many of the most beautiful virgins in his country. He displays flattery when he tells Portia that he will not change his skin tone but for her. He is a self-conceited person. He brags about his conquests in battles.

(iii) The three actions that Morocco says he would be happy to perform in order to win Portia are :

• “Outbrave the heart most ctering on the earth” i.e., he would act braver than the bravest man on earth
• “Pluck the young suckling cubs from the she bear” i.e., he would grab bear cubs from a ferocious mother- ‘ bear, “mock the lion when the roars for prey” i.e., he could tease a hungry lion when it roars.

(iv) As per the condition of the caskets, Portia reminds Morocco that he may either take his chance or not choose at all. And if he does choose, he will have to swear before hand that, incase of incorrect choice, he will never talk about marriage to any woman again.

(v) Portia’s father in his will, set the requirements for the suitors who wish to marry her. They must choose between three caskets of Gold, Silver and Lead, whoever chooses correctly, would win the right to marry Portia. The whole exercise is in simple terms a Tottery which would determine Portia’s destiny’. Her father wanted to ensure that after his death, his daughter and his wealth would be in the hands of a wise man.

For Portia, the lottery system is a symbol of a dead father’s control over his daughter’s right to choose her husband. Thus, Portia is a little depressed and feels overburdened with this condition, because she cannot marry a man of her choosing.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Shylock: Shall I not receive my principal ?
Portia : Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,
To be taken at thy peril, few.

(i) Explain what Portia means by the above words.
(ii) How does Shylock respond to her words?
(iii) What more does Portia tell Shylock about the Laws of Venice as applicable to an ‘alien’ (foreigner) ?
(iv) What does Antonio propose to do with his share of Shylock’s goods ?
(v) What role does Portia play in this scene ? What does this reveal of her character ?
Answer:
(i) During the trial scene when Shylock realises that he is defeated, he quickly backpedals. He asks only for the principal of the debt, the 3000 ducats, hoping for the whole affair to just be over with. Though Bassanio is ready to pay it, but Portia cuts him off. She says that as he has already refused the offer earlier in the court and he will receive only the law, just as he asked for. Portia insists that Shylock no longer has any right to anything but the forfeiture of Antonio’s flesh, which he can take at his own risk.

(ii) ‘Shylock, realising that he has lost the case and the forfeiture, says he wants to stick around to hear some more of the case. He says
“Why, then, the devil give him good of it!
I’ll stay no longer question.”
And he begins to exit.

(iii) Portia further brings up another law of Venice which says that, if a foreigner has sought the life of a Venetian, either directly or indirectly, then the would be victim gets half of his property and the other half goes to the State, while the fate of the would be murderer rests in the hands of the Duke.

(iv) As per the law, as stated by Portia, half of Shylock’s property would now belong to Antonio. But Antonio, being a generous man, says that he would like half of the money to go to Lorenzo and Jessica, as long as Shylock does 2 things. Firstly, convert to Christianity and secondly, draw up a will leaving the rest of his wealth to Lorenzo and Jessica upon his death.

(v) Portia disguised as a lawyer, presented herself as Balthazar, to defend Antonio, she beseeched Shylock to be merciful and accept thrice more than the original loan amount, which he refused. She, is then referred to the very particular conditions of Venetian law which put Shylock in an extremely difficult position as he could not cut off more or less than an ounce of Antonio’s flesh, nor could he spill any of the Merchant’s blood. Shylock realised that he was in a tight spot and he decided to accept the terms. But Portia pointed out that any foreigner who deliberately intended to harm a Venetian, would forfeit his property to the victim and the State and would be under the mercy of the Duke.

Thus, Portia’s intelligent intervention surely saved Antonio’s life and guaranteed a life of misery for the vengeful Shylock.Portia’s appeal of mercy to Shylock comes from her own habitual goodness. The words come from her heart honestly, openly and naturally. This proves Portia’s wisdom and her wit. She displays her intelligence and just personality by presenting.

A Coherent argument saves Antonio’s life and punishes Shylock for his vindictive personality. Thus, she emerges as the true heroine of the play.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Antonio: But little; I am arm’d and well prepared.
Give me your hand,

Bassanio : fare you well!
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you;
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
Than is her custom : it is still her use
wretched man outlive his wealth,
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow
An age of poverty; from which lingering penance
Of such misery doth she cut me off.

(i) Where is this scene set ? To whom are these words addressed ? To what question does Antonio respond with the words,”But little;”?
(ii) What does Antonio mean when he says, “Grieve not that I have fallen to his for you”?
(iii) What does Antonio instruct Bassanio to do immediately after speaking these lines ?
(iv) What is Bassanio’s response to this speech ?
(v) On what note does Antonio conclude his speech ? What does this reveal of Antonio’s attitude to life and death ?
Answer:
(i) Antonio : “But little cut me off.”
This scene is set in a court of Justice in Venice. These words are addressed to Bassanio. During the trial, when Portia asks Antonio if he has anything to say, “You; Merchant, have you anything to say ?”, then Antonio replies that he has nothing much to say or argue.

(ii) As Antonio has to go into this total condition due to the money he borrowed for Bassanio, and Bassanio is very tensed and helpless to see his dear friend in this condition, he tells Bassanio not to feel guilty and sorrowful that he is going to die because of him, because fortune is being very kind to him as she has spared him from a prolong suffering of old age and a life of poverty. Antonio does not wish to live as a poor man after his wealth is lost. Thus, he tells Bassanio to be cheerful on his death.

(iii) Immediately after this Antanio tells Bassanio to convey Antonio’s greeting to Portia his (Bassanio’s) wife, and tell her how Antonio died and how much he loved her husband. He tells Bassanio to speak well of him after his death and after the talk is done, ask her to judge whether Bassanio had a true friend in Antonio or not. He also tells Bassanio to be sad only at the fact that he’s losing his friend and not because, Antonio paid his debt.

(iv) Bassanio tells Antonio, that he is married to a woman who is as dear to him as life itself. But life itself, his wife and the whole world aren’t more valuable to him than Antonio’s life. He would gladly give it all up and sacrifice them all to the devil i.e., Shylock, in order to save Antonio.

(v) Antonio says that Bassanio must regret the loss of a friend; for he had no regrets in paying his debt and if the Jew cuts deep enough, he would immediately pay the debt with all his heart.Thus, Antonio proves to be a courageous and patient person, even when faced with death.

According to him, old age and poverty are not the things one should opt for in life if abandoned by money. In his pre-occupation to take care of his friends, he puts his life at stake without a second thought.

Question 4.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Portia :
Go draw aside the curtains, and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince
Now make your choice.

Morocco :
The first, of gold, who this inscription bears,
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”

(i) Who is Morocco? How did he introduce himself to Portia when they first met in an earlier scene?
(ii) How would Morocco know that he had made the right choice? What would his award be?
(iii) Which casket did Morocco finally choose? What reasons did he give for rejecting the casket made of lead?
(iv) What two objects does Morocco find in the casket of the choice? What reason does he give to Portia for
leaving in haste?
(v) How does Portia respond to Morocco’s parting words? What does this reveal of her nature?
Answer:
(i) Morocco is a Moorish prince who has come to Belmont as a suitor to take Portia’s hand.In an earlier scene when he introduces himself to Portia, we find him as a boastful warrior. He says that,though he is aware that his dark coloured skin may not please Portia, but he considers it a gift conferred upon him by the sun which shines brightly on his land.

He says he is skilled in the use of sword and had slain the king of Persia and the Persian Prince with his sword, the very Persian Prince who had defeated the Sultan of Turkey in three battles.

He says he can compete the most handsome person of the North in the show of love for Portia. According to him, his appearance had terrified many courageous men and the most estimable maidens of his country had loved him for what he is.

(ii) As per the casket system laid down by Portia’s father for her marriage, the suitor had to choose one casket from amongst the three, i.e., the gold, the silver and the lead, all the three bearing an inscription.

On being asked by Morocco that how would he know that he had made the right choice, Portia tells him that one of the three caskets contained her picture and the one who chose that, would have Portia as his wife. This would be his award.

(iii) Morocco finally chooses the golden casket, because it promised the chooser what many men desire and according to him many men desired Portia, as suitors came from all comers of the world to woo her.

He rejected the lead casket on the following grounds .The inscription on the lead casket read “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath”. But the Prince of Morocco finds it utterly useless to risk everything for a base metal like lead, because according to him, if people stake their all, they do so with the hope of a rich reward. Later, he dismisses it for its dull look as unworthy of holding the portrait of an angel.

(iv) In the golden casket which he chooses, Morocco finds a fleshless skull and a scroll in the eyeless socket of the skull.When he reads what is written on the scroll, he is crestfallen. But he takes his rejection with dignity and he tells Portia that his heart being full of grief, could not bid a ceremonious farewell and as per the condition of the casket, the loser was suppose to leave immediately.

(v) Portia is relieved and happy at Morocco’s departure. She appreciates his gentle behaviour but cannot hide her relief at the thought that she will not have to marry him. She wishes that all suitors of dark complexion like that of Morocco, may depart in the same manner, especially when she does not love him. She says “Let all of his complexion choose me so.”

This episode shows that, though Portia seems to be least interested in the suitors that are coming to attempt the casket test, yet being an obedient daughter, she sticks to this system for choosing her husband.

Question 5.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Bassanio : Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?
Gratiano :  Were you the clerk?

Antonio : Sweet lady, you have given me life and living.
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road.

Portia : How now, Lorenzo!
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.

(i) Where does this scene take place? What had Portia directed Antonio to give to Bassanio just moments before the above words were spoken?
(ii) Portia had just given Antonio, Bassanio and Gratiano a letter to read. Who had written this letter? What does Bassanio learn about Portia from this letter?
(iii) What good news does Portia have for Antonio? How does he respond to it?
(iv) To whom does Portia refer as ‘My clerk’? What ‘good comforts’ does the ‘clerk’ have for Lorenzo?
(v) How was Bassanio persuaded to give away the ring that Portia had given him at the time of their marriage? What does this reveal of Bassanio’s relationship with Antonio?
Answer:
(i) The scene takes place at an avenue outside Portia’s house. Just moments before Portia gives a ‘ring’ to Antonio to give it to Bassanio and ask him to keep it more carefully than the first one. It is of course the original ring which she had given to Bassanio when he had chosen the right casket, but as a disguised lawyer, she had taken it back and was now questioning him for his sincerity for having lost the ring. Both, Antonio and Bassanio, are shocked to see the same ring.

(ii) The letter which Portia had just given to Antonio was written by Portia’s lawyer cousin Dr. Bellario from Padua. From the letter Bassanio gets to know that, it was Portia who was disguised as the ‘Lawyer Balthazar’ at Antonio’s trial in Venice. It was she, along with her companion Nerissa, disguised as a clerk, who had saved Antonio’s life from the clutches of Shylock’s fatal bond.

(iii) Portia hands over a letter to Antonio containing the good news that three of his ships, richly laden with cargoes, had come back quite unexpectedly.Antonio is ecstatic on hearing this. He says, “Sweet lady you have given me life and living”, which meant that she had not only saved his life but also restored his means of livelihood.

(iv) It’s Nerissa, Portia’s lady in waiting, to whom Portia refers as ‘My clerk’. During the trial scene of Antonio, Nerissa had assisted Portia as her clerk. Nerissa presents Shylock’s deed to Lorenzo and Jessica, bequeathing them all of his possessions. As per the final deed signed by Shylock on losing the trial, everything belonging to the rich Jew would be transferred to his daughter and son-in-law, after his death. These were the ‘good comforts’ that Nerissa bestows upon them.

(v) After Antonio wins the trial, the Duke asks him to reward the lawyer. Bassanio tries to pay them the ducats that they had but the lawyer (Portia) rejects the offer. However, they ask the two to take something with them. Portia then asks for Antonio’s gloves and Bassanio’s wedding ring. Bassanio is reluctant to give away the ring and says that, it is a ‘trifle’ and not a worthy gift. But Portia insists that she will settle for nothing else but the ring. She acts as if offended and leaves. On Antonio’s persuasion Bassanio at last sends. Gratiano with his ring to be given to Portia.

This episode clearly reveals that Bassanio and Antonio share an extremely profound and sincere relationship. They could go to any extent for each other. On Antonio’s request, Bassanio gave away the ring which was given to him by his deaf wife under an oath. Antonio too had put his life at stake for Bassanio and later again he is ready to stand in guarantee for his friend when Portia rebukes him for being unfaithful. This shows that both shared a strong relationship of love and faith.

Question 6.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Salarino : O! ten times faster Venus’ pigeons fly
To seal love’s bonds new-made, than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!
Gratiano : That ever holds: who risethfrom a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d.

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who has out-dwelt his hour? Normally, what do the lovers do as far as
the appointed time is concerned?
(ii) Who is Venus? How do the Venus’s pigeons behave as far as love is concerned ?
(iii) “All things that are, Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d”. How far is this statement brought out by
giving the example of a ship in latter lines?
(iv) How does Gratiano explain in the extract the state of people in love?
(v) What will be Jessica’s role in the masquerade? What does she have to say regarding this role? What is
your opinion’of Jessica?
Answer:
(i) The scene is set in front of Shylock’s house. Salarino and Gratiano are in time to help Lorenzo steal away Jessica from her father’s house. However, Lorenzo is late and it is surprising because lovers are overeager and arrive even before the appointed time.

(ii) Salarino calls new lovers, Venus’s pigeons, and says that, for new lovers, time passes ten times faster than for couples who’ve been married forever.

(iii) Gratiano says that no one gets up from a meal with the same appetite he had when he sat down. Can any horse retrace his footsteps with the same energy he had when he walked them the first time? We chase everything in life more excitedly than we actually enjoy it when we get it. It’s like when a ship sails out of the harbour with all its flags waving, gently pushed by the wind. When that ship returns, her timber is all weather-beaten and her sails are ragged. That same wind makes the ship thin and poor.

(iv) Gratiano explains on the theory that love is at its best when the lover chases the object of his affection, and that once the lover captures his |^dy and consummates the relationship, he tends to tire and lose interest.

(v) Jessica will be dressed as a boy, as she will pretend to be Lorenzo’s torch-bearer in the masquerade. She is ashamed to be seen dressed as a boy. Jessica hates living in her father’s house, and in this scene, she escapes with his gold and jewels. Therefore, she comes across as heartless towards her father, but also as a young woman deeply in love who risks all to be with the man she loves.

Question 7.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Why, look you, how you storm!
I would befriends with you and have your love,
Forget the shames that you have stain’d me with,
Supply your present wants, and take no do it
Of usance for my moneys, and you ‘ll not hear me: This is kind I offer,

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who is the speaker? To whom is he talking?
(ii) What are the ‘shames’ which the speaker says have stained him?
(iii) What are the ‘present wants’? Who is in need of the ‘present wants’? Why ?
(iv) Explain “This is kind I offer.” What does the speaker propose to do immediately after this?
(v) What do you think of Antonio and Shylock with regard to the signing of the bond?
Answer:
(i) This scene takes place us Venice. The speaker of the above lines is Shylock. Ile says these words to Antonio.

(ii) Shylock is reterfing to the insults hurled at him by Antonio such as, speaking abusively of him and his money-lending, spitting on hi long Jewish robe, kicking him, calling him a dog and ridiculing the Jews in general

(iii) “The present wants” roter to the inedited need of Antonio-three thousand ducats to provide for Bassanio’s trip to Belmont to woo Ekrtla. The speaker is ready to supply the wants provided Antonio signs a bond, according to which, if Antonio is unable toy him the money on the specified date, the penalty to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

(iv) ‘This is kind I offer you” means, ‘this is the kindness that I offer you’. This refers to Shytock lending money to Antonio without charging any interest on it.

(v) Shylock insists on a pound of Antonio’s flesh to take revenge on him and to put him completely at his mercy. Shylock’s hatred for Antonio and Chirstians Is shown in his absurd demand. Taking advantage of the situation, he wants to take revenge on Antonio and all Christians, who persecuted him and his race. He
comes across as cunning, cautious, and crafty

Antonio is confident that there is no danger in signing the bond because, he is confident that one month before the date of payment, his ships will have brought nine times the amount they arc borrowing and they will not have to pay the penalty. This incident shows Antonio’s overconfidence and generosity towards Bassanio. Thus, Antonio cornes across as easy-going, trusting, slightly melancholy, romantic and naive in this scene.

Question 8.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Portia :
To these injunctions everyone doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.

Arragon :
And so have address’d me. Fortune now
To my heart’s hope! -Gold, silver and lead base.

(i) Who had tried his luck in trying to choose the correct casket before the Prince of Arragon? Which casket had that suitor chosen? What did he find inside the casket? 3
(ii) What are the three things Arragon was obliged by oath to obey?
(iii) What was the inscription on the golden casket? How do the actions of the mart let illustrate this inscription?
(iv) Which casket does Arragon finally choose? Whose portrait does he find inside? Which casket actually contains Portia’s portrait?
(v) Who enters soon after? What does he say about the young Venetian who has just arrived? What gifts has
the Venetian brought with him?
Answer:
(i) The Prince of Morocco tried his luck in choosing the correct casket before Arragon. He reasoned that a portrait of Portia, a “mortal, breathing saint,” a woman whom “all the world desires”, could be only within the golden casket. He, therefore, chose the golden casket, hoping to find “an angel in a golden bed.

“When he unlocks the casket and looks inside, he discovers only a skull (“carrion Death”) and a scroll rolled up and inserted within the skull’s “empty eye.” He takes it out and reads the message: “All that glitters is not gold;… Gilded tombs do worms infold.” Defeated and grieving, he made a hasty exit with his entourage.

(ii) Prince of Arragon has arrived to try his luck at choosing the correct casket to win Portia’s hand in marriage, and before he decides on one, he promises Portia that he will abide by her father’s rules. First, if he fails to choose the casket containing her portrait, he will never reveal which casket he chose; second, he promises never to court another woman; and last, he will leave Belmont immediately.

(iii) The inscription on the golden casket read, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” What many men want could mean that, most people are fools and make their choice on the basis of whatever glitters and is attractive. They don’t go beyond what their eyes see.

They don’t bother to find out what’s on the inside. Just like the birds called martlets, who build their nests on the outside of walls, people pay too much attention to what’s on the outside.Therefore, Arragon rejects the gold casket because “what many men desire” may place him on the same level With “the barbarous multitudes.”

(iv) The Prince of Arragon finally chooses the silver casket, which bears the inscription, “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves/’Arragon reviews his worth and decides that he “will assume desert” that is, he feels that he rightfully deserves Portia. When he opens the silver casket, he finds within “the portrait of a blinking idiot” a picture of a fool’s head.

He protests the contents; he chose according to what he felt that he deserved: “Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?” Portia reminds him that no man is permitted to judge his own cause. The scroll in the silver casket reads, “There be fools alive, I wish [know] / Silver’d o’er; and so was this.”Arragon departs then with his followers, promising to keep his oath

(v) A servant enters the scene soon after and announces the arrival of a Venetian ambassador from another suitor and adds that he brings gifts. In fact, in the messenger’s estimation, the man who accompanies this latest suitor is “so likely an ambassador of love” that “a day in April never came so sweet.” Portia is neither impressed nor optimistic, yet she urges Nerissa to bring the man to her so that she can see for herself this “Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.” Nerissa sighs and hope that this suitor may turn out to be Bassanio.

Question 9.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Antonio : Grieve not that I am fall’n to this for you,
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
Than is her custom. It is still her use
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow
An age of poverty—from which lingering penance
Of such misery doth she cut me off.
Commend me to your honorable wife.
Tell her the process of Antonio’s end.
Say how I loved you. Speak me fair in death.
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love.

(i) When and to whom does Antonio speak these lines? What is meant by “Grieve not that I am fall’n to this for you”?
(ii) How has “Fortune” been represented in this line? Why does Antonio feel that fortune is kind to him?
(iii) What is meant by “lingering penance”? What is it that Bassanio must not regret and what is it that Antonio does not repent?
(iv) What offer does Bassanio make after this extract to save Antonio? What is Portia’s response?
(v) Throw some light on the bond of friendship between Bassanio and Antonio, giving various instances from the scene.
Answer:
(i) Antonio says these lines to Bassanio. Antonio tells him not to grieve that he has been reduced to his current situation, because he borrowed money from Shylock so that Bassanio could go to Belmont, to win Portia’s hand in marriage.

(ii) Antonio believes that Fortune has been kinder to him than is her usual custom or habit. Usually, she makes the unhappy man live on after he loses his wealth, to spend his old age in poverty. But in his case she’s letting him avoid that misery by offering death.

(iii) Antonio talks about the lingering penance of having to live in misery and wretched poverty after losing one’s fortune, he says, ” let the wretched man outlive his wealth, to view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow an age of poverty… “, he is glad to be spared this fate.

(iv) Bassanio tells Antonio, that he is married to a woman who is as dear to him as life itself. But life itself, his wife, and the whole world, isn’t more valuable to him than Antonio’s life. He would gladly give it all up and sacrifice them all to the devil i.e., Shylock, in order to save Antonio. Portia is miffed at Bassanio’s words and while still disguised, as a lawyer warns him that his wife would not be pleased if she were to hear his words.

(v) “To you, Antonio, /1 owe the most, in money and in love” This is what Bassanio says as he prepares to leave for Belmont to court his future wife. Like the Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice is interested in the dynamics of male friendship, a bond that’s often valued above all other relationships, especially romance and marriage. Antonio loves Bassanio enough to give his life for him, indeed it seems that Bassanio’s pursuit of a wife is the cause of Antonio’s deep melancholy, which may suggest that his affection for his friend is romantic in nature. Nonetheless, we can say that Antonio and Bassanio share a deep and strong bond of friendship.

Question 10.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Portia : As from her lord, her governor, her king.
Myself and what is mine to you and yours
Is now converted: but now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,
Queen o’er myself; and even now, but now,
This house, these servants, and this same myself,
Are yours, my lord:

(i) Where are Portia and Bassanio? What has just taken place which makes Portia to speak these words? What was the inscription given in the lead casket?
(ii) What does Bassanio say in praise of Portia’s portrait?
(iii) What news saddens Bassanio on this happy occasion? What does Portia ask him to do?
(iv) Who is Balthazar? What was the work assigned to him by Portia?
(v) Where does Portia really plan to go? What similarity do we find between Portia and Antonio? What does this scene reveal about the character of Portia? Give a reason to justify your answer.
Answer:
(i) Portia and Bassanio are at Belmont in a room in Portia’s house or estate. Bassanio has just chosen the correct casket and won Portia’s hand in marriage. The inscription on the lead casket states, “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”

(ii) Bassanio opens the lead casket and finds Portia’s portrait inside it. The picture is so, life-like that it seems that only a demi-god could have painted it. The eyes look real and seem to be moving. The lips are parted with sugar breadth. The hair show the skill of the painter who has worked as a spider making a golden mesh to catch the hearts of men. The eyes are so enchanting that after painting one, the artist should have gone blind. He waxes on about how beautiful the picture is, but then reprimands himself for praising the picture, which is only a shadow of the real woman’s beauty.

(iii) Bassanio receives a letter from Antonio with the news that none of Antonio’s ships have returned and that Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh. This sad and troubling news saddens Bassanio. Portia tells Bassanio, to hasten back to Venice and pay back Shylock to cancel the bond. She assures him that he will have enough gold to pay Shylock 20 times over.

(iv) Balthazar is Portia’s servant. She gives him a letter and tells him to hand it over to her cousin, Doctor Bellario, who lives in Padua. She tells him to collect the notes and garments given by Doctor Bellario and bring them to the common ferry which trades to Venice.

(v) Portia plans to go to Venice to rescue Antonio. Both Portia and Antonio exhibit the virtues of selfless generosity and share a deep love for Bassanio. This scene serves to highlight Portia’s wit, intelligence and generosity of spirit.

Question 11.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest
God’s When mercy seasons justice.

(i) Name the speaker. Why did the speaker appeal to the Jew for mercy? Earlier, who else in the play appealed for mercy?
(ii) What are the three qualities of mercy which the speaker has stated just before the extract?
(iii) Give the meaning of ‘But mercy is above this sceptred sway. How does Shylock turn down Portia’s plea
for mercy? What does he insist on?
(iv) What is Bassanio ready to do for Antonio in the court? Why is Bassanio snubbed immediately by the disguised Portia?
(v) Mention two prominent character traits of Shylock as highlighted through the scene from which the extract has been taken. Substantiate your answer with examples from the text.
Answer:
(i) The speaker is Portia, disguised as a learned Doctor of Law. The speaker appeals to the Jew, Shylock for mercy to save Antonio’s life. Earlier, the Duke of Venice had appealed to Shylock asking him to show some mercy on Antonio.

(ii) The quality of mercy is not strained: it drops on to the world as the gentle rain does from heaven. It’s doubly blessed. It blesses both the giver and the receiver. It’s most powerful when granted by those who hold power over others. It’s more important to a monarch than his crown.

(iii) A king’s sceptre shows the level of his temporal power – the symbol of awe and majesty, in which lies the source of the dread and fear that kings command. But mercy is above that sceptred power. It’s enthroned in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute of God himself. And earthly power most closely resembles God’s power when justice is guided by mercy. However, Shylock rejects mercy and demands fulfilment of the terms of the bond.

(iv) Bassanio is ready to give twice the sum owed to Shylock or even 10 times over the sum, is ready to forfeit his hands, head and heart to save Antonio. When Bassanio said that his life itself; his wife and all the world are not with him esteemed above Antonio’s life, Portia is a little hurt and irritated and consequently snubs Bassanio.

(v) Shylock comes across as a cruel, hateful, merciless and pitiless man. He rejects multiple offers of money and demands his pound of flesh as he wishes to see Antonio suffer.

Question 12.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Portia : But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband.
O me, the word “choose”! I may neither choose whom
I would, nor refuse whom I dislike;
so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.
Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?

(i) What test had Portia’s father devised for her suitors? What oath did the suitors have to take before making their choice?
(ii) Who is Nerissa? What does she say to cheer up Portia?
(iii) Why does Portia disapprove of Count Palatine? Whom would she rather marry?
(iv) How, according to Portia, can the Duke of Saxony’s nephew be made to choose the wrong casket? What do these suitors ultimately decide? Why?
(v) Whom does Portia ultimately marry? Who were the two other suitors who took the test? Why, in your opinion, is the person whom she marries worthy of her?
Answer:
(i) Portia’s father had devised a lottery to give her away in marriage after his death. She would have to marry the suitor who chose correctly from three caskets, made of gold, silver and lead. The suitors had to take an oath not to marry anyone else if they chose the wrong casket, before they made their choice.

(ii) Nerissa is Portia’s maid or lady-in-waiting. She tries to cheer up Portia by saying that her father was a virtuous man and that holy men often have divine guidance on their deathbeds. That is why, he came up with the lottery of the three caskets. She reassures Portia by saying that the right casket will no doubt be chosen by the one whom Portia will love.

(iii) Portia says of Count Palatine that he does nothing but frown, as if he wants to say, “If you don’t want me, I don’t care.” He doesn’t even smile when he hears funny stories. If he’s so sad and solemn when he’s young; she says that he will become a weeping philosopher when he grows old, as he is so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth. Portia would rather be married to a skull with a bone in its mouth than her current suitors.

(iv) The Duke of Saxony’s nephew was rumoured to be wicked when sober, and terrible when drunk. Even when he was sober, he was a beast, and hence, Portia disapproved of him and wanted him to choose the wrong casket. So, she asked Nerissa to place a glass of wine on the wrong casket. The Duke’s nephew would be tempted by the wine, and would open the wrong casket. The suitors decide not to choose a casket, because if they choose the wrong one, they would not be able to marry anyone else.

(v) The two suitors who took the test are the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon. Portia marries Bassanio because he doesn’t appear to be full of self-importance like the other two suitors. In addition, Portia is also shown to be interested in him. However, Portia’s wealth appears to be one of the reasons why Bassanio wants to get married to Portia. Hence, one can say that he was not fully worthy of Portia.

Question 13.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Duke: What, is Antonio here?
Antonio: Ready, so please your grace.
Duke: I am sorry for thee:
thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
lIncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.

(i) What are the terms of the bond that Antonio has signed?
(ii) Why does the Duke call Shylock ‘inhuman1? What does the Duke expect Shylock to do?
(iii) What reason does Shylock give for choosing rotten flesh over money? What are the things hated by some people?
(iv) State three examples Antonio gives to illustrate Shylock’s stubborn attitude.
(v) How is Shylock’s property distributed at the end by Antonio? Do you think Shylock deserves the punishment given to him? Give a reason to justify your answer.
Answer:
(i) Antonio signed a bond with Shylock which required him to repay Shylock 3,000 ducats in three months. Shylock didn’t charge an interest on the loan. However, he said that if Antonio failed to repay the money on time, he would give a pound of his Christian flesh to the Jewish moneylender.

(ii) The Duke expressed great sympathy for Antonio. He tries to persuade Shylock to show’ mercy to Antonio. The Duke further tries to pressurise Shylock to waive off the penalty of a pound of flesh, and even forgive some of the loan principal. However, Shylock refused to show mercy to Antonio since he hated him. Hence, the Duke calls him inhuman.

(iii) Shylock doesn’t give a clear reason as to why he chose flesh over money and says that he just felt like doing so. He also says that some things are hated by people based on their likes and dislikes i.e., some people do not like a gaping pig or go mad when they see a cat, or cannot tolerate the shrill notes of a bagpipe.

In reality, he has chosen a pound of flesh over money because he hates Antonio as a Christian, also because Antonio lent money free of interest, thereby harming his business, and finally, because Antonio had spoken out against Shylock’s business practices many times in public.

(iv) Antonio was of the opinion that it was pointless arguing with Shylock. He says that it is possible to do the impossible rather than try to soften his Jewish heart. Antonio further illustrates Shylock’s stubborn attitude by using the following examples: It is easier to stand on the beach and ask the ocean to get smaller. It is possible to question why the wolf killed the lamb and made its mother cry. It is even easy to tell the pine trees on the mountain to stop waving their treetops when the storms blow through them.

(v) Antonio asks the court to pardon Shylock of his debt to the State. Half of Shylock’s wealth which was to go to Antonio would be passed on to L,orenzo at Shylocks death. The Jew must also Leave all his possessions in his will to Lorenzo and Jessica. Antonios final condition was that Shvlock must become a Christian.

One feels sympathetic towards Shyiodc when he is asked to convert to Christianity It only elevates his hatred for Christians. However, Shylock has aLso shown open disregard for Antonio only because he is a Christian. Therefore, ills difficult to comment on the fairnessof the punishmentmeted out to bhylock for his ruthlessness towards Antonio.