1. How does Gratiano uses the simile of the stagnant pool to describe a conceited person who pretends to be what he is not?
2. What does Gratiano mean when he chooses to play the role of a fool? Is the word 'fool' used in modern sense? Was a fool known for his foolishness as depicted in Shakespeare's plays?
Answer quickly and don't give wrong answers.
Thanks in advance.
Answers
Required Answers :
Answer 1) :
Gratiano is his long speech about his role in the stage of world compared the faces of some men with the standing pool. He said that there are some kind of men whose faces are overset with set of pale expressions and unchanging and still as the scum that forms on the surface of still water in pond and as the cream on top of the milk. The deliberately put on the air of solemnity with the intention of creating a reputation of wisdom, seriousness and profound ideas as if he would speak with the authority of Greek Oracle and when he would open his mouth no other person should open their mouth. These people are only thought to have reputation for being wise because they do not say anything. But if they were to speak, their listeners would call them fools and by saying this they would be damñed because in Bible it says that whoever calls their brother fools are in the danger of hell fire.
Answer 2) :
According to Shakespeare, "All the world's stage, and all men and women are merely players". So according to Gratiano if Antonio had chosen to play the tragic part then he would prefer to play a comic role as of a fool. He believes that it was better to let old wrinkles come by laughter and happiness than to get old by being sad. He wanted to let his liver get hot with wîne rather than his heat turns cold with depressing groans causing death.
The word ‘fool’ is not in the use in modern times but it was used during those days was a technical term in Shakespeare’s plays. The word was not used nodern sense.
The fool in Elizabethan drama or Shakespearean plays is someone who is employed to entertain a king or a duke or any other rich person who needs someone to entertain him. The convention in Elizabethan drama is that the fool is the most insightful and intelligent man in the play. He is not to be confused with a clown: in Shakespeare’s time ‘clown’ was a simple rural man – a yókel. He is usually the wisest character in the play. The other characters refer to him as ‘the fool’ and we usually know him as ‘the jester.’ He does not normally have a dramatic role but some fools do.
GRATIANO : Oh, my Antonio, I know about these men That are only considered wise Because they say nothing; when, I am very sure,If they should speak, they would almost dam n those ears Which, hearing them, would call their brothers fools