Exercises
Today's
Chasswork
Describe
Portia's suitors?
Answer these questions.
Who was Antonio? What kind of a man was he?
Why did Bassanio need money and how was the money procured?
What is your first impression of Bassanio?
the rules laid down for Portia's suitors.
Why do you think Portia's father set down such strange conditions for
How did Bassanio win Portia's hand?
What tragedy befell Antonio? What were the consequences of
8. How did Bassanio try to save Antonio and why did he fail?
Answer these questions with reference to the context.
'The court awards you a pound of Antonio's flesh.'
7. Who is the speaker and what role is the speaker playing here?
Y. Who is entitled for the pound of flesh and why?
offer.'
bond. Take
or less, even
ur life.
ee thousand
shall have
a Venetian
forfeited, What is the reaction of the person spoken to?
d. What is your opinion of the speaker in the given context?
Y 'You shall run no such risk for me.'
forfeited
What risk is the speaker talking about? Why did the need to take a
risk arise in the first place?
t.
this tragedy?
1.
shown to
Answers
Answer:
Q/ Describe Portia's suitors?
Ans: Portia's descriptions of her suitors are witty and entertaining and show that she has not been impressed by any of them. Her father's will states that any would-be husband of Portia's has to correctly complete a task. The men must choose from three caskets – one is made of gold, one silver and the third, lead.
Q/ Who was Antonio? What kind of a man was he?
Ans: Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. An influential, powerful, and wealthy nobleman of Venice, he is a middle-aged man and a merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied up in overseas shipments when the play begins.
Q/ Why did Bassanio need money and how was the money procured?
Ans: Bassanio needed to borrow money in order to woo the wealthy and beautiful Portia, a noblewoman with an estate. To woo such an important woman, Bassanio needed to dress well, prepare gifts for her, travel to her estate, and generally spend money to present himself in the best possible way.
Q/ What tragedy befell Antonio? What were the consequences of.........??
Ans: Tragedy and its consequences
But tragedy befell Antonio. His ships at sea were wrecked and he was not able to collect the money to return to Shylock. Now Shylock demanded to remove a pound of flesh from Antonio.
Q/ How did Bassanio try to save Antonio and why did he fail?
Ans: Since he is a respected businessman, Antonio advises Bassanio to use his good name and creditworthiness to establish what kind of money he can raise in Venice. He tells Bassanio to try his utmost and do whatever he can so that he may have enough cash to go to Belmont where he could chance his luck at winning the beautiful Portia's hand. He tells him to leave soon and inquire where he can find money (a loan). He will also do his own enquiry to find out who would be prepared to extend him the finances Bassanio needs. He gives Bassanio the assurance that he will not question the issue about the sum being secured through the use of his name, or for his sake.
The answers above☝ are absolutely correct.