Good signiors both,when shall we laugh?say,when?
You grow exceeding strange : must it be so?"
i) "Good signiors both" refers to whom? What does the first line of the given extract indicate about the environment? [1]
ii) What is the meaning of "signiors"? In the very beginning this word has been used in what context and by whom? Explain clearly. [2]
iii) Who has grown exceeding strange? How is this strangeness revealed? [2]
iv) What Elizabethan belief has been expressed regarding the types of people existing on this world and their behaviour? [2]
v) What happens at the entry of the speaker? How has Shakespeare brought out the hint to the second sub-plot and role of the title character? [3]
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Answers
Answer:
Merchant Of Venice,
i) " good signiors both " refers to salanio and salarino. the first line of the given extract creates an atmosphere where Bassanio meets salanio and salarino along with Antonio present there, he addressed them as good lords and asked them to be familiar as they are growing a bit stranger to him and he pleased to be together and have merry party together.
ii) the term " signior " refers to the gentleman, good lords or rich burgers and important citizens.
the word signior is used in Act I : scene I line 10
by salarino praising Antonio's ship as signior and richly burghers with portly sail on the flood.
iii) this term is being referred for Salarino and Salanio by Bassanio as they are not making Thier leisure free to have merry party together again and by addressing them he ought to meant it like they are being strange from him now, and he asked them should it be remain like this?
iv) An Elizabeth belief that wine - drinking warmed the liver. it was believed then that there were four basic types of characters:
the choleric, the melancholy, the phlegmatic and the sanguine. these types are physiologically determined by the digestion of food in the liver. a liver enriched by wine would produce rich blood, and thus a lively ( sanguine ) personality.
Hope it maybe helpful to you!!