In Belmont is a lady richly left;
And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
Of wondrous virtues: sometimes from her eyes
I did receive fair speechless messages:
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued
To Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth,
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strand,
For the four winds blow in from every coast
Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece;
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!
(I) Who lives in Belmont? How has Bassanio got interested in her? (3)
(II) What tells you that Portia is the centre of attraction for many young people?
(III) How does Bassanio describe Portia?
(IV) What is the significance to the allusion to Jason and the golden fleece?
(V) What is the purpose of Bassanio in telling about Portia to Antonio? How does he succeed in getting
Portia as his wife?
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
1 Bassanio was in love with Portia when he saw her in Belmont for the first time . Portia's father was alive at that time. Bassanio loved Portia as well as the wealth of Portia attracted Bassanio a lot
2 A number of people such as the King of Arragon , the Prince of Morroco , Bassanio and many other come to Belmont to try their luck to win Portia who is a young heiress , beautiful and wealthy .
3 Bassanio describes Portia as the queen of beauty, a lady with a lot of wealth and a honourable one . He says that Portia is the most beautiful woman in the world and whosoever would win her , his charm would glitter up
4 The fleece is a symbol of authority and kingship. It figures in the tale of the hero Jason and his crew of Argonauts, who set out on a quest for the fleece by order of King Pelias, in order to place Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly
5 Bassanio wants to lend money from Antonio to woo Portia in style, that is the reason why Bassanio tells Antonio about Portia and also because he made a promise with Antonio to tell the name of the lady he loved .