Question

merchant of venice how did launcelot gobbo fools his father in act 2 scene 2 of merchant of venice​

Answer 1

Answer:

as old gobbo is half blind he could not identify his son. so launcelot gobbo decides to make fun and says are you preferring to master launcelot and then he says that that the young man by his fate is dead, then after he reveals that he is his son launcelot gobbo.

hope this answer is helpful

Answer 2

2. What does Launcelot Gobbo's and Old Gobbo's misuse of language indicate about each of them in The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 2?

# Old Gobbo's misuse of words is more obvious than his son's. He tells Bassanio Launcelot has "an infection to serve" when he probably means an affection and later refers to the "defect of the matter" when he probably means effect. Lancelot hopes his father's words can "frutify" his intentions when he probably means fructify. The misused vocabulary appears for humorous effect in the play as the purpose of both Gobbo men is to provide comic relief. However, it also illustrates their lack of education and finesse. These are lower-class men than Bassanio. They are poorer than Shylock and less learned than he, but in Venetian society they have greater freedom and status than Shylock has. Their judgment of Shylock and distaste for him may illustrate how, despite their low rank, they recognize his defects as an employer. Thus, it highlights the flaws of a social system that bases status on race and religion instead of merit and illustrates how such a system perpetuates prejudice and mutual hostility.