QUESTION :1 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow
But lest you should not understand me well-
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought-
I would detain you here some month or two
Before you venture for me.
(i) What dose Portia say in the beginning of this scene? (3)
(ii) Why should she never teach him how to choose? (3)
(iii) Explain: 'But lest you should not understand me well. (3)
(iv) How is it determined that a suitor has chosen the right casket? (3)
(v) Give examples from the play to show that Portia loves Bassanio. (4)
Answers
Ans (i) In the beginning of the scene Portia is requesting Bassanio to wait for few days before making his decision as she doesn't want to loose her.
(ii) she is forced not to to give him hints of right casket as she is bounded by her father's will and does not want to go against his wishes.
(iii) In this line, Portia means ' But for fear that you don't understand me well. ' she is trying to persuade Bassanio to wait for a day or two before making his choice of caskets because if he choose wrong he will have to immediately leave. She explains that she fear that he will choose wrong and cannot marry again in lifetime as per the oath.
(iv) there are three caskets- one of gold, second of silver, and the third of lead. the suitors have to make choice among these and whoever to the right casket i.e. the one containing Portia's picture. But before trying they will have to make an oath that if they make wrong choice, they will :
(a) never marry any women in life
(b) will never disclose to anyone which did casket they choose
(c) will leave immediately and never talk to Portia
(v) When nerissa told her about the suitors, she refused to marry anyone of them but indirectly agreed that Bassanio would be perfect for her. Secondly, she didn't wanted him to make wrong choice.