Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
MOROCCO: Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,And let us make incision for your love
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath feared the valiant. By my love I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have loved it too. I would not change this hue
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
PORTIA: In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.
(i) Where is this scene set? Account for Morocco’s presence in this place. [3]
(ii) What can you assess of Morocco’s appearance and character based on the
given extract?
[3]
(iii) Mention any three actions that Morocco says he would be happy to perform
in order to win Portia.
[3]
(iv) What does Morocco have to swear before he makes his ‘hazard’? [3]
(v) Portia speaks of ‘the lottery of my destiny’. What exactly is she referring to?
What in your opinion are Portia’s feelings regarding this matter?[4]
Answers
Answer:
1.The scene is set in Portia's house in Belmont. Many suitors are coming to take the casket test and hopefully win Portia's hand in marriage. The Prince of Morocco is one of the suitors who has come to try his luck.
2. Being the sun’s neighbour, meaning that he hails from a place that is close to the equator, the Prince of Morocco has a dark complexion. It seems that many people mislike him simply because of his appearance.
Other than that, he states that he is a brave man, as can be proven by the colour of his blood. He is willing to cut his vein to display his valour. This suggests that he is a confident warrior, though it may well indicate overconfidence as well. He thinks highly of himself as he says that the most beautiful damsels of his region are in awe of him. Also, he is happy being himself and does not want to change anything in his personality, including his complexion (hue).
3. Being a talkative individual who is full of himself, Morocco is out to impress Portia. He states that he is willing to cut open his vein, be compared to suitors from the north and stand any test of bravery.
4. Even before Morocco can take a chance, he has to promise that in case he chooses the wrong casket and fails to get Portia as his bride, he will have to restrain himself from speaking to any woman ‘In the way of marriage’ and hence remain a bachelor forever.
5. Portia is referring to her late father’s mechanism of finding a suitable groom for her even after he has passed away. According to his plan, there are three caskets, one each of gold, silver and lead. Each casket has an inscription on it, which is meant to guide the suitors in making the right choice. One of the caskets contains a picture of Portia. The suitor who selects the correct casket and finds the picture will become Portia’s rightful husband. It is a lottery because to her, everything seems to depends on chance. If anyone finds her picture even by mistake, she will have to marry him.
Portia is very anxious about the caskets. She feels deprived of the power to choose her life partner. She is bound by her father’s will and finds herself in a very difficult situation since she cannot willingly accept or reject anyone. Also, since she is rich and well educated, she has all the luxuries of life, but not the luxury of choosing a husband.
Answer:
Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
MOROCCO: Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,And let us make incision for your love
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath feared the valiant. By my love I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have loved it too. I would not change this hue
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
PORTIA: In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.
(i) Where is this scene set? Account for Morocco’s presence in this place. [3]
(ii) What can you assess of Morocco’s appearance and character based on the
given extract?
[3]
(iii) Mention any three actions that Morocco says he would be happy to perform
in order to win Portia.
[3]
(iv) What does Morocco have to swear before he makes his ‘hazard’? [3]
(v) Portia speaks of ‘the lottery of my destiny’. What exactly is she referring to?
What in your opinion are Portia’s feelings regarding this matter?[4]