English, asked by dubeynaitik59, 9 months ago

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow
BASSANIO: Good cheer Antonio! What.man, courage yet!
The Jew shall have my flesh.blood bones and all,
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.
ANTONIO:1 am a tainted wether of the Flock
Meetest for death;the weakest kind of fruit
Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me;
1. Where are the speakers? Why is Bassanio trying to cheer
Antonio?
prin in Antonio's speech?

Answers

Answered by rmb

The speakers are in a courtroom in Venice, in the presence of the Duke of Venice, who is to decide the case between Antonio and Shylock.

Bassanio is trying to cheer up Antonio because Antonio stands to lose his life and the situation is very tense. Antonio had, on behalf of Bassanio, borrowed a sum of three thousand ducats from Shylock. Since he was unable to repay the money within the given time period, according to the bond signed by him, Shylock can take a pound of flesh from around Antonio's heart, as penalty.

Initially, Antonio was sure of being able to repay the loan on time and did not take Shylock's bond seriously. However, now Shylock is bent upon exacting the pound of flesh and taking his revenge. Since Antonio has himself signed the document, even the law cannot help him. Everyone else present in the courtroom, including the Duke want Shylock to reconsider the terms, but Shylock insists on getting justice. If Shylock gets justice, it would mean that Antonio would have to lose his life.

Bassanio speaks these words as soon as a messenger from Bellario comes. His arrival is encouraging and brings a ray of hope. Also, Bassanio volunteers to let Shylock cut him instead of touching Antonio.