Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
GONZALO
Good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard.
Boatswain
None that I more love than myself. You are a
counsellor; if you can command these elements to
silence, and work the peace of the present, we will
not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you
cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make
yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of
the hour, if it so hap. Cheerly, good hearts! Out
of our way, I say.

1) Who are the royal people aboard the ship? What has the boatswain said just before the extract about these people?
2) What does the boatswain request Gonzalo to do?
3) What is referred to as the mischance of the hour? How could they save themselves from the mischance?
4) Give the meaning of:
If you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more;
5) What role does the sea storm play in the development of the plot?

Answer 1

Answer:

The mischance of the hour refers to the misfortune that might happen i.e the possibility that the ship might sink in the sea because of the storm . They can save themselves from the mischance by staying calm inside the cabin and by praying to God to save them and by not disturbing boatswain and other Mariners who are finding the solution to save them from this storm