Question

Salarino
Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,
The better part of my affections would
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still
Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind;
Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads;
And every object that might make me fear
Misfortune to my ventures,
(a) Who is being addressed as 'sir'? What does Salanio want him to believe?
(b) What does the word 'venture' refer to?
(c) What other expression is used in the lines above to describe the 'venture'?
(d) Explain the line "Plucking.....wind".​

Answer 1

Answer:

Ans a) Antonio is being addressed as Sir. He wants him to believe that his sadness is due to his worry about his ships at sea.

Ans b) Venture refers to a difficult journey or risk (like the ships at sea).

Ans c) "Be with my hopes abroad" - "abroad" refers to the ships at sea. The ships are in such a danger. Despite this, they have to bring the silks, robes to shore or Antonio's business would fall down. So, the word "abroad" also describes "venture".

Ans d) Salarino would pluck the grass, keep it straight to know that in which direction it will fall so that he may know the direction of the wind and determine the state of his ships at sea.

HOPE IT HELPS

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