Question

Shylock:
What are these masques ? Hear you me, Jessica:
Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum
And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife,
Clamber not you up to the casements then, Not thtust your head into the public street,
To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces;
But stop my house's oars, I mean my casements:
Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter My sobor house - By Jacob's staff, I swear
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night;
But I will go. Go you before mo, sirrah;
Say I will come.
1. How does Shylock react when he hears about masques ? Who does he turn to ?
(4)
2. Who should lock up the door ? Why do so? (4)
3. Where is Shylock himself going? Why is he worried about his house ? (4)
4. Explain the line:
clamber not you up to the casements. (4)
5. Who are the Christian fools with varnished faces? (4)​

Answer 1

Answer:

1) Shylock is disgusted when he hears about the masques. He turns to Jessica.

2) Jessica should lock up the door. Jessica should do so to prevent the noises made during the masques enter Shylock's sober house.

3) Shylock is going to Bassanio's house. He is worried about his house because he fears some ill fortune which will fall on him as he had dreamt of money bags the previous night.

5) The Christian Fools with varnished faces are Lorenzo, Salanio, Salarino and Gratiano.