Question

“Therefore, those gaudy gold, Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee; Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge „Tween man and man : but thou, thou meagre lead, Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence, And here choose I : joy be the consequence!”(i) Identify the speaker. Where is he? Why? [3](ii) Who is Midas? [3](iii) What was hard food for Midas? Why? Which mythological characters does the speaker refer to in his speech? [3](iv) What other adjectives have been used for gold and lead? [3](v) Which casket does the speaker choose? Why? What was written on the scroll?.​

Answer 1

Answer:

1. the speaker is Basalio. He is in Belmont choosing the casket as if he chooses the right casket he will win the fair and rich Portia.

2. Midas was mythological character who turned anything in gold with his touch.

Gold was hard food for Midas as he turned everything in gold even food.

He was referring to Midas.

3. The adjective used for gold is gaudy gold.

And for the lead is meage lead.

4. The speaker chooses the lead casket as he thinks that the physical appearance can fool people.

The scroll congratulates him for choosing the right casket and hands over Portia to him with all her wealth and tells him to always treasure her.