What had Morocco said before this extract which makes Portia say this? What was the
"lottery of my destiny" which Portia is speaking about?
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
Q I. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions:
(161
Q 1. Where is this scene set? Believe me, Sir. Whom is Salanio referring to?
whv?
ANS:The scene is set in Venice, a street. Salanio is referring to Antonio. He
is trying to cheer the melancholic Antonio.
Q2. Where would Salanio's attention be if he had business ventures abroad?
Why would he be 'Plucking the grass'? (3)
ANS: If Salanio had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed
on the dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. He would be
plucking the blades of grass and casting them in the air to see which way
the wind blew, to see if it was blowing in a direction favourable to the course
of his ships or not. Further, he would look into maps for harbours, channels
and open road- steads near to the shore where his ships could anchor in
case of need.
Q3. Explain the meaning of the line : 'had I such venture forth, the better
part of my affections would be with my hopes abroad.' (3)
ANS:Salanio says these words while acknowledging Antonio's strength and
courage. He tries to assure Antonio that everything would be alright by
saying that if he would have had such financial ventures in danger as
Antonio, the greater part of his thoughts would be fixed on his hopes
abroad. He tries to infuse some positivity in the otherwise melancholic
Antonio.
Qa. Why is Antonio not worried about his financial security? (3)
ANS:Despite danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial
security because his business is neither dependent on any one ship nor on
any single location nor commercial transactions of the current year.
Q5. What would make Salanio sad? What two qualities do you infer about
Salanio from this extract? (41
ANS:Misfortune to Salanio's ventures irrespective of the cause would make
him sad. Salanio is a talkative individual but a concerned friend. He says
that he too would feel anxious about his ships sailing on the sea.
QII. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions:
(16)
Q 1. Where does this scene take place? Who are present in the scene? (3)
ANS:This scene takes place in Belmorrt, a room in Portia's house. The Prince
of Morocco, Portia, (Nerissa and other of her attendants) are present in the
scene.
Q2. What prevented Portia from choosing a man of her liking? (3)
ANS:Lottery of Portia's destiny refers to the lottery devised according to her
deceased father's will. According to the lottery, the suitor who would make
the correct choice would win Portia's hand in marriage. The lottery of
caskets designed by her father prevented Portia from exercising her freedom
of choice. Her father had limited her freedom.
Q3. 'ln terms of choice I am not solely led by nice direction of a maiden's
eyes.'Explain the meaning of this line. (3)
ANS:Portia said these lines while conversing with the Prince of Morocco.
Through these line, Portia is trying to highlight the fact that she is not
entirely moved by the external appearance which otherwise attracts a young
lady.
Q4. What can you assess of Portia's character based on the given extract?
(s)
ANS: Portia is tired of the stream of suitors who have come to try their luck;
yet her behavior with the Prince of Morocco is courteous and respectful. She
confidently holds on to her composure. She is an obedient daughter and will
accept oniy him who would win her through the lottery devised by her
father.
Q5. Portia speaks of the lottery of my destiny.'What exactly is she referring
to? What in your opinion are Portia's feelings regarding this matter? (4)
ANS:Through 'the lottery of my destiny' Portia is referring to the lottery
designed by her father which prevented her from choosing a man of her
liking. (Personal Response)
QIII. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions:
(161
Q 1. Whose 'father' is the speaker in the extract talking about? What does
she say about him? (3)
ANS:Nerissa is speaking about Portia's father. She says that Portia's father
was always pious and that such good men have inspirations at their death.
The lottery which he had devised,- namely the choice among the three
caskets of gold, silver and lead- in which the one who makes the correct
choice will marry you