What impression do you form of Bassanio? What tells you that Antonio is a selfless friend of
Bassanio
Answers
Answer:
Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Workbook Questions and Answers
Question 1.
In which mood do Antonio’s friends find him in ? What does Antonio say about it ?
Answer:
Antonio’s friends find him in a sad mood. Antonio admits of his sadness but he says he does not know why he is sad. His ‘ sadness is a source of trouble to him. His sadness tires him out and depresses him, and he finds himself a dull person.
Question 2.
What do we learn about Bassanio’s standard of living ?
Answer:
Bassanio, being fashionable, is quite extravagant. He maintains a high standard of living which does not match his modest income. He wastes his money in a careless manner. He is under heavy debts but he is not willing to give up his lordly style of living, though he is anxious to get rid of all debts.
Question 3.
What does Bassanio say about Portia ? Why does he want to go to Belmont ?
Answer:
Bassanio holds a very good opinion of Portia. He says that she is a beautiful and virtuous young lady living in Belmont. She has inherited much riches. Bassanio wants to go to Belmont to win her hand in marriage.
Question 4.
What does Salarino say about the cause of Antonio’s melancholy ?
Answer:
Salarino tells Antonio that he is sad because his mind is filled with anxiety. He (Antonio) is worried about the high seas where his merchant ships are sailing. In a mood to flatter his rich friend he praises his majestic ships.
Question 5.
“I am Sir Oracle
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark”. (Lines 97-98)
When does Gratiano utter these words, and in which context ? What does he mean to say ?
Answer:
Gratiano, one of Antonio’s friends, utters these words when Antonio remarks that he feels he is destined to play a sad role on the stage of life. He says that some persons pretend to look wise by keeping quiet. They consider themselves to be oracles, too sure of their wisdom, who prove to be foolish when they open their mouth.
Question 6.
‘His reasons are as two
grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff’ (Lines 118-119)
Who speaks these lines and, about whom ?
Answer:
Bassanio speaks these lines about his friend Gratiano in his absence. He feels that he speaks too much. Rational words in his speech, according to him, are like two food grains in a lot of (two bushels) chaff.
Explanation: