Your father was ever virtuous; and holy men at their death have good inspiration:
therefore, the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead.
1. What has Portia said in response to which Nerissa speaks these words?
2. Describe the lottery referred to the extract.
3. Give the meaning of “Never be chosen by any rightly, but one who you shall rightly
love”.
4. Who is the first prince described by Portia? What does she say about him?
5. How does this scene show a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense?
Answers
Explanation:
1 : Portia has just said that she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes because the choice of her husband depends on the lottery of caskets devised according to her late father's will.
2 : The lottery refers to the choice of the right casket containing Portia’s portrait from a among the three caskets of gold, silver and lead. The suitor who will make the right choice as per the will of Portia’s father will win her in marriage.
3 : These lines mean that Portia will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.
4 : The first prince described by Portia is the Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy. Portia describes him as a dashing youngster and as wild as a young horse. He does nothing but talks of his horse. He further considers his ability to shoe a horse himself as a great accomplishment.
5 : The scene show a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense. The mood of melancholy and anxiety is due to the prospect of Portia’s future husband to be decided by the lottery designed according to her deceased father’s will. This also creates an atmosphere of suspense. The conversation between Nerissa and Portia, Portia’s comments on the suitors and Nerissa’s reference to Bassanio as ‘the best deserving a fair lady’ increase the elements of anxiety and suspense in the scene.
hope it helped uhh......
thank uhh....