Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 2 Scene 1
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 2 Scene 1 Questions and Answers, Passage Based Questions.
Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 Workbook Questions and Answers
Question 1.
‘Mislike me not for my complexion’. (Line : 1)
When does Prince of Morocco utter this line ? What is he trying to do ?
Answer:
Prince of Morocco utters this line as he appears before Portia. He is trying to prove to her that his black complexion does not make him an inferior suitor in any way, and that he is not ashamed of the skin of his colour. He feels that he should be judged by his real worth.
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 2 Scene 1 Passage Based Questions
PASSAGE 1.
Read the following extract and answer the
questions that follow :
Morocco :
Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun,
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
(i) Where are the speakers now ? What is the occasion ?
Answer: The speakers, the Prince of Morocco and Portia are in a room in Portia’s house in Belmont. The occasion is Morocco’s trying his luck at the lottery of caskets in an attempt to marry Portia, a rich and beautiful lady.
(ii) What is the Prince of Morocco proud of ? What is his plea to Portia ?
Answer: The Prince of Morocco is proud of his bravery and fearlessness. His plea to Portia is that she should not reject him simply because of the black colour of his skin.
(iii) What does he think of himself ? How is he mistaken ?
Answer: He thinks that he is the bravest man. He can defeat anyone. He can dare a hungry lion roaring for some prey. In saying so he is greatly mistaken. He does not understand that the lottery of caskets is not a test of physical valour but of mental and moral character.
(iv) What does Portia tell him ?
Answer: Portia tells him that she is not free to choose one whom her eyes approve. If her choice had not been restricted, he would have stood as good a chance of being selected as any other of her suitors.
(v) Which casket does Morocco choose ? How does he lose ?
Answer: Morocco chooses the gold casket. He thinks that the inscription on the gold casket provides the right clue. Portia, he feels, is rightly desired by many men. So he chooses the casket and loses. He loses because he is tempted by the outward show or glitter.
PASSAGE 2.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Morocco :
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand :
So is Alcides beaten by his page ;
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain,
And die with grieving.
Portia :
You must take your chance,
And either not attempt to choose at all
Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage : therefore be advised.
(i) When are these lines spoken by the Prince of Morocco ? What has Portia assured him earlier ?
Answer: These lines are spoken by the Prince of Morocco before making his choice of the casket. Portia has earlier assured him that his black complexion does not matter at all, for she is not free to choose her life partner.
(ii) Who are Hercules and Lichas ? Why does Morocco refer to Hercules and Lichas ?
Answer: Hercules was a great Greek hero and Lichas was his servant. Morocco refers to them in order to equate himself with Hercules who may get defeated by his servant at a game of dice. He wants to say that he may lose, like Hercules, while the right casket may be chosen by a less worthy man.
(iii) What is Morocco’s regret ? What does he decide to do ultimately ?
Answer: Morocco’s regret is that courage and bravery which he has in plenty have no place in this lottery. Ultimately, he decides to try his luck, whatever be the outcome.
(iv) What is his fate ? Why does he lose the lottery of casket later ?
Answer: He fails to choose the right casket because he is tempted by the outward glitter. He is misled by the inscription on the gold casket which he chooses.
(v) What lesson does he learn ?
Answer: He learns to his dismay that all that glitters is not gold. Appearance has often deceived man.