The Merchant of Venice Act I Scene 2 Workbook Answers and Explanations

ACT I Scene 2

Context Questions

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1. (i) What has Portia just said in response to which Nerissa speaks these words?
Answer: 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.
In simple words: Portia has just lamented her lack of freedom in choosing a husband, as her father's will dictates she must abide by the casket lottery.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding Portia's initial frustration with her father's will is key to recognizing her constrained agency.

Question 1. (ii) Describe the lottery referred to in the extract.
Answer: The lottery refers to the choice of the right casket containing Portia's portrait from 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.
In simple words: The lottery involves suitors choosing one of three caskets (gold, silver, lead); the one containing Portia's portrait, as per her father's will, will win her hand.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly outlining the rules of the casket lottery is fundamental to understanding Portia's situation and the central romantic plot device.

Question 1. (iii) Give the reactions of Portia as well as of Nerissa to the lottery.
Answer: Initially, Portia appears to be anxious over the prospect of choosing her husband through a lottery devised according to her father's will. She feels sad as she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislike as a her husband. But later on she accepts her father's will. She says that she would remain a virgin like Diana unless she is won in marriage by some suitor fulfilling the conditions of her father's will. Nerissa's reaction to the lottery was positive. She calls Portia's father pious and asserts that good men do have inspirations at the time of death. She consoles Portia by saying that she will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.
In simple words: Portia is initially anxious about the lottery, lamenting her lack of choice, but eventually accepts her father's will. Nerissa, however, is positive, believing Portia's pious father ensured she would be chosen by true love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contrasting the reactions of Portia and Nerissa reveals their distinct personalities and different perspectives on fate versus free will.

Question 1. (iv) Give the meaning of "never be chosen by any rightly, but one who you shall rightly love."
Answer: These lines mean that Portia will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.
In simple words: This means only the person Portia genuinely loves will make the correct choice in the lottery and win her.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line foreshadows the outcome of the casket lottery, suggesting that true love will guide the correct choice.

Question 1. (v) Portia is melancholic in the beginning of the scene as it was the case with Antonio in the previous scene. What is the difference between Antonio's melancholy and that of Portia?
Answer: Portia's melancholy is the result of her anxiety over the prospect of her future husband while the cause of Antonio's melancholy is unknown.
In simple words: Portia's sadness stems from her forced lack of choice in marriage due to the lottery, whereas Antonio's melancholy is of an unidentifiable origin.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiating the causes of melancholy between characters highlights their unique struggles and the distinct themes associated with each.

Question 1. (vi) How does this scene show a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense?
Answer: The scene shows 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.
In simple words: The scene establishes melancholy from Portia's restricted marriage choice, anxiety as she awaits a suitor, and suspense through the lottery and Nerissa's hints about Bassanio.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyzing the emotional atmosphere of a scene helps in understanding its dramatic function and impact on the audience.

Question 2. (i) Where are Portia and Nerissa? What are they generally discussing about? In what mood is Portia in the scene?
Answer: Portia and Nerissa are in a room in Portia's house at Belmont. They are discussing the lottery of caskets and about the suitors who have already come to try their luck. In this scene, Portia is in a mood of melancholy and anxiety.
In simple words: Portia and Nerissa are at Belmont, discussing the casket lottery and the present suitors; Portia feels melancholic and anxious.

🎯 Exam Tip: Scene location and character mood are crucial for setting the stage and understanding character motivations.

Question 2. (ii) Who is the County Palatine? Why has he come to Belmont?
Answer: County Palatine was the Count from Palatinate, the region on the west bank of the Rhine in Germany. He was a powerful lord who came to Belmont to win Portia's hand.
In simple words: The County Palatine is a powerful German lord who has come to Belmont as a suitor for Portia's hand in marriage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying each suitor and their purpose helps track the progress of the casket lottery plotline.

Question 2. (iii) Who is the first prince described by Portia? What does she say about him?
Answer: 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.
In simple words: Portia describes the Neapolitan prince as a spirited young man obsessed with horses, who boasts about his equestrian skills.

🎯 Exam Tip: Portia's witty descriptions of her suitors reveal her keen observational skills and dissatisfaction with them.

Question 2. (iv) Who is the weeping philosopher? In which context is he referred to in the extract?
Answer: The weeping philosopher refers to Heraclitus of Esphesus. He was a Greek philosopher who lamented the stupidity and folly of mankind and wept at everything in the world. Portia refers to him to describe County Palatine. She feels that since County Palatine is unusually gloomy in his young age, he will become a sad philosopher like Heraclitus when he grows old.
In simple words: The 'weeping philosopher' is Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher known for lamenting human folly; Portia refers to him to suggest that the gloomy County Palatine will become equally melancholic in old age.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explaining classical references like Heraclitus adds depth to character analysis and shows an understanding of literary allusions.

Question 2. (v) Give the meaning of:
(a) An you will not have me, choose
If you do not want me, choose anyone you wish
(b) a death's-head with a bone in his mouth
'a skull with a bone in its mouth'. The emblem of a skull with two bones crossed underneath was usually known as "death's head".
Answer:
(a) An you will not have me, choose: If you do not wish to have me, then choose someone else.
(b) a death's-head with a bone in his mouth: A skull, often depicted with a bone, symbolizing death or mortality.
In simple words: These phrases refer to offering an alternative if one is undesirable and to a symbol of death, respectively.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurate interpretation of archaic expressions and cultural symbols is essential for textual comprehension.

Question 2. (vi) Give a character-sketch of the County Palatine.
Answer: County Palatine is described as a gloomy and self-conceited person. He is always frowning as if to say that if Portia will not marry him, she may choose someone else. He is morose and sullen that even jovial stories don't make him laugh. He has an abrupt manner of speech and may become a sad philosopher like Heraclitus when he grows old.
In simple words: The County Palatine is portrayed as a gloomy, self-important, and humorless man who frowns perpetually and is destined for deep melancholy.

🎯 Exam Tip: A concise character sketch based on textual descriptions reveals critical insights into personality and dramatic function.

Question 3. (i) What has Portia said earlier about Neapolitan prince and his horse? Which characteristic is common between Monsieur Le Bon and the Count Palatine?
Answer: Earlier Portia described the Neapolitan prince as wild as a young horse and so attached to his horse that he always spoke about the horse only. The Count Palatine and Le Bon share the common characteristic of frowning.
In simple words: Portia earlier described the Neapolitan prince as horse-obsessed; both Count Palatine and Monsieur Le Bon share the common characteristic of always frowning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing shared traits among suitors helps categorize their flaws and Portia's general dissatisfaction.

Question 3. (ii) Give the meaning of:
(a) he is every man in no man: He has every man's characteristics but no personality of his own.
(b) he falls straight a-capering: He starts to jump about. Monsieur Le Bon is so fickle-minded that if hears a thrush sing, he starts to jump about.
Answer:
(a) he is every man in no man: He possesses a superficial resemblance to many different types of men but lacks a distinct personality of his own.
(b) he falls straight a-capering: He immediately starts jumping or dancing aimlessly.
In simple words: 'Every man in no man' means lacking unique character despite superficial versatility, and 'falls straight a-capering' means impulsively starting to jump or dance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explaining these phrases highlights Monsieur Le Bon's fickleness and lack of individual identity, a common critique in Portia's descriptions.

Question 3. (iii) How does the French lord react to the singing of a thrush?
Answer: When he hears the singing of a thrush, the French Lord starts jumping immediately.
In simple words: The French Lord reacts to a thrush's song by immediately starting to jump, showing his impulsive and fickle nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Observing immediate reactions to stimuli reveals a character's inherent traits, in this case, the French Lord's flightiness.

Question 3. (iv) What would happen:
(a) if Portia were to marry the Count?
It would be as if she were married to twenty husbands as he is never one man but twenty men by turns.
(b) if he were to despise Portia?
If he were to despise Portia, Portia would not be in the least angry and would forgive him.
(c) if he were to love Portia passionately?
Portia could never return his love since she could never possibly love twenty husbands.
Answer:
(a) if Portia were to marry the Count?: Portia would feel like she was married to twenty different men because of his ever-changing moods and lack of a stable personality.
(b) if he were to despise Portia?: Portia would not be angry at all and would easily forgive him.
(c) if he were to love Portia passionately?: Portia would be unable to reciprocate his love, as she couldn't love twenty different personalities simultaneously.
In simple words: Marrying the Count would feel like marrying many men; if he despised her, she would forgive him; and if he loved her passionately, she couldn't return it due to his fragmented personality.

🎯 Exam Tip: Hypothetical scenarios posed by characters like Portia reveal their true feelings and assessments of their suitors.

Question 3. (v) Give any three negative qualities of the French lord, as described by Portia.
Answer: Portia says that the French Lord is more attached to his horse than the Neapolitan Prince and excels Count Palatine in frowning. If he hears a thrush singing, he starts jumping immediately. Further, if he does not have anybody to fence with, he will take his own shadow as adversary.
In simple words: Portia describes the French Lord as overly fond of his horse, excessively gloomy, impulsive (jumping at a thrush's song), and so restless he would duel his own shadow.

🎯 Exam Tip: Listing specific negative traits helps in clearly delineating a character's flaws and Portia's reasons for disliking them.

Question 4. (i) How is the young baron's external appearance described in the passage? What light does it throw on the national pattern of clothes of Englishmen?
Answer: The baron's external appearance is described as odd and strange. He is oddly dressed and very odd in behaviour too. He wears an Italian jacket and breeches in the French fashion. He seems to have got his hat from Germany and his manners from everywhere. Englishmen of Shakespeare's days had fondness for the manners and clothes of foreigners.
In simple words: The young baron is described as strangely dressed, with Italian, French, and German fashion elements, reflecting the English gentry's tendency to imitate foreign styles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character descriptions, especially of clothing, often provide social commentary or humorous insights into contemporary customs.

Question 4. (ii) What shows that the English lord has poor knowledge of the European languages? Why does Portia find it difficult to interact with him?
Answer: Portia's statement that the Englishman did not know Latin, French or Italian shows that he had very poor knowledge of European Languages. Portia found it difficult to converse with him as he did not know Latin, French or Italian and Portia's knowledge of English was very poor.
In simple words: The English lord's lack of Latin, French, and Italian shows his poor language skills, making interaction difficult for Portia, who also lacks English proficiency.

🎯 Exam Tip: Language barriers among characters add comedic elements and highlight cultural differences in the play.

Question 4. (iii) Give the meaning of:
(a) He is a proper man's picture: He is handsome and fine-looking.
(b) How oddly he is suited!: He is dressed very strangely.
Answer:
(a) He is a proper man's picture: He is a perfectly formed, handsome man.
(b) How oddly he is suited!: How strangely or unusually he is dressed!
In simple words: These phrases describe someone as physically attractive but oddly dressed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Precise interpretation of these descriptive phrases helps in understanding Portia's nuanced (and critical) assessment of the suitor.

Question 4. (iv) What is referred to as 'a dumb show'? Why is the baron said to be a 'dumb-show'?
Answer: The word dumb-show refers to a play in which all characters act without speaking, that is by gestures. A pantomime is a dumb-show. Here it means that the Englishman is unable to speak foreign languages and had to converse by means of signs as in a dumb-show.
In simple words: A 'dumb-show' is a performance without words; the baron is called a 'dumb-show' because his inability to speak foreign languages forces him to communicate only through gestures.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the term 'dumb-show' and its application humorously emphasizes the Englishman's linguistic limitations.

Question 4. (v) Give a brief description of the Scottish Lord.
Answer: The Scottish Lord is not impressive. Portia speaks about his cowardice in a sarcastic way by calling him kind-hearted as he did not return the Englishman's blow immediately.
In simple words: Portia describes the Scottish Lord as unimpressive and sarcastically calls him "kind-hearted" because he failed to retaliate after the Englishman struck him, implying cowardice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Characterizing suitors through Portia's sarcastic remarks provides insight into her personality and the political undertones of the era.

Question 4. (vi) What type of contemporary relationship among England, Scotland and France is reflected in the description of the Scottish Lord?
Answer: The description of the Sottish Lord is a reference to the frequent alliances between the Scots and the French against England when Scotland was at war with England.
In simple words: The Scottish Lord's description reflects the historical alliances between Scotland and France against England, particularly during times of conflict.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing political subtext in character descriptions enriches the understanding of the play's historical context.

Question 5. (i) How does the young German behave when he is sober and when he is drunk? If the worse happens to Portia which would compel her to marry him, what would she do?
Answer: When sober, the young German is less than a man in behaviour and when drunk he is no better than a beast. If the worse happens to Portia, she will manage to do without him.
In simple words: The young German is boorish when sober and bestial when drunk; Portia declares she would rather do without a husband if forced to marry him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Portia's firm stance against undesirable suitors, even hypothetically, underscores her strong will despite her limited choices.

Question 5. (ii) Give the meaning of:
(a) when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.
When he is drunk, he is no better than a beast.
(b) set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket.
Place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket.
Answer:
(a) when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: When he is most intoxicated, he behaves no better than an animal.
(b) set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket: Place a large goblet of Rhenish wine on the casket that is the incorrect choice.
In simple words: These phrases describe the German suitor's beastly drunken state and a proposed trick to deter him by placing wine on the wrong casket.

🎯 Exam Tip: These descriptions highlight the German suitor's character flaw (drunkenness) and Portia's cleverness in attempting to manipulate the lottery.

Question 5. (iii) What plan does Portia make to prevent the young German from choosing the right casket?
Answer: To prevent the young German from choosing the right casket, Portia instructed Nerissa to place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket. Portia was sure that the German suitor will not be able to resist the temptation of his national drink even if the picture of the devil himself was within.
In simple words: Portia plans to deter the German suitor by instructing Nerissa to place a goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket, anticipating his irresistible craving for his national drink.

🎯 Exam Tip: This plan demonstrates Portia's resourcefulness and wit, even when restricted by her father's will.

Question 5. (iv) Why is the young German referred to as 'a sponge'?
Answer: A sponge constantly absorbs water. Similarly, a drunkard, who constantly takes liquor is called a 'sponge'. Since the young German is a drunkard, Portia calls him a 'sponge'.
In simple words: The young German is called a 'sponge' because he constantly absorbs alcohol, similar to how a sponge soaks up water, highlighting his excessive drinking.

🎯 Exam Tip: Metaphorical descriptions of characters, like "a sponge," offer concise and impactful insights into their dominant traits.

Question 5. (v) After Portia's speech, what does Nerissa say to console her about the suitors?
Answer: Nerissa tells Portia to set aside her fears concerning the suitors. She says that they have informed her of their decision to go back home and not to press their courtship further unless Portia's father's decree concerning the caskets can be set aside and they may woo her in an ordinary way.
In simple words: Nerissa consoles Portia by revealing that all the current suitors have decided to leave, agreeing not to pursue her unless the casket lottery rules are waived.

🎯 Exam Tip: This unexpected development creates a temporary relief for Portia and advances the plot by clearing the stage for new suitors.

Question 6. (i) What was Portia's father's will as far as Portia's marriage was concerned?
Answer: Portia's father's will was that her marriage will be decided by the lottery of the three caskets. The suitor, who chooses the right casket containing Portia's picture will be her husband.
In simple words: Portia's father willed that her husband would be the suitor who correctly chooses the casket containing her portrait from three options.

🎯 Exam Tip: Restating the core condition of the will is crucial for understanding Portia's predicament and the driving force of this subplot.

Question 6. (ii) Who is Sibylla and who is Diana? Why are they referred to in the context?
Answer: In Ovid's metamorphoses, Sibyl was a prophetess. She was granted a wish by goddess Apollo that she would live for as many years as the grains of sand she held in her hand. She was the ageless old woman.
Diana was the goddess of moon and hunting. She is known as the virgin goddess. They are referred to here to explain Portia's resolve to remain a virgin like Diana even if she lives to be as old as Sibyl of Cumae unless she is won in marriage by some suitor in the lottery of caskets.
In simple words: Sibylla (Sibyl) is an ancient prophetess granted eternal life, and Diana is the virgin goddess of the hunt; Portia references them to express her resolve to remain unmarried and chaste unless a suitor correctly wins her through the casket lottery.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding mythological allusions helps reveal a character's internal state and their determination regarding their fate.

Question 6. (iii) What does Nerissa say to introduce Bassanio? What were the feelings of Portia for Bassanio in this scene?
Answer: To introduce Bassanio, Nerissa recalls the visit of a young Venetian along with the Marquis of Montferrat, when Portia's father was alive. He was a scholar and a soldier. In this scene, Portia's feelings for Bassanio are quite positive. She recalls his name and tells Nerissa that he fully deserves her praise. Her simple reply shows that she is already in love with Bassanio.
In simple words: Nerissa introduces Bassanio by recalling his previous visit, and Portia's positive reaction—remembering his name and agreeing he deserves praise—reveals her hidden affection for him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Nerissa's introduction of Bassanio and Portia's response strongly foreshadow their romantic connection, crucial for the main plot.

Question 6. (iv) In what sense can we say that the opening of the first two scenes of Act I give the plots of the play?
Answer: The opening of the first two scenes of Act I gives the plots of the play. The two main plots of the play are the bond-story and the casket-story. The bond-story is initiated in Scene 1 while the casket-story is initiated in Scene 2 of Act I.
In simple words: Act I, Scene 1 introduces the bond-story through Antonio's financial woes and Bassanio's need for money, while Scene 2 establishes the casket-story with Portia's marriage predicament, thus laying out both major plots.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing the simultaneous introduction of the main subplots (bond and casket) highlights Shakespeare's structural efficiency.

Question 6. (v) Name the six suitors given in this scene. Give two characteristics of each suitor described by Portia.
Answer: The six suitors given in this scene are:
(i) The Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy, was a dashing youngster, as wild as a horse. He always talked about his horse.
(ii) The County Palatine was always frowning and unusually gloomy.
(iii) Monsieur Le Bon from France, had the characteristic of every man and had no personality of his own.
(iv) Mr. Falconbridge from England, though handsome was strangely and unmannerly dressed and did not know Latin, French or Italian.
(v) The Scottish Lord, was a coward and did not repay the Englishman who gave him a blow.
(vi) The Duke of Saxony was a drunkard. He in his sober moments, behaved less than a man and when drunk no better than a beast.
In simple words: The six suitors are: Neapolitan Prince (horse-obsessed, wild), County Palatine (frowning, gloomy), Monsieur Le Bon (fickle, no personality), Mr. Falconbridge (oddly dressed, linguistically limited), Scottish Lord (cowardly, did not retaliate), and Duke of Saxony (drunkard, beastly).

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identifying and describing each suitor's flaws emphasizes Portia's wit and the play's comedic elements related to her predicament.