The Merchant of Venice Act II Scene 6 Workbook Answers and Explanations

ACT II Scene 6

CONTEXT QUESTIONS

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

Question 1.

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who has out-dwelt his hour? Normally what do the lovers do as far as the appointed time is concerned?
Answer: This scene takes place in the street outside Shylock's house Lorenzo has out-dwelt his hour to meet Gratiano and Salarino for the masque. Lovers generally rush to the meeting place long before the appointed hour.
In simple words: The scene is on the street outside Shylock's house. Lorenzo is late for the masque, having "out-dwelt his hour," which is unusual as lovers typically arrive early for appointments.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the setting and the character's deviation from typical lover's behavior (Lorenzo's lateness) provides crucial context for the scene.

(ii) Who is Venus? How do the Venus's pigeons behave as far as love is concerned?
Answer: In Greek mythology, Venus is the goddess of love. Salarino comments that the doves that draw the chariot of Venus, the goddess of love, fly ten times faster when they are journeying to bind new love more firmly, than they do when love is already pledged and certain.
In simple words: Venus is the Roman goddess of love. Salarino notes that her pigeons fly faster when chasing new love than when simply maintaining an established one.

🎯 Exam Tip: The allusion to Venus and her pigeons highlights the theme of the fleeting, exciting nature of new love compared to settled affections.

(iii) How does Gratiano explain in the extract the state of people in love?
Answer: According to Gratiano, people in love are anxious to meet each other. They rush to their meeting places much before the appointed time. Thus, people in love keep punctuality in their meetings and never delay.
In simple words: Gratiano explains that lovers are eager and punctual, always arriving early for their meetings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Gratiano's observation serves as a contrast to Lorenzo's lateness, drawing attention to the intensity and impatience associated with early love.

(iv) Give the meaning of:
(a) he out-dwells his hour.
(b) To seal love's bonds new-made.
Answer:
(a) he out-dwells his hour: he overstays the time fixed by him to meet.
(b) To seal love's bonds new-made: To bind new love more firmly.
In simple words: "(a) he out-dwells his hour" means he has stayed past his appointed time. "(b) To seal love's bonds new-made" means to strengthen new promises of love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Defining these phrases accurately shows an understanding of the conversational nuances in the scene.

(v) Explain the meaning of:
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
Answer: The above lines mean that you will not find even a horse travel again over the same road on its return journey with the same energy and animation with which it set out.
In simple words: These lines mean that nothing, not even a horse, performs a return journey with the same enthusiasm and speed as it did when first setting out.

🎯 Exam Tip: This metaphor highlights the common theme that the pursuit of something is often more exciting than its attainment.

(vi) All things that are, Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd. How far is this statement brought out by giving the example of a ship?
Answer: "All things - enjoy'd" means that the pursuit of any desired object is more enjoyable a task and gives more joy compared to the pleasure one gets on its attainment. The truth of the statement is brought about by the example of a ship. A ship with its sails spread and flags flying, sails out from the harbour like a high-spirited spendthrift youth in search of pleasure. But after being tossed about and hugged by the rough wind, it comes back to the port with broken planks and torn sails. It looks like the returning of the prodigal son, ruined by the faithless gales.
In simple words: The statement means the chase is more thrilling than the possession. A ship, initially lively and grand, sets sail with enthusiasm but returns battered and worn, symbolizing the diminished joy after a harsh journey, much like the prodigal son returning ruined.

🎯 Exam Tip: This elaborate simile of the ship powerfully illustrates the philosophical point about desire versus fulfillment. Break down the comparison clearly.

Question 2.

(i) Where is Lorenzo and who are his sweet friends?
Answer: Lorenzo is in the street outside Shylock's house. His sweet friends are Salarino and Gratiano.
In simple words: Lorenzo is outside Shylock's house with his friends Salarino and Gratiano.

🎯 Exam Tip: Simple identification of location and characters is crucial for establishing the scene's context.

(ii) What did his friends say about the anxiety of those in love?
Answer: His friends said that lovers generally rush to meet each other before the appointed time. Salarino commented that the doves that draw the chariot of Goddess of love, fly ten times faster, when they are journeying to find new love than they do when love is once pledged and certain.
In simple words: His friends remarked that lovers are typically impatient and punctual, with Salarino adding that Venus's doves fly faster for new love than for old.

🎯 Exam Tip: This observation about lovers' anxiety creates a subtle dramatic irony, as Lorenzo, a lover, is late.

(iii) What were the affairs that kept the speaker away so long?
Answer: The speaker was kept away so long due to his business affairs. Also he had to plan for the masquerade, in which he would elope with his lady-love, Jessica.
In simple words: Lorenzo's delay was due to his business matters and his preparations for the masquerade, which was a cover for his elopement with Jessica.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding Lorenzo's dual purpose for the night-business and elopement-reveals his character and the plot's complexity.

(iv) What is meant by 'to play the thieves for wives'? How apt are these remarks in the context?
Answer: 'To play the thieves for wives' means if ever any of them wishes to do what he is doing that night and steal away a fair lady to be his wife, he will wait as long as they have done to help him on the occasion. These remarks are quite relevant because Lorenzo wants to give the reason for his delay as well as thank his friends, whom he has kept waiting for a long time.
In simple words: "To play the thieves for wives" means to steal away a lady to make her one's wife, a fitting remark given Lorenzo's plan to elope with Jessica. The remarks are apt because he's explaining his delay while acknowledging his friends' help in his scheme.

🎯 Exam Tip: This phrase directly addresses Lorenzo's actions and is highly relevant to the scene's central event-Jessica's elopement.

Question 3.

(i) What does Lorenzo ask Jessica to do later in the scene? What is Jessica's reaction to his request?
Answer: Later in the scene, Lorenzo tells Jessica to come down in the street quickly and that she has to play the part of his torch-bearer in the masque that night. Jessica is shocked and embarrassed at the suggestion. She asks Lorenzo whether she must hold a light to show up her shameful acts - her elopement, theft and male dress.
In simple words: Lorenzo asks Jessica to quickly join him on the street as a torch-bearer for the masque. Jessica reacts with shock and embarrassment, questioning if she must illuminate her own shameful acts like eloping and wearing male attire.

🎯 Exam Tip: Jessica's reaction highlights her internal conflict and vulnerability, despite her rebellious act, contrasting with Lorenzo's more pragmatic view.

(ii) What do you think is sent down in the casket? How can you conclude that the contents in the casket are valuable?
Answer: The casket must have valuables like jewellery which Jessica has stolen from her house. We can conclude that the contents in the casket are valuables since Jessica hands over the casket only after making sure that the person to whom she is giving the casket is her love, Lorenzo. Besides, she tells Lorenzo that it is worth carrying the casket.
In simple words: The casket likely contains stolen jewelry and valuables from Shylock's house. Its value is inferred because Jessica carefully entrusts it to Lorenzo, emphasizing its importance to carry.

🎯 Exam Tip: The contents of the casket are symbolically significant; Jessica's actions demonstrate her prioritization of the stolen wealth.

(iii) What is meant by 'I am much ashamed of my exchange'? Why is the exchange needed?
Answer: The above words mean that Jessica is much ashamed that she has to change her dress to that of a page-boy. This exchange was needed for her to elope with Lorenzo.
In simple words: "I am much ashamed of my exchange" means Jessica is embarrassed about changing into a page-boy's disguise, which is necessary for her to elope with Lorenzo undetected.

🎯 Exam Tip: Jessica's shame reveals her feminine modesty despite her rebellious actions. The disguise is a practical necessity for her escape.

(iv) In what way is love blind in the context? Who is referred to as 'Cupid'? Why would he blush?
Answer: Love is blind in the context since it makes Jessica dress like a page-boy, steal jewellery and money from her house and be ready to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. Cupid is the classical god of love, who is always represented as a blind boy with bow and arrows. Jessica says that Cupid, the little blind god of love himself would be shocked and blush if he saw her dressed like a boy.
In simple words: Love is "blind" because it drives Jessica to cross social and religious boundaries, stealing and disguising herself to elope. Cupid, the blind god of love, would blush at her male attire, implying her actions are unconventional even for love.

🎯 Exam Tip: This use of "love is blind" highlights the extreme actions taken for love, particularly crossing religious and gender norms, and the classical allusion of Cupid adds a layer of ironic commentary.

(v) What is meant by a torch-bearer? In what way would Jessica hold a candle to her shames, if she were a torch-bearer?
Answer: Masquerades were dramatic performances where the players wore masks and costumes and took part in a torchlight procession playing drums and fife. Jessica was to carry the torchlight or candle. If she carries the candle, she will show up her shameful acts - her male attire, the casket containing her theft and the fact of her elopement.
In simple words: A torch-bearer carries a light in a procession. Jessica, as a torch-bearer, would ironically expose her "shames"-her male disguise, the stolen casket, and her elopement-to public view.

🎯 Exam Tip: The irony of Jessica being a "torch-bearer" underscores her fear of public exposure and the symbolic "light" cast on her hidden actions.

(vi) How is Jessica's feminine nature highlighted in the extract?
Answer: Jessica's feminine nature is highlighted in the extract. Her shyness at her male clothes shows her feminine modesty as in Elizabethan times women never wore men's clothes. Also she comes down from her house after making sure that the person, who has come to take her is Lorenzo, her lover.
In simple words: Jessica's modesty and embarrassment over her male disguise, along with her cautious approach to meet only Lorenzo, emphasize her feminine nature despite her bold actions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Despite her rebellion, Jessica retains traditional feminine traits like modesty, which adds complexity to her character.