India's Heroes, Comprehension Level Questions and Answers

India's Heroes

Extract I.

“ Wonderful” Mrs Baruah said……a person and wish to emulate.”

(i)             Who is Mrs Baruah? Give her full name. Why does she exclaim ‘Wonderful’?

 Mrs. Baruah is a teacher, teaching the students of Class Eight. Her full name is Mrs. Reeta Baruah. She exclaims ‘wonderful’ when, in response to her question about the number of students who have completed their assignment, all the forty students raise their hand in affirmation.

(ii) What assignment did Mrs. Baruah give and to whom? What is the strength of the class? How do we know that the children had done the assignment?

Mrs. Baruah gave an assignment to the students of Class Eight to write what they would like to be when they grew up. There were forty students in the class. All the forty student raised their hands in affirmation when Mrs. Baruah asked them if they had completed their assignment.

(ii)           What else does the author write at the start of the story, which tells us that the students were eager to speak in front of the classmates? What does their eagerness indicate?

 According to the author, the students fidgeted and shifted in their seats before Mrs. Baruah entered. This shows their eagerness to speak in front of their classmates. Their eagerness indicated that they had completed their assignment and were interested in sharing it with their classmates.

(iv) Who was the first speaker? What did he speak of? Who was his idol?

Ajit Basu was the first speaker. He spoke about his desire of becoming the best cricketer in the world. Sachin Tendulkar was his idol.

(v) Name the next two speakers. What did they want to be when they grew up?

The next two speakers were Gayatri Chhabra and Sanjay Damle. Gayatri wanted to become a social worker, whereas Sanjay Damle wanted to become a pilot.

(vi) What is your opinion of Mrs. Baruah with regard to her profession? Give reasons for your answer.

 Mrs. Baruah was an accomplished teacher, who had a student-centred approach of teaching.

(a) She gave the students an assignment with which they could relate themselves, i.e., to write what they would like to be when they grew up. Consequently, all the students brought their completed assignments.

(b) She was a strict disciplinarian. That is why the students maintained strict discipline in her class and spoke only when their turn came.

Extract II.

Clearing his throat, he began…..who laid down his life fighting the terrorists in Mumbai in November, 2008.

 (i) Whom does ‘he’ refer to in the extract? How would you describe him as a student?

‘He’ refers to Kabeer. Kabeer seems to be a hard working and intelligent student. Though he was shy at making speeches before the entire class, he put in extra efforts to complete his assignment. He not only wrote something different from his classmates but also presented it with such confidence that he drew everybody’s attention and evoked the emotions of both his classmates and his teacher.

 (ii) Was ‘he’ very confident as ‘he’ stoop up to speak before the entire class? What tells you so?

No, he was not confident when he stood up to speak before the entire class. This is evident from the fact that his hands shook slightly and beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead, both being signs of nervousness.

(iii) What did the other children speak about? How was this speaker’s speech different from that of the other students?

The other children spoke about becoming social workers, pilots, movie stars, sportsmen and politicians. The speaker, unlike his classmates who spoke about the famous and successful personalities, spoke about the unsung heroes of India who laid down their lives to save the lives of their fellow countrymen, during the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

(iii)         When did Major Sandeep Unnikrishanan become a part of the NSG? How had he served in the army before he joined the NSG?

 Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan joined NSG in January 2007. Before joining the NSG, he served two tenures with his battalion in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations.

(v) Write, in your own words, the reaction of the students as the speaker spoke about the life of Major Unnikrishnan. What do you think could be the reason for such a reaction?

When the speaker spoke about the life of Major Unnikrishnan, there was complete silence in the class and everybody listened attentively. This was because the students were listening about the extraordinary sacrifice of a braveheart, who laid down his life, fighting the terrorists. It was different from the accounts of people about whom they had listened from their other classmates.

Extract III.

“ He guessed that something was wrong………Vishnu Zende’s cabin, but it missed him.”

(i)             Who was Vishnu Zende? What made him guess that something was wrong?

 Vishnu Zende was an announcer with the Mumbai railways for ten years. When he heard a loud explosion at one end of the railway platform and saw bloodstains on the clothes of some people, he guessed that something was wrong.

(ii)  What does Vishnu Zende’s staying at his position, in the face of danger, tell us about him? How did his announcements help the people?

Vishnu Zende’s act of staying in his position, in the face of danger speaks volumes of his courage, his selfless devotion to his duty and his presence of mind in the face of calamity. Vishnu Zende’s announcements from the public address system at the railway plaform helped hundred of passengers to move out of the platform from a different exit and thus saved their lives.

(ii)           What is the scene outside the classroom as Kabeer speaks about Mr Zende? Are the students affected by it?

The scene outside the classroom was noisy with the chirping of the birds, honking of cars and the younger childen enjoying their recess. No, the students were not affected by it. They remained unconcerned with what was happening outside and focussed their attention on Kabeer’s speech.

(iv) Who is the next hero that Kabeer speaks about? What role did he play during the terrorist attacks on Mumbai?

The next hero Kabeer spoke about was Karambir Singh Kang, the General Manager of the Taj Hotel, Mumbai. He helped in evacuating the guests and his staff from the hotel. He continued his duty even on being informed that his own wife and children had died of suffocation in the same hotel.7

(iv)         What loss did this hero suffer in the terrorist attacks? How? What was his  reaction  to that irreparable loss?

 This hero lost his wife and his children, as they died of suffocation on being trapped in a room in the Taj Hotel, which was attacked by the terrorists. Despite suffering an irreparable loss of losing his entire family, Karambir Kang did not give up his duty and continued to evacuate the guests safely from the hotel.

(v)           What qualities of this hero does Kabeer mention in his speech? Why does he attribute these qualities to him?

 Kabeer mentioned Karambir Kang’s loyalty and devotion to his duty. He attributed these qualities to him because even after suffering an irreparable loss of losing his entire family, he did not quit his job and remained at the Taj hotel and helped to restore the heritage structure of the hotel.

Extract IV.

Hemant Karkare was a brave office……………to make our tomorrow terror-free.

(i)             What was Hemant Karkare’s designation during the Mumabi terrorist attacks? How did he do his duty during the attacks?

 Hemant Karkare was the Chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad. He pursued the terrorists in a jeep, without caring for his own life.

(ii) Who were Hemant Karkare’s other two companions? How did the three lose their lives?

Hemant Karkare’s companions included DIG Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar. The three lost their lives, when they were gunned down by terrorists, whom they were pursuing in a jeep.

(iii) What does the role of Hemant Karkare and his comrades during the Mumbai terrorist attacks tell us about them?

Hemant Karkare and his two comrades DIG Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar, were true patriots, who considered their duty before self and sacrificed their lives while fighting the terrorists.

(iv) What is the reaction of the speaker, the students and the teacher at this point in the story?

 The speaker had goose bumps on his arms whereas the students in his class became emotional. Their teacher, Mrs. Baruah became so emotional that tears welled up in her eyes.

(vi)         Who does Kabeer speak about next? What role did he play during the Mumbai terrorist attacks?

 Kabeer next spoke about Mohammed Taufeeq Sheikh, popularly known as Chottu Chaiwala, who ran a tea stall outside CST station, Mumbai. He helped to transport the victims of the terrorist attack to the nearby St. George Hospital and thus, saved their lives.

Extract V.

Sandra saved Moshe……..terrorists to be buried there.

(i)             Who was Sandra? How was she associated with Moshe?

 Sandra Samuel was an Indian nanny to two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg, who neither belonged to her nationality nor her religion. She saved Moshe’s life during the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, in which Moshe’s parents were killed.

(ii)  What does the action of the caretakers of Kabristans tell us about these people? What did they prove by their action?

The action of the caretakers of the Kabristans in refusing to allow the dead terrorists to be buried there tells us that they were above all social barriers. They proved by their action that man’s supreme duty is to love and respect other human beings and that no religion is above humanity.

(iii)  What, according to Kabeer, is the only true religion in this world? What do you think of him from his speech?

According to Kabeer, the only true religion in the world is love and respect for all human beings. From his speech, Kabeer comes out to be a person, who not only values courage, fearlessness, selflessness and caring for other but also practises it.

(iv)  What was the reaction of the class when Kabeer’s speech ended? What effect did his speech have on Mrs Baruah?

The whole class was touched by Kabeer’s speech. It stirred up their emotions and tears welled up in their eyes. Mrs. Baruah was on the verge of crying but she hid her tears from her students by dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

(v) What was Mrs. Baruah’s opinion of the students as she stood watching them at the end of Kabeer’s speech?

Mrs. Baruah felt proud to see her students cherish the virtues of peace, tolerance, sense of duty and selflessness. She was of the opinion that her students would act as pillars to uphold the virtues of peace, tolerance and selflessness in an India that would one day be terror free and lead the world.

The Professor, Comprehension Level Questions and Answers

The Professor

Extract I

By God’s grace……..family must have black sheep.

(i) What does the speaker mean by saying ‘all my children are well settled in life”?

The speaker wants to say that all his children, i.e., his sons are economically well off and his two daughters are happily married.

(ii) What does the speaker want to convey when he says, “ Both have cars?” What does it convey about the Indian society?

By saying, “Both have cars”, the speaker wants to convey that both his sons are well off and have a status in society. It conveys that in Indian society the worth of an individual is measured more by his financial status than anything else.

(iii) Who is the ‘Other’ referred to in the above lines? Why does the speaker  say that he is not  doing ‘so well’?

The “other” is a reference for the speaker’s third son. The speaker says that he is not doing “so well” because in comparison to his

other two sons, who have managerial jobs and are economically well off, he is not as successful as they are.

(iv) What does the speaker mean by ‘Every family must have black sheep”? Who is the black sheep in the speaker’s family? Why?

By saying, “Every family must have black sheep”, the speaker intends to say that in every family there is a person, who is different from the rest of the family and is an embarrassment to the family. The speaker considered his third son as the black sheep in his family because he was not as well off as his other two sons.

(v) How does the extract show that many Indians value economic success more than academic success?

The extract shows that Indians value economic success more than academic success through the speaker’s attitude, who measures the success of his two sons by their managerial jobs and the cars they owned.

Extract II

Sarala and Tarala are…….I am not against.

 (i) Who are ‘Sarala and Tarala’? Which practice of naming do they show in our society?

Sarala and Tarala are the speaker’s daughters. The practice of giving rhyming names to the siblings like ‘Sarala and Tarala’ is shown in this extract.

(ii) What does the speaker say about the marriage of his daughters? What trait of the Indian society is hinted at by the speaker’s comment about the marriage of Sarala and Tarala?

The speaker says that his two daughters ‘Sarala and Tarala’ are happily married to nice boys. The speaker’s comment about the marriage of Sarala and Tarala hints at the gender bias prevalent in Indian society, which considers the success of a man by his economic status and a woman’s by getting married to a nice boy.

(iii) What does the speaker mean when he says “ how many issues you have?” Whom is he asking this question?

 By saying, “How many issues you have”, the speaker wants to enquire from his student about the number of children he has. He is directing this question to his former student.

(iv) Why does the speaker say ‘That is good’? What is the ‘good’ that he is talking about?

 In reply to his former student’s remark that he has three children, the speaker says “That is good”. The speaker considers his student having three children as “good”.

(v) What is that which the speaker is not against? What is the irony in this statement?

The speaker is not against family planning. The irony in this statement is the fact that though the speaker says that he is not against family planning, yet he feels proud at having eleven grandchildren.

(vi)How far is the poem a satire on the urban Indian way of life?

 The poem The Professor is a satire on the urban Indian way of life as it satirises:

(a) the urban Indian society, which measures the success of a man by his economic success rather than his academic excellence.

(b) gender bias present in Indian society which believes that woman should be happily married and confined within the four walls of their domestic life.

(c) the pretence of the urban Indians, who consider it as a prestige to speak in a foreign language rather than their mother tongue.19

Extract III

We have to change……with leaps and bounds.

 (i) Why does the speaker say that ‘ We have to change with times?” What does it show about the character of the speaker?

The speaker says that “we have to change with times” because he feels that since the whole world is changing, so we should also change with the changing times. It shows the pretence of the speaker, who feels that we should change with the changing times, but in reality, he himself clings to the old traditions and does not want to change.

(ii) What is that with which India is also ‘keeping up’?

 India is “keeping up” with the changes and development going on in the world.

(iii)  What according to the speaker is happening  to ‘values’? Why?

According to the speaker, new values are replacing the old ones. He feels so because of the rapid changes taking place in society.

(iv) Why according to the speaker ‘Everything is happening with leaps and bounds’?

According to the speaker, “Everything is happening with leaps and bounds” because of the rapid changes and development that is taking place in Indian society and the world at large.

(v) The poet use of Present Continuous tense for simple present indicates the incorrect use of English by the Indians. Give two examples from the above extract of such usage.

 Examples of the use of Indian English in the extract are:

(a) We are keeping up. Our progress is progressing.

(b) Old values are going, new values are coming

Extract IV

I am going out rarely…..sound habits in youth.

(i) Why does the speaker say that he rarely goes out? What is the ‘price of old age’ which the speaker has to pay?

The speaker says that he rarely goes out because of his old age. The “price of old age” which the speaker has to pay is that he rarely goes out.

(ii) What does the speaker tell us about his health in the above lines?

 The speaker says that apart from usual aches and pains associated with old age, he is hale and hearty without any major disease like diabetes, blood pressure or heart attack.

(iii) What reason does the speaker ascribe for his good health?

The speaker ascribes his good health to sound habits practised by him in his youth.

(iv) What according to you might have been the ‘sound habits’ followed by the speaker  in his youth?

The sound habits followed by the speaker in his youth might have been — eating balanced diet, regular exercise and abstaining from smoking and drinking.

(v)  Explain the main theme of the poem.

The main theme of the poem is the hypocrisy and pretence of the urban Indian middle class, which measures the success of an individual in terms of wealth and status rather than academic excellence.

Extract V

This year I am sixty-nine….house’s backside

(i)  What does the speaker mean by saying ‘hope to score a century’?

By saying “hope to score a century”, the speaker wants to say that he hopes to live upto the age of hundred.

(ii) What is meant by ‘man of weight and consequecne’? To whom and why does the speaker say that he is a ‘man of weight and consequence?”

“Man of weight and consequence” means a man, who is physically healthy, economically sound and has a status in society. The speaker says these words to his former student because he finds him physically healthier than what he was earlier and also because of his status in society.

(iii) What is the ‘good joke’ the speaker is referring to in the above lines?

The “good joke” referred to by the speaker is that his former student, who is now healthier, once used to be thin like a stick.

(iv) Give an example of Indian English used by the speaker in the above lines.

Example of Indian English used by the speaker in the given lines is:

(a) You were so thin, like stick. (Stock usage of Indian English)

(b) If you were coming this side by chance. (Use of Present Continuous Tense instead of Simple Present Tense)

(c) I am living just on opposite house’s backside. (Direct translation of the local language)

(v) How far is the title of the poem appropriate?

 The title of the poem is quite apt because:

(a) the entire poem revolves around the character of a retired Professor, his life, his thoughts and actions.

(b) through the character of the Professor, the poet has ridiculed the urban, educated, middle class of India, its hypocrisy and pretense.

Act II, Scene I, Notes of the Merchant of Venice

 
                        Act II, Scene I

1.      Where does this scene take place? Who are present in the scene? What explanation does Morocco give for his dark complexion?

This scene takes place in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. People present are: Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, Nerissa and her attendants. Morocco says that he got his dark colour because of the fierce sun. He was born and brought up in a country where the sun is very close to the earth.

2.      What qualities does a creature born in north have? Why?

People born in  north are fair-skinned. This is because the sun’s rays are so faint in the north that they are hardly able to melt the frost, snow and icicles.

3.      Who is Phoebus and what is meant by Phoebus’ fire? What test does the speaker  propose, to prove ‘whose blood is reddest’?

Phoebus in Greek mythology is one of the names of the Sun God, Appollo. Phoebus’ fire means the rays of the sun. Morocco proposes that he should be matched with any fair-skinned man born in the north. They should open their veins to see whose blood is redder. Red blood was considered to be sign of courage.

4.      What effect does the physical appearance of Morocco have on the brave men and the prettiest women of his country?

Morocco’s physical appearance frightened the brave men whereas the prettiest women admired and loved it.

5.      On what condition is the speaker  prepared to change his dark complexion?

The speaker is prepared to change his dark complexion only to win over Portia’s favour.

6.      What idea do you get about the character of the Prince of Morocco from the extract?

From the extract we know that the prince of Morocco is a warrior and self-assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better than other people. He boasts of his red blood and the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles and the best maidens.

1.      What is the lottery of Portia’s destiny?  How does it prevent her from the right of voluntary choosing?

Lottery of Portia’s destiny refers to the lottery devised according to her deceased father’s will. According to the lottery, each suitor has to choose from amongst the three caskets of gold, silver and lead the one containing Portia’s portrait. The suitor who will choose the correct casket will win Portia’s hand in marriage. The lottery of caskets designed by her father, thus prevents Portia from exercising her freedom of choice. The suitor, who will  make the right choice will win her as wife.

2.      Give the meaning of:

But if my father had not scanted me,

And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself

His wife who wins me by that means I told you,

These lines mean: “ If I had not  been limited and restricted by my father’s wisdom and obliged to accept for a husband the one who will succeed in winning me by the means I have told you.”

3.      How prudent was Portia’s father to have arranged her marriage through a lottery? Give a reason  for your answer.

Portia’s father was prudent to have arranged for her marriage through a lottery. We see that  at the end the wisdom of her father prevails and she is won as wife by Bassanio whom she loves and admires.

4.      Give the brief character sketch of the Prince of Morocco in this scene.

Form the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior and self-assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better than other people. He boasts of his red blood and the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles and the best of maidens. He admits that the lottery of the caskets has no consideration for heroism and can be won by anyone, even an undeserving  candidate. He harps  on the idea of chance-choice, lottery, destiny, choosing, fortune and hazards.

5.      Do you agree with Portia’s statement that the Prince of Morocco stands as fair a chance as the other suitors? Give a reason to justify your opinion.

Portia does not really mean that Morocco had a good chance of winning her love, because in Act I, Scene 2 she holds her former suitors in contempt. She thinks the same of Morocco because he is boastful. Portia treats him with perfect courtesy and tact and speaks as if she holds him in high esteem.

Extract III

1.      What is meant by a ‘scimitar’? What conquests did Morocco make by using his scimitar?

‘Scimitar’ means sword. By using his sword, Morocco had slain the Emperor of Persia and a Persian Prince, who had defeated Sultan Solyman of Turkey thrice.

2.      State two of the brave deeds Morocco is prepared to carry out in order to win Portia.

The brave deeds Morocco is prepared to perform in order to win Portia are:

a)      To challenge the most brave warrior on earth

b)      Snatch away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear and dare her wrath

3.      Who are Hercules and Lichas? What could happen if they were to play a game of dice? In what way is this example applicable to Morocco?

In Greek Mythology, Hercules was renowned  for his manliness, strength and exploits. Lichas was his servant. According to the legend, once Hercules and Lichas were playing a game of dice. By chance, the winning throw came from Lichas. This example is applicable to Morocco since his fame, wealth and achievements are of no help to him to win Portia. He is forced to take his chance against any inferior rival.

4.      Why is the fortune said to be blind? What does Morocco fear since the blind fortune is leading him to choose the casket?

The goddess fortune is usually represented blindfolded. Fortune is said to be blind due to the unaccountable variations in her dispensation of favours to mankind. He fears that as the blind fortune is leading him to choose the right casket, the outcome depends only on chance as in a game of dice.

5.      What final instruction does Portia give to Morocco before he is led to  make the choice?

Before he is led to make the choice, Portia tells Morocco that he must take a chance. He must either leave the matter altogether and not make the attempt or swear in the Chapel before choosing, that if he makes the wrong choice, he will never again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.

6.      Why does Portia ask Morocco to go to the temple before he makes the choice of the casket?

Before he makes the choice of the casket, Portia asks Morocco to go to the temple to swear on oath that if he makes the wrong choice, he will never again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.

Notes of The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene III

The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene III

Extract I

Bassanio: 

For the which, as I told you…………………

Bassanio:

Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

11. Give the conditions to which Antonio is bound. How wise was Antonio to bind himself to such conditions?

Antonio is bound to a bond according to which if he fails to repay the amount in due time, Shylock will be entitled to take an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body that he may wish. It was very unwise of Antonio to misjudge Shylock’s intentions and sign such a fatal bond.

22.  Give the meaning of:

May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?

Can you help me and will you do me this favour?

33.   Shylock says that Antonio is a good man. What does Shylock mean with the connotation ‘good’?

When Shylock says the above words, he means that Antonio is a reliable man, whose surety is sufficient to give a loan. 

4.   Enumerate the possible threats to Antonio’s business ventures as stated by Shylock, after the above extract.

Shylock enumerates the possible dangers to Antonio’s merchandise-ships being only planks of wood are apt to be broken; the mariners being merely human beings, are liable to be drowned; there are pirates on the waters; and there are all the dangers of the ocean from the gales, tempests and dangerous rocks. 

5.  How can it be proved that Antonio is a prudent businessman but he is overconfident?

Antonio can considered as a prudent businessman as his wealth is distributed over the whole world. one of Antonio’s ship is on its journey to Tripolis, another is bound for the Indies, a third is voyaging to Mexico, fourth to England and others to various other distant places. He is so overconfident of his riches that he agrees to an unreasonable and dangerous bond. 

Extract II

Shylock:

How like a fawining publican……….most do congregate

1.     What is meant by ‘a fawning publican’? Give three reasons why Shylock hates Antonio.

Publicans were tax collectors for the Romans and were generally oppressive. They were hated by the Jews because they were the agents of Rome, who collected taxes also from the Jews. Publican is a natural term of contempt and loathing in the mouth of a Jew. Shylock hats Antonio because he is a Christian, lends money without interest and hurls abuses on him. 

2.     Give the meaning of the following:

a)     Low simplicity: Childish foolishness

b)    Gratis: Free of interest

c)     Rate of usance: rate of interest

3.     Write the meaning of the following in your own words:

I can catch him once upon the hip,

I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him

The above words mean that if Shylock could get hold of Antonio at a disadvantage or in a weak spot, he will satisfy fully the long-standing hatred he has against him. 

4.     What old grudge does Shylock have against Antonio?

Shylock had a long-standing grudge against Antonio because Antonio was a Christian and looked upon the holy Jewish race with contempt. He used to lend money without interest. He even spat on Shylock, kicked him and called a ‘cut-throat dog.’

5.     What does the ‘sacred nation’ refer to? What insults has Antonio heaped upon Shylock? 

‘The Sacred Nation’ is a reference to the holy Jewish race. Antonio insults Shylock for his business deals and for earning profit by lending money on interest. 

6.     How does Shylock plan to get the money immediately? What light does this extract throw on Shylock’s character?

Shylock plans to get money immediately from a wealthy fellow-Jew, Tubal. It shows that Shylock wants to execute the bond as soon as possible and use the chance to take his revenge on Antonio.

Extract  III

Shylock:

When Jacob grazed……….

Shylock:

Should fall as Jacob’s hire.

1. What topic is referred to in the extract? Who were Jacob and Abhraham?

The topic referred to in the extract is lending money for interest. Jacob was the second son of Issac who became the third successor to Abraham. Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew nation and Jacob’s grandfather.

2. Give the story of Jacob who got his share as his payment from Laban.

Laban was Jacob’s uncle. Jacob and Laban entered into an agreement that Jacob would receive as his wages the lambs which were born with spots or stripes. During the breeding season, Jacob arranged the wooden rods in such a way that the shadows of the rods should fall on the sheep. Consequently, most of the lambs were born spotted or stripped, and thus, they became Jacob’s property.

3. What is the difference between taking interest and receiving payment for one’s labour?. 

Taking interest means to charge specific amounts on the money given as loan for a specified period. Receiving payment for one’s labour means to take remuneration for one’s service rendered. This is legitimate while taking interest is not in order. 

4. What role did Jacob’s wise mother play to make him the third possessor?

Esau and Jacob were Issac’s sons. Issac wanted to bless his elder son Esau but would do so after he brought him some savoury meant. Jacob’s mother Rebecca overheard this conversation. She wanted to get this blessing for Jacob. She told Jacob to fetch two goats to make a savoury dish. Rebecca then asked Jacob to go to his blind father with the savoury meat. In this way, Jacob, through the crafty assistance of his mother, got the blessing of his father.   

5.How does Antonio interpret Jacob’s success after this extract?

After this extract, Antonio tells Shylock that it was purely a matter of chance in Jacob’s case. He had no control over it himself, but providence guided and governed the event. It was not a matter in the hands of men, like the taking of interest. 

Extract IV

Antonio: 

 Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?

….for all use of that which is mine own.

1.     What is meant by ‘shall we be beholding to you’? What is Rialto?

‘Shall we be beholding to you’-this statement was made by Antonio and he wants to say to Shylock, “Are you going to lend us money?”

Rialto was the Venetian Stock Exchange where the merchants met for the transaction of business.

2.     Give some examples to show that Shylock was ill-treated by Antonio. How did Shylock react to Antonio’s insults?

Shylock speaks of his ill-treatment at the hands of Antonio. He says that Antonio had spat upon    his Jewish robe in contempt and called him an unbeliever and a cur. He had also spat upon his beard. On another day, he had pushed him aside with his foot as if he were a stray dog being kicked out of his house. Shylock reacted to Antonio’s insults patiently. 

3.     Why did Shylock bear Antonio’s insults patiently?

Shylock bore Antonio’s insults patiently since, as a shrewd Jew, he was waiting for an opportune time to take revenge on Antonio. Earlier, in the scene Shylock admits that patience is the badge of his race.

4.     Give the causes, financial and racial, for Shylock’s hatred for Antonio.

Financially Antonio is a threat to Shylock’s money lending business because he lends money without charging interest and thus brings down the rate of interest charged by money lenders. Besides, he hates Antonio since he is a Christian, who despises the Jewish race.

5.     What is the need for Antonio to borrow money from his enemy?

Antonio needs to borrow money from his enemy Shylock to give it to Bassanio, his friend so that he can go to Belmont  to woo the rich lady Portia. 

6.     Which trait of Shylock’s character emerges in this scene?

In this scene, Shylock is presented as shrewd, cunning and crafty. However, the most evident trait of his character is that of revenge- to take revenge on Antonio for all the insults heaped on him by Antonio. He is eager to execute the bond-document for this purpose.

Extract V

Shylock: 

Why, look you, how you scorn!

…..kind I offer.

1.     What were the ‘shames’ which stained Shylock?

Shylock is referring to the insults hurled on him by Antonio such as speaking abusively of him and his money-lending, spitting on him, kicking him, calling him a dog and ridiculing the Jews.

2.     What is meant by ‘the present wants’? On what terms is the speaker willing to supply the wants?

‘The present wants’ refer to the immediate need of Antonio-three thousand ducats to provide for Bassanio’s trip to Belmont to woo Portia. The speaker is ready to supply the wants provided Antonio signs a bond, according to which if Antonio is unable to pay him the money on the specified date, the penalty to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

3.     How does Antonio storm Shylock? Why was Shylock willing to lend money without interest? 

Antonio storms Shylock by saying that in future too he is likely to abuse and disgrace him and that he should lend the money as to an enemy rather than a friend. He challenges him exact the penalty if he fails to repay on time. Shylock is willing to lend the money without interest because he wants to trap Antonio in a fatal bond and take his revenge.

4.     What did the speaker propose to do immediately after this?

Immediately after this, the speaker proposes to Antonio to accompany him to a lawyer and execute a bond with his signature wherein the forfeit to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

5.     What is meant by Shylock when he says: “This is kind I offer’?

‘This is kind I offer you’ means this is the kindness that I offer you. This refers to his lending of money without charging any interest on it. 

6.     Who is the third person, present at the scene? Why is he reluctant to agree to Shylock’s terms?

The third person present at the scene is Bassanio. He is reluctant to agree to Shylock’s terms because he did not trust the kind words uttered by Shylock. He tells Antonio that he will not  have him make such an agreement on his account. He would rather remain as poor as he is now and do without his wants supplied at such a price. 

Extract VI

Shylock;

Go with me to a notary…….pleaseth me.

1.     Who is a notary? Whom does Shylock want to take to the notary? Why?

A notary is a lawyer who has the authority to execute official and legal dealings and agrrements.  Shylock want to take Antonio to the notary to sign the bond document which stipulates that the forfeit to be paid will be a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

2.      Give the meaning of:

a)     Single bond: agreement in which Antonio will be the only signatory

b)    Merry sport: for a pleasant joke.

3.     What does Bassanio say to prevent Antonio from signing the bond?

Bassanio tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an agreement on his account. He adds that he would rather remain as poor as he is now and do without his wants supplied at such a price.

4.     Why is Antonio confident that there is no danger in signing the bond? What aspect of Antonio’s character is shown in this incident?

Antonio is confident that there is no danger in signing the bond because he is confident that one month before the date of payment, his ships  will have brought nine times the amount they are borrowing and they will not have to pay the penalty. This incident shows Antonio’s overconfidence and generosity towards Bassnio.

5.     Why does Shylock insist on a pound of Antonio’s flesh in the bond? Which aspect of his character is shown in his absurd demand?

Shylock insists on a pound of Antonio’s flesh to take revenge on him and to put him completely at his mercy. Shylock’s hatred for Antonio and Christians is shown in his absurd demand. Taking advantage of the situation, he wants to take revenge on Antonio and all Christians, who persecuted him and his race.