Notes of The Merchant of Venice, Act II Scene 7

Act II, Scene 7

Extract I

Portia:

Go draw aside the curtains…..make your choice

1.     Who is asked to draw aside the curtains? Who is asked to make his choice?

Portia asks one of her attendants to pull apart the curtains so that the different caskets are made visible. The prince Morocco is asked to make the choice.

2.     What does Portia say later to the prince regarding the right casket?

After reading the inscription on the three caskets, Morocco asks Portia how he will know if he chooses the right casket. Portia replies that her portrait will be in the right  casket. If he selects that one, then she will be his wife.

3.     Which casket does the Prince of Morocco finally choose? What are the reasons for his choice?

The Prince of Morocco finally chooses the golden casket. Morocco argues that base lead cannot  contain such a saintly person like Portia. Silver which is ten times inferior to gold also cannot hold Portia as he is such a rich gem. So he concludes that Portia, whom many men desire  and is most precious must be contained  in the golden  casket. Besides, the English have a gold coin which with the figure of an angel engraved on it. Portia is an angel and hence her portrait may be in the golden casket.

4.     For what reasons does the prince reject the other two caskets?

He rejects the base lead arguing that it cannot contain such a noble person like Portia  and silver which is ten times inferior to gold cannot contain Portia as she is such a rich gem.

5.     What does the prince find when he opens the casket?

When the prince opens the casket he finds a skull and in its eyeless socket a scroll.

6.     How does the prince bid farewell to Portia? What does Portia say when the prince leaves the place?

Morocco bids farewell to Portia with the warm-heartedness of a lover and says he must accept the cold comfort of the rejected. He says that his sorrow is too great for many words. Those who have lost their hearts’ desire depart thus sadly.

When the prince leaves the place, Portia calls it a good riddance and wishes that every suitor like him should make a similar choice.

Extract II

Morocco

Who chooseth me shall……in love I do deserve.

1.  On which casket do the words, who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves?

On the silver casket

2. Why does Morocco initially doubt his worth to deserve the lady?

Morocco initially doubts his worth to deserve the lady because he thinks that though by his own standard, his merits may be very high, yet those merits may not be sufficient enough to deserve Portia, as her reputation is greater than his.

3. Why does he change his mind and say that he deserves the lady?

Morocco, after having doubts about his worth to win Portia, later on changes his mind. He feels that he deserves Portia because of his royal birth, his wealth, his virtues and his upbringing. Above all, he is worthy of her because of his deep affection for her.

4. Give the meaning of:

A) And weigh thy value with an even hand

And compare your personal worth impartially.

B) A weak disabling of myself

A sign of weakness which would bring discredit  on myself.

5. Why does Morocco think that Portia’s picture is not in the lead casket?

Morocco read the inscription on the lead casket which stated that whosoever selects it must  be prepared to give all and to risk everything. Morocco declares that no one except a fool will be prepared to risk everything for the sake of dull lead. He argues that lead cannot contain such a noble person like Portia.

Extract III

From the  four corners of the earth…..to see fair Portia.

1.     Who speaks these words? Where is he? What has he said about his courage in an earlier scene?

The prince Morocco speaks these words. He is in a room in Portia’s house getting ready to make his choice of caskets. In an earlier scene, Morocco said that with his sword he had slain the emperor of Persia and a Persian Prince, who had defeated Solyman of Turkey thrice. He boasted that  he was courageous enough to confront  a hungry lion, defy the most valiant warrior on earth and face the wrath of a mother-bear by separating its young ones from her.

2.     What is the significance of the words Shrine and Saint in the context?

Shrine is a place where any sacred relic of a holy  person  or the image of a saint is kept. In this context, the saint is Portia and the shrine is Belmont. The breathing saint is a reference to Portia. Morocco says that people came from every part of the globe to worship at the holy place which enshrines this living object of adoration-Portia.

3.     What warning is given by Porita to the speaker before he makes the choice?

Before he makes the choice, the speaker is told by Portia that the correct casket contains her picture and if he chooses it, she will be his wife.

4.     Who are ‘they’ that are referred to  in the extract? What difficulties do they face while coming?

‘They’ the  refers to the many suitors who come to Belmont from all parts of the globe to woo Portia. While coming they travel through Persian deserts, wilderness of Arabia and even cross the ocean.

5.     Give the meaning of:

a) Hyrcanian deserts

Hyrcania was a province of the ancient Persian empire. Hyrcanian deserts were deserts lying in the South of Caspian sea.

b) Watery kingdom: The oceans and its fierce waves do not stop suitors

6.  Why does the speaker reject the lead casket?

The speaker rejects the lead casket since on it was written that whoever selects it must be prepared to give all and to risk everything for the dull lead. He thinks lead is too crude a metal even to enclose the winding sheet when she is buried in the grave. He asserts that the lead casket cannot hold Portia’s picture and so he rejects it.

Because silver is ten times inferior to gold and such a rich gem can never be set in anything less than gold.

Extract IV

Or shall I think in silver she’s immured…….and thrive I as I may.

1.  Why does the prince think that Portia’s picture not in the silver casket?

Sinful thought is the thought that Portia is contained in the silver casket because silver has only a tenth of the value of gold and a rich gem like Portia can never be set in anything less than gold.

2. What is the sinful thought, why is it so?

Sinful thought is the thought that Portia is contained in the silver casket because silver has only a tenth of the value of gold and a rich gem like Portia can never be set in anything less than gold.

3. Describe the coin referred to in the extract. What is the difference between an angel on the coin and the angel in the casket?

The coin referred to in the extract is the gold coin in England on which the figure of Archangel Michael standing and piercing a dragon was engraved on one side. The coin was called an angel and its value was about ten shillings.

Morocco says that the figure of the angel on the coin is engraved on the surface of the coin. It is outside, whereas Portia is an angel, who lies on a golden bed within the casket entirely hidden from view.

4. After opening the casket, the Prince finds a dead skull and a scroll. Explain what is written on the scroll?

On the scroll it is written that things which make the most brilliant show are not always the truest metal. For the sake of mere gold, hundreds have risked and sacrificed their lives. Costly gold plated tombs may be erected, but they have no real value. Decay and death are all they contain.

5.Explain how the theme of appearance and reality is shown in the choice made by the prince.

Write your own opinion.

Notes of The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene 6

Act II, Scene 6

Extract I

Gratiano:  And it is marvel he out-dwells……..are with more spirit chased than enjoyed.

1.     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?

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.

2.      Who is Venus? How do the Venu’s pigeons behave as far as love is concerned?

In Greek mythology, Venus is the goddess of love. Salarino comments that the doves that draw the chriot 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.

3.     How does Gratiano explain in the extract the state of people in love?

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.

4.     Give the meaning of:

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

5.     Explain the meaning of:

 Where is the horse that doth untread again

His tedious measures with the unabated fire

The above lines mean that you will not find even a house travel again over the same  road on its return journey with the same energy and animation with which it set out.

6.     All things that are,

Are with more spirit chased than enjoyed

How far is this statement brought out by giving  the example of a ship?

It 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.

Extract II

Lorenzo:

Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode…..who’s within?

1.     Where is Lorenzo and who are his sweet friends?

Lorenzo is in the street outside Shylock’s house. His sweet  friends are Salarino and Gratiano.

2.     What did his friends say about the  anxiety of those  in love?

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.

3.     What were the affairs that kept the speaker away so long?

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.

4.     What is meant by ‘to play the thieves for wives’? How apt are these  remarks in the context?

‘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.

5.     What does Lorenzo ask Jessica to do later in the scene? What is Jessica’s reaction to his request?

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.

6.     Who appears on the stage after the extract? In what condition does the person appear?

After this extract, Jessica appears on the stage. She appears on the stage dressed in a boy’s clothes, as a page-boy.

Extract III

Jessica:

Here, catch this casket…..thus transformed to a boy.

1.     What do you think is sent down in the casket? How can you conclude that the contents in the casket are valuable?

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.

2.     What is meant by ‘I am much ashamed of my exchange.’? Why is the exchange needed?

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.

3.     In what way is love blind in the context? Who is referred to as Cupid? Why would he blush?

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 bows 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.

4.     What is meant by a torch bearer? In what way Jessica would hold a candle to her shames, if she were a torch bearer?

Masquerades were dramatic performances where players wore masks and costumes and took part in a torch like procession playing drums and fife. Jessica was to carry the torch light 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.

5.     Give the meaning of:

Why it’s an office of discovery, love;

And I should be obscured

These lines mean: ‘The duty of a torch bearer would expose me to all when I should be concealed.’ Jessica means that her shameful disguise of a pageboy’s dress is too frivolous and Lorenzo should not light them further by having her as a torchbearer.

6.     How is Jessica’s feminine nature is highlighted in the extract?

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. 

Notes of A Face in the Dark

A Face in the Dark

Extract I

From before Kipling’s time, the school had been run……..the school for several years.

1.    Who was Mr Oliver? What was his usual leisure activity?

Mr Oliver was an Anglo-Indian teacher, who was teaching in a school, located three miles away from Shimla. He would usually walk down to the Shimla Bazar and would return after dark by taking a shortcut through the pine forest.

2.    What was called ‘Eton of the East’? Why?

The all-boys school in Shimla, in which Mr Oliver was a teacher has been called ‘Eaton of the East.’

Eton college is one of the most reputable  and expensive English boarding school for boys in Eton, Berkshire, near Windsor(UK). Mr Olvier’s school was called ‘Eton of the East’ because the school had been run on English public school lines and the boys, were mostly from wealthy Indian families.

3.    What kind of weather was there on the night when Oliver was returning to his school? How does it add to the setting of the story?

According to the spirit of the story, the author has created an eerie atmosphere in the story. It was night time and a strong wind was blowing, the pine trees were making mysterious sounds, indicating that something evil was likely to happen. The batteries of Oliver’s torch were running down, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspense.

4.    What did Oliver encounter while coming back to school one night? What did he do after that?

While walking back to school one night, he encountered a boy sitting alone on a rock whose head was hung down and whose face was held in his own hands.

After seeing the boy, Oliver stopped near the boy and asked him what he was doing there and why he was crying.

Extract II

“What are you doing out here……felt distinctly uneasy.

1.    Where did Mr Oliver find the boy? What did he notice about the boy?

Walking through the pine forest to return to school, Oliver found the boy sitting on a rock.

He noticed that the boy was crying with his head hung down and his face held in his hands.

2.    Why do you think the boy was called a miscreant? In what condition   was he found by Oliver?

A miscreant is a person who has done some mischief. Boys were  not supposed to be out after dark. Thus the boy sitting alone on the rock in the night forced the author to call him a miscreant.

3.    How did Mr Oliver express his concern for the boy? How did the boy react to it?

Mr Oliver asked him what he was doing there and why he was crying. The boy did not respond and continued to sob. Oliver again enquired what was troubling him and asked him to look up.

4.    How can you explain the boy’s ‘strange, soundless weeping’?

The boy’s strange , boundless weeping that Oliver heard could be explained on the basis  that Oliver was lonely man caught in psychological fears who was imagining frightening and scary things. Thus all Oliver encountered was ‘soundless weeping’ and ‘faceless’ faces.

5.    What strange revelation took place when the boy finally looked up at Oliver?

When the boy finally looked up at Oliver, it was  revealed that the boy had no face. It was without eyes, ears, nose or mouth. It was just a round  head with  a school cap on it.

Extract III

The torch fell from his trembling hand……Why are you running?

1.    Whose ‘trembling hand’ is referred to in the above extract? Why was trembling?

Oliver’s ‘trembling hand’ is referred to here.  It was trembling, as Oliver was horrified to see that the boy’s  face was  featureless, without eyes, ears, nose or mouth.

2.    Explain the sentence:

“ He returned and scrambled down the path, running blindly through the trees.”

The ‘faceless’ boy terrified Oliver so much so that he immediately turned and in panic  ran blindly through the forest  to call for help.

3.    What did Oliver answer the watchman’s questions in the extract above?

Oliver told the watchman that he had  encountered  something  horrible  that night-a  ‘faceless’ boy weeping in the forest.

4.    The story ends with a thrilling  climax. Do you agree? Why?

Oliver ran away from the faceless boy and called for help. He saw a lantern swinging in the middle of the path. What followed  next was a thrilling  climax as Oliver while running  stumbled up to a watchman only to find  that he too was faceless, with no features or even eyebrows. The climax is reached when the wind blew out the lamp, leaving the readers to imagine what might have happened to Oliver.

5.    Comment on the appropriateness of the title.

The title A Face in the Dark is suitable as it describes a strange experience of Mr Oliver, the protagonist of the story. Oliver, on his way back at night, meets a boy in an isolated place sitting on a rock. A close look at the boy horrifies him as he has no face-no eyes, ears, nose or mouth. As he runs horrified by the strange experience, he meets the watchman who is also without a face. Thus, the boy and the watchman, who appeared to be having a face in the dark, did not have a face when seen in light. 

Notes of After Blenheim

Notes of After Blenheim

Extract I

And the old man shook his head……..great victory.

i)                Who was the old man? Who else were with him? Where were they?

Kasper was the old man. His grandchildren Peterkin and Wilhelmine were with him. They were sitting in the sun before their cottage door.

ii)              Why did the old man shake his head and had a natural sigh? Who found the skull?

Kasper shook his head with a sigh to reflect his disappointment at the war that took place years ago only to devour innocent lives.

iii)            Where was the skull found? Why does the speaker say that the skull was some ‘poor’ fellow?

The skull was found beside the small stream where Peterkin was playing. The skull belonged to one of the many innocent people who lost their lives in the tragic war. The poor fellow became a victim of the war.

iv)            How common were the skulls there? At which place many of them could be found?

The skulls were a common  sight there. Many of them could be found in the garden or in the field that Kasper used to plough.

v)              What victory is referred to in the extract? Who was responsible for the victory?

The victory of England in the war of the Spanish Succession (1702-1715) is referred to here.

Duke of Marlborough and Savoy’s Prince Eugene were responsible for this victory.

Extract II

Now you tell us what ‘twas…….what they fought each other for

1.    Which topic is being discussed in the extract? Who were Peterkin and Wilhelmine? Whom was Peterkin questioning?

The cause of the war in which many innocent people  were killed is being discussed here. Peterkin and Wilhelmine were innocent grandchildren of old Kasper. Peterkin was questioning his grandfather, Kasper.

2.    In the context of the poem, what special significance do the adjectives young and little have?

The adjectives ‘young’ and ‘little’ are important to highlight the innocence and purity of Peterkin and Wilhelmine. It is through their innocence that the poet , has condemned the war.

3.    What is meant by ‘wonder-waiting eyes’? Which figure of speech is used here? Why did Wilhelmine look up with such eyes?

‘wonder-waiting eyes’ is used for Wilhelmine, who was expecting to know the casue of the war from her  grandfather. The figure of speech used here is alliteration.

She looked up with such eyes because she could not  comprehend the cause of the war. It filled her with wonder. She anticipated to get a favourable answer from Kasper.

4.    Who fought the battle? Was Peterkin given a satisfactory reply? What does the reply show about a common man’s attitude towards war?

The battle was fought between the English and the French forces. Peterkin was not given a satisfactory reply. Kasper did not know the cause of the war but still referred to the victory as great. It shows that a common man’s ignorance and complacency about the cause and purpose of war.

5.    Give a brief character sketch of Kaspar.

Kasper was a farmer. He was loving grandfather as he spent time with his grandchildren and tried to answer their queries. Kasper was an old man, who was disappointed with the outcome of the war. However, he was complacent about the cause of war and had accepted  the loss of innocent lives as the inevitable price of victory in the war.

Extract III

With fire and sword the country……at every famous country.

1.    Which country is referred to in the extract? What is meant by ‘was wasted far and wide’?

The country referred to is Blenheim, which is the English name for the German village of Blindheim, situated on the left bank of the Danube River in Bavaria in Southern Germany. It refers to the death and destruction caused by the war.

2.    What did the speaker say about the effects of the battle on his own family?

The speaker tells that during the war his father lived by a stream at Blenheim. As a  result of the war, his father’s house was burnt which forced  him to flee with his wife and child, Kasper. They were thus rendered homeless.

3.    What is meant by ‘a childing mother’? Why do you think the poet specifically points out that ‘many a childing mother….newborn baby died’?

‘Childing mother’ is a phrase used for a mother expecting a baby. The poet specifically refers to the deaths of childing mothers and newborn babies to underline not only the horrors of war but also the irony of a famous victory.

4.    What do the last two lines in the extract tell you about the attitude of the speaker towards the events that he is narrating? What are your  feelings for the speaker?

The speaker has been conditioned by the prepatrators of war in such a way that he readily accepted the loss of innocent lives as the price for victory in the war. I pity for the speaker as he sighed at the sight of a poor fellows skull but his conditioning was such that he justified war.

5.    By referring to the incidents in the poem, state how After Blenheim can be said to be an anti-war poem?

After Blenheim has a scathing criticism of the horrors of war. it shows that international diplomacy, politics and war are matters which are cut off from the lives of common men. In an outburst of praise for the heroes who won the war Old Kasper reveals the typical inability of an ordinary citizen to grasp the reason why the war took place.

Extract IV

They say it was a shocking…..a famous victory.

1.    To whom does ‘they’ in the extract refer?

They refers to those who must have reported  the entire battle scene and its after effects to Kasper.

2.    Why do you think the sight was shocking even when the battle was won?

The sight was shocking because the war was won at the price of thousands of lives. The sight of many thousand bodies lying rotting in the sun was gruesome.

3.    What is the tone of the last two lines of the extract? What, according to you, the poet want to convey in these lines?

The tone is ironical and sarcastic. The poet wants to question the utility of waging a war, which causes destruction of both human lives and property.

4.    What was the occupation of the speaker of these lines? How do you know about his occupation?

Old Kasper appears to be a farmer by profession. He lived in a cottage in a countryside, where there was a stream nearby and he mentioned that he used to find many skulls while ploughing the field. This indicates his profession.

5.    State clearly how the poet creates an atmosphere of devastation caused by war in the poem.

The devastation caused by war is reflected through the following:

The presence of skulls all over the field,

Kasper’s family rendered homeless when Kasper’s father’s dwelling was burnt,

The deaths of expecting mothers and newborn babies,

The gruesome sight of dead bodies lying on the battle field and rotting.

Extrace V

Great praise the Duke….famous victory

1.    Who was Duke of Marlbro? Why did he win great praise?

Duke of Marlbro was an English General. He was the Commander of British forces in the War of the Spanish Succession. He was  prised because he defeated the French forces.

2.    Who was Prince Eugene? Why does the poet refer to  him as   ‘our good Prince Eugene?

Prince Eugene was an Austrian General, born in France. He is referred to as ‘our good Prince Eugene’ because with Marlborough, he defeated the French at Blenheim.

3.    What ‘thing’ according to Wilhelmine was wicked? Do you agree with her comment? Give reason to support your answer.

Wilhelmine did not approve the praise that Duke and Prince Eugene received because she considered their act of killing innocent people in the name of victory was wicked.

Yes, her comment is appropriate as it is the common man who has to suffer where the politicians and the rulers escape and idly boast of wars.

4.    State briefly the moral of the poem, After Blenheim.

The poem disapproves of any war as it brings with itself death, devastation, loss and grief. The poet conveys that great victories are rendered useless when everything  else is lost.

5.    What according to you is the relevance of the poem in contemporary times? Give reasons to support your answer.

The poem is relevant as it has a universal appeal. The poem is timeless and can be read irrespective of the time it was written. It is the common man and innocent children who suffer in a war. Modern politicians dismiss the deaths of innocent  people in war by referring to them with the impersonal phrase: collateral damage.