Merchant of Venice

Act - 3
Scene – 2

Extract - 1

1. Where does this scene take place? What is meant by the first line of the extract?
Answers: This scene takes place in a room in Portia's house at Belmont. The first line refers
to Portia's maidenly modesty according to which she has no other choice except to think,
though she may not express her thoughts Portia says enough to convey to Bassanio that she
loved him. She is doubtful whether Bassanio has understood what she has said and wanted
to explain further. But then she is taken over by her maidenly modesty.

2. What reason does Portia give at the end of her speech for speaking so long? What
does this show about her feelings towards Bassanio?
Answer: At the end of her speech, Portia says that she spoke at length to stretch the time and
delay to the fullest extent Bassanio's act of choosing the caskets. This shows that she has
feelings of love for Bassanio and does not want to lose him soon. In her speech, she repeats
her wish to make him stay in Belmont for a month or two before he hazards the choice of the
caskets.

3. Why can't Portia teach Bassanio to choose the correct casket? If Bassanio were to
make an incorrect choice what would Portia have wished?
Answer: Portia cannot teach Bassanio to choose the correct casket as she has promised her
father not to reveal the secret of the caskets to anyone. She would never break her pledged
word. If Bassanio were to make an incorrect choice, Portia would have wished that she had
broken her promise.

4. Give the meaning of:

Beskrew your eyes,
They have o'erlookd me and divided me;
Answer: The above lines mean, 'May your eyes be confounded. They have cast a. Spell on me
and divided me'. Portia says that Bassanio's eyes have cast a spell on her and divided her for
she no longer seems to be herself. She says that half of her belongs to him and the other half
to her. Even if the latter halt is hers, it would still be his. So she is entirely his.

5. What light does the extract throw on the character of Portia as a daughter and as a
lover?
Answer: The extract shows that as a lover, Portia loves Bassanio and does not want to lose
him and wants to detain him with her for a month or two. Also she wants to train him how
to choose the right casket. She says that Bassanio's eyes have bewitched her and divided her.
She affirms that she is completely his. But as a dutiful daughter, she will never guide Bassanio
to choose the right casket as it would break her promise to her father.

Extract - 2

1. Explain the meaning of he makes a swan-like end.' What contemporary belief about
swans is expressed in the extract?
Answer: There was a contemporary belief that the swan, which is usually mute, sang a
beautiful song just before its death. The swan-song was sung only once. If Bassanio were 'to
die', that is, to lose the love for Portia, by choosing the wrong casket, then his end will be
accompanied by the fading music, like the swan that sings before it dies.

2. Why does Portia Order music to be played while Bassanio makes the choice of
caskets? To what does Portia compare the music, should Bassanio choose correctly?
Answer: Portia calls for music first of all to calm the excitement in her own heart and her
tension when Bassanio is choosing the casket. She further defends her action saying that if
Bassanio fails he will bid him his last farewell in the midst of music and thus will be like the
swan that sings before it dies. If Bassanio succeeds, the music will add to the festive
atmosphere of the occasion, making everyone happy.

3. How could Portia's eyes be a watery death-bed for Bassanio?

Answer: Portia explains the condition if Bassanio fails to choose the right casket. In that case,
he will have a swat-like end. Making the comparison more explicit, Portia says that her eyes
with tears will be Bassanio's watery grave as the river is the grave for the dying swan.

4. How would the music call the dreaming bridegroom to his marriage?
Answer: If Bassanio is successful in the choice of caskets then the music also represents the
sweet notes of music that awaken the dreaming bridegroom on the morning of his marriage
and tells him that his wedding day has come. It refers to an old English custom of playing
music under the windows of the bridegroom on the morning of the wedding day.

5. In what way does Portia act as a romantic heroine in this scene?

Answer: In this scene, Portia acts as a romantic heroine. Her maidenly modesty and bright
wit is seen when she detains Bassanio a little longer while making his choice. She
accomplishes the difficult task of revealing to Bassanio her affection for him. When Bassanio
chooses correctly, she is happy and surrenders herself, her property and her servants to
Bassanio. She also offers him a ring and makes him promise never to part with it.

Extract - 3

1. Who is Alcides? What is the 'virgin tribute'? How did Alcides save the virgin tribute?
Answer: Alcides refers to young Hercules, son of Alcaeus. In Greek mythology, he is depicted
as a strong and courageous youth. "Virgin Tribute' refers to Hesione, the unmarried daughter
of the Trojan King. Hesione was tied to a rock on the sea-shore of Troy, expecting every
moment to be devoured by the sea-monster. Hercules saved the 'Virgin Tribute' by killing
the sea monster and setting her free. Here Portia compares her tension and suspense while
Bassanio makes his choice of caskets to the anxiety of Hesione, waiting for the sea monster's
attack. She sees Bassanio as having more love than Alcides.

2. In what way is Bassanio compared to young Alcides? Why does Portia here 'stand
for sacrifice'?
Answer: Portia compares Bassanio to Hercules by saying that Bassanio has as much digruty
of bearing as Hercules had, but he goes with much more love than Hercules. Hercules did not
go to save Hesione out of love but to get the horses offered as a reward. Here Portia compares
herself to Hesione, who was offered as a sacrifice to a sea-monster. Similarly, if Bassanio
chooses the wrong casket, she will fall into the clutches of an unworthy suitor.

3. Give the meaning of:

(a) howling Troy: the loud lamentations of the people of Troy at the sacrifice of Hesione
(b) bleared visages: means tear-stained faces. The reference is made to the Trojan women
who had assembled on the beach with tear-stained faces to wait and watch the result of the
encounter between the sea-monster and Hercules.
(c) The issue of the exploit: It means the outcome of the rescue operation. It refers to the
outcome of the encounter between Hercules and the sea-monster.

4. What are 'The rest aloof' referred to in the extract? Who are the Dardanian wives?
What were the wives doing in the scene when Alcides was saving the virgin tribute?
Answer: ‘The rest aloof’ referred to in the extract are people in the room like Nerissa,
Gratiano and others whom Portia compares to Trojan women Dardanian wives are Trojan
women. Dardanus was the mythical ancestor of the Trojans, who were called Dardanians.
The Trojan women had assembled on the beach with tear-stained faces to wait and watch
the result of the encounter between Hercules and the sea monster

5. Why does Portia say, 'Go, Hercules'? What will she be doing at the same time?
Answer: Portia asks Bassanio, 'Go Hercules' because in her opinion the similarity between
Bassanio and Hercules is complete and perfect. Portia tells Bassanio to go ahead and choose
the casket. While he is choosing she will be watching the test with much more anxiety than
he, who has to make the choice. She says that if he lives, that is, he succeeds, she lives. If he
fails, it is death for her.

Extract - 4

1. Which theme in the play is highlighted in the above extract? How is it highlighted?
Answer: In the above extract, the theme of appearance and reality is highlighted Bassanio,
commenting on the caskets says that a pretty exterior may often hide a rotten interior. The
multitude is always led astray by decorations and adornments of various kinds. He is
highlighting this theme by providing the examples of lawyers, religious heresies and cases of
cowards, who assume outward signs of valour.

2. How can vice assume the external show of virtue?

Answer: Bassanio says that every wrong has some appearance of virtue. He explains it
through the example of a lawyer. In a law-suit, possession of a pleasing voice and attractive
presence in a lawyer, entirely hide any appearance of wrong in the cause he pleads. The
ornament of the voice gives an unsound plea, the false appearance of a good reality. Similarly
religious heresies can be glassed over if a preacher makes them appear as true and just.

3. What are 'stairs of sand'? To what are these stairs compared?

Answer: ‘Stairs of sand' refer to a stairway made of shifting sand. Such a stairway is
unreliable and gives way beneath the footstep it should support. These stairs are compared
to cowards, who cultivate beards to give them the appearance of great warriors like Hercules
and Mars. The manly appearance is cultivated only to deceive the world into thinking that
they are formidable.

4. Who is Hercules and who is frowning Mars? What are they, with their beards known
for?
Answer: Hercules was a great hero in Greek mythology and Mars was the Roman god of war.
Hercules and Mars are referred to here because they, with their beards, stand for strength,
manliness and bravery.

5. Give the meaning of the following:

has livers white as milk: The Elizabethans looked upon the liver as the seat of courage. A
brave man's liver was said to be red with blood. Cowards were spoken of as having white
livers.

Extract – 5

1. Explain how is beauty purchased by weight? How does it make the wearers lightest?
(Give the two meanings of the word: lightest.)
Answer: Bassanio says that if we take the case of beauty we find that an imitation of it is
easily obtainable and may be brought in the market. The cosmetics which enhance beauty
can be bought by weight in a chemist's shop. These bring about a marvellous change in the
appearance of women.
The word lightest is punned on. Bassanio means that the addition of cosmetics makes a
woman light that is fair coloured. The other meaning of 'lightest is to be frivolous and fickle-
minded.

2. What is referred to as "crisped snaky golden locks'? Who wears them and who is
their actual owner?
Answer: Crisped snaky golden locks' refer to false hair that women wear. Bassanio says that
the shining golden tresses whose ringlets are tossed about by the playful breeze, seen on the
head of a woman, appear to be real Actually it is false hair and originally it belonged to a dead
woman, who is lying in the grave.

3. What is referred to as 'the dowry of a second head'? Who has bred this head? Where
is the head now?
Answer: ‘The dowry of a second head' refers to the false hair (wig) worn by a woman, that
appear to be real but actually is a gift from some dead woman, i.e. it originally belonged to a
dead woman who is lying in the grave. Shakespeare refers to the popular custom of wearing
wigs among the Elizabethan women.

4. Why does Bassanio say that Ornament is but the guiled shore to a most dangerous
sea?
Answer: Bassanio says that outward adornment is always deceptive. It is like the attractive
but treacherous sea-shore that leads people into perilous waters.

5. Give any two examples from Bassanio's speech to show that appearances are
deceptive.
Answer: Bassanio asserts that appearances are deceptive. Two examples he mentions are:
First, the shining, golden false hair that some women wear. Though they look real, they
belong to a dead person. The second example is that of a lovely scarf that hides the ugly face
of an Indian beauty. This is deceptive as people expect to see something better than an Indian
beauty when the scarf is removed.

Extract - 6

1. Where was the gentle scroll? Give the summary of what was written on the scroll.
Answer: The gentle scroll was in the lead casket. On the scroll it was written that since he
has not chosen by mere outward appearances, he may be fortunate and make his choice as
wisely as he has done. Since this forte has come to him, he should be satisfied and seek
nothing more for his happiness. If he is pleased with his luck and feels that fate has brought
him happiness, he should go to his beloved and claim her as his own with a loving kiss.

2. What prize had the speaker won? Give the reasons which led to the winning of the
prize.
Answer: The speaker has won Portia. The speaker chose the correct casket, i.e. lead casket
containing Portia's portrait. Its simple looks impressed Bassanio more than the protestations
of gold and silver. Besides, the inscription on the casket stated that the man who chooses it
must give and hazard his whole being which means his true love.

3. What was the speaker asked to give and to receive?

Answer: The speaker was asked to go to the lady and claim her as his own with a loving kiss
and receive a kiss from her.

4. Give the meaning of:

(a) universal shout: loud applause of joy. This refers to the clamour of the crowd at
Bassanio's choice of the right casket.
(b) Giddy in spirit: overwhelmed with joy. This speaks of the bewildered state of mind of
Bassanio after his choice of the lead casket.

5. To whom does the speaker compare himself? In what way does he compare himself?
Answer: The speaker compares himself to the one who is striving to win some contest, like
one of two prize-fighters. He compares himself as someone who wins a prize in the contest.

6. Why is the speaker doubtful whether what he sees is true?

Answer: Bassanio is at the height of his joy after choosing the correct casket. He hears a loud
applause from the people standing there. He is so bewildered by the outcome of making the
correct choice, that he is not sure if the applause is for him or not. He asks Portia to confirm
it and sanction it by returning his kiss.

Extract - 7

1. Which possessions of hers, does Portia transfers to Bassanio after he chose the
correct casket?
Answer: After Bassania chooses the correct casket, Portia transfers her mansion, her
servants, herself and all her possessions to him.

2. Mention three of the wishes of Portia which express her desire to excel in
everything.
Answer: Portia, for the sake of Bassanio wishes that she were sixty times better than herself,
a thousand times more beautiful and ten thousand times Wealthier. These wishes express
her desire to excel in everything for the sake of Bassanio.

3. On what condition does she give the ring to Bassanio? How does the ring become a
part of the main plot in the story?
Answer: As a token of her love to Bassanio, Portia gives him a ring. She warns him that if he
parts with the ring or loses it or gives it away, that will be a sign that his love for her is dead
and give her the right to reproach him. The ring becomes a part of the main plot of the story
as it starts the ring episode we come across later in the play.

4. Give the meaning of:

Let it presage the ruin of your love,
And be my vantage to exclaim on you
Answer: These lines mean: "Let that be a sign that your love for me is dead and it will give
an opportunity for me to accuse you for that." Here Portia asserts that if Bassanio loses the
ring she has given him, it will show the loss of his love for her and will give her the right to
reproach him.

5. After Portia's speech, what does Bassanio say in his excitement? What assurance
does he give to her about the ring?
Answer: After Portia's speech, Bassanio is overpowered with emotion and he tells Portia
that her love and goodness has made him speechless. Regarding the ring, Bassanio promises
Portia that when the ring leaves his finger, his spirit will flee and his life will leave him. He
will part with the ring only at his death.

Extract - 8
1. Give the context in which Gratiano speaks these words. What good wishes does he
give to Bassania?
Answer: After Bassanio's successful selection of the right casket and after the speeches of
Portia and Bassanio Nerissa greets them and wishes them great joy. Thereafter Gratiano
speaks these words. Gratiano wishes Portia and Bassanio that all the joy and happiness they
desire may be showered upon them.

2. What request does Gratiano make to Bassanio?

Answer: Gratiano requests Bassanio to grant him a special favour - that is, to permit hm to
allow him to marry at the same time of the marriage ceremony of Portia and Bassanio.

3. What condition does Bassanio put regarding Gratiano's request?

Answer: Bassanio gives his consent most heartily, provided Gratiano can get a wife.

4. Explain how Gratiano's fortune too 'stood upon the caskets?

Answer: While Bassanio wooed Lady Portia, Gratiano wooed her lady-In-waiting Nerissa.
However, the promise that Gratiano received from Nerissa was that Nerissa would love
Gratiano provided that Bassanio had the good fortune of winning the love of Portia by
selecting the right casket. Thus, Gratiano's fortune too stood on the caskets.

5. How has Gratiano-Nerissa episode added humour to the story in this scene?
Answer: Gratiano Nerissa episode has added humour to the story. The romance and
marriage of Nerissa and Gratiano strengthen the old belief that characters in association with
nobility are themselves ennobled. Gratiano experienced the joy of love in the company of
Bassanio. Nerrisa being educated by her mistress Portia, was able to win a gentleman's love.
Gratiano, with a keen sense of humour arouses much mirth and laughter in the scene.

Extract - 9

1. Where does the scene take place? Who brings the letter from Antonio to Bassanio?
Answer: This scene takes place in a room in Portia's house at Belmont, Salerio brings the
letter from Antonio to Bassanio.

2. How does Portia conclude that there is some bad news in the letter? What could be
the bad news according to Portia?
Answer: Portia concludes that there is some bad news in the letter because as soon as
Bassanio reads the letter, his face turns pale and he becomes greatly agitated. According to
Portia, the bad news in the letter must be about the loss of someone loved by Bassanio.

3. What right does Portia now have to know from Bassanio the contents of the letter?
Answer: Portia begs of Bassanio to tell her the cause of his sorrow as she and Bassanio are
one, and she ought to share in everything that happens to him. Hence, she asks Bassanioto
tell her what news that letter has brought.
4. Briefly state what Bassanio told Portia about the bond and the destruction of
Antonio's cargo ships.
Answer: Bassanio tells Portia that the letter contains some of the most unwelcome news. He
tells Portia that he is deeply indebted to a kind friend. This friend for his sake agreed to hand
with his worst enemy, a man who hates him. He did this solely to supply Bassanio with the
needed to come to Belmont. Bassanio looks upon Antonio's letter as if it is his body and the
cruel words of the letter as wounds from which blood is gushing out. He then tells that all the
ships of Antonio have been wrecked on the dangerous rocks.

5. What did Salerio say about Shylock's insistence on the forfeiture of Antonio's bond?
Answer: Salerio says that even if Antonio had sufficient money to pay off his debt, Shylock
will not accept the payment. Shylock threatens to take legal action against the city's
governance and call in question the equality of rights of foreigners with the citizens of Venice,
if they refuse Shylock justice by bringing Antonio to trial. Twenty merchants, the Duke and
the noblemen of the highest rank in Venice, have tried to persuade Shylock to be reasonable,
but without any success. Shylock holds stubbornly to his malicious purpose of exacting the
full penalty for the forfeiture of the bond.

Extract - 10

1. Who are Tubal and Chus? What did Jessica hear Shylock say to Tubal and Chus about
the bond?
Answer: Tubal and Chus are two Jewish friends of Shylock. When Jessica was at home, she
had heard Shylock swearing to Tubal and Chus that he will have the penalty carried out and
that a pound of Antonio's flesh would give him more pleasure than to be paid the debt twenty
times over.

2. What would the Duke, law and influential citizens do to prevent Shylock from taking
his cruel forfeiture?
Answer: The Duke, law and influential citizens would use all their powers of persuasion to
prevent Shylock from taking his cruel forfeiture.

3. What is the danger if the forfeiture is denied to Shylock as per the terms of the bond?
Answer: If the forfeiture is denied to Shylock as per the terms of the bond, there was the
danger of Shylock taking legal action against the city's governors and call in question the
equality of rights of foreigners with the citizens of Venice. Thus, there was the danger of
Shylock bringing discredit to the business in Venice.

4. What does Portia offer to do in terms of payment to Shylock in cash?

Answer: In terms of payment to Shylock in cash, Portia offers to pay him double the amount.
Then she says to give him double of six thousand and then three times of that. Later she says
that she will give him enough gold to pay the debt twenty times over.

5. What does Antonio's letter state about his last wish?

Answer: Since the payment of the penalty means his death, Antonio's last wish is to see
Bassanio before he dies. He says that it will cancel all bonds and obligations between
Bassanio and him. However, he adds that Bassanio should do as he wishes and should not
pay any attention to Antonio's welfare.

Extract - 11

1. What were Protia’s secret plans in sending Bassanio to Venice?

Answer: Portia gives money to Bassanio and sends him to rescue Antonio. She makes a plan
to disguise herself as a lawyer and Nerissa as her assistant and then go to Venice to rescue
Antonio from the clutches of Shylock.

2. Give the meaning of:

(a) ‘call me wife’: make me your wife, get married to me.
(b) ‘With and unique soul’: with a disturbed, grief stricken mind.

3. What is Bassanio supposed to do as far as Antonio’s forfeiture of the bond is

concerned?
Answer: Bassanio was supposed to go to Venice and offer double the amount of bond to
Shylock and cancel the bond. If he did not agree to that Bassanio is to offer him, double of six
thousand ducats or three times that amount or even twenty times the bond amount.

4. What would Portia and Nerissa supposed to be doing in Belmont after their
husbands leave for Venice? What did they really do?
Answer: Portia and Nerissa were to stay in Belmont as spinsters or widows after their
husbands leave for Venice. But in fact they did not do so. Portia and Nerissa went to Venice
in disguise of a lawyer and her assistant, respectively and played a constructive role in saving
Antonio from the clutches of Shylock.

5. How important is this scene for the forward movement of the storyline?
Answer: This scene is important for the forward movement of the storyline. It completes the
casket story and brings it in direct contact with other stories- the bond story, Jessica-Lorenzo
love story and the ring story. The ring story begins in this scene. The bond story is revealed
through Antonio’s letter and Bassanio’s return to Venice.

6. After the choice of the casket by Bassanio, Portia takes over the leadership in the
play. What are your views on this statement?
Answer: It is true that after the choice of the casket by Bassanio, Portia takes over leadership
in the play. When Antonio is in trouble, she offers Bassanio twenty times the bond amount
to save Antonio. She herself dons the cruise of a lawyer and using a perfect blend of mercy
and justice saves Antonio.
from The Merchant of Venice Act III Scene 2