STRUCTURED QUESTIONS

1.Antonio Insooth Iknow not why Im so sad

Jt uearies me: Uou sau it twearies you
But hou1caught t Jound tt or came by it
What stf Tis made of. whereof it is born,
Tam to learn
Andsuch a uant-uit sadness mnakes of me
ThatI have much ado to know myself.
Q. 1. To whom are these words addressed? Where are the characterss?
Ans. These words are addressed to Salerio and Solanio, friends of
The characters are on a street in Venice. Antonio.
9. 2. Explain: 'And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself
Ans. Antonio means that his sadness has made him act in a foolish
He finds it difficult to recognize himselt in this present mood and manner.
claims given to
the ignorant of the source of his woe.
9. 3. Explain the meaning of the given extract.
Ans. Antonio, the merchant feels sad but he doesn't know the
sadness. It makes him melancholic, but he doesn't know from for his reason

what it
where he got it,
consists of or of what origin it is! The sadness makes
that he has trouble in hin such an idiot
recognizing himself.
9. 4. What reasons does his friend
give for Antonio's state of mind?
Ans. Antonio's friends think that
he is feeling
worried about his ships laden with depressed because he is
anadous about the safety of his precious cargo floating in the sea. He is
ships.
9. 5. wWhat purpose does
this manner? Shakespeare achieve by beginning the in play
Ans. The merchant
of Venice is a
depressing incidents. The gloomy tragic comedy. It
possesses
opening sets the stage for that. many
vague premonition of the Antonio
caves the audience with misfortune that is about to overtake him.
has a

2. Salerio
vague forebodings of future Shakespeare
Your mind is calamity.
tossing on the ocean,
There where your
Like signiors and argostes with portly sail,
rich
Or, as tt were, the burghers on the Jlood,
Do pageants of the sea,
overpeer the petty
That curtsy to trafflckers,
them, do them
As they
fly by them wlth reverence,
thelr woven
wings.
 Act 1 (Scene 1) 1 7
9 who is
being
is there with them? addressed? Apart from the two characters, who else
Ans. Salerio is addressing Antonio. Apart from these
isalso there.
characters, Solanio
two
Q. 2. To what remarks of the
ents? To what are the ships listener, does Salerio make
compared? these com-
meant by petty traffickers"? What do they How do the
do when
shops move? What is
Ans. Antonio talks about a vague sadness that they see the argosies?
makes him a dull-wit, making him difficult to troubles his mind. He says it
understand himself. To this,
salerio replies that it may be due to his anxiety about the safety of his
cargo in his ships tossed about by the unpredictable seas. The
precious
comparable to gentlemen and rich citizens who walk in a stately manner ships are

overlooking the commoners.

9.3. Give the meanings of:
(a) Argosies of Portly sail
(b) Pageants of the sea
(c) Woven Wings
Ans.

(a) Argosies of Portly sail the phrase means merchant ships loaded with
richcargos sailing majestically on the seas.
(b) Pageants of the sea
pageants are decorated floats moving in a
procession.
(c) Woven wings canvas sails.
9. 4. How would have Solanio behaved if he
had such Argosies on the
sea? What would have made him sad?
Ans. Solanio would have been so
concerned about his business ventures
the sea that he will be on
holding-up a
grass to know the direction of the
wind,
looking over the maps for ports and channels. He would be scared
to look at any
object that would remind him of the risks at sea.
9.5. Do you think these are the reasons which make
reasons. Antonio sad? Give
Ans. Antonio is not sad
thinking about the safety of his cargo. In fact he is
rather confident as his cargo is
distributed in various ships. His fate is not
dependernt on the fate of a one ship or in one place.
9. 6. Explain briefly as to what Salerio has tried to
five lines. convey in the last
Ans. Salerio presented a beautiful
image of the richly-laden ships of Antonio.
Those ships were referred as to the
nobleman who tower above the smaller
trading merchants, similarly large
vessel ships would the smaller
merchant ship which would bow before them due to surpass
would pass the small vessels at
respect. Antonio's ship
high speed because their
a sails were like the
wings which enable birds to fly through the air.
 18 Conplete Course in ICSE Brglishl1, IX &X
97. What fden does the reader gets about Antonio's financlal statue
What is Its signiflcance in the
play?
Ans. Prom Salerio's description, the reader gets to know that Antonio is one
ot the richest merchants tn Italy, He has several merchant ships that are
currently on sall. When his shipDs sall on the ocean, 1t seems a froyal processon
bow of
1s on, and the other ships lke common people. in front
It
royalty, is a
signifcant information, showingthat Antony is the titular bero, who unfortuna
tely suffers from some set- back, and fall to settlethe bonid with Shylock; this
eadis to the very famous Bond story, one of highlights of the play

3. Salerio:
My wtnd, cooling my broth,
Whould blow me to an ague, when I thought
What harm a wind too great might do at sea
I should not see the sandy hour-glass run

But I should think of shallows and of flats,

And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd tn sand
Valing her high-top louwer than her rlbs
To kiss her burial.
9.1. What would be the feelings ofthe speaker if he saw the wind cool.
ing his broth?
Ans. Salerlo says that if his business ventures are in the sea, he would be
anxdous and his thoughts would travel to them at every polnt of time as if
he is
cooling the hot soup with his breath. He would be worried about the powerful
wind that may make the ships lose direction and would
make him tremble in the
same way as he is
suffering from high fever trembles.
9.2. What is meant by 'sandy hour-glass'? How would the
he saw the hour glass? speaker feel if
Ans. In anclent days a
glass full of sand was to indicate the
The slght of the sand in the
hour glass would remind him passing of time
sand banks and shallow water. of danger of hidden
The danger of the
where the water is not ship getting stuck in the sand
sufficiently
deep for a ship to sall over it
9.3. Give the meanings of: smoothly.
(a) Ague
b) Shallows and flats
(c) Wealthy Andrew
Ans. (a) Ague
-fever that makes
(b) Shallows and one tremble.
flats
(c) Wealthy Andrew -shallow waters and sand banks.
9.4. What is
-

richly laden
ship.
referred to as
Ans. Wealthy Andrew means 'Wealthy Andrew'? Why is it so?
ship might get stuck in
ship carrying expensive cargo. The
plunging low into the watersand,
and
The ship
might over turn with its
richly laden
9.5. How does Antonio getting burled in the sand. top-sails
Ans. Antonlo reply to his speech?
does not says he is not
depend on one ship; heworried about
has many losing his money as his
ships going in different fortune
directions
 Act 1 (Seene 1y 19

md even it something happens to one ship other ships are there to compensate
for the loss.

4. Salerio Should I go to church

And see the holy edýfice of stone,
Andnot bethink me straight of dangerous rocks.
Which touching but my gentle vessel's side
Would scatter all her spices on the stream
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks;
word, but e v e n now worth this,
And, in a
And now worth nothing ?

Salerio feel if he goes to a church?

Q. 1. How would
he goes to church seeing the stone building, he
Ans. Salerio says that if in the sea which might touch the sides of his
l d be reminded of the rocks them, and then all his rich spices, silks and
ships and make holes in
gentle
material woOuld be
scattered in the ocean,
other valueable
out the context of the extract.
Q. 2. Bring sad state of nmind. His friends
scene, we see
Antonio in a
Ans. In the opening behind his sadness. Antonio is
Solanio ask him for the
reasons
salerio and feel it may be because of the
out his sadness. So the friends
unable to figure on the o c e a n . Salerio says
that if he had
precious cargo tossing
anxiety for his if he saw the church
Antonio's place, he would start getting frightened
been in of the rocks in the s e a that might
The stone edifice would remind him
building. It is like owning so
the entire cargo float in the sea.
harm his ships making next moment.
and losing everything in the
much in one minute
to him ? What is the
3. What is the 'holy edifice'? What will it signify
9.
drawn2
symbolic meaning of the comparison
of the church. It would remind
Ans. The holy edifice is the stone building
immense damage to
the rocks in the sea, which might cause
him of dangerous
The symbolic is that life is so unpredictable. We
meaning
his imaginary ship.
the next minute is nobodys prediction.
build-up expectations but what happens
There is many a sip between the cup and the lip".
g. 4. Explain the following: 'but even now worth this and now worth
nothing'.
'Andrew
Ans. Just before an imaginary disaster Salerio's imaginary ship
All its
Would be worth a fortune, but after its wreckage, it would worth nothing.
rich merchandise would be washed away by the waves of the sea.
had been out
9.5. What would be the feelings of Solanio, if his argosies
in the sea?
Ans. Solanio says that if his cargo is in the sea, then he will be everytime

about its safety. He will be holding the grass to determine the

anxious
direction
and channels and
0 the wind and looking over the maps to study sea ports
business schemes will depress
very object that might suggest misfortune to his
him.
 20
Complete Course in 1CSE English-Il, IX &X
9.6. Give meanings of:
(a) My gentle vessel's side
(b) Enrobe the roaring waters A n t o n i o ' s
precious ship The
vessel
Is rocks in the
Ans. (a) My gentle vessel's side-gentle the
rupeed
whether

Speaker says Antonto is worried thinking

richh cargo of stly
will strike against the sleck sides of the ship with
the
sea
the
e r s - c o v e r

(b) Enrobe the roaring

spices and silks.
two-headed Janus in h e r
timeP

5. Salerio: Nou, by Jellows

strange their eyes,
V a t u r e hath
fram 'd through
peep
e v e r m o r e

Some
that will bag-piper:

at a
likep a r r o t s
A n d laugh aspect
vinegar

other of
such
t e e t h in
way ofsmlle
And
their
show
'll n o t laughable

That they be
Nestor
s w e a r thejest Janus?
with
Though out
anxiety
drawn
not the
comparison sadness is
the of h i s headed
Explain the t w o
9. 1. that the
cause

Roman
God,
says the a r e two
Antonio
by that there
Ans. When
swears

Salerio implies
love, face. It a s they
a sad
nor
ships, c l o s e d eyes
about his face and half
a smiling through
who sports look out the bagpipers
s o u n d of
Janus, S o m e always the
e v e n at
opposite
kinds of men.
w i t h o u t any
reason,
t h e i r lips
to smile
even at

laughing will not open

a r e always that they
expression
sour
a
O t h e r s have joke.
or a n amusing

a very pleasingjoke mentioned

here?

Nestor? Why is he fought in the Trojan

9. 2. Who is G e n e r a l who
wise Greek he is
mentioned

an old and the him laugh.

Here
Nestor w a s
Ans.
funny to make not laugh
had to be
extremely
disposition
that they will
War. A joke with s o u r
such people
that there a r e
to show
of time.
at any point
:
9. 3. Explain
like parrots at
a bag piper
(a) Laugh
b) Vinegar aspect bagpiper was
the music of a
a bag piper
-

at
like parrots is a bird
Ans. (a) Laugh tears not laughter. The parrot
which should bring on
considered woeful e v e n in a
mournful tune.
and laughs at everything
believed to be foolish
who have such
sour
There are human beings
expression.
fb) Vinegar aspect
would not show their teeth by smiling at a joke.
a gloomy aspect that they of Antonio?
conclusion does Salerio come with the sadness
9. 4. What
certain people
is unhappy as he is not happy;
Ans. Salerio says that Antonio
without any reason.
are of such disposition that they are unhappy
 g. 5. Comment on the parting remark of Salerio. Act I (Scene 1) 21
Ans. Salerio says that he would have
stayed longer with Antonio till he
his sadness and felt merry if worthier friends like forgot
aim at that time. He is sure that they are better Bassanio had not come to visit
company and Antonio will enjoy
th them. He and Solanio will meet Antonio at leisure
when time permits, after
their business is over.

6. Gratiano: Let me play the fool :

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles

come,
And let my liver rather heat with wine
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.
Why should a man, uwhose bloocd is warm wvithin.
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster,
Sleep when he wakes, and creep into the jaundice
By being peevish ?

Q. 1. What observation had Gratiano earlier made regarding Antonio? Is

observation?
he correct in his
Ans. Gratiano had remarked that Antonio didn't seem well. He felt that
Antonio was too concerned with the worldly affairs. He advises him that people
lose everything when they worry over their business. According to him, Antonio
has changed a lot. He is not correct as far as the reason for Antonio's sadness is
concerned. Antonio is sufering from a melancholy but not because of anxiety
over his businessS.
9. 2. To what comment made by Antonio does Gratiano give this reply?
Who else are there with Gratiano at this moment?
Ans. Antonio replied to Gratiano's words by saying that he gives as much
importance to worldly affairs as required. According to him, the world is a stage
where every man has to play a role. His role is a sad one. It is to this comment
Gratiano makes this reply. Bassanio and Lorenzo are with him.
g. 3. What does the speaker prefer to do? What does it depicts about
his character?
Ans. The speaker prefers to have wrinkles made with laughter on his face.
He wants to be merry and play the fool rather is a victim of sadness. This shows
that Gratiano has a positive approach to life. He sees the brighter side of things
and does not worry too much about worldly affairs.

9.4. Give the meaning of : And let my liver- groansS.

Ans. Gratiano says that he would not mind to drink wine heavily even if his
liver gets damaged. He doesn't want to starve his heart with fun and feel worried
about death. In other words, he believes in enjoying life rather than wallow in
trivial matters.
9. 5. Explain: 'grandsire cut in alabaster and 'creep into the jaundice
by being peevish'.
Ans. Gratiano believes that a man with warm blood flowing through him
Should not sit like an expressionless and motionless statue of his grandfather's
 XX

Coers
S Re l i s k
groaning
Neither he shoule
sh
be sleepy
Connlne
ea k e n his
heart by manner
ast though he s sufler
22 not
w
we
a n irritated
should b e h a v e in
fomb.
He hours Ed
and

waktng j a u n d i c e ?

dartng about
belief
n g eom jaumdiee
catuse of
beca

6&
what's
the
E l i z a b e t h a n

that the
jaundice
was
caused

close co
Anxiety
tween he
a belteved there's a
Ans. Ehzabethan
believed

temper.
1hey
d bad isages
whose

and
the boty sort ef
men

mind are a pond,

7here lüke a
standing
7 Gratiano mantle
and
Do cream stillness
entertain,

And do a wilful in a n opinion

dress'd
to be
WIth purpose profound
concelt,

wisdom.
gravity.
Qf T am Sir Oracle
should say.
As who b a r k 1'
let no dog
ope my
lips,
And when
I stern manneo

in such a
sSpeaking
he
Gratiano why 1s
According to addressed
to?
o 1. words being in this
manner.
He doesn't
are
these
him speak
To
whom Antonio
makes
These words
are being addres-
love for melancholy.
Gratian
victim of
Ans.
friend
coming a
his look?
want
here? How do they
sed to Antonio. described

are face are descri-

What sorts of men an
expressionless
Q.2. who sport vhose surface
wh
refuse to smile,
sm
waters of the lakes
who
Ans. Men
motionless

ook
look like the
Their faces
bed here
with s c u m . standing pool".
s covered mantle like a
and
"Do c r e a m preventing any
g. 3. Explain-
scum
covered with
lake are
or e x p r e s s i o n of
waters in a pool layer of
Ans. Sul wear an artificial
s o m e people
the s a m e way
m o v e m e n t . In

earn a reputation
of wisdom.
s e r i o u s n e s s to air of solem-
on an
some men put
the speaker why do
9.4. According to
adty? solemnity to
shOW
to Gratiano, people put on a n air of
some
Ans. According Oracle' who speaks
on an air of 'Sir
that they are wise and mature. They put
wisdom. Actually, it is to escape from being
branded fools.
anly
referred to?
9. 5. Later on gudgeon. In what context is he
he refers to
Lorenzo
What opinion do you get of Gratiano from this scene? What does
say later about him'7
Ans, Gudgeon is a small unworthy flsh easily caught, Gratiano asks Antonio
not to throw the melancholie balt to catch the cheap fish called popularity. We

feel Gratiano speaks a lot but whatever he says has a lot of meaning. He is
philosophical and gives good advice to Antonio, Moreover, he loves Antonio and
wants too cheer him with his witty talk. Later on, Lorenzo
says that when
Gratiano speaks, he never gets a chance to0 speak.
 Act 1 (Scene 1) 23
9. 6. How does Gratiano prefer to have wrinkles? Why? Give another
instance where he reveals his preference for enjoying life. What does he say
about grandfather cut in alabaster?
Ans. Gratiano prefers to have wrinkles with mirth and laughter. He is
basically a jolly good fellow who wants to spread cheer among his friends. He
also says that he would rather heat his liver with wine than cool his heart with
miserable groans. Alabaster is a kind of clay or stone of which statues are made
up. Gratiano wonders why anybody with warm blood in him sits like the statue
of his grandfather cut in marble, and appear sleeping in the morning hours
when he has to be active and cheerful.

9.7.Explain:
(a) I am Sir Oracle
(b) Let no dog bark
Ans. (a) 'I am Sir Oracle' Sir Oracle is the wisest and most respected person
who can prophesy the future.
A person, in fear of revealing his ignorance, can behave like sir Oracle and
keep silent and pretend like a wise man.
SirOracle seems to say that when he speaks in all his wisdom, other common
people should remain quiet.
(b) Let no dog bark- They are the dogs that should stop barking
9.8. What was Gratiano's advice to Antonio in the end of his speech?
Brief it.
Ans. Gratiano advise Antonio to give up his serious and melancholic
expression. He should not behave like some fake people, who pretend wise to
cover up their ignorance. He should be more communicative and share hs
eelings with his friends. He asks him to cheer up and not tot go around looking
so glum.
8. Bassanio Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate,
By something shouwing a more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance
Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd
From such a noble rate.
1To what inquiry of Antonio does the speaker make this reply?
what details do you get about the lady later in this scene?
Ans. Antonio inqulres about the lady to whom Bassanio has decided to pay a

R secretly.Later in the scene, Bassanio informs

that there isa rich lady from
Deimont who is fairer than the word beautiful. She has great virtues. Her name
Portia and is as worthy as Cato's daughter and Brutus' wife. The whole world
aware of her worth. Many suitors are on their way to win her hand, but since
ne has given him silent messages through her lovely eyes, Bassanio is hoperul
of wooing her
 24-Coee Cerein CSR Engieh-, IN &x

9 2. What does Bassan menn by isabled mine estate'?

say this? hy does
he
disabled mine estate Ba8sanio means that he
has waste.
twrtune He says this because he had fbeen living in a
than his means pemits.
way more laviss ts
o s. What do you understand by the term 'to be abridged'? w .
Bessanio forced 'to be abridged 7 Does he feel sorry for it? What doe
show of his character? What is his chief care now?
What does this
Ans. To be abridged means 'to be curtailed'. Bassano was forced
abridged because he could not maintain his high standard of living wit e
present insufhcient monetary resources. He does not feel sorry for it. This sh
that Bassanio is aware of his shortcomings and is ready to take the blame
himself. His immediate priority now is to honorably clear off his debt and h
Belmont.
enough money to visit
Q. 4 . How much does Bassanio rate Antonio in his affection and res.

Pect?

Ans. Bassanio considers Antonio as his true friend. He has confidence

Antonio that he can share with him all his thoughts and worries. He can reveal
all his plans to him. He is sure Antonio will help him out as always with his
money and affection.

have you formed about the speaker's character ?

9. 5. What opinions
Ans. Bassanio initially comes across as a spoilt brat who has squandered

awayall his money in living alifestyle. He shamelessly asks Antonio's

lavish
fortune. But later on. we
help to enable him to woo a rich lady with a pronmising
and uncaring person. He was
Sod that he is not such an irresponsible
the money o n c e his mission is
reassuring Antonio that he would be returning
Also the scene
acoomplished. He is frank in confessing about his shortcomings.
reveals that he has an optimistic enthusiasm which motivates him to search for

aSortune rather than waiting for the fortune to come to him.

9. Sassanio: In my school-days, when I had lost one shaft,
1 shot
hisfellow of the self-same flight
The self-same way with more advised watch,

10Jind the other forth; and by adventuring both,

Ioftfound both.
81.la what context does Bassanio
speak these Words
p e a k s these words to Antonio. in order to reveal his
depct
e confesses that his wayward living has made his
rtae But he has a plan to himm
O
Antonio's help make his ife better. For
Whie
S

Bring out the meaning

establish with this childhood
of the extract. What does he
w
ns, 1n example?
he above extract, Bassanio
SOmetinies
from his bow andtalks about his school days Wne
shot an arrow
then could not find it.
So, in order to
 wwate that arrow, he used to shoot aother bne A fieniiH
favng enme et t
apacity to travel through the alr fn the sane direetiin fhis ftme
maintain a greater alerthess as to the potnt at whleh t ikely
w
he eet

used to arch for both the arrows and often find both tet,
ws
fiew ti

of them
hildhood example. he wants to convinee Antoilo for leieding him eWith td t
thie
o that he may be able to recover even the ioney whleh was lent énrite te i
by Antonio.

Q 3. What aspect of the speaker's personaity ts revented herte

Ans. The speaker's words shows his boyish bellef, He ts piitng hie hege t
achildhood example but the very determination in his volee proves thet he ts
not ready to cry over the losses but is ready to make ati atteipt and tty te
ompensate his losses
here?
9 4. What assurance does the speaker give
iot worrý about fhe l6nt
Ans. The speaker assures Antonio that he need
to
he'll definitely get enough money pay.
to these words?
9. 5. How does Antonio respond
have to waste his time by confesstnig hie
Ans. Antonio says that he doesn't his readiness to help him with meney
love.In fact, he wrongs him by doubting will be
wants and he to do it.
obliged
Hejust has to tell him what he
uwide world ignorant of her worth,
10.Bassanio: Nor is the coast
For thefour winds blow in fom every
Renouwned sutors; and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples lüke a golden Jleece
strand,
Which makes her seat of BelnmontColchis'
And many Jasons come in quest of her
O my Antonio, had I but the means
them.
To hold a rival place with one of
I have a mind presages me such thrift
That I should questionless be Jortunate.
talked about? Why is the speaker talking
1. Who is the lady
9. being
about her at this time?
and a beautiful lady
Ans. The lady talked about here is Portia, a rich
being her at this time
Bassanio met at Belmont. Bassanlo is talking about
whom he asks
her hand but as he has no money,
because he wants to woo her and win his
which he promises to repay after
Antonio to lend him some more money
marriage. of her
the meaning of 'Nor is the wide world ignorant
9. 2. Explain Renowned suitors', To
blow in from every coast
worth, For the four winds
in the extract and in what way?
whom this lady has been compared
whole world knows about the Por worth of tia
Ans. Bassanio says that the desire
are sailing towards
Belmont with the
and tamous suitors from every coast
to a fleece in the extract as
golden
been compared
Ofmarrying her. This lady has face.
sides of her
her goldern locks of hair hang on both
26 Complete Course in 1CSE English-1I, IX &X
out the significance of golden tleece, 'Colchos strana
nd' and
9. 3. Bring
Jason'.
Ans. Here Portia's golden soft hair 1s compared to the golden fleece
mentioned In Greek mythology. Jason was a Greek hero who led a part..
of ram
Colchos in Asta, near the Black Sea to get the ileece. It was a difficult ios
Dut he succeeded with the help of Medea, who was in love with him
ifficult journe
9. 4. What does Bassanio request his iriend to do? How will the frien.
benefit from his action?
iend
Ans. Bassanio requests his friend Antonio to help him financially, so that
can go to Belmont and marry the worthy lady. FTom this action he e
assures his
friend Antonio that he will return the first and the second loan
after becomine
rich with his wife's money. g
9. 5. How does his friend respond to this
request?
Ans. Antonio says that all his
money is invested in his
at sea. They should see
what his credit can do in ships which are still
resources to the maximum so Venice. He will stretch
that Bassanio has his
Belmont. The money can be enough money to go to
mobilized either on his credit
9.6. How is this request of Bassanio
or
personal surety.
Ans. Antonio takes going to affect Antonio's
friend. He comes under credit on a future?
and wants to take the clutches personal surety to arrange
of money for his
revenge for all theShylock, the usurer who hates
because he is a Jew.
demandsa pound of He
insults they have Christians
approaches
flesh from the court of showered upon him
sandergo a lot of
mental Antonio as
law for
justice and even
strain and recompense. Thus,
imprisonment due to this Antonio has to
request.