Class IX – The Merchant Of Venice
By: William Shakespeare
Act 2 - Scene 6
(Venice. Before Shylock's house)
Note : Write the following summary and extract in MOV register:
Summary of Act 2 - Scene 6
Gratiano and Salarino meet Lorenzo outside Shylock's house, speaking
about the wonders of love to pass the time because Lorenzo is late. When
Lorenzo arrives, he asks them to keep watch, and Jessica appears above
disguised as a boy. They exchange greetings, then Jessica throws down a
chest filled with gold and jewels. She is embarrassed by her appearance as
a boy but she believes it is safer for her to travel in disguise. Lorenzo
reassures her she is lovely anyway. When she goes back into the house to
collect a little more money, Gratiano says she is "a gentle and no Jew!"
Lorenzo describes how he loves her for her wisdom, fairness, and loyalty.
Jessica returns, and she, Lorenzo, and Salarino leave while Gratiano
remains behind. Antonio arrives, looking for Gratiano. Bassanio's
masquerade has been cancelled because the winds have changed and
Bassanio is ready to depart, so Gratiano is off to join the voyage.
Extract 1 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow :
Gratiano:
And it is marvel he out-dwells……..are with more spirit chased
than enjoyed.
Question 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?
Answer
This scene takes place in the street outside Shylock’s house. Lorenzo has out-dwelt
his hour to meet Gratiano and Salarino for the masque. Lovers generally rush to the
meeting place long before the appointed hour.
Question 2
Who is Venus? How do the Venus pigeons behave as far as love is concerned?
Answer
In Greek mythology, Venus is the goddess of love. Salarino comments that the doves
that draw the 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.
Question 3
How does Gratiano explain in the extract the state of people in love?
Answer
According to Gratiano, people in love are anxious to meet each other. They rush
to their meeting places much before the appointed time. Thus, people in love
keep punctuality in their meetings and never delay.
Question 4
Give the meaning of:
a) He out dwells his hour :
Answer : He overstays the time fixed by him to meet.
b) To seal love’s bonds new-made :
Answer :To bind new love more firmly
Question 5
Explain the meaning of:
“Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unabated fire”
Answer
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.
Question 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?
Answer
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 2 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow :
Jessica :
What! must I hold a candle to my shames ?
They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.
Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscur’d.
Question 1.
Bring out the context of the extract.
Answer:
The scene takes place In the street outside Shylock’s house. Lorenzo, with
his friends, are waiting for Jessica to join them. Jessica, dressed as a boy
throws at Lorenzo, a casket full of money and jewels. She is ashamed of
her disguise and when Lorenzo tells her that she is going to be the torch
bearer, she is embarrassed. She tells him that it is a torch bearer’s duty to
light up and reveal everything whereas she has to hide her identity to
elope.
Question 2.
Explain, ‘must I hold a candle to my shames? What does this show of her
character’?
Answer:
Jessica asks whether she should hold a light to her boyish dresses that fills
her with shame as she is masquerading. For her the idea of holding a light
is frightening which could expose her identity. She is modest and honest.
It’s her love that makes her adopt this disguise.
Question 3.
Explain the last two lines of the extract.
Answer:
The last two lines means, that holding up the torch is the duty of a torch
bearer. But if she does so, she’ll be revealing her identity, which she is
supposed to conceal.
Question 4.
How does Lorenzo reassure Jessica? Earlier how had Lorenzo
summarized his love for Jessica?
Answer:
Lorenzo tells Jessica that she is hiding in the charming get up of a boy. She
doesn’t have to worry about getting detected. He had said that Jessica was
wise, fair and faithful and he loved her heartily. She would always be
placed in his loyal heart.
Question 5.
What information does Antonio give at the end of the scene? How does
Gratiano react to this?
Answer:
Antonio at the end of the scene informs Gratiano that Bassanio’s party has
been called off. Since the wind is blowing in favourable direction and the
time is right to set sail for Belmont, both are eager to get on board to sail off
from Venice to the promising and romantic Belmont.
