EXTRA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Act II: Scene 1 ICSE Class 9 & 10

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ACT II SCENE 1.

1 . Where does this scene takes place? Who are present in this scene? On what basis does Morocco says Portia not to dislike him?

_ The scene takes place in Belmont, in a room of Portia’s palace. This scene is marked by the entrance of the Prince of Morocco, one of the suitors who came to visit Portia. In this scene, Portia and the Prince of Morocco was present.

Morocco pleads Portia not to judge him because of his dark complexion and by not considering the external features,  he says Portia to judge him on the basis of his bravery.

2 . What explanation does the Prince give for his dark complexion?

_  The Prince of Morocco pleads Portia not to dislike him for his dark complexion. The explanation he gives behind his dark complexion is that his belonged from the place which was located near the equator. Hence, his dark complexion was due to the dark clothing of the burning sun to whom the Prince was a neighbor.

3 . What challenge did he throw in front of Portia?

_  The Prince of Morocco says to  bring him the most handsome and fairest creature from the north where the rays of sun hardly reaches to melt the long pointed spikes of ice. Then both of them will make an incision  prove their love for Portia and to check whose blood is more reddish .

4 . What was the old belief regarding the color of blood?

_ Earlier it was believed that, the most courageous man would have the reddest blood while  coward will have a pale-colored blood. This was the reason why Morocco wanted to make incision to check the color of the blood and prove who was braver.

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5 . How did Morocco appreciated himself? And under what circumstances he was ready to change himself?

_ Morocco says that although his dark complexion have scared the valiant but by his love, the best regarded maidens have loved it too. The Prince of Morocco would never change his complexion. He would do it only to win the affections of Portia and to steal Portia’s heart.

6 . What light does it throws on the Prince’s character?

_ The Prince of Morocco was very confident about his bravery and openly threw challenge to bring him the fairest and most handsome creature from the south pole, and both of them will make an incision to check whose blood is darker. But , somewhere he was insecured about his dark complexion as he begins his speech by saying, “ Mislike me not for my complexion.” However at the end of his speech we see that he was proud of his worth, his complexion which he would change only if Portia wants him to do .

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

_ The lottery of Portia’s destiny was the lottery of casket according to which, the one who chooses the right casket would marry Portia.

The lottery of casket prevents Portia from voluntary choosing as choosing the right casket was totally dependent on luck . Anybody could choose the right casket and Portia was bound to marry the one who chooses the right casket . She was not permitted to marry the one whom she loved.

8 . What did Portia said to Morocco?

_ Portia said the Prince of Morocco that she was bound by her father’s will, and she had to marry the one who would choose the right casket. But if she was not bound by this condition, the Prince of Morocco had a high chance to steal Portia’s heart as  she didn’t see any other suitors like the Prince of Morocco.

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9 . Does Portia really meant the last three lines of the extract ?

_ Portia said that the Prince of Morocco had a fair chance as compared to the other suitors . But later on we see that Portia says, that she was fortunate enough to see the Moroccan Prince fail at the lottery of casket. She did not like any of the suitors and wanted all of them to lose.

10 . Give a character sketch of Portia.

_ Portia was of a calm and composed behavior as she was extremely tired of the suitors who have come to visit her yet, she behaved in a courteous and respectful manner with the Moroccan Prince. She confidently holds her composure. Moreover, Portia was a obedient daughter as she would choose the one who wins the lottery of casket as devised by her father. Portia was also witty  which was well understood by her remarks that the noble Prince had fair chance to win her.

11 . What is meant by scimitar? What did the Moroccan Prince do with that?

_ Scimitar  is meant by the short , curved sword which the Moroccan Prince had with him. With the scimitar he defeated the  Sophy (  the Emperor of Persia) and a Persian Prince who had won three battles against the Sultan Solyman.

12 . What were the brave deeds of Morocco which he was ready to do in order to win Portia?

_  The Prince of Morocco was ready to do anything to win Portia. He would look defiantly into the eyes that were very bold and would also defy the most daring heart on earth . To win Portia, he would pluck the sucking cubs from the mother bear and mock the lion when he roars for prey.

13 . Which thing did Morocco feared the most ?

_ The Prince of Morocco acted the bravest man on earth but the thing which he feared the most was fortune. As the lottery of casket was totally dependent on fortune he feared that the least eligible one could choose the correct casket and win Portia. Fortune may be in favor of any one no matter how strong or how worthy the person is, and that’s why the Prince of Morocco feared “fortune” the most.

14 . Who are Hercules and Lichas? Why are they referred in this context?

_ According to Greek mythology, Hercules was the strongest and the bravest hero. Lichas was his servant. They are referred in this context to convey that fortune can be favorable to any person without considering his bravery, or looks, or worth. Once, Hercules and Lichas were playing a game of dice to prove who was a better man and by chance the winning throw came from the hand of Lichas, and Hercules being the strongest and bravest was defeated in the game of dice and hence proved the fortune can be favorable to anyone.

15 . How did Moroccan Prince related himself with Hercules?

_ Moroccan Prince considered himself as the bravest and strongest man who could do anything to win Portia. But he feared his fortune which may not be in his favor and any least eligible person would win the lottery of casket if fortune favored him . It was quite relatable to the story of Hercules and Lichas where Hercules, as they lost the game of dice as fortune was not in his favor and Lichas being his servant was fortunate enough and won the game of dice.

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16 . What instruction did Portia give to the Prince before making his choice?

_ Portia said the Prince should either take chance to choose the casket or not make any attempt to choose at all. And before choosing the correct casket, he needs to take an oath that if he loses in the lottery of casket then he wouldn’t marry any other lady later in his life.

17 . What Portia said Morocco before making his choice? How well did Portia tackled the Moroccan Prince?

_ Portia said Morocco that after completion of dinner  he first needs to go to the temple and take an oath before performing in the lottery of casket and wishes him good fortune.

Portia’s tack in handling the Moroccan Prince is commendable.  Portia dislikes Morocco still she behaved in a peaceful and respectful manner. Portia disliked his pride and boastful attitude but she didn’t depicted it in her speech or manners.

18 . What new thing does this scene reveals about the lottery of casket?

_ The new thing which is revealed about the lottery of casket is that the men who performs in the lottery of casket and loses in the lottery should never think of marrying in his lifetime, and this was one of the reason why the earlier suitors left Belmont without trying their luck.

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