ACT III

SCENE 1 (Balance)
Salarino: Why, yet it lives there unchecked that An-
tonio hath a ship of rich lading wrecked on the narrow seas;
the Goodwins, I think they call the place; a very dangerous flat
and fatal, where the carcases of many a tall ship lie buried, as
they say, if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word
Salanio: I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever
Knapped ginger or made her neighbours believe she wept for the
Death of a third husband. But it is true, without any slips of prolix-
Ity or crossing the plain highway of talk, that the good Antonio

1. Whom does 'she’ refer to in the extract? What is said about her in the extract?

In the extract 'she' refers to the rumour or report which is personified as a tatling old woman.
When Salarino talks about Antonio's ship, Salanio only wishes that rumour may prove to be a
big liar in this case as any old woman, who ever gossiped with her neighbours over her ginger
bread cakes and made her neighbours believe that she mourned sincerely for the death of her
third husband.
  
2. Give the meaning of: without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk.

These words mean: 'without speaking much or beating about the bush'. That is without being
guilty of any lengthy, irrelevant or tedious speech or going outside plain direct speech.
 
4. What feelings for Antonio are expressed by Salarino and Salanio in this extract?

In this extract, Salarino and Salanio express their feelings of concern and sympathy for Antonio.
Salanio calls him 'good Antonio', honest Antonio and wants a better adjective to describe 'him'.
Finally, Salanio conveys the news that Antonio has lost a ship. Salarino hopes that this may be
the end of his losses.

5. How does Shylock react to the loss of Antonio's ship?

Shylock was pleased to hear about the loss of Antonio's ship. He calls him a spendthrift and a
beggar, who used to come smiling, so self-satisfied to the market. He must take care to redeem
his bond in time.
 
6. Whose flight is being talked about? Where has the person flown? With whom has the person
flown?

The flight of Jessica is being talked about. She has flown to Belmont with Lorenzo
 
7. What bad news, besides the flight of the bird, is given just before the arrival of Shylock?

Just before the arrival of Shylock, the news about the Antonio's ship wreck in the English
Channel at a spot called Goodwin Sands is given.
 
8. Give the meaning of: the bird was fledged; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave
the dam.
These words mean that it is the nature of a fully feathered young bird to leave the nest when it is
old enough. He means to say that Jessica was old enough to run away with her lover, Lorenzo.
  
9. What is meant by a 'bankrupt as well as a 'prodigal'? Why has the man gone bankrupt? Why
is he called a prodigal?

A 'bankrupt’ means a person who has not enough money to pay off his just debts. 'Prodigal'
means a spendthrift who spends money recklessly. The man has gone bankrupt because his
ship has been wrecked in the English Channel with its rich cargo. He is a spendthrift who has
mismanaged his affairs and has gone bankrupt. That is why he is called a prodigal by Shylock.
 
10. What is known as Rialto? Why was the man said to go 'so smug upon the mart’?

The Venetian Stock Exchange where the merchants used to met to transact business deals,
was known as the Rialto, The man used to go to Rialto smiling and so self-satisted because he
was sure of his financial position as he owned a number of ships carrying merchandise to the
four corners of the world. Shylock says these words to compare Antonio's financial position in
the past with his present bankrupt condition.
  
11. How did the "bankrupt cause loss to Shylock in Venice?

The bankrupt caused loss to Shylock in Venice by lending money without interest and thus,
affecting Shylock's business of lending money at exhorbitant rate of interest.
 
12. How is the bankrupt likely to go into a loss? How will such a loss affect Shylock as far as his
revenge and financial position is concerned?

The bankrupt is likely to go into a loss as his ship has been wrecked with its rich cargo. Besides,
he is to pay three thousand ducats he had borrowed from Shylock for Bassanio. Such a loss will
favour Shylock to pursue his plan of revenge.
 
13. Who is Tubal? Why did he go to Genoa?

Tubal is another Jew, a friend of Shylock. He went to Genoa to search for Jessica, who has
eloped with Lorenzo.
 
14. What news did Tubal bring from Genoa about the thief?

Tubal brought the news that he went to the places in Genoa where he heard some news about
Jessica but could not find her.
 
15. State what ill-luck befell Antonio, Why was Shylock happy over the news?

One of Antonio's large ships has been wrecked on the way back from Tripolis. This was the ill-
luck that befell Antonio. Shylock was happy over the news as his chances of taking revenge on
Antonio became brighter.
 
16. The extract refers to 'satisfaction' and 'revenge'. In what context are these expressions used
by Shylock?

Shylock uses the expression satisfaction and revenge in the context of his efforts to retrieve his
lost money and eloped daughter. His daughter, Jessica had stolen money, precious stones, and
many other jewels. His efforts to locate her and retrieve them have not succeeded. So, he has
neither the satisfaction of getting back his lost daughter and money nor taking revenge on the
Christians, who caused her elopement.
 
17. In the context of the theft, what reference does Shylock make of his bachelor days?

In the context of the theft, Shylock makes a reference to his bachelor days. His wife Leah gave
a turquoise ring to him before their marriage. His daughter Jessica stole that ring before eloping
and exchanged it for a monkey.
  
18. Give the meaning of:
(a) a wilderness of monkeys: A horde of monkeys. It means that Shylock would not have
exchanged his turquoise ring even for a horde of monkeys.

(b) I can make what merchandise I will: I can make as much profit as I like. It means that once
Antonio is out of Venice, Shylock can make as much profit as he wants.
 
19. What is a synagogue? What can you conclude from Shylock's journey towards the
synagogue?

A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. Shylock's journey to the synagogue gives us the clue
that he will take revenge on Antonio Shylock believes in the old Mosaic law, which prescribed
an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. So, Shylock feels he is justified in taking revenge
against an enemy of his religion and race.
 
20. In what way, by the end of the scene, does Shylock convince the audience that his attack on
Antonio is without any mercy?

Shylock's passion for revenge and his complete justification of it is given in this scene. He
explains the insults he has suffered unjustly and his right to take revenge. He believes that he is
doing as his enemies would do. The fierceness of his thirst for revenge is expressed in his final
threat I will have the heart of him. Shylock states that Jews are no different from Christians and
they will follow their example in the matter of revenge too

SCENE 2
 
1. Where does this scene take place? What is meant by the first line of the extract?

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?

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?

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;

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?

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.

6. Explain the meaning of he makes a swan-like end.' What contemporary belief about swans is
expressed in the extract?

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.

7. 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?

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

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.

9. How would the music call the dreaming bridegroom to his marriage?

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.
 
10. Who is Alcides? What is the 'virgin tribute'? How did Alcides save the virgin tribute?

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.
 
11. In what way is Bassanio compared to young Alcides? Why does Portia here 'stand for
sacrifice'?

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.
 
12. 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.
 
13. 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?

‘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
 
14. Why does Portia say, 'Go, Hercules'? What will she be doing at the same time?

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

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

‘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.
 
17. Who is Hercules and who is frowning Mars? What are they, with their beards known for?

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.
 
18. 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.
 
19. Explain how is beauty purchased by weight? How does it make the wearers lightest?
(Give the two meanings of the word: lightest.)

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.
 
20. What is referred to as "crisped snaky golden locks'? Who wears them and who is their
actual owner?

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.
 
21. What is referred to as 'the dowry of a second head'? Who has bred this head? Where is the
head now?

‘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.
 
22. Why does Bassanio say that Ornament is but the guiled shore to a most dangerous sea?

Bassanio says that outward adornment is always deceptive. It is like the attractive but
treacherous sea-shore that leads people into perilous waters.
 
23. Give any two examples from Bassanio's speech to show that appearances are deceptive.

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.