Paper 2: Drama and Poetry

AFRICAN DRAMA: The Merchant of Venice: by William Shakespeare

ACT 1, SCENE 1:
The play opens with Antonio, a Venetian merchant, sharing with his friends Salerio and
Solanio that he feels ‘Sad’ but does not know why. His friends suggest that he is either
worried about his ships, which are ‘tossing on the ocean’ and full of valuable goods, or
that he is ‘in love’. Antonio rejects both of these ideas and Salerio and Solanio leave
when Bassanio, (Antonio noble kinsman) arrives. Bassanio admits to Antonio that he has
run out of his own money and is in need of resources so that he can go to Belmont and
woo Portia, an heiress. Antonio commits to helping Bassanio and promise that he will
find someone to lend him the money, which he will then give to Bassanio.

ACT 1, SCENE 2:
In Belmont, the heiress Portia and her waiting woman and friend Nerissa discuss the
intriguing ‘lottery that Portia’s father devised before his death. Portia is unable to choose
her own husband and instead any suitor wishing to marry Portia must pick one of three
caskets. One is made of lead, one of silver and the one of gold. If the suitor chooses the
casket that holds a portrait of Portia, then they win her hand in marriage. Portia and
Nerissa discuss the men who have recently visited Belmont on this quest and Portia
wittily dismisses them all as unappealing, until Nerissa reminds her of when she once met
a ‘a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier’, who both ladies agree ‘the best deserving a fair
lady.

ACT 1, SCENE 3:
Bach in Venice, Bassanio meets Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, from whom he asks for
a loan of ‘three thousand ducats for three months’ in return, Antonio shall be ‘bound’ to
repay the loan. In an aside to the audience, Shylock admits that he hates Antonio for
numerous reasons. When Antonio arrives, Shylock reminds him of how badly he has
been treated by Antonio in the past (‘you call me misbeliever, cut throat dog’), although
he does agree to lend Antonio the money.
 However, if Antonio does not repay him by the appointed day then Shylock will cut off a
pound of Antonio’s flesh. Bassanio doesn’t want his friend to agree to this, although
Antonio is confident that his ships will have returned ‘a month before the day’ and so
he’ll be able to repay Shylock. Antonio Agrees to ‘seal unto this bond’

ACT 2, SCENE 1
In Belmont, the Prince of Morocco tries to woo Portia and asks her not to disregard him
on account of his dark ‘complexion’. Portia reminds the Prince that she cannot choose her
own husband, but instead she will be won by whosoever succeeds in the task left by her
father. The Prince asks her to lead him to the caskets immediately. Portia tells him that
they will go after dinner band that before he chooses he must swear to never marry
anyone at all if he chooses the wrong caskets.

ACT 2, SCENE 2:
The ‘Clown’, Lancelot Gobbo, delivers a speech in which he admits that he is
considering running away from his master, Shylock. He says Shylock is a ‘fiend’ and a
‘kind of devil’. He comes to the conclusion that he ‘will run’, but is stopped by the arrival
of Old Gobbo, his blind father. Old Gobbo asks Lancelot for directions towards
Shylock’s house. Lancelot plays a trick on his father by pretending to be someone else,
giving Gobbo the wrong directions and pretending that Lancelot is dead. When he finally
reveals to his father who he is, Gobo shares his decision to leave Shylock.
Bassanio then enters and Launcelot asks if he can serve him instead. Bassanio has already
agreed to this previously, but he confirms it and also agrees to let his friend Gratianio
come to Belmont on the condition that he tames his unusually wild and rude behavior.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON ‘The Merchant of Venice”:

Scene 1:

1. What is Antonio’s occupation?

Answer: Antonio is the merchant of Venice.
2. What is Antonio’s problem at the beginning of the play?
Answer: Antonio may be concerned worried that his ships are overdue.
 3. To what do Salerio and Solanio attribute Antonio’s mood?
Answer: They suggest that he is sad because he is in love and that his ships might be in
danger.
4. What advice does Gratianio give Antonio regarding his disposition/mood?
Answer: Gratianio tells Antonio to avoid joining the group of people who strive to
appear wise by keeping quiet. He also warns Antonio against using melancholy as a
gudgeon- a worthless cheap fish.
5. What does Bassanio reveal to Antonio about his financial status?
Answer: Bassanio tells Antonio about his financial debt. He explains how he has been
living the high life, spending money frivolously, but now wants to pay off his debts
honorably.
6. What does Antonio reveal to Bassanio about his financial status? How does he offer
to help Bassanio?
Answer: Antonio tells Bassanio that he is unable to provide his request at the moment
since all his money is invested in ships at sea but he gladly offers to guarantee a credit
loan

Scene 2:

1. What is Portia’s problem at the beginning of Scene 2. How does Nerissa respond?
Answer: Portia is unable to choose her own husband and instead any suitor wishing to
marry Portia must pick one of three caskets. Nerissa advice Portia to make herself
available to all suitors and accept the one who chooses “rightly’ from among “three
chests of gold, silver and lead”. She tries to comfort Portia and tells her that surely her
father knew what he was doing.
2. What is Portia’ attitude/tone regarding the suitors that Nerissa describes?
Answer: Portia’s attitude towards the suitor is negative.
3. What descriptions does Portia give about each suitor?
Answer:
 Portia describes the Neapolitan prince as a man who “does nothing but talk of his horse”
and that “he can shoe himself”.
 As for the Falconbridge, the English baron, Portia finds it impossible to converse with
him in any of the languages that she knows. He also dresses poorly, in mismatched
clothes from Italy, France and Germany.
 The Scottish Lord appears to lack courage, runs from a fight while threatening retaliation,
and borrows money that he doesn’t repay.
 The County Palestine frowns his face excessively.

4. What do we learn about Portia’s father’s will in this scene?

Answer: according to her father’s will, she may marry only the man who chooses
correctly among three small chests, which signifies a potential genuine husband.

Scene 3:

1. What deal does Bassanio present to Shylock?

Answer: Bassanio goes to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to borrow, in Antonio’s
name, 3,000 ducats.
2. How does Antonio contradict himself during the meeting with Shylock?
Answer: Antonio has said before that he will never loan or borrow money while on
interest.
3. How does Shylock characterized Antonio? What does he reveal about his past
dealings with Antonio during his monologue?
Answer: Shylock says Antonio is a Christian who lends without interest, which makes
more difficult the practice of usury. He also says that Antonio calls him name:
misbeliever, cut-throat dog and spit upon his Jewish gaberdine. So, he swears to his tribe
that he is desperate to take revenge for such insults on him.

4. How does Antonio respond to Shylock’s accusations? What does Antonio response
reveal about his character?
Answer: Antonio responds that he is likely to do so again, and insists that Shylock lend
him money as an enemy. His response shows that he is hopeful to repay the loan despite
the penalty involved.
 5. Describe the ‘merry bond’ that Shylock proposes.
Answer: The Merry bond is that he will lend Antonio the money he needs if Antonio
agrees to let Shylock take a pound of his flesh should he default.
6. What is Antonio’s attitude/tone as he accepts Shylock’s offer?
Answer: he accepts with no doubt that he will pay him back and he is confident.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING FAMOUS QUOTATIONS FROM THE TEXT

1. Believed me, no. I thank my fortune for it-

My ventures are not in one bottom trusted

Nor to one place, nor is my whole estate
Upon the fortune of this present year
Therefore, my merchandise
Makes me not sad.”

According to Antonio’s submission, his merchandise is not in one place and further
says he hasn’t risked all his riches on this year’s venture.

2. “Try what my credit can in

Venice do-
That shall be racked even
To the uttermost\
To furnish thee to Belmont,
To fair Portia.
Go presently inquire, and so
Will I,
Where money is, and I no
Question make
To have it of my trust or for my sake”

Antonio suggests to Bassanio to go ask around to find somewhere he can borrow

some money, and so he will do the same. Antonio said he is certain that people will
lend him the money, either for his own sake or for the sake of his business.
3. Your father was ever virtuous,
And holy men at their death
Have good inspirations. Therefore
The lottery that he hath devised
In these three chests of
Gold, silver, and lead, whereof who
Chooses his meaning chooses you…”
Nerissa believes that Portia’s father does the right thing by setting up the lottery as a
means to select a rightful husband.

4. “Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,

The better part of my affections would
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still
Plucking the grass, to know where sits the wind,
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads;
And every object that might make me fear
Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt
Would make me sad”

Solanio affirms that if had such trade venture like Antonio, most of his mental
energy would be with his ships.

5. “ I hold the world but as the world, Gratianio;

A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one”

Antonio believe that the world is seemingly a threatre where everyone comes and
performs his or her role, but he says that his role is a sad one.
6. “Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate,
By something showing a more swelling port
Than my faith means would grant continuance:
Nor do I now make moan to be abridged
From such a noble rate; but my chief care
Is to come fairly off from the great debts
Wherein my time something too prodigal
Hath left me gaged. To you, Antonio,
I owe the most, in money and in love,..”

Bassanio explains to Antonio how he has been using up his wealth, living a more
lavish life than he can afford. He says he is not complaining about having to be more
frugal, but he does care about fairly paying off the debts that he incurred while he
was living beyond his means.

7. “Oh, no, no,no: my meaning in saying he is a

Good man is to have you understand me that he is
Sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he
Hath an argosy bound to Tripoli’s, another to the
Indies; I understand moreover, upon the Ralto, he
Hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and
Other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. But ships
Are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats
And water rats, water-thieves and land land-thief, i
Mean pirates, and then there is the peril of waters,
Winds and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding,
Sufficient. Three thousand ducats;
I think I may take his bond”
 Shylock subscribes to the view that Antonio is a sufficient guarantor for the loan.
However, he expressed doubt that Antonio’s wealth isn’t certain at the moment
since there are potential; threat on the sea, and land.

8. “ (Aside) how like a fawning publican he looks!

I hate him for he is a Christian,
He lends out money gratis and brings down
The rate of usances here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him!”

Shylock in an aside says that Antonio looks like someone who wants to take his
money but then asks him for a favor. He says he hates Antonio because he is a
Christian, but he hates him even more because he lends out money without charging
interest, which forces him to lower the interest rates that he loans at. He intends to
take revenge on him should he defaults to pay the loan.

SECTION B: POETRY

NOTE ON “The Lonely Soul by Rapheal Armattoe

‘The Lonely Soul’ by Rapheal Armattoe is one that speaks to an emotion that almost every
person on earth has felt at one time or another, loneliness. The speaker uses two characters to
bring the deep effects of loneliness to light. He addresses these characters in his own mind, and
then he relates himself to them. In doing so, the speaker allows the readers to feel united with
him and with the two characters. Ironically, the unity of these people who all feel common
loneliness offers comfort to them in knowing that they are not alone in feeling lonely. Many
before them have felt lonely, and many after them will. The longing for companionship is built
into human nature, and the lack of companionship creates a deep felt void that is loneliness.

Lines 1-5 Analysis:

“ I met an old womam

(…)

Laughing all the time,

The first five lines set the tone for the rest of the poem ‘ The Lonely Soul’, and they paint a
picture of the character the readers are to empathize with. The speaker first introduces himself by
beginning the poem in the first person and proceeding to tell a story about an experience he has
had. It seems to be an experience of little significance, but the fact that he is telling the story
suggests that it had an effect on him. he tells of an old woman he met. He does not give her a
name. he may not even know her. He simply listens to her as she talks to herself. Then the
speaker offers the setting, which is a lonely road. The characters and the setting immediately
creates a sense of loneliness which the readers can feel upon the opening of the poem. The fact
that the woman is talking to herself reveals just how lonely she is. It would seem that it has
perhaps been a very long time since this old woman has held a conversation with anyone other
than herself. The repetition of the setting as a road, and the description of it as a country road,
emphasizes the loneliness of the woman by repeating that she is in a very lonely place
physically.

Line 6-9 analysis:

With these lines, the speaker turns his attention to the readers and addresses each personally as
“child”. This gives the readers the idea that this speaker is one with age and thus the authority to
speak on matters of life. The fact that he calls all of his readers “child’ suggests that he has lived
long enough to view himself as a parental figure. After addressing his readers, he states a simple
observation. He concludes that no one really knows why a person will talk to himself on a long
road, where there are no other travelers to meet. Suddenly, this road begins to represent life, and
the travelers -the people. Each person seems to be on his or her own road, where there are no
other travelers to come across. This produces the intense loneliness the speaker describes.

Line 10-12

“If the road be long

(…)

A man talks to himself

Here, the speaker introduces another character whom he refers to simply as “a man”. This
introduction of another character gives two specific insights to the readers. First, the speaker
does not give a name to the man, which implies that he did not ask the man his name in the same
way, he never asked the old woman her name. He notices these two people, and he even notice
that they are lonely, but he never asks them their names. This give the readers some insight into
the problem of loneliness .it causes one to question why there are so many lonely people in the
world, and yet none of them seek companionship in one another, even when they encounter each
other on a lonely country road. He describes the man as having endured “showers of sorrows”
which fell upon him “arrows”. Something about the way the man carried himself caused the
speaker believe that he had endured many sorrows.

Line 13-23

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker mentions all the characters he has introduced so far. he
talks of the man as a “lone wayfarer” and he reiterates that he may talk by himself”. In the same
way, he permits the old woman to “babble to herself” as she walks down the lonely country road.
Then, the speaker gives his reasoning for pardoning the man and the old woman for their strange
ways. He suggests that they are talking to themselves and taking to themselves “to keep the tear
away”. Then he specifically addresses the old woman and says, “Woman, you are sad!” as if to
make her face her own emotions which she has kept at bay through her laughing and babbling to
herself. Then he admits to himself, that he is also sad. In this way, he again creates a camaraderie
between himself and the two characters in his poem.

Ironically, he comforts himself with the knowledge that he is not alone in his loneliness.
Literary Devices in the Poem:

 Repetition: “Talking to herself” –three (3) times

 Simile: “If showers of sorrow
Fall down like arrows”
 Metaphor: “If showers of sorrow”

Themes explored by the poet:

 Loneliness
 Depression
 The challenges of life: internal and external conflict

“On His Blindness” By John Milton

Let consider the following questions on “On His Blindness”

 How does Milton aim to serve God in “On His Blindness?”

Answer: Milton hopes to serve God by accepting his blindness and awaiting God’s
commands.
 What is the central idea of the poem “On His Blindness?”
Answer: the poem centers on Milton’s faith in God as he is losing his sight.
 What is personified in the poem “On His Blindness”?
Answer: the abstract concept of patience is personified. Patience engages in a
conversation with the speaker, encouraging him to feel satisfied with waiting.
 What does “They also serve who only stand and wait” mean in “On His Blindness”?
Answer: It implies that each one of us has a place in this world and performs a function,
regardless of our ability or disability.
 How does the poet justify God’s way to men in “On His Blindness?
Answer: The poet justifies the ways of God to humanity by observing how God expects
faith and patience more than great works from his followers.
 What moral messages does Milton’s “ On His Blindness” convey?
Answer: the poem teaches us about the mighty weapon of success-patience since the
human life is full of ups and down.
 What is the speaker’s attitude in Milton’s “On His Blindness”?
Answer: the speaker starts off in a sorrowful, almost self-pitying mood. He hates the fact
that blindness has robbed him of the chance to use his talents to serve God. But then the
Patience emerges to provide some needed perspective.
 What does “Death to hide” mean in Milton’s “On His Blindness”?
Answer: It means that to hide the gift or to keep it useless is death to him. it is a spiritual
death”
 Why is the poet bitter in “on His Blindness” opening lines?
Answer: the poet is bitter because being blind makes it difficult for him to use his literary
talent to glorify God and he even felt bad that God might scold him for not using his
talents.
 What is the theme of the octave in “On His Blindness”?
Answer: the octave identifies the problem created by Milton’s blindness. In the first eight
lines, Milton says he considers how his blindness has limited him in serving God and
worries that the Lord will return to “Chide” him for not serving.
 Who serves God best according to the poem “On His Blindness”?
Answer: The people who “best bear his mild yoke” best serve God.
 What does “mild yoke” refer to in Milton’s “On His Blindness?”
Answer: It means people who are most obedient to God’s will.
 What poetic devices are used in “On His Blindness?”
Answer:
 Metaphor: “light” as a metaphor for vision
 Personification: Patience is a personified entity.
 Alliteration: “days in this dark, World and wide…”
 Hyperbole: it is exaggerated statement, eg. “Thousands at his bidding speed”.
  Why, according to “On His Blindness” by John Milton, doesn’t God need man’s
work?
Answer: patience points out that God is complete and perfect. He does not need work or
talents.
 What is the meaning of “talent” in the poem “On His Blindness”?
Answer: It means the talent of writing
 What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “On His Blindness?”
Answer: the rhyme scheme is AB BAABBACDECDE
 What do “day-labor,” “mild yoke,” and “stand and wait” means in “On His Blindness”?
Answer: ‘Day-labor’ is a reference to work performed during daylight hours.
‘Mild yoke’ refers to people who are most obedient to God’will.
‘Stand and wait’ refers to those who serve God in a position of quiet waiting.

NOTE ON NIGHT RAIN BY John Pepper Clerk:

Night Rain’, a narrative poem of 47 lines without stanza, remains one of the most beautiful
works among John Pepper Clerk’s literary creations. The poem reflects on the impact of nature
on humans. In the case described by the author, the poetic persona narrates his ordeal and that of
his family during a night downpour

The poet represents his environment which shows the Niger- Delta region of Nigeria from where
he hailed through a night rain that usually disrupts the family’s peaceful sleep.

The first and second lines; “What time of night it is, I do not know”, clearly indicate the
narrator’s inability to tell what time the rain wreaked havoc but is sure it is dark. John Pepper
Clerk employs the description of a rainstorm in his village to mirror the people’s poor standard
of living as well as how they often bow to the force of nature.

‘Night Rain’ is set in a distinctive, simple village in the Niger Delta. The home shows a modest
one in a traditional society where natural occurrences such as the crow tells the time of the day.

To clearly paint the picture of the situation on ground, the narrator compares his experiences
with that of a fish caught with the aid of a chemical substance: “Like some fish/Doped out of the
deep/ I have bobbed up belly-wise from stream of sleep”.
The poem can be divided into parts. The first part documents the hardship brought about by the
rain, while the second part which is about the last six lines offers encouragement and hope that
all will be fine in due time. The tone of ‘Night Rain’ is therefore both emotional and optimistic
(hopeful).

Although the poet uses figurative language and imagery to present the descriptive narrative, the
language of the poem is simple. His attempt to show continuous downpour is seen in the affix-
‘ing’ used several times. Such words are drumming, dribbling, droning and deploying also create
a mental picture of just the density of the rain, but also, its devastating effect on the poor people.

Interestingly, the poet recognizes the motherly role of women in the family and society. He
demonstrates this in line 22 to 27: “Mother is busy deploying/About our room-let and floor/
Although it is so dark,/ I know her practiced steps as/ she moves her bins bags and vats/ out of
the run of water.

These lines tell the readers of however ready the narrator’s mother is to battle the danger of the
torrential rain.

Themes of the Poem:

 There are four themes in the poem which covers first, the ruggedness of life in the
village which is represented with images of sheaves, wooden bowls, earth wares, mats,
etc,
 Then, man’s helplessness in the face of natural occurrences or disaster. These two
themes are evident in how the rainstorm deprived the poetic persona’s family of their
humble home.
 Poverty
 Havoc of Rain

Literary Devices on Night Rain

 Alliteration
 “ I have bobbed up belly-wise/ from stream of sleep/And no cock crock’
 Onomatopoeia
“Great water drops are dribbling”/ “it is drumming hard here, etc…” are used to show the
intensity of the rain

 Simile:
 “Like some fish”/
 Fall like orange or mango
 Like ants filing out of the wood
 Much like beads
 Hyperbole

“Great water drops are dribbling.