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Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene 1
June 11, 2018 by Kalyan

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene 1 – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English
ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions
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Passage – 1 (Act I, Sc.I, Line 1-7)
Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 1
Paraphrase :
ANTONIO : Really, I don’t know why I’m so sad; It wearies me ; you say it wearies you; But how I caught
it, found it, or came by it, What it’s made of, where it started, I must find out; And sadness makes me so
crazy That I don’t know who I am.
Word Meaning With Annotation
In sooth : really. It wearis me : the sadness of which Antonio is complaining. Caught it : caught, Antonio
speaks of his melancholy as if it had been “caught”. Whereof : of what parents. I am to learn : I have not
yet discovered. Want-wit : a dull person. Ado : trouble ; difficulty.
Read the above passage and answer the following questions
Question 1.
Who address these line to whom?
Answer:
Antonio addresses these lines to Salario in the Merchant of Venice.
Question 2.
What does the words : ‘in sooth’ mean?
Answer:
The words ‘In sooth’ mean ‘to tell you the truth.’
Question 3.
What is intended by the ‘Sadness’ of Antonio?
Answer:
This sadness of Antonio is probably in the key-note of the play which illustrates that the coming events
cast their shadows before. The play revolves round this theme mainly.
Question 4.
What does the word ‘want-wit’ mean?
Answer:
The word ‘want-wit’ means an idiot.
Question 5.
Explain : “I have much ado to know myself.”
Answer:
Antonio says that he has great difficulty in recognizing himself on account of the sadness that has made
him a dullard as such.
Passage – 2 (Act I Sc.I Line 8-18)
Paraphrase :
SALARINO : Your mind is tossing on the ocean, Where your ships, with full sails Like gentlemen and rich
citizens on the water, Or as if they were in a procession of the sea Look over the minor merchants,That
bow to them, pay them respect, As they fly by them with their woven wings.
SALANIO : Believe me, sir, if I had such venture out there, The better part of my thoughts would Be with
my hope of their safe arrival. I’d be Still plucking the grass to know where the wind blows.
Argosies : large and important merchant ships. Portly : sail of a ship, when well filled out by the wind,
always has a full or fat appearance. Your argosies : surpass other smaller ships, just as rich citizens excel
the poorer men in appearance and dress. Signiors : the Italian word for “gentlemen”. Pageant : a grand
display, or exhibition of any kind which appeals to the eye. Overpeer, unimportant trading ships.
Curt’sy : “bow to them in token of respect.” Woven wings : the sails of the ships are woven of canvas,
and carry them along just like the wings of birds. Venture, a trading expedition, in which money has
been risked. Forth, out on the sea. Plucking the grass :, it is common for a country dweller to pluck a
blade of grass, and hold it up in order to see from its movement the direction in which the wind is
blowing.

Question 1.
What has Antonio just narrated that makes the speaker say that Antonio’s mind is tossing on the ocean?
Answer:
Antonio has just narrated the state of his mind. He is sad without knowing the reason what makes him
sad. He does know the nature of his mysterious sadness, nor does he know the source of its origin. This
sadness had made him stupid.
On hearing Antonio’s explanation, his friend, Salarino tries to diagnose the disease. He guesses that
Antonio is sad because he is worried about this merchant-ships gone into different directions on the sea.
Question 2.
Where are Antonio’s ships? How do these ships move? How do they present an impressive spectacle on
the sea ?
Answer:
His ships are at the sea. With their majestic sails they voyage upon the seas and present an impressive
spectacle.
Question 3.
How are Antonio’s big ships compared with the smaller ships ?
Answer:
Antonio’s large ships tower above small vessels engaged in petty traffic, in the same way as gentlemen
of status and other rich citizens look far superior to humble people. The smaller ships fitted with light
sails, bob up and down under the influence of the waves and so appear to show respect to Antonio’s
ships.
Question 4.
How would Salanio have behaved if he had ships at sea like those of Antonio’ what would have made
him sad ?
Answer:
Salanio would have also remained worried about his ships if he had any at the sea. If he were facing a
similar situation of having a commercial enterprise in danger, the greater part of his feelings would also
have been connected with his hopes of safety of his ships. Thinking of the risks at the sea, he would have
become sad like Antonio.
Question 5.
Why would he be plucking the grass? What else would he be doing to console himself ?
Answer:
He would continually be plucking blades of grass and throwing them in the wind to find out which way
the wind blew. Moreover, he would be examining the maps to know the situation of harbours, piers and
anchorages. Every object that seemed to do harm to his ships would certainly make him sad.
Passage – 3 (Act I, Sc.I, Lines 23-40)
Paraphrase :
SALARINO : My breath, cooling my soup,Would make me ill, when I thought about The damage a mighty
wind might do at sea.I shouldn’t see the time pass in the sands of an hour-glass But I’d be thinking about
shallows and sandbars,And seeing my wealthy ship of war run aground, Lowering her high top sails
lower than her hull To sink. Even if I went to church And saw the holy building of stone, I’d be thinking
right away about dangerous rocks,Which, touching only my gentle vessel’s side,Would scatter all her
spices across the water, Spreading my silk cargo across the roaring waters,And, in a word, one minute
worth this amount of money, And now worth nothing. If I had the mind To think about all this, and if I
lacked the mind to see That such a thing could happen, wouldn’t it make me sad? But don’t tell me; I
know Antoniols sad to think about his shipments.

Broth : a thick kind of soup. Ague : fever which is accompanied by fits of shivering. Sandy hour glass : an
apparatus consistsing of two glass bulbs or balls, which are hollow, and connected by a narrow tube. It
contains a certain amount of sand, and the time in which the sand runs from one part into the other in
one hour. Shallows and of flats : a plateau of the sea bottom which rises up near the surface are both
dreaded by mariners. My wealthy Andrew : this was a name applied to any big merchant ship. Dock’d in
sand : resting on a sand bank. Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs : the high top is the top of the
mast; the ribs are the sides of the ships. If a ship is aground and has rolled quite over, then the top of
the mast may be lower than the sides, vailing, lowering. To kiss her burial : to kiss the sands in which she
is buried. Which touching but etc : which, if they only touch etc. Spices : aromatic substances and
perfumes such as cinammon, musk, etc. Stream : sea. Enrobe : cover; clothe. In a word: short or briefly.
Shall I have the thought : shall my imagination make me think of this.
Question 1.
Why would Salario be blown to an ague ?
Answer:
If Salario’s ships had gone to sea and if he had heard of a storm that could damage his ships then he
would be blown to an ague.
Question 2.
What effect would be running of the sandy hour-glass produce on Salario ?
Answer:
The running of the sandy hour-glass would make him think of shallow waters and sand-banks. He would
imagine his richly laden ship Andrew run aground.
Question 3.
What would a visit to the church set him doing ?

Answer:
Even the stones in the church walls would bring to Salario mind the dangerous rocks against which his
ships might collide and his spices and silk loaded in the ships would scatter on the surface of the water
of the sea.
Question 4.
What could cause sadness to him ?
Answer:
The fear to the safety of his ships would certainly make Salario sad.
Question 5.
How does Salario interpret or explain about Antonio’s sadness ?
Answer:
Thus, says Salario, about Antonio who is sad because his ships laden with goods are at sea and he fears
danger to their safety.
Paraphrase :
ANTONIO : Believe me, no; I thank my fortune for it, My cargos are not all loaded on one ship,Or going
to one place, and my whole estate is not Based on the fortune of this present year; So, my shipments
don’t make me sad.
SALANIO : If your sadness is not due to that risk, then you must be in love.
ANTONIO : Nonsense, nonsense!
SALANIO : Not in love either? Then let’s say you are sad Because you are not happy; and it’s easy to say
that Because you laugh and leap and say you are happy, Because you are not sad. Now, looking at both
sides, Nature has made strange fellows in her time :
Ventures : cargo goods. Bottom : ship. Estate : wealth or fortune. Fie, fie : same on you. Not in love
neither : this would be incorrect in modem English, where we should say “either.” Leap : jump. Janus :
was the Roman God who was supposed to preside over gates and doorways. Fram’d: made. Her time :
from time to time.
Question 1.
What does Antonio mean by saying “Fie, fie”?
Answer:
The word “Fie” means “shame on you”.

Question 2.
Why does he react to SALANIO’s suggestion in this way?
Answer:
Antonio means to say that SALANIO should feel ashamed of himself for having made the suggestion that
Antonio might be in love. Antonio reacts to SALANIO’s suggestion adversely because, being an elderly
man, he cannot fall in love. If he had not fallen in love in his younger days, there is no possibility of his
falling in love now. Thus Antonio totally rejects the suggestion which. SALANIO has made.
Question 3.
According to SALANIO, what strange fellows have been framed by Nature in her time?
Answer:
Some fellows keep laughing without much reason, and others always look serious and sullen. In other
words, some have extremely cheerful temperaments, while others are too sober and serious- minded.
The serious-minded ones do not laugh even at a joke which is very amusing.
Question 4.
What is meant by “two-headed Janus”?
Answer:
Janus is the name of the God of doors. This god was represented as having two heads facing opposite
directions because a door may be used for making an entry into a room and it may also be used for
making an exit from a room. Furthermore, this god was represented with one of his two faces as smiling
and the other as frowning.
Question 5.
How does Antonio afterwards explain his melancholy?
Answer:
Antonio afterwards says that he regards this world as the stage of a theatre on which everyone has to
play some part, his own part on this stage being a sad one. In other words, Antonio says that he is, by
nature and by temperament, a melancholy man and that there is no particular reason for his feeling
melancholy at this time.
Question 6.
What light does the dialogue quoted above throw upon the characters of the speakers?
Answer:
This dialogue shows that Antonio is so serious-minded man that he has never fallen in love. He regards
love as a frivolous pastime. This dialogue also shows the Antonio has full confidence in his continuing
prosperity. He believes himself to be a shrewd businessman who has not invested all his money on the
merchandise carried by a single ship, and whose other investments also have been made discreetly and
intelligently. As for SALANIO, he is a well-wisher of Antonio; and both he and SALARINO are trying to talk
Antonio out of his melancholy. They are trying to divert Antonio’s mind by offering different
explanations of his melancholy.
Passage – 5 (Act I Sc.I, Lines 79-94)
Paraphrase :
GRATIANO : Let me play the fool; Let old wrinkles come with happiness and laughter; And let my liver
get hot with wine rather Than my heart turns cold with depressing groans. Why should a man who’s hot-
blooded Sit like a statue. of his grandfather, Sleeping when he’s awake, and creeping into jaundice By
being spiteful ? I tell you what, Antonio — You are my friend, and it’s my friendship that speaks There is
a kind of men whose faces Look foamy and covered like a standing pond, And who maintain a stubborn
silence, So that people will think they have Wisdom, seriousness, profound ideas, Such as saying “I am
Sir Fortune Teller, And when I open my lips, don’t let any dog bark.
Play the fool : Gratiano still carries on Antonio’s metaphor of life being a play acted upon a stage.
Mortifying : Literally, “death-causing”. Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster : alabaster is a pure white
stone used for making statues; hence this means simply “sit as still as a carved statue.” Sleep when he
wakes : appear sleepy in his waking hours, creep into the jaundice, “gradually work himself into a
jaundiced or liverish state.” Peevish : irritable; ill-tempered. There are a sort :‘sort’ denotes a class
containing a number. Do cream and mantle like a standing pond : the figure is that of cream forming on
the top of milk, or a green covering forming on the top of still waters in a pool, do a willful stillness
entertain : and assume deliberately a pose of silence. With purpose : with the intention of or dressed in
opinion. Sir Oracle : an oracle, in the old world, was the inspired utterance of a priest or direct statement
from. Let no dog bark : let not even the lowest dare to interrupt.
Question 1.
Why would Gratiano like to play the role of a comic actor?
Answer:
He is gay and cheerful by nature. It is difficult to find him sad and gloomy. He finds Antonio sad and
serious. But he would like to play the role of a clown. He will grow old with fun and laughter.
Question 2.
Why does Gratiano want to drink wine?
Answer:
Gratiano is a jolly Goodman who believes in eat, drink and be merry. He doesn’t want to sticken his
heart with sad sights and sobs.
Question 3.
Why doesn’t he like a serious looking man?
Answer:
Gratiano believes that a young man has no reason to be sad and serious. He can not tolerate a warm
young man sitting like a marble statue of his grandfather. It is against his nature.
Question 4.
What truth he wants to reveal to Antonio?
Answer:
Gratiano wants to reveal to Antonio that there are some persons whose faces are always sad and sullen.
They look like a stagnant pool. But the fact is that they deliberately look serious so that they may earn
the reputation of being wise and thoughtful.
Question 5.
Explain the line- “I am Sir Oracle. And when I ope my lips let no dog bark.”
Answer:
Like Sire Oracle, commenting upon the men who always look serious and thus pretend to be wise and
deep thinkers. Gratiano says that they wish to be known as prophet. When they speak they do not want
any one to disturb them. In other words, nobody should have courage to contradict them for they speak
the last word on the subject.
Paraphrase :
GRATIANO : Oh, my Antonio, I know about these men That are only considered wise Because they say
nothing; when, I am very sure,If they should speak, they would almost damn those ears Which, hearing
them, would call their brothers fools.I’ll tell you more about this another time.But don’t fish for this
foolish worthless guppy,This opinion of mine, with this depressing bait.Come, good Lorenzo. Goodbye
until later;!’11 end my speech after dinner.
LORENZO : OK, we’ll leave you then until dinnertime.I must be one of these same dumb wise
men,Because Gratiano never lets me speak.
GRATIANO :Well, keep me company for only two more years, and You’ll never know the sound of your
own voice.
ANTONIO: Goodbye, I’ll be a better talker by dinner
GRATIANO : Thanks, really, because silence is only commendable in a cow’s dried tongue, and in a girl
who’s not for sale.
Therefore only : solely on that account. If they should speak, would almost damn those ears : these men
earn a reputation for wisdom by saying nothing. Melancholy bait: by using melancholy just as an angle
uses ‘a bait on his hook to catch a fish. Exhortation : sermon; good advice. Moe : an old- fashioned form
of “more” or “many.” For this gear : the general sense of the line is that Antonio is supposed to say
humorously, “Well, you have converted me : I shall be talker instead of a silent man.” In a neat’s tongue
dried am a maid not vendible : “In a dried ox tongue ready for the table, or in a woman who has missed
the chance of making a marriage.” “Vendible” means “saleable”.
Question 1.
What is the point of the first speech in the above dialogue?
Answer:
The point of the first speech in this dialogue is that there are some people who try to win the reputation
of being wise by remaining silent most of the time. Actually such persons are not wise. Actually they may
even be foolish or stupid; but, by remaining silent most of the time, they ‘ try to create an impression
that they are serious-minded and philosophical.
Question 2.
Explain the following lines in your own words :
But fish not with this melancholy bait
For this fool gudgeon, this opinion :
Answer:
Gratiano says that Antonio should not use his melancholy as a means of gaining a reputation for being a
wise man. Gratiano compares melancholy to a bait with which a fish can be caught. In the present case,
the fish is the reputation for wisdom which a man seeks to win. Gratiano disapproves of any man’s
adopting melancholy as a pose in order to attain a reputation for wisdom. The word “opinion” here
means public opinion or reputation which is compared to a fish. The word “gudgeon” means a kind of
fish.
Question 3.
Does Antonio really grow a talker afterwards?
Answer:
No, Antonio does not grow a talker even afterwards. He is a serious-minded man and remains serious-
minded throughout. Even in the Trial Scene he talks very little, though he does make two long speeches,
one to describe Shylock’s cruelty, and the other to bid farewell to Bassanio when he feels certain that
Shylock is going to kill him.
Question 4.
Is Gratiano right in his comment on Antonio’s melancholy? What is your view of Antonio’s melancholy,
and how has Antonio himself explained his melancholy?
Answer:
No, Gratiano is not right in his comment on Antonio’s melancholy Antonio is not trying to win any
reputation for wisdom by looking melancholy. Our own view of his melancholy is that he is by nature a
melancholy man; and he himself also explains his melancholy as something temperamental and inborn.
He says that his part on the stage of the theatre of this world is that of a sad man.
Question 5.
What is the dramatic importance of Antonio’s melancholy?
Answer:
Antonio’s melancholy in the opening scene strikes the keynote of the whole play. The Merchant of
Venice certainly contains several comic elements and several romantic elements. Yet there is an
atmosphere of seriousness and sadness in it also. The whole of the Bond story in the play is serious and
sad; and Antonio’s melancholy prepares us unconsciously for the sad events which would take place in
Antonio’s life.
Paraphrase :
BASSANIO : Gratiano speaks an infinite deal about nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons
are like two grains of wheat hidden ln two bushels of corn husks : you can look all day before you find
them, and when you have them, they aren’t worth the search.
ANTONIO : Well, tell me now about the lady,The one you swore to make a secret trip to,The one you
promised to tell me about today?
BASSANIO : You know, Antonio, How much I have wasted my money By putting on a fancier appearance
Than my small funds could support; I don’t come to you now to ask that you
Infinte deal of nothing : a vast amount of nonsense. Well, tell me now what lady is the same To whom
you swore a secret pilgrimage That you promis’d to tell me of : Antonio’s words introduce Portia and
prepare us for her appearance in Scene II. Disabled my estate : reduced my resources or strained my
means. Something : to some extent or somewhat. Than my faint means would grant continuance : that
my scanty income can enable to continue or keep up.
Question 1.
Explain Bassanio’s comment on Gratiano’s talk.
Answer:
Bassanio means to say that Gratiano talks too much and that there is very little sense in his talk. Suppose
that there are only two grains in a large heap of chaff. One would take a long time in order to find those
two grains of wheat which have got lost somewhere in that big heap of straw. In the same ways, one
may listen to the copious talk of Gratiano but may feel lost in the torrent of words coming from
Gratiano’s mouth and may not be able to find much meaning in those words. There is, according to
Bassanio, very little substance in the glib talk of Gratiano.
Question 2.
In what sense has the word “pilgrimage” been used here in the above dialogue?
Answer:
The word “pilgrimage” means a journey to a sacred place. Here this word has been used for the place
which Bassanio wishes to visit; and Antonio uses this word for that place because Bassanio has given
him an impression that his proposed journey is connected with a matter of the heart or with his passion
of love for a lady. For a lover, the woman, with whom he is in love, is a kind of goddess to be
worshipped; and the place where she lives is sacred. Thus from Bassanio’s point of view Belmont is kind
of shrine. Of course Antonio at this moment does not know Bassanio’s exact reason for undertaking a
journey but Bassanio has mentioned to him a lady whom he wants to visit without telling many people
about his intention.
Question 3.
To which place has Bassanio sworn a secret pilgrimage, and what is the outcome of his pilgrimage?
Answer:
Bassanio has sworn a secret pilgrimage to Belmont, and the outcome of his pilgrimage is his marriage
with Portia.
Question 4.
What light does Bassanio’s reply to Antonio’s question throw on Bassanio’s character?
Answer:
Bassanio’s reply to Antonio’s question shows that he is a prodigal young man who has been living
beyond his means and who now finds it difficult to continue the standard of living which he has been
maintaining till now. He has impoverished himself by his lavish style of living, and he may thus be
regarded as being an irresponsible, and even reckless, kind of young fellow.
Question 5.
Explain the phrase “swelling port”.
Answer:
The Word “swelling” here means showy or ostentatious; and the word “port” here means the style of
living. The phrase “swelling port”, therefore, means a lavish style of living or living above one’s means in
order to enjoy oneself and in order to impress other people with one’s large-hearted ness and wealth
even if one is not actually wealthy.
Paraphrase :
You know, Antonio, How much I have wasted my money By putting on a fancier appearance Than my
small funds could support; I don’t come to you now to ask that you Forgive my debts, because my chief
concern Is to make good on these great debts Which my behavior, sometimes reckless And wasteful, has
left me broke. To you, Antonio, I owe the most, in money and in friendship, and, from your friendship, I
have a guarantee To get rid of all my plots and intentions as to How to get clear all the debts I owe.
Disabled my estate : reduced my resources; strained my means, something : to some extent; somewhat,
swelling port, an appearance of wealth and ostentation, than my faint continuance : that my scanty
income can enable to continue or keep up. make moan to be abridged : grumble at having to be reduced
(in my expenditure.) noble rate : noble style of living, to come fairly off : to come out honorable from; to
be free from, wherein my time, something too prodigal, Hath left me gaged : in which my life, which has
been rather wasteful, has left me involved. I have a warranty : may mean “an assurance” but a better
rendering would be “I have the privilege of, etc.” unburthen all my plots and purposes : to unfold to you
all my schemes and intentions, how to get clear : by means of which I hope to get clear.
Question 1.
Who is the speaker of above words and to whom?
Answer:
Bassanio is the speaker of these words. He speaks these words to Antonio in Act I Scene I of the play.
Question 2.
What light do the above lines throw on the character of Bassanio?
Answer:
The above lines reveal the character of Bassanio. He is a young man who has been living his life beyond
his means and has now reduced himself to penury. He is now unable to maintain the high standard of
living that he has been used to. Another important facet of Bassanio’s character that is revealed to us is
his honesty. Although Bassanio has squandered all his wealth and is now in distress yet he is keen to pay
his debts which he has incurred because of his extravagance.
Question 3.
Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘swelling port’. To whom is this phrase applicable?
Answer:
In the above mentioned passage the word ‘swelling’ means ostentations and the word ‘port’ means a
style or living beyond one’s means. This phrase applies to Bassanio who has lived his life spending
lavishly much beyond his means.
Question 4.
From the above mentioned lines what do you know about Antonio?
Answer:
The above mentioned passage throws a valuable light on the personality of Antonio. He seems to be a
wealthy and generous man as he has lent money to Bassanio in the past.
Question 5.
What does the above mentioned passage tell us about the relation between Bassanio and Antonio?
Answer:
From the above passage we come to know that Bassanio and Antonio are very good friends. Bassanio
has full faith in Antonio and he discloses to Antonio all his plans and thoughts.
Bassanio tells Antonio everything about his past and present life. Antonio has been a good friend to
Bassanio. In the past Antonio has lent money to Bassanio.
Passage – 9 (Act I Sc I 130-139)
Paraphrase :
BASSANIO : To you, Antonio, I owe the most, in money and in friendship, And, from your friendship, I
have a guarantee To get rid of all my plots and intentions as to How to get clear all the debts I owe.
ANTONIO : Please, good Bassanio, tell me; And if it is, honorable, as you yourself still are, Be assured
that my purse, my person, My utmost ability can be used for your benefit.
I have a warranty : “an assurance” but a better rendering would be “I have the privilege of, etc.”
Unburthen all my plots and purposes : purposes, to unfold to you all my schemes and intentions. How to
get clear : by means of which I hope to get clear. Within the eye of honour : within honourable limits;
within what men would regard as honorable, advised watch, careful observation. My person : my very
body. Antonio only offers this in the exaggeration of speech, but the events- of the drama make it come
literally true. Extremest means : utmost resources, unlock’d to your occasions : open to your every need.
Question 1.
Who owes money to Antonio? Does he owe him anything else?
Answer:
Bassanio confesses that he has wasted much money by spending it extravagantly. He has also taken
loans from Antonio to meet his expenditure. Thus, he owes money to Antonio.
Besides money, Bassanio owes love to Antonio. He has always been treated with sympathy and love by
Antonio. He has yet to repay his money and love.
Question 2.
What encourages him to disclose his plans to Antonio?
Answer:
Bassanio fully relies on Antonio’s love. He knows that his friend will always help him in need. This has
encouraged him to disclose his plans to Antonio.
Question 3.
How is has plan expected to help him to pay off Antonio’s loans?
Answer:
Bassanio hopes that his plan will succeed. He will make enough money to pay off Antonio’s debt. In fact,
he is planning to try his luck among the suitors of a rich lady. For this he will have to travel to Belmont.
But he is sure that he will be lucky to marry that lady with rich inheritance. This will make him rich. He
will be able to clear his debts.
Question 4.
How does Antonio respond to his friend’s needs?
Answer:
Antonio responds eagerly to his friend’s needs. He is keen to know what he can do to help Bassanio. He
is ready to place at his friend’s disposal everything he has.
Question 5.
Explain:
(a) my purse
(b) my person
(c) my extremist means
Which of these is Antonio going to employ to help his friend?
Answer:
Antonio offers to help Bassanio in every possible way.
(a) He offers him money which his purse can make available. ‘Purse’ refers to ready money.
(b) Antonio is ready to do anything in person for the sake of his friend.
(c) Antonio is not considering the question from the point of his affording to spare the money. It is not a
question either of easy availability. He is ready to stretch his means to do anything for Antonio.
Antonio is going to employ all his means to arrange money for his friend. He is going to sign a bond
while risking his person to secure loan for Bassanio. Thus, he stretching all his means to meet Bassanio’s
needs.
Passage – 10 (Act. I, Sc.I, Lines 135-152)
Paraphrase :
ANTONIO : Please, good Bassanio, tell me;And if it is, honourable , as you yourself still are,Be assured
that my purse, my person, My utmost ability can be used for your benefit.
BASSANIO : When I was in school, when I had lost one arrow, I shot another one of identical length In an
identical way, with more thoughtful care, To find the one I lost, and by risking both, I often Found both.
I’m telling you about this childhood event, Because I say next is as pure and innocent. I owe you a lot,
and, like a willful youth, I have lost what I owe you, but if you will please Lend me money in the identical
way That you lent me the first money, I don’t doubt, As I’ll be more careful, to find both sums, Or I’ll
bring your second loan back again And just owe you thankfully for the first.
Within the eye of honor : within honourable limits. My person : my very body. Extremest : utmost
resources. Unlock’d to your occasions : open to or our every need. His fellow : “his companion; Here it
means “a similar arrow.” Of the self-same flight : “with equal capacity of flying” or “with equal range.”
To find the other forth : the word forth will give the simplest meaning if we take it as going along with
the verb shot i.e. I shot forth his fellow … to find the other. Childhood proof : illustration from childhood.
Because what fellows is pure innocence : Bassanio’s meaning is that he produces an illustration from the
innocent days of his childhood. Like a wilful youth : as is usually the case with a reckless youth. Self way :
“the same way”.
Question 1.
What Antonio says in the following lines :
And if it stand as you yourself still do,
Within the eye of honor, be assured.
Answer:
Antonio says that he would do anything for Bassanio’s sake if Bassanio has undertaken some honourable
task. Antonio admits that Bassanio has always behaved and acted in an honourable manner in the past,
and says that, if Bassanio’s present intention is also honourable, then he would go to any length to help
him.
Question 2.
What is Bassanio driving at, and in what context is he talking about shooting arrows?
Answer:
Bassanio is going to ask Antonio for a second loan; and it is in that context that he here talks about the
sport of shooting arrows. Bassanio tells Antonio that as a boy he sometimes used to locate the first
arrow by shooting a second arrow in the same direction in which he had shot the first arrow which he
had failed to find. By keeping a watch on the second arrow, he could find the second arrow, and then
also find the first arrow which lay somewhere near the second arrow. Thus Bassanio indirectly assures
Antonio that, if he now gets a second loan, he would not only repay the second loan in course of time
but would also repay the first loan which has so far remained unpaid.
Question 3.
How does Antonio react to Bassanio’s speech and what is your own reaction to it?
Answer:
Antonio feels somewhat impatient at Bassanio’s roundabout manner of talking. He would like Bassanio
to come to the point rather than indulge in unnecessary talk. Our own reaction to Bassanio’s speech is
exactly the same as Antonio’s. We too feel that Bassanio is beating about the bush. His account of his
experience of his school-days has nothing very interesting or exciting about it; and so we find this
account to be absolutely dull, and also superfluous. But Bassanio finds it awkward to ask for a second
loan straight away, and he therefore tries to prepare the ground for his request before he actually
makes the request for the second loan.
Question 4.
What does Bassanio’s request lead to?
Answer:
Bassanio’s request leads to Antonio’s obtaining a loan of three thousand ducats from Shylock, and his
signing a bond to the effect that, if he fails to repay this loan to Shylock within a period of three months,
the latter would acquire the right to cut off a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body that he
might like.
Question 5.
Do you approve of Antonio’s response to Bassanio’s request?
Answer:
In view of Antonio’s deep affection for Bassanio, we certainly approve of Antonio’s favourable response
to Bassanio’s request. Bassanio wants to go to Belmont to try to win a rich and beautiful heiress as his
wife. There is nothing wrong with Bassanio’s aspiration; and, as Bassanio should have enough money to
equip himself for his journey to Belmont, Antonio would certainly like to help him. Nobody could have
anticipated that Antonio would suffer heavy losses and would be reduced to a state of bankruptcy. His
obtaining a loan from Shylock even on Shylock’s own terms is nothing to which we can object.
Paraphrase :
BASSANIO : In Belmont, there is a rich heiress And she is beautiful and, more beautiful than that word,
She has wonderful virtues. Sometimes, I receive Beautiful, silent messages from her eyes. Her name is
Portia—the poet’s daughter and The assassin’s Portia fall short by comparison. The wide world is not
ignorant of her worth, Because the four winds blow in famous men who Want to marry her from every
coast, and her golden curls
Hang on her head like a golden fleece, Which makes Belmont, her home, a rich island in a lake, And
many sailors and heroes come to find her. Oh, my Antonio! If I only had the means To compete with one
of them, I have a mind that predicts such good luck for me That I will undoubtedly be a very lucky one.
Fairer than that word : what is even better than the word “Fair,”, fair speechless messages : silent
glances which revealed her thoughts, nothing undervalued : in no way inferior to. Portia : Shakespeare
wife? Portia, is a daughter of the famous Roman scholar and orator, Cato, four winds : North, South,
East, and West, golden fleece : A celebrated hero called Jason, with his companions, the Argonauts went
on a perilous voyage to Colchis in the Black Sea, in search of this fabulous go den fleece, many Jasons :
many suitors came, just as Jason come of old. hold a rival place with : oppose them as a rival. I have a
mind presages me such thrift : I have in my mind an instinct telling me that I shall be so fortunate as to
be the lucky one.
Question 1.
What importance is attached to Belmont?
Answer:
Belmont has become a very important place. It is like the Coast of Colchos to which many lovers come to
seek her hand in marriage.
Question 2.
What is her name? What comparisons are drawn?

Answer:
Her name is Portia. She is in no way inferior to Cato’s daughter and Brutus wife, Portia.
Question 3.
What kind of lady lives in Belmont?
Answer:
Bassanio makes a reference about a lady who lives in Belmont. She has inherited considerable wealth.
She is extremely beautiful and possesses wonderful qualities.
Question 4.
What response did Bassanio receive from Portia?
Answer:
Bassanio loves the lady very much. He has received speechless messages from her. This is a clear
indication that she has love for him.
Question 5.
What attraction Portia offers to the suitors?
Answer:
Portia is rich and virtuous. She draws highborn suitors from every part of the world. Her golden locks
look like golden fleece and make of her a golden prize.
Paraphrase :
BASSANIO : The wide world is not ignorant of her worth, Because the four winds blow in famous men
who Want to marry her from every coast, and her golden curls Hang on her head like a golden fleece,
Which makes Belmont, her home, a rich island in a lake, And many sailors and heroes come to find her.
Oh, my Antonio! If I only had the means To compete with one of them, I have a mind that predicts such
good luck for me That I will undoubtedly be a very lucky one.
ANTONIO : You know that all my funds are invested in ships At sea; I don’t have the money or goods To
raise such a large sum; So, go out, See what my credit in Venice can do for you.
Four winds : North, South, East, and West, golden fleece : the reference is to a famous legend of ancient
Greece. “Fleece” usually refers to the crop of wool from the back of a sheep or ram. many Jasons : many
suitors came, just as Jason come of old. hold a rival place with : oppose them as a rival. I have a mind
presages me such thrift : I have in my mind an instinct telling me that I shall be so fortunate as to be the
lucky one. commodity : goods; merchandise.
Question 1.
What is the point of the first speech in above dialogue?
Answer:
In the first speech Bassanio speaks to Antonio asking for a loan. Since Bassanio has not paid the previous
loans he beats about the bush. He informs Antonio about his intention of marrying a girl called Portia,
for which he needs money.
Question 2.
What light does the first speech throw on the character of Portia?
Answer:
From Bassanio’s speech we come to know that Portia is a beautiful and rich lady of many good qualities.
Many eminent men from all over the world visit her place Belmont with a desire to get married to her.
Question 3.
Explain the significance of ‘golden fleece’, “Colchos strand’ and ‘Jason’.
Answer:
In Colchos in Asia near the Suxine on the Black Sea was a ram with golden fleece. In one of the oldest
stories Jason led a party of Greek heroes called the Argonauts through many hazards in order to bring
back golden fleece. Jason succeded with the help of Medea, daughter of Acetes, who loved him.
Question 4.
What light does the second speech throw on the character of Antonio?
Answer:
The second speech of Antonio reveals him as a wealthy and generous merchant. Although all his money
is invested in the cargoes which his ships are carrying on the ocean yet he is willing to help Bassanio. He
asks Bassanio to raise money on Antonio’s surety on any terms.
Question 5.
From the above mentioned lines what idea do you form of relation between Bassanio and Antonio?
Answer:
From the above mentioned lines we come to know that Bassanio and Antonio are good friends. Bassanio
trusts Antonio so much that he reveals to Antonio al his plans and thoughts. He tells Antonio about his
wish to be married to a girl called Portia. Antonio also proves to be a good friend. Although he has no
money to lend it to Bassanio yet he is willing to help him in raising money on his credit.

Paraphrase :
ANTONIO : You know that all my funds are invested in ships At sea; I don’t have the money or goods To
raise such a large sum; So, go out, See what my credit in Venice can do for you, Credit that shall be
stretched, even to the outer limits, To supply you for your trip to Belmont to beautiful Portia. Go now
and ask where money can be found, And I will too, and I will not object To borrowing it on my account
or in my name.
Commodity : goods; merchandise, rack’d : strained; stretched to the utmost, to furnish thee to Belmont:
to equip you suitably for your expedition to Belmont. I no question make : I have no doubt that I shall.
Question 1.
Who speaks these words? To whom are these addressed?
Answer:
Antonio speaks these words to his friend Bassanio who has made a demand of money as loan to finance
his journey to Belmont to win the hand of a rich beautiful lady.
Question 2.
How are all his fortunes at sea?
Answer:
Antonio tells Bassanio that all his ships laden with merchandise are on the sea. He does not have
commodity to sell to procure money for his friend.
Question 3.
What are his difficulties about raising a sum? Why does he need any such sum?
Answer:
His difficulties in raising the sum are that he has no ready money at present. Nor does he have ready
commodity which he can sell in exchange for cash.
Antonio needs to raise such a sum to help his friend join on equal footing the suitors of a rich . lady in
Belmont. She is going to decide in favour of the person who wins in the lottery of caskets.
Question 4.
What is his suggestion about raising the sum?
Answer:
When Antonio finds that he has neither ready money nor he has commodity to sell for cash, he suggests
that a loan may be raised on interest. He tells Bassanio to go and try if he can get any money in the city
of Venice on his behalf. After all, Antonio is famous merchant of Venice and there should be people
willing to give loan on his security.
Question 5.
Is the speaker taking any risk in raising a loan for the other person?
Answer:
Antonio has made a liberal offer to his friend to raise a loan for him on any condition. Thus, he is going
to run a great risk of his life by signing a bond which stipulates dangerous conditions.
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Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene 1

June 11, 2018 by Kalyan

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

Passage – 1 (Act I, Sc.I, Line 1-7)

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 1

Word Meaning With Annotation

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Who address these line to whom?

What does the words : ‘in sooth’ mean?

What is intended by the ‘Sadness’ of Antonio?

What does the word ‘want-wit’ mean?

The word ‘want-wit’ means an idiot.

Explain : “I have much ado to know myself.”

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 2

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 3

Word Meaning With Annotation

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Passage – 3 (Act I, Sc.I, Lines 23-40)

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 4

Word Meaning With Annotation

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Why would Salario be blown to an ague ?

What effect would be running of the sandy hour-glass produce on Salario ?

What would a visit to the church set him doing ?

What could cause sadness to him ?

How does Salario interpret or explain about Antonio’s sadness ?

Passage – 4 (Act I, Sc.I, Lines 41-51)

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 5

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 6

ANTONIO : Nonsense, nonsense!

Word Meaning With Annotation

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

What does Antonio mean by saying “Fie, fie”?

The word “Fie” means “shame on you”.

Why does he react to SALANIO’s suggestion in this way?

What is meant by “two-headed Janus”?

How does Antonio afterwards explain his melancholy?

Passage – 5 (Act I Sc.I, Lines 79-94)

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 7

Word Meaning With Annotation

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Why would Gratiano like to play the role of a comic actor?

Why does Gratiano want to drink wine?

Why doesn’t he like a serious looking man?

What truth he wants to reveal to Antonio?

Passage – 6 (Act I, Sc.I, Lines 95-112)

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 8

Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 1, Scene I 9

ANTONIO: Goodbye, I’ll be a better talker by dinner

Word Meaning With Annotation

Read the above passage and answer the following questions

What is the point of the first speech in the above dialogue?

Explain the following lines in your own words :

But fish not with this melancholy bait

For this fool gudgeon, this opinion :

Does Antonio really grow a talker afterwards?

What is the dramatic importance of Antonio’s melancholy?

Passage – 7 (Act I, Sc.I, Lines 114-125)