Merchant of Venice - ACT 1 Scene 1 Lines 87-97 notes

Merchant of Venice ACT 1- Scene -1 (Lines 87-97)

 

V) Why should a man, whose, blood is warm within,

.....................And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark! (lines)

 

1)    Why is a young man compared to' his grandsire cut in alabaster? Under what condition is he likely to be infected with jaundice?

Gratiano gives the example of a warm - blooded young man who represses his spirits and forces himself to stillness till he looks like the marble image of his grandfather. He does so to advice Antonio not to remain in melancholy. He is likely to be infected with jaundice due to his bad temper.

2)    Give the meaning of:

a)    Do cream and mantle like a standing pond:

b)     do a willful stillness entertain:

a) Some men overcast their faces with a pale expression as unchanging as the cream that forms on the surface of milk and as the scum that forms on the surface of a stagnant pool.

b) Maintain an obstinate silence not to disturb the solemnity of their faces.

3)    What is said in the extract about the people who try to earn a reputation for wisdom?

In the extract, Gratiano speaks about people who try to obtain a reputation for wisdom, seriousness and deep thought by remaining silent. Such people mean to say that they speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle and they alone are infallible in their utterances. When they speak, other should keep quiet.

4)    What is meant by 'I am Sir Oracle' and ' let no dog bark'?

'I am Sir Oracle' means 'I speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle’. The Greek Oracles made known the will of God and we're received by all without questions.

'Let no dog bark' means 'let no one speaks’. It refers to the attitude of those wise men who consider themselves as the fountain of wisdom and want that when they speak, others should remain silent.

5)     What advice does Gratiano give to Antonio at the end of his speech?

At the end of the speech, Gratiano advices Antonio not to be one of those who try to gain reputation for wisdom by being silent. He further tells Antonio not to use melancholy as a bait to win the reputation of wisdom and cheap popularity, which is like a worthless cheap fish, a gudgeon.