The Merchant of Venice Act-1 Scene-1 (Lines 1 - 21) Notes

The Merchant of Venice Act-1 Scene-1 (Lines 1 - 21) Notes 

I) In sooth, I know not.........................................much ado to know myself.

1. Where are Antonio and his friends? What does Antonio say about his

sadness?

Antonio and his friends are in a street in Venice. Antonio says that his

sadness makes him depressed and dull. He further says that he is yet to learn about

the origin and nature of his sadness.

2. Give the meaning of:

(a) whereof it is born:

(b) a want-wit.

(c) That I have much ado to know myself:

(a) whereof it is born: how it originated.

(b) a want-wit : a dull person.

(c) That I have much ado to know myself: That I have much difficulty in

recognising myself.

3. What reason does Salarino give as the probable cause of Antonio's

melancholy?

Salarino tells Antonio that he is sad because his mind is preoccupied with

his ships filled with cargo, which are out at sea.

4. State in your own words the scene on the ocean as described by Salarino

when Antonio's ships were sailing?

Salarino compares Antonio's ships sailing on the waves with the great lords

and wealthy citizens, who look down on lesser men as they walk along the street.

He says that compared to smaller ships, Antonio's ships move swiftly on the sea

with their canvas sails and look like grand spectacles or pageants of the sea.

5. The play begins in an atmosphere of melancholy. Why do you think that

Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character?

Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character mainly for

three reasons. Firstly, by portraying Antonio as a whimsical person, who is least

bothered about the consequences of his actions, justifies his signing the bond-

agreement. Secondly, Antonio's melancholy creates a tragic atmosphere suitable

for the play. Thirdly, Antonio's melancholy creates a sense of mystery for the

audience.

II) Believe me, sir.................................................... Would make me sad.

1) Where would Salanio's attention be if he had business ventures abroad? Why

would he be 'Plucking the grass'? What else would he be doing in that context?

If Salanio had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed on the

dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. He would be plucking the

blades of grass and casting them in the air to see which way the wind blew, to see

if it was blowing in a direction favourable to the course of his ships or not.

Further, he would look into maps for harbours, channels and open road-steads

near to the shores where his ships could be anchored in case of need.

2) What would make Salanio fear some danger to his ventures? Give two

examples from the opening scene to show how some objects remind Salarino of

the danger to the ships.

Every object that might suggest disaster to his business ventures would

undoubtedly make Salanio feel sad. Two examples which reminded Salarino of

the danger to his ships were: (a) The act of cooling his soup by blowing on it,

reminded him of the stormy winds at sea causing terrible damages to his ships.

(b) The sandy hour-glass reminded him of the richly laden vessels wrecked on

the sandy shore.

3)Give the meaning of: Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind.

Plucking of grass and casting them in the air to see which way the wind

blew.

4)In spite of the danger to his ships, why is Antonio not worried about his

financial security?

Despite danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial

security because his business is neither dependent on any one ship nor on any

single location or commercial transactions of the current year.

5) What light does the opening scene throw on the danger that the sea could

pose to ships?

The opening scene describes the possible dangers that the sea could pose

to ships such as strong winds, dangerous shallow waters, sand banks and

dangerous rocks.

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 lines(22-58) - notes

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 lines(22-58)

3) My wind cooling my broth,............................ to kiss her burial.

1.Where does this scene take place? Name the people who are present

there. In what mood is Salarino in this scene?

This scene takes place in a street of Venice. Antonio, Salarino and

Salanio are present in the scene. Salarino is in a talkative mood and

wants to know the reason for Antonio's melancholy. He says that he too

would be feeling melancholic if his ships were sailing on the sea.

2. What would the wind cooling the broth remind Salarino of?

It would remind Salarino of the stormy winds at sea and of the terrible

damages they might cause to the ships.

3. Give the meaning of:

And see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand...................... to kiss her

burial

Wealthy Andrew refers to a Spanish ship called Andrew captured by the

British sailors in 1596. It ran aground when it was being brought to

England. Since then, Andrew refers to a big cargo ship. In the above lines

Salarino imagines that his rich cargo ship is grounded in sand and her

mast dipped down lower than her sides as if trying to kiss the sands that

surround her.

4. What is the 'Sandy hour- glass’? What would it remind Salarino of?

Sandy hour-glass is an apparatus used to indicate time. It would remind

Salarino of the dangers from hidden banks of sand at sea on which a

ship may run aground.

5. When Salarino would go to church what would he see? What would

the scene make him imagine?

Salarino refers to his richly laden ship as wealthy Andrew. It is so

referred because Salarino feels that like the Spanish ship Andrew

captured by the British in 1596, his ship too is majestic and rich with

cargo.

6. When Salarino would go to church what could he see? What would

the scene make him imagine?

When Salarino would go to church he would see the holy building made of

stone. This scene would make him think of the perilous rocks of the sea

and imagine that a collision of his ship with these rocks would be sufficient

to break his vessel into pieces and scatter on the sea all her spices and

silks.

4) Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad.................... jest be

laughable

1.Who has just said that Antonio was in love? What was the reaction

of Antonio to that remark?

Salarino has just said that Antonio was in love. Antonio calls the

remark as nonsense and completely denies that he is in love.

2.Antonio says that he is not sad because of love. What explanation

does Salarino give in the extract for Antonio's sadness?

Salarino concludes that Antonio is sad because he is not happy. He

remarks that there are some curious creatures in the world. He

swears by Janus, the two-headed Roman God that some people have

merry natures and are continuously laughing whether the things they

see are subject for mirth or not. Again there are others with the

sourest countenance who will not laugh at any thing though the

gravest old warrior Nestor himself confirms the joke as most

amusing.

3.What is meant by the ' two- headed Janus Why is he referred to in

the extract?

Janus is a Roman God usually depicted with two heads looking in

opposite directions, one frowning and the other smiling. He had

received from God Saturn, the gift to see both the past and the

future. He is referred to in the extract to show that there are two

types of people- one happy and the other sad.

4. Describe in your own words the two types of strange fellows who

have been framed by nature.

Nature has framed two types of people. The first type have happy

natures and often laugh even if the subject of laughter is too trivial

.The second are those with serious and grave faces, who do not

laugh even at the most amusing jokes.

5.Who is Nestor? Why he is referred to in the extract?

Nestor was the King of Pylos. He was one of the greatest generals in

the Trojan War. He was famous for his wisdom, justice, knowledge of

war and profound gravity. If he laughed, it meant the joke was really

funny. He is referred to in the extract to describe the sad and grave

people.

6.Give the meaning of:

a)And the other of such vinegar aspect.

b) Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

a) The second type of people who are grave and serious.

b) Even if the wise and grave Nestor certify the joke as funny.

7.Why are a class of people compared to Parrots?

A class of people are compared to parrots because they laugh even at

a bag-piper as foolishly as a parrot laughs at anything.

8.Who comes at the end of Salarino's speech ? Why does Salarino

leave then?

Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo come at the end of Salarino’s speech.

Salarino leaves Antonio then because Antonio's friends,

Bassanio,Gratiano and Lorenzo have come to give him company.

Merchant of Venice – Act 3 Scene 2 (lines 142-152) Notes

6. A gentle scroll - Fair Lady, by your leave;

.............  ................... …………….

Until confirme'd, sign'd ratified by you.

1) Where was the gentle scroll? Give the summary of what was written on the scroll.

The gentle scroll was in the lead casket. On the scroll it was written that since he has not chosen by mere out ward appearances, he may be fortunate and make his choice as wisely as he has done. Since this fortune has come to him, he should be satisfied and seek nothing more for his happiness. If he is pleased with his luck and feels that fate has brought him happiness, he should go to his beloved and claim her as his own with a loving kiss.

2) What prize had the speaker won? Give the reasons which led to the winning of the prize.

The speaker has won Portia. The speaker chose the correct casket, i.e., lead casket containing Portia's portrait. It’s simple looks impressed Bassanio more than the protestations of gold and silver. Besides the inscription on the casket stated that the man who chooses it, must give and hazard his whole being which means his true love.

3) What was the speaker asked to give and to receive?

The speaker was asked to go to the lady and claim her as his own with a loving kiss and receive a kiss from her.

4) Give the meaning of:

a) Universal shout:    loud applause of joy. This refers to the clamour of the crowd at Bassanio's choice of the right casket

b) Giddy in spirit:  Over whelmed with joy. This refers of the bewildered state of mind of Bassanio after his choice of the lead casket.

5) To whom does the speaker compare himself? In what way does he compare himself?

The speaker compares himself to the one who is striving to win some contest, like one of two prize- fighters. He compares himself as someone who wins a prize in the contest.

6) Why is the speaker doubtful whether what he sees is true?

Bassanio is at the height of his joy after choosing the correct casket. He hears a loud applause from the people standing there. He is so bewildered by the outcome of making the correct choice, that he is not sure if the applause is for him or not. He asks Portia to confirm it and sanction it by returning his kiss.