Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 | Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers for Act 2 Scene 1

If you are finding Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers for Act 2 Scene 1 then IcseNews.in is the right place for you.

Here we share the story and then the question and answer solutions for Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers.

If you got a valuable solution then kindly join us for more solutions. And share with friends so they also learn and fill workbooks.

ICSENews.in always keep updating our Articles/posts with the latest icse solution, news, Career tips, exam papers, Answer links Jobs & Information. So, Don’t forget to bookmark the ICSE News website and Please do share this link with your friends to help them.

Join Us

Telegram | Facebook

Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 Original

MOROCCO

Mislike me not for my complexion,
The shadowed livery of the burnished sun,
To whom I am a neighbor and near bred.
Bring me the fairest creature northward born,
Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,
And let us make an incision for your love
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath feared the valiant. By my love, I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have loved it too. I would not change this hue
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

PORTIA

In terms of choice, I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.
Besides, the lottery of my destiny
Bars me from the right of voluntary choosing.
But if my father had not scanted me
And hedged me by his wit to yield myself
His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
Yourself, renownèd Prince, then stood as fair
As any comer, I have looked on yet
For my affection.

MOROCCO

Even for that, I thank you.
Therefore I pray you to lead me to the caskets
To try my fortune. By this scimitar
That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,
I would overstate the sternest eyes that look,
Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,
Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,
Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,
To win the lady. But, alas the while!
If Hercules and Lychas play at dice
Which is the better man, the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand.
So is Alcides beaten by his page,
And so may I, blind fortune leading me,
Miss that which one unworthier may attain
And die with grieving.

PORTIA

You must take your chance,
And either not attempt to choose at all
Or swear before you choose if you choose wrong
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage. Therefore be advised.

MOROCCO

Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.

PORTIA

First, forward to the temple. After dinner
Your hazard shall be made.

MOROCCO

Good fortune then!
To make me blessed or cursed’st among men.

Cornets
Exeunt

---

Extract-1Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers

Question:-

Where does this scene take place? Who is present in the scene? What explanation does Morocco give for his dark complexion?

Answer:-

This scene takes place in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. The people present are the Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, Nerissa, and her attendants. Morocco says that he got his dark color because of the fierce sun. He was born and brought up in a country where the sun is very close to the earth.

Question:-

What qualities does a creature born in the north have? Why?

Answer:-

People born in the north are fair-skinned. This is because the sun’s rays are so faint in the north that they are hardly able to melt the frost, snow, and icicles.

Question:-

Who is Phoebus and what is meant by Phoebus’ fire? What test does the speaker propose, to prove ‘whose blood is reddest’?

Answer:-

Phoebus in Greek mythology is one of the names of the Sun God, Appollo. “Phoebus’ fire” means the rays of the sun. Morocco proposes that he should be matched with any fair-skinned man born in the north. They should open their veins to see whose blood is redder. Red blood was considered to be a sign of courage.

Question:-

What effect does the physical appearance of Morocco have on the brave men and the prettiest women of his country?

Answer:-

Morocco’s physical appearance frightened the brave men whereas the prettiest women admired and loved it.

Question:-

On what condition is the speaker prepared to change his dark complexion? What idea do you get about the character of the Prince of Morocco from the extract?

Answer:-

The speaker is prepared to change his dark complexion only to win Portia’s favor.

From the extract, we know that the prince of Morocco is a warrior and self-assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better than other people. He boasts of his red blood and the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles and the best maidens.

Also Read: Complete Merchant of Venice Solution

---

Extract-2

Question:-

What is the lottery of Portia’s destiny? How does it prevent her from the right of voluntary choosing?

Answer:-

The lottery of Portia’s destiny refers to the lottery devised according to her deceased father’s will. According to the lottery, each suitor has to choose from amongst the three caskets of gold, and silver, and lead the one containing Portia’s portrait. The suitor who will choose the correct casket will win Portia’s hand in marriage. The lottery of caskets designed by her father thus prevents Portia from exercising her freedom of choice. The suitor, who will make the right choice will win her as a wife.

Question:-

Give the meaning of: “But if my father had not scanted me, / And hedged me by his wit,…”

Answer:-

These lines mean: “If I had not been limited and restricted by my father’s wisdom and obliged to accept for a husband the one who will succeed in winning me by the means I have told you.”

Question:-

How prudent was Portia’s father to have arranged her marriage through a lottery? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:-

Portia’s father was prudent to have arranged for her marriage through a lottery. We see that at the end the wisdom of her father prevails and she is won as wife by Bassanio whom she loves and admires.

Question:-

Give the brief character sketch of the Prince of Morocco in this scene.

Answer:-

From the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior and self-assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better than other people. He boasts of his red blood and the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles and the best of maidens. He admits that the lottery of the caskets has no consideration for heroism and can be won by anyone, even an undeserving candidate. He harps on the idea of chance-choice, lottery, destiny, choosing, fortune, and hazards.

Question:-

Do you agree with Portia’s statement that the Prince of Morocco stands as fair a chance as the other suitors? Give the reason to justify your opinion.

Answer:-

Portia does not really mean that Morocco had a good chance of winning her love, because in Act I, Scene 2 she holds her former suitors in contempt. She thinks the same of Morocco because he is boastful. Portia treats him with perfect courtesy and tact and speaks as if she holds him in high esteem.

Also read: ICSE Sahitya Sagar Workbook Solution

---

Extract-3

Question:-

What is meant by a ‘scimitar’? What conquests did Morocco make by using his scimitar?

Answer:-

‘Scimitar’ means sword. By using his sword, Morocco had slain the Emperor of Persia and a Persian Prince, who had defeated Sultan Solyman of Turkey thrice.

Question:-

State two of the brave deeds Morocco is prepared to carry out in order to win Portia.

Answer:-

The brave deeds Morocco is prepared to perform in order to win Portia are:

1. To challenge the most brave warrior on earth
2. Snatch away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear and dare her wrath

Question:-

Who are Hercules and Lichas? What could happen if they were to play a game of dice? In what way is this example applicable to Morocco?

Answer:-

In Greek Mythology, Hercules was renowned for his manliness, strength and exploits. Lichas was his servant. According to the legend, once Hercules and Lichas were playing a game of dice. By chance, the winning throw came from Lichas. This example is applicable to Morocco since his fame, wealth and achievements are of no help to him to win Portia. He is forced to take his chance against any inferior rival.

Question:-

What final instruction does Portia give to Morocco before he is led to make the choice?

Answer:-

Before he is led to make the choice, Portia tells Morocco that he must take a chance. He must either leave the matter altogether and not make the attempt or swear in the Chapel before choosing, that if he makes the wrong choice, he will never again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.

Question:-

Why is the fortune said to be blind? What does Morocco fear since the blind fortune is leading him to choose the casket?

Answer:-

The goddess fortune is usually represented blindfolded. Fortune is said to be blind due to the unaccountable variations in her dispensation of favors to mankind. He fears that as the blind fortune is leading him to choose the right casket, the outcome depends only on chance as in a game of dice.

ICSENews.in always keep updating our Articles/posts with the latest icse solution, news, Career tips, exam papers, Answer links Jobs & Information. So, Don’t forget to bookmark the ICSE News website and Please do share this link with your friends to help them.

Join Us

Telegram | Facebook