Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 8
Act 2 Scene 8
Extract I.
Q 1. What is meant by 'a passion so confused, so strange, outrageous, and so variable'? Why was the Jew so excited?
Answer: In the given lines, Salanio says that he has not seen such an outburst of anger, so confused, so strange, excessive and frequently changing as is shown by the Jew. Shylock discovers that his daughter has eloped after robbing him of his money and jewellery. This makes him excited and furious with grief and despair.
Q 2. Earlier, how the jew troubled the Duke? Where did the Duke go and what were his findings?
Answer: Earlier, Shylock disturbed the Duke with his complaints against Lorenzo and Jessica. He made such a huge disturbance that the Duke had to attend to his demands. He even accompanied the Duke to the docks to search for Jessica. By the time they reached the place, the ship had already sailed. The Duke was told by someone that Lorenzo and Jessica had been seen together in a gondola.
Q 3. Besides money, what else did the Jew's daughter steal?
Answer: Besides money, Jessica has taken away some jewels, precious stones and diamonds from Shylock.
Q 4. Give the meaning of
Answer:
(a) double ducats: coins of double ducats
(b) a sealed bag: a bag that is securely sealed to ensure the security of its contents.
Q 5. What did the Jew utter in his excitement? Explain how Shylock's lamentations add to the humour in the play?
Answer: In his excitement, Shylock utters confused cries for his daughter Jessica. He wants justice from the law.
Sherlock's lamentations add to the humour in the play. The manner in which he laments the loss of his daughter and his ducats, amuses the audience. The manner in which the boys of Venice follow him and repeat his words to mock him, also adds humour in the play.
Extract II
Q 1. What is meant by: 'Let good Antonio look he keep his day'? What could be the consequence if Antonio failed to 'keep his day'?
Answer. ‘Let good Antonio keep his day’ means let worthy Antonio make sure that he has the money to pay Shylock on the appointed day. If he fails to keep his day, Shylock would take his revenge on Antonio by extracting a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.
Q 2. What did Salarino hear from the Frenchman, the previous day? Why was the news quite startling?
Answer. In his conversation with a Frenchman, Salarino heard that a ship from Italy had been wrecked in the sea between England and France. The news was startling because Salarino thought of Antonio's ship and wished that it were not one of Antonio’s ships.
Q 3. After hearing the news from the Frenchman, what did Salarino wish?
Answer. Salarino wished that the wrecked ship were not one of Antonio's ships.
Q 4. What advice does Salanio give to Salarino regarding to Antonio?
Answer. Salanio advises Salarino to tell Antonio what he has heard about a shipwreck. However, he advises him not to tell Antonio about the news immediately, for it may make him sad.
Q 5. Explain how the news given by the Frenchman creates suspense in the story. What would be Shylock's reaction after hearing the news?
Answer. The news given by the Frenchman creates suspense in the story. The news about Antonio's ship casts gloom in the story because it means that Antonio would not be able to pay back the loan on the given date. Upon hearing the news, Shylock would be happy that he would be able to take revenge on Antonio.
Extract III.
Q 1. In what context has Antonio said the words given in quotation? Who quotes his words here?
Answer. Antonio said these words at the time of bidding farewell to Bassanio when Bassanio was about to leave for Belmont. Salarino quotes his words here.
Q 2. Give the meaning of:
Answer.
(a) Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio: Bassanio, do not spoil your plan for my sake.
(b) But stay the very riping of the time: But stay as long as it would be necessary to achieve your objective.
Q 3. What advice did Antonio give to Bassanio about the latter's stay in Belmont and his love affair?
Answer. Antonio advises Bassanio to stay at Belmont as long as it would be necessary for winning Portia’s hand in marriage. He also tells him not to bother about the bond. He advises Bassanio to be cheerful and devote himself entirely to winning Portia’s hand in marriage.
Q 4. Describe how Antonio parted from Bassanio. What does it show about their relationship?
Answer. While parting, Antonio's eyes were filled with tears. He turned his face away and extended his hand behind him. Then he held the hands of the Bassanio and they parted from each other. It shows that there is great affection between them.
Q 5. What role do Salanio and Salarino play in the scene? What do they decide to do at the end of this scene?
Answer. In this scene, Salarino and Salanio describe Shylock’s reaction after discovering the loss of his daughter and his money. They are worried about the fate of Antonio’s ship and his plight. They are Antonio's loyal friends and regard him very highly. Shylock is in a very bad mood. This is a matter of concern for them as they fear he may take revenge on Antonio through his bond.
At the end of the scene, Salanio and Salarino decide to look for Antonio and raise his low spirits with some amusement.