The Merchant of Venice Act II Scene 1 Workbook Answers and Explanations

ACT II Scene 1

CONTEXT QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who are 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. People present are: Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, Nerissa and her attendants. Morocco says that he got his dark colour because of the fierce sun. He was born and brought up in a country where the sun is very close to the earth.
In simple words: The scene is in Portia's Belmont house with Morocco, Portia, and Nerissa present. Morocco explains his dark complexion by saying he was born in a hot country with fierce sun.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurate setting and character identification is fundamental. Morocco's explanation of his complexion is a key character detail.

(ii) What qualities does a creature born in north have? Why?
Answer: People born in 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.
In simple words: People from the north have fair skin because the sun's rays there are too weak to melt frost or icicles, thus not darkening their complexion.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the cultural perceptions of skin tone in the play provides insight into the period's biases and Morocco's self-perception.

(iii) 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, Apollo. "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.
In simple words: Phoebus is the Sun God, and "Phoebus' fire" refers to sun's rays. Morocco suggests a test where he and a fair-skinned man cut their veins to see whose blood is redder, believing red blood signifies courage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explaining mythological references and the symbolic meaning of "reddest blood" is crucial for demonstrating comprehensive understanding.

(iv) 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.
In simple words: Morocco claims his appearance intimidates brave men while captivating the most beautiful women in his homeland.

🎯 Exam Tip: Morocco's boastfulness about his appearance reveals his pride and ego, which are key aspects of his character.

(v) On what condition is the speaker prepared to change his dark complexion?
Answer: The speaker is prepared to change his dark complexion only to win over Portia's favour.
In simple words: Morocco would only change his dark complexion if it meant winning Portia's affection.

🎯 Exam Tip: This statement underscores Morocco's primary motivation-winning Portia, even if it means altering his deeply-held pride.

(vi) What idea do you get about the character of the Prince of Morocco from the extract?
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 best of maidens.
In simple words: Morocco is portrayed as a proud, egoistic warrior, confident in his appearance and status, and believing himself superior to others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character analysis should be supported by specific examples of dialogue or actions from the extract.

Question 2.

(i) What is the lottery of Portia's destiny? How does it prevent her from the right of voluntary choosing?
Answer: 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, silver and lead the one containing Portia's portrait. The suitor who will make the correct choice 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 wife.
In simple words: Portia's "lottery of destiny" is her deceased father's will, which forces suitors to choose from three caskets to win her, thus removing her own choice in marriage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define the "lottery" and explain its restrictive impact on Portia's autonomy to score well.

(ii) Give the meaning of:
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,
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."
In simple words: These lines mean Portia wishes her father's wise will hadn't restricted her choice, forcing her to marry whomever wins the casket game.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining poetic lines, paraphrase them in modern, clear language to demonstrate understanding.

(iii) 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.
In simple words: Portia's father's lottery was prudent because it ultimately led to her marrying Bassanio, whom she truly loved, proving his wisdom in testing suitors beyond superficial qualities.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connecting the "prudence" to the eventual outcome (Bassanio's choice) is key to a complete answer.

(iv) 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 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, chosing, fortune and hazards.
In simple words: The Prince of Morocco is a proud, self-assured warrior who boasts of his physical prowess and popularity, yet acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the casket lottery.

🎯 Exam Tip: A comprehensive character sketch summarizes the key traits revealed, including both strengths (as he perceives them) and weaknesses.

(v) Do you agree with Portia's statement that the Prince of Morocco stands as fair a chance as the other suitors? Give a 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.
In simple words: No, Portia doesn't truly believe Morocco has an equal chance; she views him, like other boastful suitors, with contempt, despite her courteous demeanor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between a character's outward politeness and their true inner thoughts, especially in plays with complex social dynamics.

Question 3.

(i) 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.
In simple words: A 'scimitar' is a curved sword. Morocco claims he used his scimitar to defeat the Persian Emperor and a Persian Prince who had thrice conquered Sultan Solyman.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define key terms clearly and accurately. Morocco's boasts highlight his warrior persona, but also his arrogance.

(ii) 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:
(i) to challenge the most brave warrior on earth.
(ii) snatch away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear and dare her wrath.
In simple words: Morocco is willing to challenge the bravest warrior on Earth and steal cubs from a mother bear to prove his courage and win Portia.

🎯 Exam Tip: These exaggerated challenges demonstrate Morocco's overconfidence and his reliance on physical bravery rather than intellectual merit.

(iii) 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.
In simple words: Hercules was a hero, Lichas his servant. If they played dice, Lichas could win by chance. This applies to Morocco because his great achievements are useless in the casket lottery, where he must rely on chance against any rival.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the mythological reference and its direct application to Morocco's situation to illustrate the point effectively.

(iv) 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 favours 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.
In simple words: Fortune is "blind" because it distributes luck unpredictably. Morocco fears that since chance guides his casket choice, his destiny with Portia is left to mere randomness, like a dice roll.

🎯 Exam Tip: The concept of "blind fortune" highlights the theme of fate versus free will, particularly in the context of the casket lottery.

(v) 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.
In simple words: Portia instructs Morocco that he must either choose, abandon the attempt, or swear an oath in the Chapel that if he picks the wrong casket, he will never seek marriage again.

🎯 Exam Tip: These strict conditions emphasize the gravity and finality of the casket choice for each suitor.

(vi) Why does Portia ask Morocco to go to the temple before he makes the choice of the casket?
Answer: Before he makes the choice of the Casket, Portia asks Morocco to go to the temple to swear an oath that if he makes the wrong choice, he will never again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.
In simple words: Portia sends Morocco to the temple to swear an oath that if he chooses incorrectly, he will never again propose marriage to any woman.

🎯 Exam Tip: This oath adds a layer of seriousness and consequence to the lottery, ensuring suitors understand the high stakes.