The Merchant of Venice Act III Scene 5 Workbook Answers and Explanations

Act III Scene 5

Context Questions

Question 1. (i) Where is Launcelot? What is he discussing and with whom?
Answer: Launcelot is in the garden of Portia at Belmont. Launcelot is discussing with Jessica the question of her salvation. He says that being the daughter of a Jew, she will be damned, that is there is no salvation for her soul because children are punished for the sins of their fathers. This is because Christians of those days believed that for the souls of Jews and non-Christians, there is no salvation.
In simple words: Launcelot is in Portia's garden, discussing with Jessica her salvation. He argues that as a Jew's daughter, she is damned, reflecting the Christian belief that Jews and non-Christians cannot be saved.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the characters and their location. Launcelot's theological discussion with Jessica introduces the theme of religious conversion and its controversial implications within the play.

Question 1. (ii) Who is to be blamed more, and for what reason?
Answer: According to Launcelot, Lorenzo is to be blamed for the conversion of Jessica because by converting her, he has added one more member to the community of Christians, who are already many. Besides, it will raise the price of pork as one more pork-eater will be added to the group of pork-eaters.
In simple words: Launcelot blames Lorenzo for Jessica's conversion, arguing it increases the Christian population and, comically, will raise pork prices due to more eaters.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question highlights Launcelot's humorous, yet culturally revealing, perspective on religious conversion. Focus on his dual reasons: the religious implication and the comedic, practical concern about pork prices.

Question 1. (iii) How would Jessica's becoming a Christian affect the price of hogs?
Answer: Jessica's becoming a Christian will increase the number of pork-eaters and thus, will affect the price of the pork.
In simple words: Launcelot comically suggests that Jessica's conversion to Christianity will increase the demand for pork, thereby raising its market price.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is a humorous detail. Highlight Launcelot's absurd but clever reasoning, which adds comic relief and subtly comments on social norms.

Question 1. (iv) What did Launcelot say earlier about damnation of Jessica? How did he justify his opinion of damnation? How does Jessica hope to escape damnation?
Answer: Earlier, Launcelot had said that Jessica will be damned due to the sins of her father. He justifies this by referring to a passage in the Bible (Exodus 20/5) which says that even children and children's children will be punished for the sins of their fathers. Jessica hopes to escape damnation through her husband. That is, being converted to Christianity. by her husband she will be saved. This has also a reference to Bible where St. Paul says that the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband (1 Corintheans 7:14).
In simple words: Launcelot believed Jessica was damned by her father's sins, citing a biblical verse that children suffer for parental transgressions. Jessica hopes to escape damnation by converting to Christianity through marriage to Lorenzo, referencing St. Paul's idea that an unbelieving wife is sanctified by her Christian husband.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question explores theological debates within the play. Explain both Launcelot's stern interpretation of damnation and Jessica's more hopeful, redemptive view through conversion and marriage.

Question 1. (v) Explain the conflict of religions referred to in this scene.
Answer: Conflict of religions is highlighted in this scene. Christians of those days believed that non-Christians and Jews will be damned. Since Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, she will be damned. However, Jessica asserts her position referring to St. Paul, who said that the unbelieving wife is sanctified by her husband who is a Christian.
In simple words: The scene portrays the religious conflict of the time, where Christians believed Jews were damned. Jessica, a Jew, challenges this by arguing her Christian marriage will secure her salvation, referencing St. Paul's teachings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the core religious prejudices and the specific biblical references used by both Launcelot and Jessica. This scene subtly critiques religious intolerance through character dialogue.

Question 2. (i) What is 'Past all expressing'? Why does Jessica suggest that Bassanio should lead an upright life?
Answer: Jessica uses these words - 'Past all expressing' which mean words are not enough to express her admiration for Portia. Jessica suggests that Bassanio should lead an upright life because he has such a blessing in his wife, Portia. He has the joys of heaven here on earth. If he does not value the joy while on earth, he does not deserve to expect happiness in heaven.
In simple words: "Past all expressing" means beyond words to describe. Jessica suggests Bassanio lead an upright life because Portia, his wife, brings him earthly "heavenly joys," and he must value this blessing to deserve future happiness.

🎯 Exam Tip: Jessica's words emphasize Portia's exceptional virtues and the moral responsibility Bassanio now bears. Connect "Past all expressing" to her admiration for Portia and the ethical implications for Bassanio.

Question 2. (ii) What does Jessica say immediately after this extract praising Portia?
Answer: Immediately after this extract praising Portia, Jessica says that if two gods should enter into a contest and stake two earthly women as prizes in the game, then if Portia were to be one of them, the other woman would need some addition to her worth so as to make the stake equal. Thus, Jessica states that there is no another woman like Portia in this world. She is peerless.
In simple words: Jessica praises Portia by saying that if gods were to compete for two earthly women, and Portia were one, the other woman would need extra worth to be considered her equal, meaning Portia is peerless.

🎯 Exam Tip: This hyperbole from Jessica underscores Portia's unparalleled excellence in her eyes. It's a strong testament to Portia's character and influence.

Question 2. (iii) What has Lorenzo said earlier about Launcelot's skill in using words?
Answer: Lorenzo tells Launcelot that he is trying to show his wisdom by using words at every opportunity. He tells him to try to understand a simple man, who speaks plan language.
In simple words: Lorenzo previously told Launcelot that he uses elaborate language too much, advising him to speak simply.

🎯 Exam Tip: This highlights Launcelot's comedic role and his aspiration to appear more educated than he is, creating a humorous contrast with Lorenzo's straightforwardness.

Question 2. (iv) What mix up of words has Launcelot done earlier in the context of serving dinner? Bring out the humour arising from his speech.
Answer: In the context of serving dinner, Launcelot behaves like a refined jester. Lorenzo asks Launcelot to go indoors and tell the servants to get dinner ready and serve it. Launcelot misunderstands 'prepare for dinner as 'prepare themselves for dinner' and says that they are ready and have good appetite. Further he takes 'prepare dinner' for 'get dinner cooked'. L'auncelot inverts the words take, meat and bid. He tells Lorenzo that the table shall be 'served' meaning 'laid' and the meat shall be 'covered' meaning 'served'. He says as for their coming to dinner, it depends on their mood and fancy and he cannot 'bid' them to do anything.
In simple words: Launcelot comically mixes up words, misunderstanding "prepare for dinner" as "prepare themselves" and inverting "take meat and bid." This creates humor through his malapropisms and jester-like behavior.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Launcelot's malapropisms and wordplay. His confusion of terms (e.g., "served" for laid, "covered" for served) is a primary source of comic relief in his character.

Question 2. (v) Give a brief character sketch of Launcelot in this scene.
Answer: In this scene, the character of Launcelot changes from that of an ignorant practical joker to that of a more refined jester. He resembles, a court fool here. He theorises on the consequences of Jessica's turning a Christian. He further reveals his skills in punning words so that even Lorenzo admits that the fool has filled his mind with quite a stock of fine words ready for use.
In simple words: In this scene, Launcelot is a witty jester, engaging in theological debate about Jessica's conversion and showcasing his skill in wordplay and puns, moving beyond a simple clown.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Launcelot's evolution from a simple servant to a more refined, witty jester. His philosophical leanings and verbal dexterity in this scene showcase his development as a comedic character.