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

ACT V Scene 1

Question 1. (i) Which topic is being discussed in the extract?
Answer: The theme of love is being discussed in the extract.
In simple words: The central theme of discussion in this part of the play is love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Directly state "love" as the primary topic, as the subsequent questions elaborate on its various expressions.

Question 1. (ii) Who is Thisbe? What is meant by 'fearfully o'ertrip the dew'?
Answer: Thisbe was a beautiful maiden of Babylonia who was in love with Pyramus, who also belonged to the same place. The words 'fearfully o'ertrip the dew' means that Thisbe, with a heart throbbing with fear, came daintily, stepping over the dewy grass.
In simple words: Thisbe was a beautiful Babylonian maiden in love with Pyramus. 'Fearfully o'ertrip the dew' means she tiptoed delicately over the dewy grass, filled with apprehension.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify Thisbe and give a clear, descriptive explanation of the phrase, highlighting the fear and delicate movement it conveys.

Question 1. (iii) Give briefly the story of Thisbe.
Answer: Thisbe and Pyramus lived in adjoining houses but their parents would not let them marry. They managed to talk to each other though a hole in the garden wall. One moonlit night they arranged to meet secretly at a tomb in a forest outside the city. Thisbe arrived first, but hearing the roar of a lion she ran away in terror, leaving behind her mantle. The lion seized the mantle, tore it and stained it with blood of an ox it had killed. Pyramus came later. Seeing the stained mantle he concluded that Thisbe had been devoured by the lion and stabbed himself. Later when Thisbe returned to the tomb she saw the dead body of Pyramus and killed herself. They are symbols of faithful love.
In simple words: Thisbe and Pyramus, forbidden lovers, met secretly. Thisbe fled a lion, leaving her blood-stained mantle. Pyramus, finding it, believed her dead and killed himself. Thisbe, returning to find him, then took her own life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Summarize the key plot points: forbidden love, secret meeting, lion encounter, misunderstanding with the mantle, and the tragic double suicide.

Question 1. (iv) Who is Dido? Why is she standing with a willow in her hand?
Answer: Dido was the queen of Carthage and the foundress of the city. After the Trojan War, the ship of Aeneas, a Trojan prince came to Carthage and was entertained by Dido. She fell in love with him. But the gods wanted Aeneas to go to Italy. Aeneas cruelly deserted her and set sail secretly at night. Dido heart broken, lit a funeral fire and died in its flames. Her anxious wait for Aeneas is symbolised by her standing with a willow in hand.
In simple words: Dido was the Queen of Carthage who fell in love with Aeneas, who then deserted her. She is depicted with a willow in her hand, symbolizing her forsaken love and sorrowful wait for his return.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify Dido and her connection to Aeneas, then explain the specific symbolism of the willow as representing abandoned love and sorrow.

Question 1. (v) What do the 'willow' and the 'wild sea-banks' signify?
Answer: Willow and the wild sea banks are emblems of forsaken love. Queen Dido stood on the wild sea-shore, carrying in her hand a willow-wand, the emblem of foresaken love, waving to her lover Aeneas in the ship, vainly appealing to him to return to her.
In simple words: The 'willow' and 'wild sea-banks' symbolize forsaken or abandoned love. They represent Dido's sorrowful wait for Aeneas on the shore after his departure.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link both symbols directly to the theme of forsaken love, using Dido's story as context.

Question 1. (vi) Why are the stories of Thisbe and Dido given in the context? In your answer, bring out the comparison aimed at, between the characters in the play and the stories of Thisbe as well as of Dido.
Answer: The stories of Thisbe and Dido are given in the context to heighten the theme of love. While Thisbe's story tells of faithful lovers, Dido's story speaks of foresaken love. Jessica refers to Thisbe's story and refers to her faithful love for Lorenzo. Dido's story is narrated by Lorenzo to taunt her at the fate of Dido. Constancy of the love of Lorenzo and Jessica is highlighted in the scene.
In simple words: These classical love stories deepen the play's theme of love. Thisbe represents faithful love (Jessica's love for Lorenzo), while Dido symbolizes forsaken love, used by Lorenzo to playfully tease Jessica. Together, they highlight the steadfastness and challenges of love in the play.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that these stories serve to amplify the theme of love (both faithful and forsaken) and draw parallels to the characters' own romantic situations, particularly Jessica and Lorenzo.

Question 2. (i) What did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew in such a night?
Answer: Jessica stole from the wealthy jew money and jewels.
In simple words: Jessica stole money and jewels from her father, Shylock, on the night she eloped.

🎯 Exam Tip: State clearly that Jessica stole her father's money and jewels.

Question 2. (ii) What precautions were taken by Jessica and Lorenzo to ensure that she could escape from her father's house undetected?
Answer: Jessica and Lorenzo took all precautions to ensure that she could escape from her father's house undetected. Lorenzo came to take her as a part of a masquerade dressed in costumes and wearing a mask. Jessica dressed herself as a boy and they eloped in a moon-lit night when Shylock was away at Bassanio's house for dinner.
In simple words: To escape undetected, Jessica disguised herself as a boy, and Lorenzo came for her during a masquerade, allowing them to elope under the cover of a moonlit night while Shylock was at dinner.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the specific precautions taken: Jessica's disguise, Lorenzo's masquerade costume, and their timing during Shylock's absence at night.

Question 2. (iii) How did Jessica's father react to her escape? What were Jessica's feelings just before her elopement?
Answer: Jessica's father reacted violently at Jessica's escape. He was angry at his daughter for eloping with a Christian and taking away with her, his money and jewels. He wished to see her dead and lying in a coffin with his ducats and jewels in it. He sought the help of the Duke and his friend Tubal to track down and find Jessica and Lorenzo. Just before her elopement Jessica feels ashamed of herself for her masculine disguise and for stealing her father's money and jewellery.
In simple words: Shylock reacted with extreme fury, wishing Jessica dead for eloping with a Christian and stealing his money and jewels. Jessica, however, felt ashamed of her masculine disguise and for stealing from her father just before her escape.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe Shylock's violent, vengeful reaction and contrast it with Jessica's feelings of shame and embarrassment before her elopement.

Question 2. (iv) What role played by Lorenzo in Jessica's escape from?
Answer: Lorenzo is quick to see the masquerade he and his friends have planned as an opportunity for eloping with Jessica. He decides that Jessica disguised as a page will be his torch-bearer in the masque. When Jessica feels embarrassed in a page-boy's dress, he satisfies her by saying that she looks charming even in the disguise of a boy and finally takes her with him.
In simple words: Lorenzo facilitated Jessica's escape by integrating her into a masquerade as his torch-bearer, ensuring her safe elopement despite her embarrassment over the disguise.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail Lorenzo's proactive role in using the masquerade as a cover and his reassurance to Jessica about her disguise.

Question 2. (v) What do Venice and Belmont stand for? What does the elopement of Lorenzo and Jessica from Venice to Belmont signify?
Answer: Venice stands for a busy life, full of problems, businesses and hardships while Belmont stands for peace, love and tranquility. Elopement of Lorenzo and Jessica from Venice to Belmont means they have freed themselves from the destructive facts of life at Venice and have come to Belmont, where there is peace and tranquility and that nurtures their love.
In simple words: Venice symbolizes a world of commerce and conflict, whereas Belmont represents peace, love, and harmony. Lorenzo and Jessica's elopement to Belmont signifies their escape from Venice's harsh realities to a life of nurturing love and tranquility.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contrast the symbolic meanings of Venice and Belmont, and explain how Lorenzo and Jessica's move between them represents a journey from conflict to harmonious love.

Question 3. (i) Where does this scene take place? Who is Stephano? What message does he bring?
Answer: This scene takes place in the garden in front of Portia's house in Belmont. Stephano is a servant of Portia. He brings the message that Lady Portia will arrive at Belmont before day-break.
In simple words: This scene is in Portia's Belmont garden. Stephano, Portia's servant, announces that Lady Portia will return before dawn.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the setting, Stephano's role, and the specific message he delivers regarding Portia's imminent arrival.

Question 3. (ii) According to Stephano, what has his mistress been doing during her absence from home?
Answer: According to Stephano, during her absence from home his mistress was visiting the roadside shrines with holy crosses. She knelt and offered prayers at these holy places for blessings in her wedded life.
In simple words: Stephano claims Portia was visiting roadside shrines, praying for blessings for her married life during her absence.

🎯 Exam Tip: State Stephano's cover story for Portia's absence, highlighting the religious pretext given.

Question 3. (iii) In reality, what has she been doing during her absence? Who accompanied the mistress?
Answer: In reality, during her absence from home she went to Venice disguised as a Doctor of Law, and successfully argued for Antonio in his bond-forfeiture case and saved him from the evil designs of Shylock. Nerissa accompanied her mistress as the lawyer's clerk.
In simple words: Portia, disguised as a male Doctor of Law, was in Venice saving Antonio from Shylock's bond. Nerissa accompanied her as the lawyer's clerk.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail Portia's true activities (disguise, role, mission) and identify Nerissa's role, contrasting it with Stephano's cover story.

Question 3. (iv) What role did Portia's maid play in the company of her mistress?
Answer: In the company of her mistress, her maid played the role of a lawyer's clerk. Once the deed document was made, Portia's maid went to Shylock's house for his signature on the document.
In simple words: Portia's maid, Nerissa, acted as her clerk during the trial and was sent to Shylock's house to secure his signature on the final deed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specify Nerissa's dual role as clerk and her final task of obtaining Shylock's signature on the deed.

Question 3. (v) Explain how the Jessica-Lorenzo romance is linked to the love story of Portia and Bassanio.
Answer: Jessica-Lorenzo romance is linked to the love story of Portia and Bassanio.
In simple words: The Jessica-Lorenzo romance is intertwined with Portia and Bassanio's story through shared themes of forbidden love, elopement, and the pursuit of happiness. Their flight to Belmont and eventual inheritance from Shylock are directly facilitated by the events surrounding Antonio's bond, which also propels Portia and Bassanio's relationship.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the two romances through thematic parallels (love, escape, new beginnings) and plot devices (Shylock's bond, Belmont as a haven), showing how they reinforce each other.

Question 4. (i) Who speaks these words? Where is he now? To whom is he speaking?
Answer: Lorenzo speaks these words. He is in the garden in front of Portia's house in Belmont. He is speaking to Jessica.
In simple words: Lorenzo is speaking to Jessica in the garden of Portia's house in Belmont.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the speaker, their location, and the person they are addressing.

Question 4. (ii) What has the speaker said about music before this extract?
Answer: Before this extract the speaker has asked Stephano to arrange for some music in the open air.
In simple words: Prior to this, Lorenzo asked Stephano to arrange some outdoor music.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention Lorenzo's request to Stephano for open-air music, setting the atmospheric context.

Question 4. (iii) According to the speaker, what effect does music have on animals? What is the effect of lack of music on men?
Answer: According to the speaker if animals hear music, they quickly come to a standstill and remain quietly listening and gazing with calm eyes. Lorenzo says that a man who lacks music is capable of treachery, intrigue and dishonesty. His spirit has no brighter feelings, his emotions are sordid and dark as hell. Such men cannot be trusted.
In simple words: Lorenzo says music calms animals, making them listen intently. He believes men without music in their souls are prone to treachery, deceit, and have dark, untrustworthy emotions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between the calming effect of music on animals and the negative characteristics (treachery, sordid emotions) attributed to men devoid of musical appreciation.

Question 4. (iv) Give the meaning of:
(a) patines of bright gold: glittering plates of bright gold.
(b) floor of heaven: Lorenzo describes the sky as the floor of heaven.
Answer:
(a) patines of bright gold: Shining, reflective disks or plates made of bright gold.
(b) floor of heaven: Lorenzo metaphorically refers to the sky, adorned with stars, as the floor of heaven.
In simple words: 'Patines of bright gold' means glittering gold plates. 'Floor of heaven' is Lorenzo's poetic description of the sky.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide clear and concise definitions, recognizing "floor of heaven" as a metaphor for the starry sky.

Question 4. (v) What is the effect of music on the person to whom these words are addressed?
Answer: The effect of music on the person addressed here, i.e., Jessica, is one of sadness. Lorenzo explains that due to her attentiveness, she gets lost in music.
In simple words: Music makes Jessica feel a sense of sadness, and she becomes deeply absorbed and lost in its sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: State both the emotional effect (sadness) and the immersive quality (lost in music) that music has on Jessica.

Question 4. (vi) According to the Elizabethan view of music, what are the orbs said to be doing? Why can't human beings hear the music of the heavens in this life?
Answer: Elizabethans believed that every star or planet produced, in its motion, a peculiar musical note and the combination of all notes composed the harmony of the universe. The angels are said to be listening to the music of stars. Our souls are immortal and they produce divine music. But as long as the clothing of mortality - the human body - encloses the soul, we cannot hear the music of the heavens.
In simple words: Elizabethans believed heavenly bodies create a harmonious "music of the spheres." Humans cannot hear it in this life because our mortal bodies, or "clothing of mortality," prevent our immortal souls from perceiving this divine sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the Elizabethan concept of "music of the spheres" and the specific reason given (mortal bodies) for why humans cannot hear it.

Question 5. (i) Who was Orpheus? What effect did the music played by Orpheus have on objects in nature?
Answer: Orpheus was the son of the Muse Calliope. He was a famous poet of Thrace. He was presented with a lyre by Apollo and instructed by muses in its use. He enchanted with its music not only the wild beasts, but also the trees and rocks upon Olympus. It is said that he made trees, stones and streams move from place to place by the power of his music.
In simple words: Orpheus, a legendary Thracian poet and musician, could charm not just wild beasts but also inanimate objects like trees, stones, and streams with his lyre music, making them move.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify Orpheus and list the extraordinary effects of his music on both living creatures and natural elements.

Question 5. (ii) Give the meaning of:
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
But music for the time doth change his nature.
Answer: The above lines mean that there is nothing in the world so insensible, so fierce and unyielding that it does not, even for a passing moment, yield to the power of music. It means music can change the nature of things at least for some time.
In simple words: These lines mean that nothing is so stubborn, harsh, or filled with rage that music cannot, even temporarily, soften its nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that the quote emphasizes music's transformative power, capable of temporarily altering even the most unyielding or ferocious natures.

Question 5. (iii) What has Lorenzo said earlier about the effect of trumpet sound on wild colts?
Answer: Earlier Lorenzo had said that at the sound of trumpet, wild unbroken horses, rushing madly over the plains with energy come to a standstill. They remain quiet, listen and gaze calmly.
In simple words: Lorenzo previously noted that wild, untamed horses, galloping furiously, would halt, quieten, and listen calmly at the sound of a trumpet.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall Lorenzo's specific example of how even wild animals are calmed and captivated by sound.

Question 5. (iv) What does Lorenzo say about the man who has no sense of music?
Answer: Lorenzo says that the man, who has no sense of music is capable of. treachery, intrigue and dishonesty. His spirit has no spark of brighter feelings and he is lifeless like the world sleeping at night. His emotions are sordid and as dark as hell. Such a man can never be trusted.
In simple words: Lorenzo asserts that a man without appreciation for music is prone to treachery, deceit, and dishonesty. He considers such a person devoid of noble feelings, with a dark, untrustworthy soul.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the negative traits Lorenzo associates with a lack of musical sense, emphasizing the idea that such individuals are morally corrupt and untrustworthy.

Question 5. (v) What is referred to as Erebus? Why is it used in the extract?
Answer: Erebus was the son of Chaos. His name signifies darkness. In classical mythology it was considered also as the home of the dead, an area of darkness near hell. Departed souls had to walk through this area during their passage to Hades. Lorenzo says that a man, who does not love music, has thoughts as dark as night and emotions as dark as hell.
In simple words: Erebus, in Greek mythology, is a primordial darkness, often the home of the dead, akin to an area near hell. It is used here to describe the thoughts and emotions of a man without music as being profoundly dark and hellish.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define Erebus in its mythological context and explain how it is used metaphorically to describe the intense moral darkness of a person lacking musical appreciation.

Question 6. (i) What is meant by 'a hoop of gold' and 'a paltry ring'?
Answer: 'A hoop of gold' means a circlet of gold. 'A paltry ring' means a ring of small value.
In simple words: 'A hoop of gold' means a golden ring. 'A paltry ring' refers to a ring of insignificant value.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide concise definitions for both phrases, particularly noting the literal meaning of 'hoop of gold' and the value implication of 'paltry ring'.