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प्रश्न
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
| Shylock: | Shall I not have barely my principal'? |
| Portia: | Thou shalt have nothing but forfeiture. To be so taken at thy peril, Jew. |
- What is the 'principal' that Shylock asks for?
Why does Portia refuse to give it to him? [3] - What is the 'forfeiture' they are referring to?
What danger ('peril') would Shylock be in if he took the forfeiture? [3] - What further hold does the law of Venice have on Shylock? [3]
- What concession does Antonio offer to Shylock?
On what condition does he make this offer? [3] - Why is Shylock in a hurry to leave the courtroom after the trial?
How far can Shylock be blamed for the outcome of the trial?
Give one reason for your response. [4]
उत्तर
- In Act 4, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice, Portia refuses to return the principal amount to Shylock. This decision is a consequence of Shylock's earlier insistence on taking a pound of flesh from Antonio, rejecting pleas for mercy. Portia carries out her plan, acknowledging Shylock's right to the pound of flesh but emphasizing that the legal bond forbids him from spilling any blood. As Shylock seeks the life of a Venetian citizen, he becomes subject to Venice's laws. When Shylock requests his principal amount, Portia denies him, serving as her retribution for his merciless intentions and affirming her commitment to justice.
- In Act 4, Scene 1, of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock faces the risk of being charged with murder should he proceed with the forfeiture, insisting on extracting a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. According to Venetian law, any unauthorised Christian bloodshed during this act would result in the confiscation of his assets and property by the state of Venice. Consequently, Shylock places himself in significant jeopardy by pursuing his demand for a pound of flesh, risking the loss of all his possessions.
- Portia consents to the agreed forfeiture for Shylock. However, he must undertake this act entirely at his peril, extracting a pound of flesh from Antonio's body without causing any bloodshed. Any instance of shedding even a single drop of Christian blood would implicate him in conspiring to take the life of a Venetian citizen. Additionally, failure to cut precisely one pound of flesh, without any deviation, would result in the confiscation of all his lands and capital by the state. The state would take possession of half of his property, and the person who the plot against would receive the other half.
- According to the court order, the state must receive half of Shylock's estate, with Antonio, the injured party, receiving the remaining half. Although the duke proposes a compromise, suggesting a monetary fine instead of the state seizing half of Shylock's land, Shylock remains resentful and displeased. In response, Antonio makes an offer to relinquish his portion of Shylock's confiscated property under Venetian law. However, this offer comes with the condition that Shylock undergo a conversion to Christianity. Additionally, Jessica and Lorenzo, his daughter, will inherit Shylock's property after his passing.
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In Act 4, Scene 1 of "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, Shylock hastily leaves the courtroom, defeated and humiliated. His revenge plot against Antonio fails, resulting in his forced conversion to Christianity and the loss of half his wealth to Antonio. This devastating outcome deeply impacts Shylock's pride as a Jew. Faced with his vulnerable position in Venetian society, he quickly exits, possibly to escape further humiliation and contemplate rebuilding his life. Shylock's insistence on extracting a pound of flesh intensifies his disdain for him, eroding any potential sympathy due to his old age. He is unequivocally accountable for the consequences of the justice meted out.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Answer the following question in one or two sentences.
Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Study the words in italics in the sentences below. They are formed by prefixing un – or in – to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).
• I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks. (un + distinguished)
• My austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts.(in + essential)
• The area was completely unaffected by the war.(un + affected)
• He should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance. (in + equality, in+ tolerance)
Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un- or in-. The prefix in- can also have the forms il-, ir-, or im- (for example: illiterate –il + literate, impractical –im + practical, irrational – ir+ rational). You may consult a dictionary if you wish.
| _____adequate | _____acceptable | _____regular | _____tolerant |
| ____demanding | ____active | _____true | _____permanent |
| ____patriotic | ____disputed | ____accessible | _____coherent |
| _____logical | _____legal | _____responsible | _____possible |
Can you think of some other ending for the story?
After considering the matter, and talking it over with his wife, farmer Jones said that he would take John, and do well by him, now that his mother was out of the way; and Mrs. Ellis, who had been looking out for a bound girl, concluded that it would be charitable in her to make choice of Katy, even though she was too young to be of much use for several years.
“I could do much better, I know,” said Mrs. Ellis; “but as no one seems inclined to take her, I must act from a sense of duty expect to have trouble with the child; for she’s an undisciplined thing—used to having her own way.”
But no one said “I’ll take Maggie.” Pitying glances were cast on her wan and wasted form and thoughts were troubled on her account. Mothers brought cast-off garments and, removing her soiled and ragged clothes, dressed her in clean attire. The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched many hearts, and even knocked at them for entrance. But none opened to take her in. Who wanted a bed-ridden child?
“Take her to the poorhouse,” said a rough man, of whom the question “What’s to be done with Maggie?” was asked. “Nobody’s going to be bothered with her.”
“The poorhouse is a sad place for a sick and helpless child,” answered one.
“For your child or mine,” said the other, lightly speaking; “but for tis brat it will prove a blessed change, she will be kept clean, have healthy food, and be doctored, which is more than can be said of her past condition.”
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
What solution did the rough man suggest for Maggie? Why would the poorhouse be a good place for Maggie?
Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savoury smell of roast goose, for it was New-year’s eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and
she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags. Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned! and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! the flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
Where did the girl seek some shelter from the cold?
The phrases on the left in the following box occur in the text. Match each of them with a phrase on the right.
| (i) an endless stretch of sand | •fertile place with water and plants in a desert |
| (ii) waterless and without shelter | •not visible because the grass is thick |
| (iii) an oasis | •nothing but sand as far as one can see |
| (iv) hidden by a cover of grass | •no water and no shade |
On getting Gopu Mama’s chappals, the music teacher tried not to look too happy. Why?
How does a tree prove to be beneficial during Summers?
Replace the italicised portion of the sentence below with a suitable phrase from the box. Make necessary changes, wherever required.
The best way to avoid an unnecessary argument is to remain silent.
In the short story, The Story of an Hour, what according to the doctor did Mrs. Mallard die of?
