Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers Act 2, Scene 7 – ICSE Class 9 & 10 English




Read the above passage and answer the following questions

Question 1.
Why does Morocco want some god to direct his judgement?
Answer:
Morocco wants his judgement to be directed by the some god so that he may be able to choose the right casket and marry Portia.

Question 2.
What is his reaction to the inscription on the lead casket?
Answer:
He thinks that the lead casket is threatening him because it requires him to sacrifice his all for its sake. He feels that a noble mind does not lower itself so much as to be attracted by rubbish.

Question 3.
What is his reaction to the inscription on the silver,casket?
Answer:
The silver casket offers him as much as he deserves. He assesses his own value in an impartial manner. He feels that he deserves enough but he also feels that it may not include Portia.

Question 4.
How does Morocco explain his fear about not deserving Portia?
Answer:
Morocco explains his fear by saying that it would mean a weak under-estimation of himself.

Question 5.
What is Morocco’s assessment of himself in regard to Portia?
Answer:
Morocco thinks that he deserves Portia because of his noble birth, his fortunes, his graces, his fine breeding and because of his love for her.

Question 6.What is reasoning which makes Morocco’s say, “What if I strayed no further?”

Answer:
Morocco has read inscription on the silver casket which carries the promise, “who chooses me, shall get as much as he deserves”. The Prince feels confident that he very much deserves the lady. He deserves enough. But then the next moment he falters, though he thinks that he deserves the hand of fair Portia. He deserves her in birth, in fortunes, in graces, in qualities of breeding. So he may stray no further and choose the silver casket.

Question 7.
How does he come to the conclusion that it is the lady whom many men desire?
Answer:
The Prince was just on the verge of taking the decision to choose the silver casket But then he decided to re-consider others once again. Morocco read the inscription ,on the golden casket which said “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire” He knows that she is the lady what many men desire, and they come from far and near to woo her.

Question 8.
How is the journey over the ocean of suitors of Portia described by Morocco?
Answer:
He describes the journey of princes coming from four comers of the world in the hope to marry Portia. The deserts of Hyrcania and the vast and desolate territories of far-reaching Arabia are like thorough fares for these suitors.
The ocean, whose waves rising high seem to throw a challenge to the sky, cannot prevent the foreign travelers from coming to Belmont. They cross the seas as if it were merely a stream.

Question 9.
Why does Morocco think that Portia’s picture is not in the leaden casket?
Answer:
He believes that Portia’s picture is not in the leaden casket. He thinks that this casket is too coarse and unworthy even to enclose her shroud, let alone the idea being a cover for Portia precious portrait.

Question 10.
Is there any religious touch in the imagery of these lines?
Answer:
Yes, the whole sentiment is expressed in religious imagery Portia is here called a living saint. Her ‘ house is a shrine. Her suitors coming from different parts of the world are like pilgrims as the shrine of a holy person has a great sanctity of its own, it attracts pilgrims from far off distances. Similarly, Portia, known for her beauty and wisdom, attracts suitors from all the four corners of the world.

Question 11.
Is it possible for the leaden casket to contain Portia picture?
Answer:
The Prince of Morocco feels that it will be a sin to have such a mean thought in his mind. The lead casket cannot contain the beautiful picture of Portia.

Question 12.
Should the Prince believe that the silver casket contains her picture?
Answer:
Silver is ten times inferior to gold. It cannot contain the picture of a virtuous lady. So it is again . a sinfiil thought.

Question 13.
Which casket is fit to contain such a pearl?
Answer:
The gold casket is fit to contain the picture of Portia. She is a pearl and the only place to preserve it properly is the casket of gold.

Question 14.
What kind of gold coin is in England?
Answer:
To Justify his love for gaudy things the Prince gives a reference of gold coin in England. The coin has the picture of an angel marked upon it. But here angel lies hidden within a casket of gold.

Question 15.
Which casket the Prince wishes to unlock?
Answer:
The Prince finally decides to choose the casket of gold. He asks for the key to know his fate.