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ICSE-IX
English
Literature
LINE / STANZA / SCENE WISE ANALYSIS OF
POEMS, STORIES & DRAMA
A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A
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and the World, Gora, Four Chapters) and four novellas, many volumes
of short stories, non-fictional essays, and many plays. He won Nobel
Prize for Gitanjali.
Q6. What do you understand by clear stream of reason? What
is reason?
The phrase clear stream of reason signifies pure reason.
Reason is being rational and not tied by superstition and
unreasonable traditions.
Q7. What is the dead habit according to the poet? What should
happen to dead habits? Why or why not?
By the phrase dead habits, Rabindranath Tagore refers to old
customs.
The poet is of the view that the dead habits should not bind
peoples mind. People should think and act rationally and not blindly
follow old customs.
If people do not have rational mind and merely follow old
customs then it would be determental for the nation as the nation would
not progress.
Q8. How does dead habits obstruct the realization of freedom?
Dead habits or old customs make a nation as arid as desert and
make man slave to irrational beliefs and thoughts which according to
the poet obstructs true realization of Indias freedom.
Q9. Who is thee? What significance does thee has in the works
of the poet?
Rabindranath Tagore refers to God by saying thee.
Tagore being a spiritual person and mystic poet tries to locate
the ultimate truth in God and therefore in his works God and spirituality
has a special significance.
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Q10. What does the poet mean by ever widening thought and
action?
Rabindranath Tagore thinks that one should always try to
progress, develop and upgrade oneself with ones thoughts and actioins
which are being referred to as ever-widening. If one thinks and acts
accordingly then one is always thinking of developing, that is
widening and yearning for more.
Q11. What is Heaven of freedom according to the poet?
Heaven of Freedom is freedom in its ideal state when people
are fearless and rational to think and do whatever they feel like, when
people can live with self-respect and pursue knowledge according to
their wish.
Q12. Is the dream of the poet realized? Is so, how? It not, why not?
No, the poets dream is not realized as well have not got the
kind of freedom that Rabidranath Tagore envisioned in the poem. It
is true that we have achieved freedom; but we still live in a society
where various manmade discriminations are dividing the society,
where fear grips our mind still, where violence is still prevalent in
various aspects of social and cultural life, where everyone is not in
a situation to pursue knowlede as they want to and where we are
still victims of old customs.
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it would float and swing over the waves whenever there is a storm.
The bell would thus provide a warning to the mariners that there
is the Inchcape Rock and would help them in locating it so that the
ship does not hit the rock and perish.
Q3. What is meant by The buoy of the Inchcape Bell? Why did it
look like a darker speck? What does the ocean green suggest to you?
The phrase The buoy of the Inchcape Bell means the
anchored float (showing navigable) above the Inchcape Rock where
the bell was placed.
It looked like a darker speck amidst the wide sea; it was like
a darker patch.
The term the ocean green suggests the wide ocean which
seems to be green in colour.
Q4. Who was Sir Ralph the Rover? After seeing the buoy of the bell,
what thought, in regard to the bell, entered his mind?
Sir Ralph the Rover as the term rover suggests is a sea pirate.
After seeing the buoy of the bell, Sir Ralph the Rover thinks of
cutting of the bell of the Inchcape Rock so that it drowns and the
sailors would not anymore bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.
Q5. What type of character was the Rover? Compare his character
to that of the Abbot.
The Rover is a jealous and villainous man.
Whereas the Rover is jealous of the Abbot of Aberbrothok (who
is altruistic and thinks about others good) as mariners bless him for
placing the bell on Inchcape Rock, Sir Ralph the Rover is villainous
and selfish as he plans to cut off the bell.
Q6. When and why did the mariners bless the Abbot? What lesson
do you learn from the life of Abbot? What are your feelings for him?
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Q14. Why does Sir Ralph tear his hair? What despair is referred to
in the extract?
Sir Ralph tore his hair as he is about to be drowned with his
ship for his own evil act of cutting of the bell.
The despair is that he, being jealous, cuts off the bell and his
ship is now hit against the rock to be drowned.
Q15. What makes the ship sink? Why does Sir Ralph curse himself?
The ship sinks as it has hit the Inchcape Rock.
He curses himself as he has cut off the bell from the Inchcape
Rock which warned mariners about the rock.
Q16. To what does Sir Ralph compare the sound of the bell? Why?
Sir Ralph compares the sound of the bell with the Devil ringing
the death knell.
He does so as he knows that with the drowning ship he is about
to be drowned.
Q17. What was the cause of his dying fear? What good purpose did
the Inchcape Bell serve? For what purpose is the Bell in the extract
now referred to by the poet?
His dying fear is that his ship is about to sink and he is going
to die.
The Inchcape Bell served the function of warning the mariners
of the dangerous rock.
The bell in the extract refers to the bell that the Devil rings at
ones death.
Q18. Explain the meaning and significance of the dreadful sound.
Earlier the Rover had cut off the Bell. What was the comment when
he did that? In what way was his comment after cutting the bell a
prophecy of his own doom?
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The dreadful sound is the sound of the devil ringing ones death
knell.
Earlier when the Rover cut off the bell he said that the next who
would come to the Inchcape Rock would not bless the Abbot of
Aberbrothok anymore.
It was a prophecy of his own doom as when he himself was
drifted to the Inchcape Rock, there was no bell to warn him about the
rock and thus his ship hit against the rock and sank.
Q19. What are your feelings at the end of the poem? What do you
learn from the poem?
At the end of the poem the readers feelings were that one who
digs a pit for others, falls into it himself. One learns that when one
intends to harm others by doing a wrong deed one becomes a victim
of the deed himself.
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Hyderabad.
The poet has vividly described the bazaar with vendors selling
different kind of wares. Sarojini Naidu visits the stalls given by
merchants, maidens, pedlars, goldsmiths, fruit sellers, musicians and
flower girls. She questions them about what they are selling about
what they are selling and who in turn politely answer.
Through the poem, we see the bazaar witnesses both sorrows
and joys of life. They witness happy moments such as wedding when
the bazaar is crowded with people buying garlands, jewelry etc and
also during the festive occasions like Holi, Diwali, Eid etc.
The bazaars also witness occasions of sadness like death when
kings and soldiers die and the flower girls are seen weaving sheets of
white flowers to be used for the dead peoples grave.
Another theme in the poem is the Swadeshi Movement. Though this
theme is not explicitly mentioned in the poem but it can be deduced
from the time period when the poem was composed. As we all
know, Sarojini Naidu was a freedom fighter and she actively took
part in the freedom movement and was an ardent follower of
Gandhiji and his ideals. . During this time, publication of Indian
newspapers was banned so she might have thought the best way to
spread the message to people was through her poems. In this poem,
she is asking the people of India to boycott the foreign goods and
buy products from the typical Indian markets which she has
beautifully depicted in her poem In The Bazaars of Hyderabad.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. What is the poet describing? Why?
Sarojini Naidu is describing a bazaar of Hyderabad.
Being a poet and a national freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu not
only thought about fighting against the colonial British, but at the same
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time tried to champion Indian culture and traditions to regain the selfrespect of Indians which was lost due to colonial rule. By championing
Indian bazaar, the poet is trying to present the rich colourful bazaar of
India.
Q2. What are displayed richly? Why are they called richly?
In the bazaar of Hyderabad, the merchants have richly displayed
expensive products such as turbans of chrimson and silver, tunics of
purple brocade, mirrors with panels of amber, daggers with handles
of jade.
The merchants are rich men and what they are selling is also for
the rich as the common people cannot afford to buy these products.
Therefore the poet uses the term richly.
Q3. What aspect of Indian society is reflected by what the merchants
are selling?
The poet, Sarojini Naidu, is pointing out India to be a land of
the rich where people like to possess luxurious and expensive products.
If the British try to portray India as a poor, impoverished country then
that is a false image. It has a culture of its own, a rich culture, which
can be easily made out by the things that the merchants sell in the
market.
Q4. Why do the maiden grind sandalwood, henna and spice? What
aspect of the Indian society is presented through these items?
The maidens grind sandalwood, henna and spice to be sold in
the market.
Grinding of spices, sandalwood, henna by women shows that
in India women also take part in the activities of the market.
Q5. What does the words chessman and ivory dice suggest?
The words chessman and ivory dice suggest the Indian
fascination for games, especially board games, chess and dice.
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Sarojini Naidu used the word here to suggest how the magicians
cast their charming spells for long period of time.
Q15. Comment on the poets intention in the passage.
Sarojini Naidus intention in the passage is to create a picture
of Indian bazaar which is unique for its beauty and charm and not
merely a place of buying and selling and business transactions. It
is also a place for various other purposes, such as entertainment.
The musicians melody and the magicians spell provide for bazaar
a charm of its own, which is a typical feature of an Indian bazaar.
People from different backgrounds, with divergent interests gather
there for different purposes and the gathering has a charm of its
own.
Q16. What does the phrase tassels of azure and red mean?
The phrase tassels of azure and red means braids or edgings
of blue/sapphire and red colour.
Q17. What does the phrase the sleep of the dead mean?
The phrase the sleep of the dead means the perpetual sleep
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The blood stain from the wound of the soldier in his chest caused
by being hit by a bullet is referred to in the poem.
It is not merely a stain; but a symbol of bloodshed that warfare
is all about and the pain and suffering the soldiers go through.
Q5. What does Asian dirt suggest? Is it of any special
significance in the poem? Can one use other phrases instead of
Asian dirt? Why?
The phrase Asian dirt refers to the Vietnam War as Michael
Mack was a Vietnam War veteran.
Yes, instead of the word Asian we can use any other word
which refers to any war. We can do so as the peom is universal and
talks about the state and suffering of soldiers which is true of every
war throughout the world.
Q6. Why does he consider himself luckier? Is he really lucky?
Who are the rest? What happened to them?
The soldier boy considers himself luckier as all the other soldiers
of his troop are dead, whereas he has just survived with a pain in his
chest.
No, he is not lucky at all. He is not lucky as he eventually
succumbs to death because of the bullet that has hit his chest.
The rest are the other soldiers of his troop, his companions.
The rest of the soldiers are hit by bullets and are dead.
Q7. Why was he looking for aid? What aid was he asking for?
He was looking for aid as he was unable to move because of
the pain caused by the bullet that has hit him in his chest.
Q8. What are deep craters? How are they created? What is
the importance of the craters is the context of the poem?
Deep craters are depressions on the ground.
These depressions, as described in the poem, are created by the
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bomb shelling.
The significance of the craters is that it shows the horror of
warfare and the waste it is. The deep craters symbolically also suggest
how warfare is a big depression for humanity at large.
Q9. What made him sit down at last? For how long was he sitting?
Could he stand upon his own? Why or why not?
The pain in his chest and fatigue made him sit down.
He was sitting throughout the night.
He could not stand up on his own as he has a pain in his chest
for being hit by a bullet.
Q10. What would his wife think? Is it sinificant in any way?
The soldier boy thinks what his wife would think when she sees
that he is too weak to stand alone. Traditionally soldiers are known for
their bravery, tolerance of pain and heroism - but all these are constructs
which seem only good in books - not in reality. In reality, war is all
gory. Therefore what the wife thinks is no way significant.
Q11. What would his mother opine? What image does the poem
want to evoke through this passage?
The mother of the soldier would not have imagined that her son
would sit like this with a pain in his chest.
The poet wants to evoke the notion of how people still have
heroic notions about war.
Q12. Comment on the poets intention of humanizing soldiers in
the war front. What purpose does it serve?
The poet Michael Mack humanizes soldiers as they are also
human beings and suffer pain in warfront as against the heroic notions
which are usually portrayed about war. This kind of portrayal serves
the purpose of portraying the reality about war.
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THE PROFESSOR
ANALYSIS
The Professor is noted for its expression of the Indian attitude.
Indians are proud of their proficiency in English but they are never
bothered about the fact that their Indian English is far from the Native
English.
STYLE AND FORM:
The Professor is both a conversational poem as well as a satirical
poem. The Professor is in a conversational form, it is about a
conversation between two people, a professor and his former student.
The professor is the narrator in this poem and he talks about himself,
his family and children. The poem is in free verse style without having
any regular metrical form. This form helps the poet to freely describe
the thoughts and feelings of a retired professor. He speaks about his
sons and daughters, his health, changing times and changing values,
talks that are typical of a middle aged man. Thus, we can say the poet
Nissim Ezekiel has used a informal style to convey the thoughts of
the old man.
A satire is a way of criticizing a person, an idea or anything else.
In a satire, the human follies are attacked by using humour, irony and
exaggeration. The Professor is a satirical poem where the professor is
the object of satire and is ridiculed by the poet. Through the character
of the professor, Ezekiel has satirized the educated class, living in the
cities. Like an old father-figure, the professor speaks about his eleven
grandchildren and then boasts about the material wealth of his sons.
Moreover, the poem is a blow to the Indians who use English language,
making mistakes of syntax, grammar, tense etc but still they would speak
in English(they find it prestigious) rather than in their mother tongue.
Use of Hyperbole: Hyperbole means exaggerating something.
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Ezekiel has shown that Indians have the habit of exaggerating for
emphasis. The use of hyperbole is quite apparent in the professors
speech. The examples are listed below*Our progress is progressing.
*Everything is happening with leaps and bounds.
*This year I am sixty nine
*You were so thin, like stick.
Use of Irony: The narrator being a professor should have a well
command not only over the subject he teaches but also the language
he uses. But the poem is full of grammatical errors. He talks like a
boastful father, as he speaks of his sonsBy Gods grace, all my children
Are well settled in life
One is Sales Manager,
One is Bank Manager,
Both have cars.
THEME:
Urban Thinking Pattern:
The Professor revolves around the typical urban mentality of
people in India. The speaker here is a professor whose academic
excellence is far above from that of a common man. Instead of having
a broad thinking, the professor has a narrow, stereotyped thinking.
His views are confined to his family, children and their material
achievements in life. He talks about his daughters who are happily
married and about his two sons who are sales and bank managers
respectively. Like a typical urban mentality, he thinks women should
be happily married and confined to their homes only.
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happy with his retirement and therefore though he says that he is still
in good health after retirement, what he means is that he could have
carried on working.
Q3. What does the speaker mean when he says that his children
are well settled in life? Descrie the speakers notion of being wellsettled?
The speaker, Professor Sheth, means that his children are
materialistically successful in life.
Professor Sheth, like most Indians, especially the middle class
Indians, believe that being well-settled in life means one has a good
job which gives him enough salary to own a house (or a flat), a small
car, to run a family (probably with two children). Professor Seth, while
mentioning his two sons who are well-settled, reiterates the same
notion.
Q4. Is there gender discrimination in the way the speaker describes
about his childrens settling down in life?
Yes, Professor Sheth is biased towards his sons as he wanted
them to be materialistically successful while for his daughters, Sarala
and Tarala, being sell-settled means that they are married to nice men.
Professor Sheths mentality is very typical of the Indian society, where
the end point of girls is to get married to men who earn well.
Q5. What is the speaker talking about? What does the speaker mean
when he says Other also doing well, though not so well?
The speaker, Professor Sheth, is talking about his children and
their success in life which he measures in terms of their materialistic
accomplishments.
He says that his sons who are Sales Manager and Bank Manager
and who own cars are well-settled; but there is a son who hasnt done
so well in life in materialistic terms and therefore he terms him as a
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black sheep.
Q6. What does the term black sheep mean here? Who are black
sheep? Why?
The idiom black sheep is used to describe an odd or disreputable
member of a group, especially within a family.
The son of Professor Sheth who hasnt done very well in life in
terms of materialistic prospects is being termed as black sheep.
He is being termed so as in a family where two brothers are
sales manager and bank manager; he could not achieve any money
earning post like these.
Q7. Is there something awkward about the use of language in the
sentences? If so, give examples.
Yes, the language of the extract seems awkward as Professor
Seth is thinking in his mother tongue and directly translating to English,
thus providig English language an Indian role. Moreover, it also shows
his fascination for using idioms such as black sheep.
Q8. What purpose does the poet serve by using such language?
By using this kind of English, the poet serve multiple purposes
- (i) mocking an Indian professor for his English (ii) bring out the
flavor of Indian English (iii) making a path for distinctiveness of
Indian English.
Q9. Who are Sarla and Tarla? What are their significance in the
poem?
Sarla and Tarla are two daughters of Professor Sheth. Professor
sheth says that they are married to nice boys, from which we can
figure out Professors mentality towards women, that their only
objective in life should be to get married to well settled men. Their
names also suggest Indian fascination for rhyming names for siblings.
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Q10. What does the word issues mean? What opinion do you
form about the speaker when he used the word issues?
The word issues is used in the poem to mean the number of
sons and daughters a person has. The way Professor Sheth speaks
about issues suggest that he tries to gauge life in terms of how one
has fared financially and how many sons and daughters one has.
Q11. What is the speakers opinion about family planning? What is
the humorous element in the speakers notioin on the subject?
Professor Sheth says that he is not against family planning; but
the way he boasts about his children and eleven grand children shows
that he does not believe in family planning in practice. It is the
humorous element.
Q12. Comment on the idioms leaps and bounds and now and then?
Indians when they speak English, they have the habit of using
idioms as they think it is erudite to do so. Thus professor Sheth uses
the idiom leaps and bounds to mean in fast pace and Now and
then is used to mean seldom.
Q13. Old values are going new values are coming. Do you agree
with this statement? Give reasons.
Yes, in every society during all times, this is the law of nature
that the old get replaced by the newer ones. This is a sign of progress.
As people interact with other cultures, they adopt certain things from
other culture and progress by modifying certain values of the present
culture.
Q14. What does sound habit signify? Who has sound habits? What
is its consequence according to the speaker?
Sound habit signifies good habits. Professor Sheth had
sound habits during his youth because of which he thinks he is still
leading a healthy life even after superannuation.
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INDIAS HEROES
Q.
Do you agree with the author that the people who fought against
the terrorists and helped the innocent and the injured on 26th November
2008 in Mumbai are true heroes of India? Give a reasoned answer.
Yes, the people who fought against the terrorists and helped the
innocent and the injured on 26th November 2008 in Mumbai are true
heroes of India. One should remember that a true hero is the one who
can rise to the occasion and deliver his/her best for the mankind without
hesitating about his or her own life or about the lives of his/her near
and dear ones. Heroism is not in accepting any injustice and in the
courage to fight it. It is not about achieving extraordinary things; but
to act extraordinarily in the difficult and hard times. It is being able to
stand up to the moment of crisis and help others fight the crisis. All the
people who fought against the terrorists on 26th November 2008 in
Mumbai, all the people who helped the injured and saved peoples
lives are heroic as they stood against terror boldly by reacting to the
adverse situation. They did not think about themselves, about their
personal security, about the safety of their near and dear ones, but they
felt that at the hour of crisis it was their human duty to fight the
terrorists, they protect the innocent and so save the wounded, to take
the injured to the hospital. Whether Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a
National Security Guard Commando, or Vishnu Dattaram Zende, a
railway announcer is in the CST Platform of Mumbai or Karambir
Singh Kang the General Manager of the Taj Hotel, Mumbai, or the
Anti-Terrorism squad Chief Hemant Karkare or DIG Asok Kamte and
Vijay Salaskar or Mohammed Taufeeq Sheikh (Chottu Chaiwala) a
young boy who ran tea stall outside CST staton - all of them showed
their courage to fight against the terrorists - some by attacking the
terrorists, some by saving and protecting the innocent people, some
by helping the injured reach the hospitals. They are the true heroes of
India as they did not do anything for name and fame, but did what they
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throught to be their human duty. They are the ones who make India
proud as a nation. They are the ones who can be the role models for
the youth of India.
JOURNEY BY NIGHT
Q.
Describe in detail Sher Singhs courageous journey through the
forest in your own words.
Sher Singh began his courageous journey in the evening - first
the had to cross the village, then the jungle started - scrub at first,
rough grass dotted with thorn trees, and then with sal. As he was going
through the jungle, an unknown jungle sense made him hesitate between
one step and the next, and there was a cobra sunning itself on the path
in the last of the daylight. As Sher Singh slowlymoved away, the cobra
too swayed back. As night fell, he quickened his steps through the
forest as fear was gripping his mind and the weight of his brother was
too much for him. As he came near the river bed, he was sure that he
could go no further without rest. As he put Kunwar on the ground, he
heard the jostle and squaeal of elephants. As he saw the herd of
elephants, Sher Singh was frightened, but he could do nothing. With
Kunwar to carry, he could neither climb nor run. If he shouted, it would
bring the catastrophe upon them. But soon the herd disappeared. He
picked up Kunwar with great difficulty and stepped into the shallow
river. The water was colder than usual, as snow-water was already
coming down. As he swashed up on to the shore, he noticed fresh foot
prints of a tiger, but with great courage, he moved forward. Around
midnight, the second river was ahead of him. The river was full as
snow had melted and the kutcha bridge, that he hoped to find, was not
there. It was submerged. There was great current of the water, and
underneath boulders moved, as if the river was grinding its teeth. Sher
Singh gathered some grass and plaited it into a rope. He tied the rope
found his brother and himself so they would keep together. Then he
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entered the water just above the bridge. The river seized them and he
could not move, but then he began to move forward holding on to this
and that. With great struggle he carried on keeping his brothers head
above water, fighting a mortal struggle. At last he succeeded in crossing
the river with great difficulty with bruises everywhere on his body.
Then he came to the road. Next they were in a bullock cart then a
truck. At last they were at the hospital.
HUNGER
Q.
Critically comment on the interview of Kasim by Rizwan. Do
you think Rizwans situation is any different from Kasims?
The interview of Kasim by Rizwan is significant as it portrays
the state of poor Indians and how they live in poverty without the
basic needs. The interview points out how people like Kasim because
of poverty are forced to leave their village and come to town to do
petty jobs, like rag selling as Kasim does, and lives on the streets of
the towns and cities so that their families can barely survive.
Through the interview we come to know about the poverty laden
family of Kasim and how Kasim earns five hundred rupees a month to
support his family in village. His father was a labourer and his
grandfather used to work in somebody elses house. Nasira Sharma
portrays how for generations, Kasims family has been living in abject
poverty and has found no way out. Kasim wants his five year old son
to join his profession. When Rizwan tells him if he wants to take a
bank loan, he says that he is already in debt. And when Rizwan says
him that the government can help, he merely says that last time when
he went to a political procession, he had to sleep hungry that night.
Kasim has understood the fact that he is already in debt. And when
Rizwan says him that the government can help, he merely says that
last time when he went to a political procession, he had to sleep hungry
that night. Kasim has understood the fact that the rhetoric of the
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Met him at the platfom when Todd was on his way back
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from Bermuda
(b) Suggested that they take a taxi to the club to remind him
that he has paid him taxi earlier
(c) Asked him in the club what currency it was it Bermuda
and whether it was of the same value as dollar.
(d)
(e)
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Merchant of Venice
The play has in the background the hatred that existed between
the Jews and the christians. In the play the main component of the
hatred relates to the fact that Christians were forbidden by Church to
lend money for profit (interest). Jews, on the other hand. did not have
any such restrictions and money lending was one of their main activities.
Jews, in general, during medieval period. were presented as wicked
and comic character and the Elizabethans took them as cruel, dogs.
Shakespeares characterization of Jews seems to be little bit different.
Shylock (the Jew), In the play, has been shown carrying the hatred for
Christians, but his role is, to a little externt, away from the bloodthirsty,
mindless avenger and a move towards the humanization of the
persecuted Jews.
The play also highlights the great friendship between Antonio
and Bassanio; the three love angles between Bassanio and Portia;
that between Jessica and Lorenzo and that between Nerissa and
Gratiano. (Nerissa is the maid of Portia. whereas Jessica is the Daughter
of the money lender Shylock.) The negative role of Shylock is further
highlighted when his own daughter also desserts him for her love
Lorenzo, a Christian.
The story of the play takes place in Venice (Italy). In earlier
times it was considered a place of power and wealth, when the
merchant ships of different countries of the; world thronged its ports.
The other place mentioned in the play, Belmont is the imaginary creation
of shakespeare.
Act-I Scene - I
The play opens wilh the merchant Antonio in a strange melancholy
or sadness, which is not explained in the play. He is in a street in
Venice along with his two friends Salarino and Salanio, The friends try
to explain the reason for his sad state, though Antonio himself does not
get convinced, Later two more of his friends, Gratiano and Lorenzo
also come along with Bassanio. Gratiano also tries to give his own
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would turn down, bringing the top portion lower than the sides to touch
the sand of the sea.
wealthy Andrew - refers to a ship with goods
ribs - the side of the ship
kiss - touch; burial the sand bed
If he happens to go to a church and see its stony structure. it
would remind him of the dangerous rocks. which, if they touch the
sides of his ships, would break the ship and would scatter the cargo of
spices on the sea-water and would also cover the waves with the silk
from the ship.
Salarino added that such misfortune would mean that one moment
he was rich and the next moment he was worth nothing Anybody who
thinks all these would also think thai such thing may actually happen
and this thought would definitely make the person (Antonio presently)
sad.
Janus - Roman God of doors and gates. Also the protector of
state in the time of war, He is always depicted with two heads, looking
in the opposite directions,
Nestor - Old king of Pylos (ancient Greece), famous for his
wisdom and long age. A person, who was considered serious and grave.
Gratianos explanation for Antonios sadness - Antonio remains
too much worried about worldly matters. He adds that a person loses
his happiness if he tries to get it by showing too much concern about
worldly matters
Gratianos sarcastic comments about Antonios sad state He said that they were people who try to cover their faces
intentionally with stillness (seriousness) so that others would think
of them as persons of wisdom gravity and profound conceit (great
pride). Such people also make others think that whatever they say
should be taken as Gods voice and when they speak, no one else
should speak. He became more sarcastic by adding that such peopleremain wise till the time they do not open their mouths. The moment
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they open their mouths, the listener would call them fools and thus
get cursed. (In Bible, calling ones brother a fool was like getting
cursed) He gave a parting advice to Antonio by saying that he
should not try to catch this opinion of being wise by remaining
(intentionally) in a sad state.
melancholy bait - using sadness as a bait
gudgeon - an ordinary fish, which gets caught very easily
Act-I Scene - II
The scene introduces Portia, who is in her home in Belmont.
Her father is dead and has left behind huge fortune for her and this
has created great problems for her. Suitors from around the world are
coming to win her. The other great problem that she faces is that, in
his will, her father had set a condition that who so ever chooses the
right casket from the three, (the three caskets are mae of gold, silver
and lead; one of the three contains the portrait of Portia, the right
casket is the casket containing the portrait of Portia), will marry Portia.
Portia did not have any other option but to marry that person, even if
she did not like him or failed to love him.
In the scene, Portia is discussing her problems with her attendant,
Nerrisa. Nerrisa speaks in favour of Portias father and explains that
Portias father was a virtuous person and all virtuous persons get good
inspirations at the time of their death; meanjng that Portia need not
worry about her suitors, as a person who rightly, loved Portia, would
be the person, who will choose the right casket.
Already six suitors have come to win Portia and it seems that
Portia has already met them, Nerrisa wants to know what Portia feels
about the six suitors.
Portia gives her own explanation but adds that she would be
very happy if all of them returned home saving Portia from marrying
one of them. To Portias luck, all six decide not to take part in the
lottery in order to win Portia. They said that they would like to win and
marry Portia, but not by lottery. Portia is relieved and happy, but then
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the message comes that the Prince of Morocco is now coming for the
same purpose.
The scene is also making the readers understand that Portia and
Bassanio have met earlier, probably once, and Portia [and even Nerrisa]
carry a good opinion of Bassanio.
The way Portia describes the various suitors, gives the image of
Portia, She has great charm, intelligence, wit, imagination and
knowledge.
Different suitors and their description (and Portias comment on
them) as given by Portia : Neapolitan prince- The Prince of Naples (a place in Italy) - he
is just like a horse (colt); he does nothing but talk about his horse; he
thinks that it is one of his great qualities that he can fix the shoe-horse
to his horse, himself; Portia feared that his mother was not faithful and
had a wrong relationship with a blacksmith.
County Palatine- The Count from Palatinate (a place in
Germany) - the only thing that he does is to frown; he seems to be a
person who probably does not care whether Portia chooses him or
not; even when he hears merry tales he does not smile; since he is so
full of sadness in his youth , when he grows old he will be like a
philosopher who always weeps; Portia would prefer marrying a skull
(a skull with a bone in its mouth) than any of the two suitors. She
prayed to God to protect her from these two suitors.
Monsieur Le Bon- The Lord from France - Since God has
made him a man for that reason only he can be called a man (he does
not have any manly qualities). Portia says that it is a sin to mock at
somebody, but she cannot help mocking at the French Lord; he talks
about a horse more than the Prince of Naples; he frowns more than
the Count of Palatinate: he is not a proper man as he has the bad
qualities of every man; even if a throstle (the bird - thrush, a small
British bird) sings, he starts jumping and dancing: he does fencing with
his own shadow. If Portia marries him, it would he like marrying twenty
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husbands. She adds that if the Lord hates her, she would still forgive
him, but if he loves her greatly. she would not be able to return his
love.
Falconbridge - The young Baron of England - Portia did not
say anything to him; this is because the English man did not understand
Latin, French or Italian; Portia on the other hand did not know English
well; though the English man was a proper man, but Portia would not
love to marry a person with whom she would have to converse in sign
language: he was very oddly dressed - his doubllet was from Italy, his
hose was from France. and his hat was from Germany and he showed
behaviour of many countries. (Remember the Pun here suit means
that he was not suited for Portia; the second meaning was that he was
not properly dressed.)
Englishmans neighbour. The Lord from Scotland - He has
love for his neighbour (an English man); he received one blow from
him; he promised that he would repay him [return the blow] when he
is in a position to do this; a Frenchman had given a sealed guarantee to
help. (Here Shakespeare has made a sarcastic comment on the troubles
between Scotland and England in general, when France gave an open
support to
Scotland, that in case of an English attack, they would
help Scotland.) ,
The young German the nephew of Duke of Saxon - she
liked him very badly in the morning when he was not drunk; in the
afternoon he was worse as he used to be drunk then; when he was at
his best, he was miserable man and when he was at his worst, he was
hardly better than a beast; even if the worst thing happens (that is the
German happens to choose the right casket, and becomes eligible to
marry Portia), Portia would manage to avoid marrying him.
good council the cripple - good advice is like a lame person which
moves slowly
Sibylla - Sibyl- a traditional old woman of ancient Rome, whom Apollo
had promised that she would live
as many years as there were
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Jew does not eat pork as the Jews consider Pigs as dirty. This refers
to the story from the Bible where it is mentioned that once there was
a mad man who was possessed by devils. He had pleaded Jesus to
free him of the devils. Jesus had ordered the devils to leave the man.
There happened to be a herd of pigs feeding by the hillside nearby.
The evil spirits begged that they should be send into the pigs. So Jesus
gave them the permission and the spirits entered the pigs. For this
reason pigs are considered as dirty by the Jews.
Reference of tax-collector Publican word is used for tax-collector. Even in bible the
reference of tax-collector has been used in a derogatory manner.
Publican is a natural term of contempt for the Jews. In order to
curse Antonio, Shylock addresses him as a fawning [servile] taxcollector.
Act-II Scene - I
The scene starts with the arrival of the Prince of Morocco,
another suitor coming to win Portia, We understand that Pieria does
not want to marry the Prince who is of dark skin. But the tragic thing
is that her father had put such a condition that if the prince chooses the
right casket, Portia would not have the choice to refuse to marry him.
The different things, the prince of Morocco says in defence of
himself:It can be assumed at the beginning of the scene itself that the
prince, who is from a country in Africa, a person with a very dark
complexion, will not prove to be a person for whom Portia will develop
a feeling of love or any sort of liking. The price seems to be aware of
it and on his own starts giving an explanation that he should not be
disliked merely for his dark skin.
The things he says to defend his dark complexion his dark complexion is because he is more exposed to sun [his
country being the neighbour of the sun],
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Act-II Scene - IV
This scene devolops the subject of Jessica running away with
Lorenzo. Lornezo receives the letter of Jessica and is happy to know
that Jessica has finally made her plan to run away with him.
Act-II Scene - VI
This scene tells us of the development of Jessica with Lorenzo.
Jessica does this, carrying all the gold, jewels and the ducats of her
father. Gratiano and Salarino, wearing masks, are waiting for Lorenzo
in front of Shylocks house for Lorenzo. He is late. Lorenzo and others
finally do not participate in the masque celebration as Antonio tells
them that the wind is favourable and Bassanio has to move by ship to
Belmont.
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Act-II Scene - IX
In this scene the second suitor, the prince of Arragon is coming
to choose the right casket in order to win Portia. Fortunately for Portia,
this prince also chooses the wrong casket. He chooses the silver casket.
The conditions repeated by the prince : he will not be disclosing to anyone which casket he chose
if thefails to choose the right casket, never in his life he will
woo a lady for marriage
if he fails to choose the right casket, straight away he will
leave the place and go away.
How the prince tries to choose the right casket :
for the lead casket he say the following :by many men, the prince meant the foolish masses.
such people, choose those things which look good outwardly
such people do not learn more than what their sight can
make them understand; they do not look inside or look for the inner
meaning,
they are like the martlet, which builds nest on the outer
wall, which is exposed to the nature, where disaster can be forced and
which is on the path of danger.
the prince thought that he would not go with what the
common people desire.
he does not want to go along with the common people and
rank himself among the ignorant and foolish.
for the silver casket, which said that one shall get as much as
one deserves, the prince thought that it was quite right.
the prince thought that a person cannot cheat fate by trying
to be honourable without having own merit.
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one should got pretend to have the dignity that one does not
deserve
if only estates degrees, and offices were not obtained in a
dishonest manner and real honour was obtained through merit only
if this was done, many who stand bare-head [without
honour] would have actually stood with their head covered [with honour]
and many who are giving command today, would have been
commanded [obeyed orders] by others.
how many low peasantry [people without merit, not really
noble] would then have been separated (gleaned) from the present
noble group.
conversely, how many noble people would then have been
separated from the group which presently lies in rain, and given fresh
honour.
In this manner he rejects the lead and the gold casket, and finally
choose the silver casket.
What is written on the scroll found inside the silver casket The silver casket was refined in the fire seven times
a correct judgement that does not go wrong is also tested
seven times
there are many people who believe in what is not [illusion];
such people get only illusion of happiness.
there are foolish people, whose foolishness is covered just
because they themselves are covered with white [silvery hair and this
was the case with this casket..
no matter whom you will take as your wife, you will remain a
foolish person.
so go away, your chance is over.
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