Merchant of Venice Workbook Answers
Act III Scene 4
Extract 1
(i) Antonio is referred to as a true gentleman. He requires relief as Shylock insists on the penalty for the forfeiture of the bond, which is a pound of flesh from any part of his body.
(ii) The relationship between the gentlemen, i.e., Antonio and Bassanio, is that of love, affection, and friendship. Antonio readily agrees to Shylock's bond to give money to Bassanio to woo Portia and never regrets his generosity, even at the forfeiture of the bond. His last wish is to see Bassanio before he dies. Bassanio reciprocates the same sentiments by rushing back to Venice soon after his marriage to save his friend.
(iii) (a) an equal yoke of love: by the same bond of love.
(b) Of lineaments, of manners and spirit: features, mind, behavior, and disposition.
(iv) Portia says that when two people are close friends and are united by the tie of mutual love, their two natures may have many things in common. There must be a certain similarity in features, mind, behavior, and disposition. This makes her conclude that the true gentleman, i.e., Antonio must be like Bassanio.
(v) Portia handed over the responsibility of her house and her servant to Lorenzo to manage her house in her absence. The scene shows Portia's intellectual ability, devotion to Bassanio, and admiration for Antonio. She feels that her admiration for Antonio is justified since Antonio is like Bassanio in mind and personality.
Extract 2
(i) The given words mean the control and management of my house. Portia tells Lorenzo that she gives into his hands the entire management and care of her mansion till the return of her husband and care of her mansion till the return of her husband.
(ii) Portia gives Lorenzo complete control and management of her mansion till her husband's return. Portia says that she has taken a secret oath to pass her days in religious exercises in the monastery and holy meditation with Nerissa alone as her companion until her husband's return.
(iii) Portia's intention in leaving her home was to go to Venice to save Antonio from the clutches of Shylock by disguising herself as a
lawyer. She needed Nerissa to act as the lawyer's clerk.
(iv) Portia was leaving her house under the pretext of spending her days in religious exercises in the monastery two miles away from Portia's house in Nerissa's company, till her husband's return.
(v) Portia says that during her absence, Lorenzo would not find any difficulty running her house because she has instructed her servants to accept Lorenzo and Jessica as their master and mistress until she returns.In this scene, Portia shows that her intelligence and good management skills. She devises a plan to save Antonio from the clutches of Shylock. After consulting her cousin Dr. Bellario, she decides to go to Venice, dressed as a lawyer and Nerissa as the lawyer's clerk. She entrusts to Lorenzo and Jessica the administration of her mansion. Her intelligent planning and management of the situation take the action of the play forward.
Extract 3
(i) Portia sends Balthazar to Padua to Dr. Ballario. She chooses him for this errand as Balthazar is her honest and trustworthy servant.
(ii) Balthazar takes with him a letter to be given to Dr. Bellario of Padua, a lawyer, and Portia's cousin.
(iii) (a) with imagined speed: with maximum speed one is capable of.
(b) to the common ferry! Which trades to Venice: to the public ferry-boat which plies to and from Venice which plies to and from Venice.
(iv) The purpose of sending Balthazar to Portia's cousin was to hand her letter to him and then to bring back certain letters, notes and robes. Notes prefer to Dr. Bellario's written opinion about the case. Robes refer to the robes of a Doctor of Law for Portia and the dress of a lawyer's clerk, meant for Nerissa.
(v) Portia gives Nerissa a hint regarding
their mission saying that she has some urgent work. She also says that they will go to the place where their husbands are. Portia will outline the rest of the plan to Nerissa in the coach, carrying them to their destination.
Extract 4
(i) The husbands of Portia and Nerissa would not recognize them when they see them because they will be dressed like young men — one a Doctor of Law and the other as his clerk.
(ii) After she reaches her destination dressed as a young man, Portia will wear a dagger by her side. She will speak in the husky voice of youth, passing from boyhood to manhood. She will walk with long manly strides instead of two short and quick steps of a woman. She will talk of broils and fights like a boastful young man. She will tell fanciful stories, for instance, how many great ladies have loved her and died of a broken heart. She says her mind is full of thousands of school-boyish pranks, and she will try them all.
(iii) Portia will tell fanciful stories, for instance, how many great ladies have loved her and died of a broken heart because she did not love her. She expects them to believe that she is a young man and react accordingly with her quaint lies as if she is a young man.
(iv)
(a) convincing lies
(b) inexperienced tricks
(c) boastful fellow
(v) Portia tells Nerissa that she will outline her plan in the coach while traveling to Venice. This scene describes imaginative skills of Portia. She plans the plan of action in detail and decides her and Nerissa's roles. How she intends to speak and walk and tell boastful lies indicates Portia's imaginative skills.