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LINE / STANZA / SCENE WISE ANALYSIS OFPOEMS, STORIES & DRAMA

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STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENINGANALYSIS

Stanza I (Lines 1-4)Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem

line-by-line.Line 1

Whose woods these are I think I know.Our speaker is not the most confident person in the world. This

line begins as a question, and we’re totally ready to get on board thequestion train, but then, halfway through the line, he switches it up.

He wonders initially who owns “these woods.” The word thesemakes us realize that our speaker is actually near the woods in question.

Our speaker then tells us he thinks he knows who owns thesewoods. Notice how he doesn’t say he knows who owns these woods;he says he thinks he knows.

Why doesn’t our speaker say, “I think I know whose woodsthese are”? What would be lost or gained if the poem began with thatrewritten line?Line 2

His house is in the village though;The speaker thinks he knows the owner of woods, and this owner

lives in a house in the village. Civilization, sweet, sweet civilization!This line tells us that there is a village around here somewhere.

The word “village” reminds us of thatched roofs, smoke curling out oflittle chimneys, and of a few stores and homes clustered around asingle main street; in other words, a village is not the most hoppin’place in the world.

However, our speaker is relieved that the owner of the woods isin the village – now he doesn’t have to worry about getting caught

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ICSE – X ENGLISHtrespassing on someone else’s property.Line 3

He will not see me stopping hereMan, this woods-owner guy must be pretty strict if our speaker

is so worried about getting caught taking a breather on his property.The speaker is almost trying to calm himself down and reassure

himself that the owner “will not see me stopping here,” as though hebelieves that saying so makes it true. It’s similar to the magical phrase,“If I can’t see them, they can’t see me,” uttered by Haley Joel Osmentin the movie Sixth Sense.

This line also tells us that the speaker has stopped, that he’shanging out at the moment.Line 4

To watch his woods fill up with snow.Our speaker is a total rebel. He’s hardcore trespassing so that

he can…watch the snow fall?Yes, he has stopped in order to take a gander at snow falling on

cedars.Stanza II (Lines 5-8)

Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poemline-by-line.Line 5

My little horse must think it queerOur speaker is not alone! He has a horse, and this horse is little.

Maybe a pony.The speaker and his little horse probably spend a lot of time

together, because our speaker is totally able to read the little horse’smind.

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He imagines that his horse is thinking that things are a little strangeright now.Line 6

To stop without a farmhouse nearOur speaker continues to read his horse’s mind, and imagines

the horse is thinking something along the lines of, “Whoa, why are westopping here? We’re in the middle of nowhereville. Where’s mydinner? I don’t know about you, but I’m cold. There isn’t even afarmhouse close by – what’s going on?”

The fact that our speaker even attempts to figure out what hishorse is thinking shows that he’s a caring kind of guy, and that he’saware that stopping in the middle of some snowy woods is kind of arandom thing to do.Line 7

Between the woods and frozen lakeNow we get the 411 on just where, exactly, the speaker and his

horse have stopped: they are currently hanging out between the woodsand the “frozen lake,” so they must be on a little patch of snowy shorelinewith dark trees to one side and a glossy, ice-covered lake to the other.

It must be really cold if the lake is frozen, and we also are kindof intrigued by the fact that the speaker is not riding through the woods,but is right beside the woods.Line 8

The darkest evening of the year.Not only is it snowy and wintry, but it’s also approaching nighttime

too.Why is this speaker dilly-dallying when the light is dying and the

snow is falling? A lot of people in his place would want to scurry homeas fast as is humanly possible.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHBesides sounding ominous and like the preview to a horror movie,

“the darkest evening of the year” makes us think of the winter solstice,which occurs in late December (in the northern hemisphere) eachyear and marks the moment at which the sun is at its farthest possibledistance from the observer.

It also happens to mark the beginning of winter.Whatever the case may be, it’s dark out and it’s getting darker

by the minute. We don’t think that the speaker is the kind of guy topack flashlights.Stanza III (Lines 9-12)


He gives his harness bells a shakeEven though the speaker can read his little horse’s mind, the

horse can’t talk back.So, the next best option is to shake his booty. And by shaking his

booty, we mean that he shakes his harness a little. There are little bellsattached to his harness, which give a nice little jingle (think Santa Claus’ssleigh).Line 10

To ask if there is some mistake.Again with the mind reading. Our speaker knows his horse is

shaking his bells in order to “ask” his master if something is awry, isthere’s a problem.

It’s kind of like the horse is saying, “Hey, is everything OK?We’ve been standing here staring at nothing for a little while, and I justwanted to make sure you didn’t need me to keep on truckin’. I’m coolwith the standing still thing, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t

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misinterpreting you.”Line 11

The only other sound’s the sweepBeyond the harness bells’ shaking, the only other sound that the

speaker can hear is the “sweep.”The word “sweep” makes us think of the sound brooms make

when they sweep dust into a dustpan.At this point, we realize that the speaker is taking inventory of all

of the sounds around him. He’s interested in sounds.Line 12

Of easy wind and downy flake.The sweeping noise comes from the slight wind and the softly

falling snow.Have you ever listened to snow falling? It’s very, very quiet.

There’s just a gentle whirr. Everything is very, very still.Stanza IV (Lines 13-16)


The woods are lovely, dark and deep.Our speaker finally admits to liking the woods. We knew it all

along. He’s entranced by the darkness and deepness of the woods,and he thinks they are lovely.

Dark and deep woods are awesome in our book, but they alsomake us feel slightly anxious. There’s something mysterious about themaze-like nature of woods and forests.

The point, though, is that our speaker digs these woods.Line 14



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ICSE – X ENGLISHBut I have promises to keep,Our speaker begins this line with the word “but.” The word “but”

makes us think that the speaker is contemplating staying in these woodsrather than returning to the village to fulfill the promises he’s made.

These promises may be things like, “I’ll be home for dinner, mom,”or they may be things like, “Let’s get married,” or “I will take care ofyou.”

Regardless of whether these are big promises or little promises,our speaker flirts momentarily with the idea of breaking them, beforedeciding against it.Line 15

And miles to go before I sleep,Rats. Our speaker really is in the middle of nowhere, because

he’s still got a few miles to go before he can rest his head on his pillow.He better roll out soon.

But we feel like we are well acquainted with that feeling ofbeing so far away from where you need to be that it almost seemseasier to just give up and hang out.Line 16

And miles to go before I sleep.OK, so our speaker must really be far from home, because he

feels the need to repeat the fact that he’s got miles to go.However, when he says the line a second time, we hear the

word “sleep” more clearly than when we heard it in the line before.Maybe that’s because “sleep” has the honor of wrapping up the entirepoem.In any case, this line makes us think of how awesome it will be forour speaker to finally rest his head on his pillow after such a longtrek.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ1. What is “I” in this poem? Who does the pronoun “whose”refer to?

The narrator of the poem is the “I”.“Whose” refers to the owner of the woods by which the narrator

of the peom is passing by.Q2. Do you think the owner of these “woods” is a lover ofnature? Give a reason.

No, the owner of the woods is not a lover of nature as he is inhis village indifferent towards the beauty of the woods.Q3. Why does the speaker stop at the woods? What does hisstopping here signify?

The speaker stops at the woods to feast his eyes at the beautyof the woods.

His stopping signifies that he is a lover of nature.Q4. What is the significance of “He will not see me stoppinghere”?

The significance of “He will not see me stopping here” lies inthe fact that the owner of the “woods” is unaware that someone isfeasting his eyes on his property.Q5. From the first two lines what do you figure out about thespeaker’s occupation?

From the first two lines one can figure out that he is a travelerand probably travels long distance to fulfill his promises.Q6. What does “must” mean here? Why does the “little horse”,find it “queer”?

The word “must” mean “for sure”.The little horse finds it “queer” as there was no farmhouse in

sight where one can stop to rejuvenate oneself, and moreover it is a



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ICSE – X ENGLISHdesolate place when it is snowing and already evening.Q7. The speaker is on his way to some place. What makes hispausing by the woods unusual, especially at the time of speaking?

The speaker’s stopping by the “woods” is unusual as :(a) it is snowing(b) It is a dark evening.

Q8. Who does “he” stand for? Why does he think there is some“mistake”?

He is the horse. He thinks that there is some mistake as thehorse and its traveler usually stops in farmhouses; but as the travelerhas stopped to see at the beauty of the woods, the horse thinks it to bea mistake.Q9. It is very quiet all around. Which lines emphasize this?

The last two lines of the extract “The only other sound’s thesweep of easywind and downy flake” emphasize that it is quiet allaround.Q10. What are the three sounds spoken of?

The three sounds are of (i) horse bells (ii) wind and (iii) theflakes of snow fallingQ11. What image is created by “downy flake”?

“Downy flake” refers to the snow fall, downy means silky, thusthe phrase mean that there is snow falling which is like silk. The imageis that of silky snow falling whichis beautiful.Q12. Where is the speaker at this time? What is he doing? Whatmakes these woods attractive to the speaker?

The speaker is in front of the woods where he has stopped tofeast his eyes on the beauty of the woods. The snowfall has made thewoods look attractive.Q13. What is the significance of the word ‘But’ in the second line?

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What are the “promises” he has to keep?The word “but” is significant as the speaker thinks that it is

more important for him to fulfill his responsibilities than to gratify hissoul by enjoying the beauty of the woods.Q14. The speaker has to make a decision. What does he decideto do? Why?

The speaker has decided to move ahead and not merely enjoythe beauty of the woods. He decided to do so as he has someresponsibilities to fulfill.Q15. Why, in your opinion, does the poet repeat the line-

“And miles to go before I sleep”?The poet repeats the line as he wants to emphasize to himself as

well as to the readers that he has promises to fulfill.



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A DOCTOR’S JOURNAL ENTRY FORAUGUST 6, 1945

ANALYSISThe poem, A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 is penned

down in the form of an entry in a journal by a doctor for keepingrecords. The entry gave the readers a vivid picture of how the peoplewere taken aback when atomic bombs were dropped on their city ofHiroshima in 1945 during the Second World War.Narrative Technique:

Vikram Seth’s poetic style has many features like the use ofprose-pattern, epithets, images, wit, humor and irony. The poem is in aform of journal entry made by a Hibakusha (a Japanese word for abomb survivor) on August 6, 1945. The use of this journal form forwriting poetry is ingenious because this kind of poetry requires norhyme pattern or other poetic devices. The style is colloquial, clipped.The poem has no rhyming scheme or stanzas, it is a continuous narrationof what happened on a particular day.

In the beginning of the poem, one can see the account of theimpact of the atomic bombs on the city. The poet also uses Hyperbole(exaggeration) for highlighting the current situation.

“The roof, the walls, and, as it seemed the worldCollapsed in timber and debris, dust swirledAround me.”An atmosphere of horror, fear and panic too is created all around

the narrator and the narrator gives a dreadful account of it in the nextfew lines.

“It took some time for me to understandThe friction on their burns caused so much painThey feared to chafe flesh against flesh again

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Those who could, shuffled in blank parade.”Vikram Seth has personified ‘loneliness’ to describe the

helplessness of the survivors in A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6,1945.

“What choice had we? A dreadful lonelinessCame over me when she had gone. My mindRan at high speed, my body crept behind.”

Lyrical in Spirit:Lyric Poetry deals with the poet’s own feelings, his state of

mind and perceptions. A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 isa poem about the poet’s own sorrows, feelings. The poem expressesthe personal torments and sufferings of the victims.Symbolism:

The poem is highly symbolic. The bombs that tore away thehuman beings of their clothes signifies that the whole of human racewho suffered. Note the symbolism in the following lines,-

“……..I saw, dismayed,A woman with a child stand in my path-Both naked. Had they come back from the bath?…………………………..and now the thought aroseThat some strange thing had stripped us of our clothes.”The common thing between all these people was that they were

dumbfounded and silent. They were speechless. When someone is indeep sorrow he loses the power of speech, he becomes numb. Itsymbolizes that a powerful nation destroys the lives of the commonpeople, they still remain silent.

“My legs gave way, I sat down the ground.Thirst seized me, but no water could be found.My breath was short but bit by bit my strength



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ICSE – X ENGLISHSeemed to revive and I got up at length.”The above line shows the indomitable spirit of the doctor, induced

with determination that he regains strength finally. This symbolizesJapan, as one of the world leaders in today’s world.Human Goodness:

Even during such a crisis and chaos the goodness in humannature is not lost. There is still hope for care and concern in the mindsof the people. The doctor, though himself wounded, calls out for hiswife, and even thinks of helping out his staff in his hospital. A soldierhands over a towel to the doctor to cover himself.

The main theme of A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6,1945 is the destruction caused by the atomic bombs on Hiroshima.The poem depicts both mental and physical agony. The poet hasdescribed the gruesome reality of the first nuclear explosion and itspower to destroy the whole human race. This bombing wiped outtwo cities and millions died. However, Japan endured the calamity,rose up, (bit by bit my strength/Seemed to revive) and rebuilt theirshattered city and their world.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ1. Who is ‘Me”? Where is he at present? What time of the dayis it? What is the narrator enjoying as described immediately beforethese lines?

“Me” in the extract is the narrator of the poem “A Doctor’sJournal Entry for August 6, 1945” who experienced the atomic bombing.

He is at his home in a city (Hiroshima or Nagasaki) in Japan,which was bombed on 6th August 1945 during the Second World War.

It was morning. The Narrator says that the day was peacefuland beautiful, and it was a warm morning when the narrator, a doctorby profession, got up and stretched himself and was relaxing at home.

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Q2. How is the natural scene, described before this extract,significant in the context of the poem?

The natural scene described just before the extract issignificant as it shows how the beauty of nature was destroyed in amoment by the man made culture of war and hatred and scientificdevelopments. The evil use of science is juxtaposed against thebeauty of nature.Q3. What are the strong flashes mentioned in the extract? Whydoes the narrator wonder whether those are magnesiumm flares?

The strong flashes mentioned in the extract are the atomicbombing that happened in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima andNagasaki during the Second World War on 6th August, 1945.

The narrator wonders whether they are magnesium flares as itis war time and he thinks that it is probably the magnesium flares thatare usual during wars. He dcan not think that the city is bombed withan atomic bomb.Q4. What harm did the flashes cause to the building? Why didthe narrator exclaim that “the world collapsed”?

The flashes destroyed the buildings. The narrator exclaimed that“the wrold collapsed” as wherever he would see all around him, hecould see nothing but destruction and decay.Q5. What happened to the narrator’s body? What was thereaction on seeing all this?

The narrator’s clothes were burnt. A splinter had protrudedinto his thigh. Blood started sprikling from the right side. His cheekwas torn and he removed dispassionately a piece of glass from hisbody.Q6. Why is the narrator looking for his wife? What does hisattitude towards his wife indicate about his character?

The narrator is looking for his wife to figure out if she is safe.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHThe narrrator’s attitude towards his wife indicates that he loves

his wife too much and is caring about her.Q7. Describe the appearance of his wife. What has caused herappearance to be so? What does he tell her? How does theirconversation indicate about human values?

The wife of the Doctor, Yecko San is being described as pale,bloodstained and frightened, who was holding her elbow.

It is the atomic bombing and the shock of it which caused herappearance to be so.

Their conversation shows two things about human values- (a)the cruelty and inhumanity of the warmongers and (b) the goodness,fighting spirit, helping nature of the people like doctor and his wife.Q8. Agaisnt what do they trip up in the street? How do they feelabout it? What has caused that object to be there? What does hethink that they should do now?

They trip up in the street against a head. They felt strange aboutit and said sorry later torealize that it was a dead man. A gate crashedon him and cuased the death.

The doctor thinks that he should get to hospital as they neededaid and he should help his staff in hospital.Q9. What are your feelings for the narrator and his wife? Givea reason to justify your feelings.

My feelings towards the narrator and his wife is that of sympathyas they, like other citizens of the two Japanese cities, were sufferingbecause of the war mongers who decided to use atomic bombs onthese two cities.Q10. How did fire spring up in the dust? Give two reasons thatmade the narrator intend to go the hospital.

Fire narrator intended to go to the hospital as (a) he himself is

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wounded and would need medical attention, and (b) being a doctor, hethought he should be in hospital to serve others in these trying times.Q11. Later, in the poem, he sees a soldier. What does the soldierdo for him? Then what does he tell his wife? Why?

The soldier gives him a towel.he then tells his wife to go ahead as he has no strength to carry

on. He asks his wife to do so as she should get medical aid even if hecannot.Q12. Describe of the sights which he sees later.

After that he sees “shadowy forms of people” silently walkingwith their arms stretched straight out, dangling from their shoulders asthey cannot bear the friction of the burnt skins; and a woman and herchild both naked.Q13. Why do you think, all do not feel ashamed of being naked?

They do not feel ashamed of being naked as (i) everyone’sclothes are burnt and all are naked (ii) more shameful act was of thepeople who decided to bomb the city (iii) they are so numb by theexperience that feeling ashamed does not matter to them.Q14. By referring to any two examples, show how the poet givesa detailed picture of what was happening.

The two examples are (a) shadowy forms of people” silentlywalking with their arms stretched straight out, dangling from theirshoulders as they cannot bear the friction of the burnt skins and (b) awoman and her child both naked as their clothes are all burnt withbombing.Q15. What are the “shadowy forms” referred to in the extract?What do the words, ghosts, scarecrows and the dumb indicate?

The naked suffering people of the bombed city parading withpaid are referred to in the extract. The words “ghosts”, “scarecrows”,



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ICSE – X ENGLISH“dumb” indicate that the people of the city are suffering limitlesslybecause of the atomic bombing.Q16. What is the impact of his wife’s absence on him? What doesthe impact indicate about their relationship?

“A dreadful lonelines” came over the doctor in the absence ofhis wife. It shows that the doctor and his wife are too much in lovewith each other and in their suffering they needed each other.Q17. Which four people does the poet see on the way to thehospital? What was common to all? Why?

The four people that the poet sees on the way to the hospital aresoldier, a naked woman with his naked child, a naked man, and an oldwoman. All of them are naked and suffering from immense pain andare dumb with pain and shock. They are so as the atomic bombing hascaused all these.Q18. What/who do you think is responsible for causing so muchbloodshed? Does it prove that the tyrant is really powerful? Givea reason to justify your opinion.

The war mongers are responsible for causing so much bloodshedfor no reason, but their own profit.

No, it does not prove that the tyrant is really powerful as thefighting spirit and helping nature of people proves however inhumanthe war mongers may be, their cruelty and violence will be counteredby people’s faith in humanity.

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IF THOU MOST LOVE ME.....ANALYSIS

Sonnets from Portuguese is a collection of 44 sonnets written byElizabeth Barrett Browning during the years 1845-1846 and publishedin 1850. The sonnets have been very popular since their publication.

Elizabeth Browning was a Victorian poet whose poetry was verypopular in England as well as in the United States. All her sonnetsrevolve around her intense love for her would-to-be husband RobertBrowning.FORM & STRUCTURE:

The poem If Thou Must Love Me is a sonnet. A sonnet is afourteen-line poem with a normal rhyming pattern in iambic pentameter.The rhyme scheme in this sonnet is abba/abba/cdc/dc. This sonnet IfThou Must Love Me is a combination of Petrarchan andShakespearean conventions. The fusion of these two conventions addsunity to the sonnets and seems to echo the unity of the couple portrayedin the poem.USE OF DIALOGUE:

The poet has used dialogue in the sonnet. She had put forth aquotation, an argumentation by a lover presented in a form of sonnet.Moreover, the sonnet seems like a discussion by the both parties abouttheir relationship. The poem is more about the lady’s opinion abouthow her man should love her. It seems like she is not happy with thepresent idealism of her man.REPETITION:

The word ‘love’ has been repeated for at least ten times in thepoem. It is used by the poet not just to praise the subject but has alsofocused on the intellectualism of what love should be. Barrett Browningis more concerned about the kind of love that lasts forever rather than‘love for love’s sake.’



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ICSE – X ENGLISHPERSONIFICATION:

Personification is that figure of speech where abstract ideas areattributed human qualities. Again ‘love’ has been personified in If ThouMust Love Me, when the speaker says, ‘love’s sake’ and ‘love’s eternity.’CUMULATIVE LISTING:

Cumulative Listing is a technique of listing similar ideas in poetry.Here in this sonnet, the poet has used this technique of CumulativeListing. It emphasizes a particular statement. In the first two lines of IfThou Must Love Me, the poet wants her lover not to love her forlove’s sake or for her physical attributes. In support of this statement,the speaker uses Cumulative Listing and enumerates her physicalcharacteristics in the poem- her smile, her pleasant voice etc. TheCumulative Listing reinforces the idea presented in the first two linesof the poem.THEMES:Theme of Love:

Love is the most dominant theme in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’ssonnets. This poem shows her suggestion to her lover about how heshould love her. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was disabled and hadincurable diseases; therefore she was afraid that Robert Browningwould leave her. That is why she says that her lover must not love herfor her smile or gentle voice as these qualities fade with time. Shewants Robert Browning to love her forever and such kind of love canonly exist when he would love her as a person and not for her looks.Women Rights:

During the Victorian period, women did not have the right to voteor had any right to own property. They were not given the right to studyclassical and commercial subjects; they could only study history,geography and general literature. During that period, women were nottreated equal to men. Therefore, Barrett Browning was against these

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social and gender differences and one will find that her writings werebased on issues like child labour, ill treatment and oppression of women.

In this poem she mocks the idea of courtly love. Her sonnets giveimportance to the thinking of women and not to the male-dominatedsociety. Here in the sonnet, If Thou Must Love Me, the speaker wantsher lover not to love her for superficial qualities or out of pity but forwhat she is as a person. Thus this poem questions the idea of a womanand demands the right of woman to speak and to be heard.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ1. To whom are these lines addressed to? How is he related tothe poet? Comment on their relationship.

The lines are addressed to Robert Browning, another significantpoet of the Victorian Era. Robert Browning is Elizabeth BarrettBrowning’s lover and later husband.

The love relationship between Elizabeth Barrett and RobertBrowning became so famous that till today many refer to them. AsElizabeth’s father was against the match they had to elope to getmarried.Q2. Why does the poet proclaim not to say certain things in love?Do you agree? Why?

The poet says that the lover should not proclaim that he lovesher for her beauty as outward beauty is an impermanent thing.

Yes, I agree, as beauty lies not in how a person looks, but how aperson is. And a person should love someone not because of outwardbeauty.Q3. What does the phrase “falls in well with mine” suggest?

The phrase “falls in well with mine” suggests that the malelanguage of wooing does not matter to the poet and those tricks ofthoughts of the male lovers are nothing but wasted attempts as shecan see through them.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHQ4. What does the phrase “change for thee” signify? Is it asignificant phrase in the peom?

The phrase “change for thee” signifies “change for you.” Withtime people’s perception changes - what one finds beautiful today, onemay not find it tomorrow.

Therefore the poet says that if the lover loves her for her outwardbeauty then it may change very soon as neither outward beuaty ispermanent and not one’s liking is permanent.Q5. What is the poet trying to suggest in the above lines?

The poet suggests that neither beauty, nor one’s perception ofbeauty is constant as they change with time. Therefore the poet saysthat a love based on outward beauty makes no sense as it may witherwith time.Q6. What does the lines “so wrought, / May be unwrought so”signify?

The lines “so wrought” May be unwrought so” signifies that alove “fashioned in such terms (based on physical beauty) would soonbecome out of fashion.”Q7. What does the poet mean when she says not to love in pity?Why does she think so?

The poet is of the opinion that if the lover loves her out of pitythen as soon as the melancholy of the poet withers away, there wouldbe nothing more to love.

She thinks so because if the reason of love is pitying the beloved,then as soon as the reason of the pity withers away, the love will alsovanish.Q8. What would make the “creature” forget to weep?

When the creature, that is the person who is sad, is beingcomforted then the compassionate gesture, the sympathy would makeher forget to weep. In other words, the lover would make the beloved

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so happy, that she would forget the reasons of the sadness.Q9. Why would the comfort of the beloved be a reason of losingthe love? Do you agree with the poet?

The comfort of the beloved be a reason of losing the love is thatthe comfort would dry her tears and that way the reason for whichshe was loved will wither away, leading to a withering away of thelove.Q10. The second last line of the extract starts with a “but”. Why?

The second last line starts with a “but” as the poet prescribesbefore this line a series of things for which the lover should not lovethe poet and then says that she should be loved only for love’s sake.Q11. What does “love’s sake” mean? Do you agree to it? What isthe meaning of “evermore”?

The phrase “love’s sake” means “only for the sake of love.”Yes, one should agree to it as a love which is only for the sake of

love will last forever.“Evermore” means everlasting, for eternity.

Q12. What is “love’s eternity”? Can one achieve “love’s eternity”?“Love’s eternity” is a love which is eternal, will never die.Yes, one can achieve “love’s eternity.”



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I BELIEVEANALYSIS

Capabilities of Human Beings:The poem I Believe depicts the theme of the uncountable

capabilities of man and his dreams and achievements. The poet believesa human being can rise to great heights, endure a number of hurdlesand reach their goal. In the first stanza, the poet says that a humanbeing can throw a pebble upwards, pierce through the heaven andwatch the angels play. This actually means that humans can achievethe most difficult and sometimes even the unachievable goals. At aspiritual level, it means raising our conscience to a higher point andbecoming one with God.

In fact, the poet wants to say that human beings can conquer allparts of the universe if they believe in themselves, use their capabilitiesand work diligently. She means to say that humans can conquer all thethree realms of the earth- the atmosphere, the lithosphere and thehydrosphere. The poet also believes that humans can make this worldheaven-like and themselves like angels.Feminist Reading:

The poem I Believe has been written by one of the eminentGaro poets and activists, Brucellish K Sangma. The poem voices theconcern about dreams and aspirations of a woman in a male-dominatedsociety. A number of restrictions are imposed on women in a patriarchalsociety. Such a society is male-centred and they subordinate womenin all domains in their life: familial, religious, political and economical.The woman of today wants to free herself from such a society andachieve her dreams. She wants to reach the sky, dive into deep oceans,and conquer all the three realms of the earth. The poet believes today’swomen like the poet can achieve her goals.STYLE:

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Simplicity rules the poems of Brucellish K Sangma. It is atranslation from the original Garo poem, Anga Bebera’a into Englishby the same poet. The poem consists of six stanzas and the poet hastaken ample care to use appropriate English words to convey her themeand message. The poem is composed in free verse i.e. it has no rhymescheme and no regular pattern of rhythm. It should be noted that eachstanza is a single sentence.ANAPHORA:

Anaphora is a figure of speech in which there is deliberaterepetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of verses, paragraphs,clauses or sentences. Anaphora is frequently used in Bible and inpoetry strongly influenced by Bible. In this poem I Believe, ‘I believe’has been used repeatedly in the beginning of each stanza (exceptstanza 6) to convey the feelings, dreams and aspirations of thepoet.HAIKU:

A Haiku is a traditional poetic form , which originated in Japan.It is three-line poem with a total of 17 syllables. This poem I Believeconsists of six stanzas, each comprising of three lines. The differentstanzas are put together through the central theme which runsthroughout the poem. It is for this reason that the poem resembles theJapanese Haiku.CUMULATIVE LISTING:

I Believe has used the technique of Cumulative Listing. It istechnique which involves a kind of accumulation of broadly similarideas. The device is used to emphasize the main idea of a poem.

Each stanza begins with the phrase ‘I believe’ and enlists anumber of things that the speaker is capable of doing. Thus, the ideas,if put together can be seen forming a list or catalogue.SYMBOLISM:



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ICSE – X ENGLISHSymbolism refers to the use of symbols to represent ideas and

qualities. The entire poem, I Believe, though written in simple andlucid words, has symbolic meaning.

Some of the symbolism are listed below:“I believe I can soar heightsTouch the silky cloudsAnd feel the stars” (Stanza 2): Here, heights symbolize ‘sky’

meaning space without limit. ‘stars’ symbolize the list of achievers.“I believe I can diveRight into the depthsAnd swim with the sharks” (Stanza 3): Here, ‘depths’ symbolize

the ‘ocean of life’ and ‘sharks’ symbolize the hurdles and difficultiesfaced in life. The poet believes she can cross all hurdles that come onher way and achieve success.

“I believe I can claw into the earth’s bellyPick up the priceless gemsAnd adorn myself with them” (Stanza 4): ‘claw into the earth’s

belly’ symbolize putting in labour and hard work to achieve something.‘Priceless gems’ symbolize the resources available on earth- metals,minerals and precious stones. ‘Adorn’ means to enrich oneself withthis resources.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ1. Who is the speaker? What is the context in which these linesare spoken?

Brucellish K. Sangma, the poet of “I Believe”, is the speaker.Brucellish K Sangma’s poem “I Believe” deals with what she

believes to be her duty as a human being. But before she talks abouther duty she says that she can achieve many things. It is in this contextthat the above lines are being written.

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Q2. What does it mean “to pierce the heavens”?“To pierce” is “to penetrate”. The poet believes that the pebble

(small stone), she intends to throw, has the force in it to penetrateheaven and create the possible gap for the poet to have a view ofheaven. In this context the phrase “to pierce the heavens” is used.Q3. What heights does the poet want to achieve in these lines?

The poet, Brucellish K. Sangama, says that she has the willpowerin her to throw a pebble upwards which would pierce the heaven andlet her have a view of the angles playing. What she means here is thatif she wants, she can achieve heaven. In the same way, she says thatshe can soar to the heights of the silky clouds and can view the stars.Both her wishes can provide her certain kinds of pleasures.Q4. Comment on the intention of the speaker in these lines?

The poet, Brucellish K. Sangma’s intention in these lines is to presentthe impossible things that she could achieve if she wants to. She says thatshe has the resolve to dive into the deep sea and swim with the sharks andthen she can also reach the mines to get the priceless gems with whichshe can beautify herself. The poet’s resolve and willpower to achievethings in her life is very much evident in these lines.Q5. Does the poet really want to swim with the sharks? State theidea of the poet behind these lines.

Brucellish K. Sangma though in the beginning of the poem statesthat she can do many impossible things; but she really does not intendto persue all those. Her ambition in life is not to achieve pleasure andriches for herself; but to fulfill her duty as a human being which shestates in the last stanza of the peom “I Believe.”

The poet says that she has the resolve to dive right into the seaand swim with the sharks, which shows that she is courageous andadventurous and is ready to undertake any challenge for the sake ofpleasure.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHQ6. What is “earth’s belly”? What is its importance? What is thepoet’s intention?

The phrase “earth’s belly” refers to the mines, as mines areunderneath the surface of the earth.

The importance of the phrase “earth’s belly” is that it hasinnumerable riches in it. All the expensive metals with which we adornourselves are underneath the earth. Brucellish K Sangma says thatshe has the resolve in her claw and reach the “earth’s belly” to getpriceless gems to adorn herself.Q7. What are the things the poet wnats to achieve? Does thepoet really feel that she can do all these? If not, then what is thepurpose of these lines?

The poet, Brucellish K. Sangma in the poem “I Believe” saysthat :

• She can pierce the heavens and see the angels play.• She can soar to the level of silky clouds and view the stars.• She can dive into the sea and swim with sharks.• She can even take out gems from mines to adorn herself.The poet thinks that she has the resolve, courage and

determination to undertake all these tasks for sake of pleasure, richesand enjoyment.

But, as the last stanza of the poem states, she sincerely believesthat her first duty is to fulfill her responsibility as a human being.Q8. What is “world’s treasures”?

The phrase “would’s treasures” refers not to the rich mines orto priceless gems or to any other expensive luxurious things of theworld; but they refer to the human beings who are more valuable thananything else according to the poet, Brucellish K Sangma.Q9. What is the firm belief of the poet?

The firm belief of the poet, Brucellish K Sangma, is that it is her

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first duty to fulfill her role as a human being - that is, to make the worlda better place for fellow human beings to live in.Q10. What is the role assigned to the poet? What is the poet’sdream?

The role assigned to the poet is that of being a human being. Todistinguish ourselves from animals, we should not only pursue thingswhich are determined by our drives for hunger and pleasure; but tothink about our fellow human beings and make the world a betterplace to live in.

The poet’s dream is that if all the people of the world start thinkingin the way the poet does then the world will be a better place to live.



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ICSE – X ENGLISH

A PSALM OF LIFEANALYSIS

The title of A Psalm of Life is an appropriate one. A psalm is aninvocation to mankind to follow the path of the righteousness. Here,the speaker advises people to be heroes in their lives. He asks them tolie in the present, without thinking about the past or the future.

A poem teaching a moral lesson is called a didactic poem. APsalm of Life is a didactic poem. The poet’s task in the poem is toinstruct and guide, to inspire and modify. The poem teaches basic humanvalues and lays out a foundation for a prosperous, ethical life.STYLE:Form and structure:

The poem consists of nine stanzas of four lines each. The poemhas regular rhyming pattern. Each stanza follows the rhyme schemeabab. In every stanza, the first line rhymes with the third line and thesecond line with the fourth.Allusion:

Allusion is a reference to other works or cultures in prose andpoetry. H.W Longfellow has used allusions to convey his message inthe poem.

‘Tell me not, in mournful numbers.’In the above line, numbers refer to the verses in the Bible.‘Dust thou art, to dust thou returnest’The above line too has a Biblical reference.

FIGURES OF SPEECH:Similes: It is a figure of speech in which a likeness between two

different things is stated using the words ‘like’ or ‘as.’ Examples ofsimiles in A Psalm of Life are,

1. Still, like muffled drums, are beating2. Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

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METAPHORS:Metaphor is that figure of speech where comparison of two

different things are implied but not clearly stated. Examples of metaphorin the poem are,

1. Life is but an empty dream.2. Soul id dead that slumbers…3. Art is long and Time is fleeting

ALLITERATION:Alliteration is the close repetition of the consonant sounds at the

beginning of words to facilitate narration. Examples of alliteration inthe poem are,

1. Grave is not its goal2. Find us further3. Dumb driven cattle4. Learn to labour5. Dust thou art, to dust thou returnest.

PARALLELISM:Parallelism is used when the speaker says1. Life is real! Life is earnest!2. Still achieving still pursuing.H.W Longfellow points out that one has a duty to make this

world a better place to live in. A Psalm of Life is a whole collection ofmoral principles to be followed by all the people. The principles listedby the poem are enumerated as follows,-

*Life has a serious mission.*Life does not end with death.*We have a destiny irrespective of our joys and sorrows.*Time is too short for our long mission.*Become great by emulating great men.



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ICSE – X ENGLISH*Learn to labor and wait for results.*Act now, in the living present.*Be a hero in the struggle of life.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ1. What does the poet wish to signify by the term “mournfulnumbers”?

The poet uses the term “mournful numbers” to signify “sadsongs”. It can also a metaphor for a fatalistic and a pessimistic viewof life.Q2. Explain the third line of the extract.

The third line of the extract “For the soul is dead that slumbers”means “the person who is inactive is virtually dead”.Q3. What, according to the poet, is not what it appears to be?How does he justify this statement?

According to the poet, it may seem that with death comes anend of life, but it is not so as soul is immortal. He justifies the statementwith the Christian belief that man emerges from the soil and eventuallyreturns to it upon death.Q4. Explain : “Life is real! Life is earnest!”

Life is not an empty dream, but a reality which has a sense ofpurpose, and therefore one should live life “earnestly” that is, withpositivism, vitality as well as sincerity.Q5. Why does the poet claim that life is real and earnest?

The poet claim that life is real and earnest and death is merelyan illusion as soul transpires from body; but it never dies. Thus death isnot the ultimate end of life; and therefore life is real and earnest.Q6. What does “dust” refer to? To which belief does the poetrefer here?

“Dust” referred to in the extract is the metaphor for the universe.The poet refers to the Christian belief that after death man returns to

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the dust from where it comes.Q7. How does the poet refute the above mentioned belief?

The poet refutes the Christian belief of “from the dust, to thedust” by saying that human body is made of dust and will return todust, but the soul is immortal and will never die.Q8. How, according to the poet, should we live our lives?

The aim of our lives should be constant earnest striving in thepresent, so that the future becomes increasingly better. The goal ofthe life should be to live earnestly every day.Q9. What is compared to the sound of muffled drums? And why?

Out hearts beats are compared to the sounds of muffled drumsas with the passage of time we are progressing towards our grave.Q10. What is the destination of “our hearts”? Is it the finaldestination?

The destination of “our hearts” is the grave. It may be thedestination, but it does not matter, what matters is how earnestly onehas lived life.Q11. Explain in brief the meaning of the expression “dust thouart, to dust returnest.”

Human body is made of dust and after death returns to dust. Itis a Christian belief.Q12. To what does the poet compare the world? Why is such acomparison made?

The poet compares the world to a battlefield. Such a comparisonis made as the poet considers the world a battlefield in which onestays temporarily with a specific purpose and each day one fights abattle to live earnestly.Q13. Explain “bivouac of life.”

“Bivouac” means “an encampment in the open air without tents”.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHWhat the poets means by “bivouac of life” is “the battle field of life”.Q14. What is indicated by the expression, “dumb, driven cattle”?

The expression “dumb, driven cattle” indicates the cattle that goby blind faith and not by reason.Q15. How does the poet wish us to act in the struggle of life?

In the struggle of life, according to the poet, we should notsurrender, but we should fight like heroes.Q16. Why does the poet urge us to take interest only in ourpresent?

The poet urges us to take interest only in our present as thepresent is the solution to the past, and future must invariably be fineshould we have done justice to the present.Q17. Explain : “Heart within and God o’erhead!”

To live an earnest life in the present we should have faith in ouractions (heart within) and at the same time have infinite grace andmercy (God o’erhead) of God.Q18. What do the lives of great men teach us?

The lives of great men teach us that we can only leave our markin this world through our good deeds.Q19. What does the poet mean by “footprints onthe sands of time”?

The phrase “footprints on the sands of time” signifies the nameand fame that one leaves behind after one is dead in the course ofhuman history (sands of time).Q20. What is referred to as the “solemn main”? Who is sailing asthe ‘main”?

Life is compared to “solemn main” (sea) as it is grim in its depthand vastness.

The shipwrecked brother (referring to fellow human beings whohave strayed from the right path) is sailing.

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Q21. With reference to the extract, explain the meaning of“shipwrecked brother”.

“Shipwrecked brother” is used here to mean fellow humanbeings who have strayed from the right path and courted disaster.Q22. Why does the poet refer to the “footprints on the sands oftime”?

The poet refers to the “footprints on the sands of time” as hegives importance to human history, the mark one leaves in human historythrough one’s heroic deed of living life earnestly.Q23. How can we make our “brothers take heart again”?

We cah make our “brothers take heart again” by setting theright example of living life earnestly.Q24. Explain, “with a heart for any fate”.

“With the readiness to face any eventuality that might befallus.”Q25. What virtue of patience does the poet bring out in theselines?

The virtue of patience the poet brings out in these lines is thatone should carry on doing good with courage and determination andwait patiently for the fruits of labour as it will arrive even though itmay take some time.Q26. Name the poem and poet. State the central idea of the poem.

The poem is “A Psalm of Life” by H.W. Longfellow. The centralidea of the poem is to urge the readers to live hardworking, earnestand patient lives in accordance with righteousness and God’s grace asit will provide meaning to life.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHTHE LAST LEAF

Q. Do you agree that a work of art is only for the sake ofbeauty? Comment in relation to O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf.”

It is true that a work of art is valuable for its beauty; but at thesame time art also has a social fucntion, to educate. An artistic workwhich is simply beautiful is art; but an artistic work which saves thelife of a person is more beautiful than that as it has served a muchmore significant function that just soothing someone’s eyes and heart.Thus Behrman’s last leaf on the ivy tree is truly a masterpiece as itsaves the life of Jhonsy.

A masterpiece is a great work for art, like a painting, sculptureor piece of music or writing (poetry, fiction, etc.). It is the height ofsomeone’s artistic abilities. It is the artist’s highest achievement andthe best in his ability as an artist. All the artists in the story “The lastLeaf” want to create masterpieces and strive towards it. Old Behrmanhas done so throughout his life, but before death he does somethingwhich is truly a masterpiece. He paints a leaf in the ivy tree whichinstills faith in Johnsy and she recovers from her illness. During theprocess of painting it on a windy, rainy cold night, Behrman is infectedby pneumonia and he dies, but his work of art saves someone whomhe cares for. Therefore it is a masterpiece. Behrman’s artistic pieceproves that art is not only for the sake of beauty, it serves much moresignificant function than that.

THE KABULIWALA

Q. Do you agree that the ending of the story “The Kabuliwala”exquistely renders the richness of the inner world of man?

Rabindranath Tagore’s short story deals with a relationshipbetween a five year old child Mini and a Kabliwala (an Afghan),Rahamat. Rahmat’s little daughter back at home in Afghanistan is

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essential to the story, though she never appears in the story. TheKabuliwala’s love for his daughter is manifested in showering his loveto Mini. But when a strange incident lands the Kabuliwala in jail,Mini forgets all about him. Kabuliwala again appears on the weddingday of Mini and realizes that his daughter also must have grown up bythat time. Mini’s father, the narrator could realize this and consequentlycurtails some expenditure of the festivities of the wedding to sponsorthe Kabuliwala’s return journey back to his country.

As a short story writer, Tagore was a practitioner of psychologicaland social realism as his stories depict poignant human relationshipswithin a simple plot. The sort story “The Kabuliwala” begins abruptly,develops around incidents and ends with a twist. It starts with Mini asa girl and her developing friendship with the Kabuliwala and suddenlythere is a twist in the story as the Kabuliwala was sent to prison Yearsafter we meet the Kabuliwala on Mini’s wedding day. The twist happensas the story is not anymore about friendship but portrays a father’slove for his daughter who is living far off. Tagore pays more attentionto the richness of the inner world of man, to emotions and less to outwardevents. The artistic mastery of Tagore’s stories is visible in theirsuccessful endings.

THE BET

Q. Give the character sketches of the lawyer and the banker.How do they differ? With which character are your synpathies?Give reason for your answer.

The lawyer is a man of firm determination as he not only saysthings but proves them by action. He goes for voluntary self-imprisonment for fifteen years to prove his point and at the same timefor his greed for money. For greed, he gives away his precious youth,his freedom and all form of enjoyment of life without any associationwith any other human being. His acceptance of the bet shows his



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ICSE – X ENGLISHdetermination, his truthful nature, but also points out his greed for materialpossessions.

As against the lawyer, the banker is rackless with his money. Hehosts the party for discussion on capital punishment and moreover totrap the lawyer. He goes in for an unnecessary bet just to prove thatdeath penalty is better than life imprisonment. While laying theconditions for the agreement. When we meet him later in the story asan older man, we see a change in his fortunes which makes him flouthis principles and wickedly think of killing the prisoner just before theaccomplishment of his captivity period. But at the same time it can besaid that he is a life-like human being.

I sympathize with the lawyer as he has ambitions to realize hisdream of material possessions and in the process of acquiring it throughthe bet realizes the vanity of it and left it. He is a man of determinationand action by giving up two millions to prove the fleeting and futilenature of material possessions.

THE TIGER IN THE TUNNEL

Q. But life had to go on. State how Ruskin Bond brings out thisidea in his story “The Tiger in the Tunnel”?

Ruskin Bond in the short story “The Tiger in the Tunnel” talksabout the bravery of Baldeo, a tribal man, who works as a nightwatchman in a wayside station. His job is to look after the safe passageof trains from the tunnel. There is the fear of a tiger near the tunneland one night when Baldeo was on his duty, he was attacked by thetiger and killed; though Baldeo could also hurt the tiger and it gotkilled being hit by the train. Baldeo’s twelve year old son Tembu, tookup the position of being a night watchman in the same station after hisfather’s death as he has to look after the family after his father haspassed away. It is a true that there are many disasters waiting on such

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a way-side station; but the fear of that cannot deter people from carryingon with life. Similarly, Baldeo is dead, but his family must carry onliving and thus Tembu had to be courageous enough to take up the jobas life has to go on.

PRINCES SEPTEMBER

Q. When one loves someone one should set him or her free.Love is not about captivity, it is about freedom. Do you agree?Give a reasoned answer with reference to the short story “PrincessSeptember”.

The short story “Princes September” is a fairy tale where aSiamese Princess’ parrot died and she wept bitterly. A small bird cameto her room and sang melodious songs to make her happy. The birdused to fly around with princess September in the place and sing songsfor her. But her jealous sisters advised her to keep the bird in a goldencage, which had been gifted by her father. When the bird was caged,he stopped singing, and did not eat or drink. The bird prayed for hisfreedom and said that he could only sing when he is free. Finally, whenPrincess September saw that the bird was suffocating in the goldencage and was about to die, she set him free. The bird was thankful tothe Princes and srayed with her and sang for her. The story ends happilywhen we see Princess September married to the King of Cambodiaand living a happy life with him. Thus the story proves that when oneloves someone, one should set him or her free and love can blossomthe best when there is freedom.



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ICSE – X ENGLISHAct-III Scene-I

Points: Salarino and Salanio enter and wonder what Rialto is abuzz with Salarino answers that1. There are unconfirmed reports that Antonio has had his rich

ships wrecked in the narrow seas of Scotland called theGoodwins

2. This strip of water is risky and shallow and this is where manyship wrecks have taken place

3. Salarino compares the many ships with the dead remains of thehuman bodies in a metaphor

4. He personifies gossip as Report, a woman, who may or may notbe true

Salanio wishes that1. Report (the personified Gossip) was as untrue a woman as ever

knapped (nibbled/bit) Ginger (a reference to old women inElizabethan England), or one who tried to convince her neighborsabout her loyalty to marriage by weeping on the death of herthird husband. (Since she is thrice married she is disloyal.)

2. He however wants to avoid the long phrases and talk directly.3. He confirms that Antonio, the honest merchant, has lost his

money4. He wishes that he was so distinguished and capable as to be

able to save his dear friend.Important words and phrases: Knapped: nibble; Prolixity: longphrasesImportant figures of speech: Metaphor: Salanio compares thedirect and straightforward manner of talking with a highway;Personification: Salanio continues to address gossip as a woman

Salarino and Salanio spot Shylock and ask cross themselves inmock fear. (This gesture reflects the typical prejudice that Jewswere subjected to. Shylock is compared with the devil here.)

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Salanio asks Shylock what the news prevails among themerchants

Shylock takes it as a slight and answers that the merchants aretalking and gossiping about Jessica’s flight (elopement).

Salarino insults Shylock punning on the word flight (escape andflying off), saying that he knew the ‘the tailor’ (an indirectreference to Lorenzo) that had stitched the wings of the bird(Jessica) that flew away with.

Salanio also continues the pun (and the insult) and mocks Shylocksuggesting that Shylock knew that Jessica was in that age whendaughters elope with their lovers (the pun being that the motherbird knows that the fledgling will fly away)

Shylock responds with his own pun on the word ‘dam’ and cursesJessica (dam: the mother bird; damn: the curse)

Salarino and Salanio tell Shylock that1. He is in no position to judge Jessica2. That the difference between Jessica’s ‘flesh’ (here character)

and his is as stark as between ‘ivory’ and ‘jet’3. That the difference between her blood and Shylock’s is as plain

as it is between Rhenish wine and Red wine Shylock tells Salarino and Salanio that he has run into a bad deal

with Antonio He calls Antonio a bankrupt, a prodigal, who once used to insult

Shylock and call him a ‘userer’ (a term of insult). Antonio usedto lend money out of courtesy to people, damaging Shylock’sbusiness. Now he will have a hard time saving himself from thepenalty

Salarino hopes that Shylock will not pursue the bond in letterand spirit if the Bond is forfeited. He wonders what a pound offlesh is good for.

Shylock’s answers and reveals his intentions in the followingspeech:To bait fish withal: (he will catch fish with Antonio’s flesh) if it



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ICSE – X ENGLISHwill feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. (Antonio’s fleshwill satisfy Shylock’s revenge if nothing else)He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; {Antoniohad insulted Shylock and caused him a massive loss to thetune of half a million (fig of speech, hyperbole)} laughed atmy losses, mocked at my gains, (Antonio has made fun ofShylock’s losses and joked about his profits as he is a userer)scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, (Shylock’s race andhis business deals have been at the receiving end of Antonio’shatred)cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; (His enemieshave been excited and friends have been madeunresponsive) and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. (And thishas all been done as Shylock is a Jew)(From here Shylock asks a series of Rhetorical Questions)Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, (Is not aJew a human being; does he not have eyes, hands andorgans?)dimensions, senses, affections, passions? (does he nothave a human shape, sense organs, choices and feelings?)fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, (does henot eat what others eat? Is he not hurt with the same weaponsthat hurt others?) subject to the same diseases, healed by thesame means, (is he not subject to the same diseases and curesthat others are used to?) warmed and cooled by the same winterand summer, as a Christian is? (does not the weather behavewith the Jew as it does with everybody else?)If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we notlaugh? (if you penetrate a Jews body with a needle it willbleed; if you tickle a Jew he will laugh) if you poison us, dowe not die? (the effect of poison on the body of the Jew isthat same as it is on the body of others) and if you wrong us,shall we not revenge? (and if a Jew is wronged (ill treated),he will seek revenge much as any other man would do thesame)If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. (Since

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a Jew is no different from the others in respect of his humanqualities, he will be very like the others is respect to revenge)If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge.(Shylock refers to the one quality that Christians aresupposed to have: humility. But they don’t have it. They arerevengeful.)If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be byChristian example? Why, revenge. (Therefore, Shylock arguesthat by the Christian example, the Jew shall show no mercyif a Christian has wronged him.)The villany you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard butI will better the instruction. (The evil behavior taught by theChristians will be practiced against them. And Shylock willbe more aggressive than the Christians in his execution ofrevenge.)

Tubal, a friend of Shylock’s and a Jew, enters. Shylock asks himif he has been to Genoa to look for Jessica and Lorenzo.

Tubal announces that he cannot find Jessica. Shylock rants against his daughter, and he wishes her dead as

he bemoans his losses. He refers in particular to1. A diamond that cost him two thousand ducats in Frankfort that

Jessica has carried with her2. The Jewish race, Shylock says, has felt the curse so strongly for

the first time (in light of his personal loss). Shylock uses a Biblicalallusion to carry the point home. He refers to the Curse of Godon the Jews that condemned them to exile.)

3. He wishes Jessica dead at his foot with the jewels in ear4. He wishes that she was placed in her coffin (hearsed) at his

foot with his money in the coffin5. He laments that he has spent an incalculable sum in her search

and has not been able to find his daughter, who has robbed him.He calls his misfortune ‘loss upon loss’.

Tubal informs Shylock of Antonio’s great loss. One of his other



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ICSE – X ENGLISHships, coming from Tripolis, has been reported missing.

Shylock is especially embittered when Tubal reports that Jessicaspent eighty ducats in one night. Shylock is saddened by thenews but the news of Antonio’s loss gladdens him.

Tubal informs him of Antonio’s many creditors He informs him also about a turquoise (a precious metal) ring

Jessica has taken with her—given to Shylock in his bachelordays by a woman named Leah, presumably Jessica’s mother—and has traded that ring for a monkey.

Shylock’s spirits brighten, however, when Tubal reports thatAntonio’s ships have run into trouble and that Antonio’s creditorsare certain Antonio is ruined.

He asks Tubal to hire him a lawyer to pursue his bond well inadvance (fourteen days before the bond is forfeited)

He declares that he will pursue the bond to the bitter end. Hewill try to eliminate Antonio as it will lead him to better profits(Antonio used to oppose Shylock’s moneylending.)

He asks Tubal to see him at the Synagogue (the Jewish temple).Act III Scene II

PointsPortia: I pray you.....................................stay you from election.

In Belmont, Portia begs Bassanio to delay choosing the casketfor a day or two.

If Bassanio chooses incorrectly, Portia reasons, she will losehis company.

She tells him that she feels that she will not lose him (althoughshe stops initially short of confessing love)

Her instincts that Bassanio will make the right selection cannotbe said to be guided by hate, if not love

She confesses that a maiden in the affairs of love and marriagehas no speech ‘tongue’ to express herself; only ‘thought’

She would like to detain Basaanio for a month or two before he

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risks his chances in casket selection She wishes she could teach Bassanio how to choose right but

expresses her helplessness as she will break her oath to the willof her father

If Bassanio moves towards making the wrong casket selectionand fails to get Portia, Portia will have the wish and the desire ofbreaking the oath she has been under. Thus Bassanio’s failurewill ‘make’ Portia wish a sin (sin of breaking her oath

Bassanio’s ‘eyes’ (his gaze) should be ‘beshrewed’ (treated asthe culprit) as it has cast a spell on Portia

Portia declares openly that she is not her own mistress now.She gives her ‘one half’ to Bassanio and the other half thatcomes to her goes to him too. Portia is entirely his.

She curses the time (the naughty times) that puts barriers between‘the owners’ and ‘their rights’ {between Bassanio and Portia}

Despite her declaration, if Portia and Bassanio can’t get together,the blame should lie on Fortune not on Portia

If it is proved so Portia blames Fortune, not herself (as she hasdedicated herself to Bassanio already)

She blames her desire of keeping Bassanio with her for extendedperiod of time for her long speech as she intends to hold himback from choosing the casket for as long as she can

In response to Portia Bassanio says that he is living on the ‘rack’,a torture bed, hinting at his emotional torture (he is desperate tomake the selection)

Portia plays along the torture bed metaphor and asks Bassaniowhat treason (crime) has been mixed with his love

Bassanio answers that the only treason (crime) there has everbeen is that he has doubted his success in love. He argues thatmuch as there will never be friendship between fire and ice,there will never be treason in Bassanio’s love

Portia still playfully refers to the Rack. She says that as men onthe rack will say anything to ensure their life and save them



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ICSE – X ENGLISHfrom torture so will Bassanio say anything to save himself

Playing the rack metaphor further Bassanio asks Portia to‘promise me life’ (tell him the secret of the caskets)Portia: Away then.........................................makest the fray

Portia asks Bassanio to proceed for casket selection and saysthat he must choose the one that she is locked in

She tells Bassanio that he will find her if he loves her She asks for music while Bassanio makes the casket selection

saying that music will bring about romance in the effort:1. If Bassanio loses he will be like the dying swan whose grave

will be Portia’s tears (simile)2. If Bassanio wins he will be like a new crowned monarch before

whom his subjects will bow3. Music will be like the sound of the drums into the ears of the

dreaming bridegroom summoning him to marriage on the day ofthe wedding, if Bassanio wins

She remarks on how Bassanio moves towards the caskets,comparing Bassanio with Hercules (the young Alcides) whenhe saved the Trojan Princess, Hesoine, from virgin sacrifice tothe Sea Monster (she uses a classical allusion). At that time thewhole of Troy gathered to mourn (howl) at the spectacle.

Presently Portia compares herself with the virgin who is aboutto be sacrificed and people around her (Nerissa and others)with the Dardinian (Trojan) wives who are so tense and miserablethat their faces are tear-streaked.

She asks Bassanio to approach the caskets in the manner ofHercules and conveys to him that she is much more anxiousthan he is considering that she is merely a spectator and not aparticipant in the exercise.

Notes on the song The song guides Bassanio towards the right selection of the

casket. It tells him that ‘Fancy’ (attraction) is false and dies

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very much in the cradle where it is born. Therefore, they shouldnot pay attention to Fancy (attraction). {Bassanio should notpay any attention to the charm and the fancy of the gold and thesilver caskets}Bassanio: So may..........................Joy be the consequence

Bassanio says: What appears does not always become true The world (society) is misled by outward embellishments

(decoration) The most corrupt plea (request) in law is that which is uttered

smoothly and presented in a melodious voice to conceal the evilintent

In religion errors are sanctioned by pious looking men who justifythem citing the text (religious books)

The most plain vice (sin) is that which appears as virtue on theoutside

Cowards with scary hearts and temperaments try to look bravesporting the beard of Hercules and Mars (the God of war)

Beauty is not always natural; it is created and purchased in theform of cosmetics (by the weight)

The outward appearance could be miraculous if beautiful andthose who are beautiful in this way are light of character (notserious people)

The crispy/snaky/golden locks (the blonde hair) that sway in thewind on the heads of beautiful women may actually be artificial;their true possessor might be dead with her head in the tomb(sepulchre)

In this manner ornament (fake show) is very like (simile) thepeaceful and misleading shore to an actually stormy sea; thebeautiful scarf on the face of an Indian beauty (ordinary lookingwoman)

Outward charm is the falsehood that cunning people assume to



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHbefool the wise.

Gold should therefore be rejected as it was once the curse forking Midas (allusion to the King whose touch would converteverything to Gold)

Silver should also be rejected as it is a common metal thatexchanges hands in the form of coins

Lead, which threatens instead of promising anything, with itslackluster appearance impresses Bassanio more than the finewords written on the gold and silver

He chooses lead and wishes himself joy.Portia: How...................................surfeitPortia says that: All her feelings except those leading to love have vanished Feelings such as those that led her to doubt Bassanio, become

rashly hopeless, shiver in fear and harbor jealousy have all fledaway

She wants her love to be moderate and not drive her intoexcessive ecstasy (Figure of speech Apostrophe: love isaddressed here directly)

The joy of love should be like gentle rain upon her (figure ofspeech, metaphor: joy of love is to fall on her like soft rain)

She has felt the blessing of love in excess; it must be less or shewill be surfeited (too full with it).

Bassanio: What find I here..........................ratified by youPoints: Bassanio finds Portia’s picture in the casket He calls the artist who has drawn Portia’s sketch ‘a demi God’ He calls the artist ‘a demi God’ as the artist has succeeded in

capturing Portia very closely in the image (that Bassanio hasfound)

1. Bassanio wonders if Portia’s eyes are moving2. Or whether he feels that they are moving (Bassanio comments

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upon liveliness in the picture. The picture is so full of life that itsstillness is gone.)

Portia’s lips in the picture are parted only by her sweet breath;such a barrier is welcome even between two sweet friends(metaphor again: the upper lip and the lower lip are the twofriends that are separated by Portia’s fragrant breath)

Bassanio compares the painter (who has done the portrait) withthe spider (metaphor again), who has woven a golden web inPortia’s hair to capture the hearts (feelings) of men.

Portia’s golden hair thus capture the feelings of men faster thangnats (insects trapped in cobwebs)

Bassanio wonders how the painter could have done the eyes;how he was able to resist the brilliance of Portia’s gaze. InBassanio’s love stricken assessment, Portia’s one eye shouldhave had the power to steal both the eyes of the painter and,thus, the painting should have had only one eye.

Finally Bassanio says that he is far from able to convey thebeauty of the portrait much as the portrait is far from able toconvey Portia’s beauty: the degree by which he cant convey thebeauty of the portrait corresponds with the degree by which theportrait cant convey Portia’s beauty.

He picks up the scroll and reads it finally, calling it the essenceand gist of his destiny

The Scroll:1. Bassanio is told that his choice has not been influenced by his

outward appearance2. On his true choice Bassanio stands a fair chance of success3. This ‘fortune’ (Portia and her wealth) falls to him he should be

happy and satisfied4. Bassanio’s happiness should augur him well; his luck has and

will fetch him happiness5. He should turn to Portia and claim her with a loving kiss



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHA gentle scroll……………………….. ratified by you

Bassanio calls the scroll ‘gentle’ and turns to Portia to claim heras instructed

He intends to accept her in marriage and asks her to accept him He uses a SIMILE to convey that his state is like that of a

contender who has impressed the general public but is not quiteable to believe that he has done so, although people haveappreciated him

Continuing the simile Bassanio says that such a contender isGiddy (nauseated/exhausted) in his response to the crowd anddazed, not quite able to understand that the ‘peals of praise’(sound of applause) are meant for him

Bassanio calls Portia ‘thrice fair’ and tells her that his confusionis as great as that of the above mentioned contender

He asks her to confirm/ratify and sign his achievement for himPortia:

You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, (Portia refers toher own condition and state here; asking Bassanio to lookover her perspective)Such as I am (in her state as Portia, the heiress of Belmont):though for myself aloneI would not be ambitious in my wish (For the woman Portia,who has inherited her father’s estate, she does not wantanything more from life),To wish myself much better (she has no need to want to bebetter); yet, for youI would be trebled twenty times myself (For his sake/ so as tobe worthy of him, she wants that she should be sixty timesher better in her attitude and approach);A thousand times more fair (a thousand times prettier), tenthousand times more rich (ten thousand times richer);That only to stand high in your account (so that she could win

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his complete affection),I might in virtue, beauties, livings, friends,Exceed account (people might say that Portia is the full ofqualities/ pretty/has friends and inheritance); but the full sumof me (but in totality)Is sum of something, which, to term in gross, (her value putcrudely)Is an unlesson’d girl, unschool’d, unpractised; {is that she is anuneducated/ untaught girl; unexposed to society and cultures(she undervalues herself)}Happy in this, she is not yet so oldBut she may learn (Her biggest happiness being that she isnot so old that she may not learn) and; happier than this (stillhappier thinking),She is not bred so dull but she can learn (that her upbringinghas given her the means to learn);Happiest of all is that her gentle spiritCommits itself to yours to be directed (and her greatest sourceof happiness is that she and her essence is Bassanio’s todirect),As from her lord, her governor, her king (that Bassanio is herLord, Governor and King).Myself and what is mine to you and yoursIs now converted (Everything that is hers is Bassanio’s): butnow I was the lordOf this fair mansion, master of my servants (before Bassaniosucceeded Portia was the owner of the house, servants andher own Queen)Queen o’er myself: and even now, but now,This house, these servants and this same myselfAre yours, my lord: (But at this very moment she giver herselfand all her possessions to Bassanio)



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHI give them with this ring; (Her allegiance to Bassanio ismarked by the giving of this ring)Which when you part from, lose, or give away,Let it presage the ruin of your loveAnd be my vantage to exclaim on you. (If, and as and when,Bassanio loses the ring, the loss will give Portia thejustification to accuse Bassanio and lead to the destructionof their love)Bassanio: Madam you have bereft………….. Bassanio’s dead

Points: Bassanio confesses that Portia has robbed him of all words;

that he has no ability to thank her He blushes (blood speaks to you in my veins) He also says that he is terribly confused in his thoughts as a

result of his great success In a simile, he compares his own confusion with the confusion

of a favorite Prince after the Prince has delivered a great speech The buzzing of the crowd around the Prince is such that the

Prince is not able to understand the response Every little response of the crowd gets mixed with the other

responses and what comes out is a ‘wild nothing’ (no meaningfulinterpretation)

The one element of the Prince’s understanding is that the crowdis happy with him, and he can feel the joy – both expressed andunexpressed

He promises Portia that he will not let the ring part from hisfinger ever

That the parting of the ring will be akin to Bassanio’s death Portia should then say that Bassanio is dead.Nerissa tells Portia and Bassanio that: It is now her time and Gratiano’s that the two of them, having

seen Portia and Bassanio prosper in their hopes of wedlock,

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would like to celebrate the event Gratiano expresses his joy at the union of Bassanio and Portia He calls it the happiest event in their lives He expresses his wish to marry at the time Bassanio and Portia

will ‘solemnise the bargain of your faith’ (formalize theirmarriage).

Bassanio wonders who it is that Gratiano wishes to marry.Gratiano:

I thank your lordship (he thanks Bassanio), you have got meone (Bassanio has found him a wife without quite realisingit).My eyes, my lord, can look as swift as yours: (He congratulateshimself on being as alert as his friend and master, Bassanio.He tells us why in the next line)You saw the mistress, I beheld the maid; (While Bassanio wooedPortia, Gratiano set her eyes on Nerissa)You loved, I loved, for intermission. {While Bassanio expressedhis love for Portia, Gratiano expressed his love for Nerissaas he does not believe in ‘intermission’ (wasting time) either}No more pertains to me, my lord, than you. (It does not suithim to waste time much as it does not suit Bassanio)Your fortune stood upon the casket there (while Bassanio’sfate depended on the selection of the right casket)And so did mine too (even Gratiano’s luck and fate dependedon Bassanio’s right casket selection), as the matter falls (toconclude);For wooing here until I sweat again (he made the effort toimpress and persuade Nerissa about marriage),And sweating until my very roof was dry (metaphor: it meansthat he was completely exhausted trying to persuadeNerissa)With oaths of love (with promises of love), at last, if promise



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHlast (finally, he managed to get a promise),I got a promise of this fair one here (he managed to get Nerissa’sword)To have her love, provided that your fortune (to be able to obtainher love if you were lucky enough to get her mistress)Achieved her mistress.

Portia asks Nerissa if this is all true Nerissa replies in the positive and tells her that she has taken

fancy to Gratiano Bassanio asks Gratiano if he meant to marry Nerissa and gets a

reply in the positive At this point Lorenzo and Jessica along with Salerio enter

Bassanio: Lorenzo………………………….. welcome1. Bassanio welcomes Lorenzo and Salerio in Belmont2. He wonders if his newly acquired status as the Lord of Belmont

gives him the capacity to welcome Lorenzo and Jessica there3. He welcomes them on behalf of Portia Portia welcomes them too Lorenzo tells them that he did not intend to be there in Belmont

but Salerio requested him to accompany him there and that despitehis saying no many times Salerio insisted that he be there

Salerio tells them that Antonio has sent Bassanio a letter that hehas borne from Venice

Bassanio asks them how Antonio is Salerio makes an indirect reference to Antonio’s sickness; that

he is sick in mind and body Bassanio reads the letter

Portia: There are some shrewd contents……brings you1. Portia notices the changing expression of Bassanio and says

that contents of the letter are shrewd (sharp/bitter)2. She tries to guess what the letter could contain. It could be the

ICSE MADE EASY



news of a dead friend; or something equally grave as Bassanio’sconstitution (complexion) would not have changed in this manneras no ordinary letter would have changed it in any firm man

3. Portia notices Bassanio’s constitution getting worse and worseand finally asks what the letter contains

4. Portia tells him that she is Bassanio’s half and therefore musthave half the share of everything that Bassanio getsBassanio: O sweet Portia……………………….merchantmarring rocks

1. Bassanio tells Portia that: The letter contains some of the most unpleasant words that were

ever written by man When he first declared his love for Portia he told her that all his

wealth was his gentleman’s background (it ran in his veins) Bassanio told Portia that he was a gentleman and he did not

misinform her Yet, in telling her that he had no wealth he bragged and spoke a

lie as he was in debt At the time he told Portia that he was valued at a zero he should

actually have told her that he was worse than zero He has been bound to a dear friend (Antonio) It is on his account that Antonio has got indebted further to his

enemies He shows Portia the letter and in a metaphora) Compares the letter to the body of Antoniob) Every word of the letter to the open and bleeding wound on

Antonio’s body He asks Salerio if none of his ships have returned from Tripolis,

Mexico and England, Lisbon, Barbary and India He asks if all Antonio’s ships have been drowned: not one has

escaped the rocks that destroy merchants?Salerio: Not one…………………………………his bond



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH Salerio answers in the negative. He confirms that Antonio’s ships

have drowned indeed. He also tells Bassanio that Shylock won’t accept the money

even if he is offered it He confirms that Shylock has been importuning the Duke (who

had the authority to sanction the bond) day and night He calls Shylock a creature who in the shape of man is desperate

to ruin Antonio Shylock has been questioning the freedom of Venetian law and

constitution as he has so far not been given the chance to movecourt for Antonio’s flesh and if he has been denied Justice

Twenty merchants, the Duke and the Magnificoes have tried toconvince Shylock to drop his cruel plea

But they have not been able to move him from the envious pleathat he be given his bond, its forfeiture and JusticeJessica: When I was ……………………….. poor Antonio

Jessica tells Bassanio that she heard Shylock swear to Tubaland Chus, his two friends, thata) Shylock will have Antonio’s pound of fleshb) He will deny even twenty times the value of money helent Antonio if he is made that offer

She tells them that law and power of authority alone can saveAntonio; Shylock will destroy himPortia asks Bassanio if his friend Antonio is in such trouble andin response to that Bassanio answers:

He calls Antonio his dearest friend and the kindest man Antonio is one in whom the best and untired spirit for helping

others is visible He is someone in whom the ancient Roman values live on It is thus ironical that he has to face Shylock’s ire

Portia asks him further what sum he owes the Jew and Bassaniogives her the three thousand ducats figure. To this Portia responds:

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PORTIAWhat, no more (Is three thousand ducats responsible for sucha fate; she is amazed at the paltry sum of money)?Pay him six thousand, and deface (cancel, destroy) the bond;Double six thousand, and then treble that, (multiple twelve bythree and pay him thirty six thousand and pay the bond)Before a friend of this description (before a friend of Antonio’snature and description)Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault (loses his life or facesany risks on Bassanio’s account).First go with me to church and call me wife (she tells Bassanioto undertake the oath of marriage first),And then away to Venice to your friend (and then tells him togo to Antonio);For never shall you lie by Portia’s side (as Bassanio shouldnever be by Portia’s side with a guilty heart)With an unquiet soul (a guilty heart). You shall have goldTo pay the petty debt twenty times over (she tells him to carryso much gold with him as to pay the debt twenty times over):When it is paid, bring your true friend along (when the debt issettled Antonio may join Bassanio in Belmont).My maid Nerissa and myself meantime (she and Nerissa)Will live as maids and widows (will live as women whosehusbands are not there with them). Come, away!For you shall hence upon your wedding-day (she invitesBassanio to walk the aisle/participate in the marriageceremony first):Bid your friends welcome (she asks him to welcome hisfriends), show a merry cheer (and be cheerful):Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear (she tells himthat he is her rare possession, another metaphor, and she



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHwill love him very much) .But let me hear the letter of your friend (She asks him to readher the letter).

BASSANIO reads the letter aloud: Antonio’s ships have all been lost His creditors are after him for the debt he has to settle His finances are running very low His bond to the Jew has been violated He will lose his life as he has no option but to pay the penalty He absolves Bassanio from all the debts that Bassanio owes

him He expresses the wish to see Bassanio before he loses his life But he also tells him to travel back to Venice at his leisure and

not in forced by the letterPORTIA asks Bassanio to conclude all his business here and go to

Venice as soon as possible.BASSANIO tells Portia that: He will start for Venice as she has given him the leave to do do And he will try to save his friend and come back to her as soon

as he can He will not rest and lie down till he gets back Nor will he rest till he is united with Portia once again.

Act III Scene IIISalient points2. Antonio begs Shylock to consider his plea3. Shylock conveys that he is steadfast and that come what may

he will extract the penalty4. The position of law and its influence on Venetian citizens becomes

clear5. Antonio wishes for Bassanio’s return1) Shylock: Gaoler………………….look to him

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Shylock asks the jailer not to let Antonio importune him He expresses his hatred for Antonio’s charitable attitude and

blames his interest-free loans for his losses2) Antonio asks Shylock not to pursue his bond3) Shylock: I will……………………request Shylock dashes Antonio’s hopes of finding him merciful. He says

that he has sworn to his God that he will pursue the bond. Antonio had called him a dog. Now Antonio should brace for

Shylock’s fangs. The Duke will have to do justice to Shylock’s request Shylock criticizes the jailer for taking Antonio to plead with him

and others. He asks the jailer to treat him more strictly. Shylock, Antonio, Salarino and a Gaoler enter Shylock calls Antonio a fool that lent out money gratis He does not want Antonio to talk to him of mercy Antonio pleads with Shylock to hear him outSHYLOCK

I’ll have (pursue) my bond;speak not (argue not) against my bond: (these two linesindicate that Shylock is desperate to pursue his line ofrevenge)I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. (Shylock conveyshis religious intensity; for him the bond is larger than lifenow. He will pursue it.)Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause;But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs: (Shylock’s argumentis deductive. Since Antonio called him a dog, he (Antonio)must not expect anything but a dog-like behaviour fromShylock. Shylock roots and grounds his hatred for Antonioin this speech)The duke shall grant me (deliver) justice. I do wonder,



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHThou naughty (indisciplined; partial, as he has favoredAntonio) gaoler, that thou art so fondTo come abroad with him at his request (since the jailor hasfavored Antonio and helped him speak to Shylock)

Antonio again begs Shylock to hear him out Shylock very clearly conveys that the time to talk is long gone

and that the bond will be pursued He declares he will be cruel and not be foolishly merciful to

Christians who have harbored the traditional hatred against himand his race.

Salarino calls Shylock ‘an impenetrable cur’ (a hard-hearteddog) who lived with men

Antonio defeatedly confesses that he will not follow Shylockwith useless requests

He knows why Shylock is after him and wants his life He thinks that Shylock’s determination to kill him has to do with

Shylock’s business interests. If Shylock manages to removeAntonio from the Venetian market, he will be able to chargeinterest at will.

Salarino expresses the hope that the Duke will not grant Shylockhis suit

ANTONIOThe duke cannot deny the course of law: (Antonio says that itis beyond the Duke to refuse commoners justice or alter thevery course of law for him)For the commodity (rights/agreement) that strangers(foreigners) haveWith us in Venice, if it be denied (refused),Will much impeach the justice of his state (raise doubts on therule of law in the state of Venice);Note: Antonio is aware of the Venetian legal system and, onthat basis, states that the Duke had no power to alter the

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course of Justice. Venice was a bustling city and a majorcentre for trade in Europe and people from all nationalitiesand religions were entitled to equal legal rights. Shylockwill be treated fairly by the Duke.)Since that the trade and profit of the cityConsisteth of all nations (Venetian economy was very inclusiveand the city’s prosperity was due to its lack of bias againstforeigners.)Therefore, go:These griefs and losses (troubles; he has lost his ships andnow has to face the penalty) have so bated me (weakenedhim),That I shall hardly spare a pound of fleshTo-morrow to my bloody creditor (That by the time Shylocklooks to take a pound of flesh from Antonio, he will have noflesh on him).Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio comeTo see me pay his debt, and then I care not!(All that Antonio wants is that Bassanio should be presentat the time his debt is paid in the form of a pound of Antonio’sflesh.)

Act III Scene IVBackground:

A major scene that prepares the audience for the strategies thatPortia and Nerissa are planning to adopt to save Antonio andhelp Bassanio in his efforts to do the same.Lorenzo and Portia talk and Portia hands over the manage andthe charge of her Belmont house to him and Jessica and tellsthem that Nerissa and she intend to spend their time as nuns ina monastery till their husbands return.Lorenzo: Madam………………………….. enforce you



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH Lorenzo tells Portia that she has a ‘noble’ and true judgment of

divine friendship (he refers to the friendship between Antonioand Bassanio)

He also claims not to be making these comments only becausehe intends to impress Portia

He praises Antonio and tells Portia about Antonio’s greatcharacter; the knowledge of Antonio’s character would havehelped Portia in strengthening her resolve to help him out

He calls Antonio a true gentleman and a great friend of Bassanio’s He also conveys that Portia’s knowledge of Antonio’ s nature

would have given her greater satisfaction than her usual acts ofcharity.Portia: I never did repent……………………………… laysupon you.

Portia responds telling Lorenzo that She never regretted being charitable and she asserts that she

will not regret being charitable in helping Antonio. The reasonsshe offers are:

1. There is reason for her to believe that Antonio is very likeBassanio

2. She bases her reasoning on the analogy of the two bulls: muchas two bulls are yoked together in a cart, friends and companionswho spend their time together have their ‘souls’ (their natures)yoked to pull the cart of friendship

3. In such friends there is a remarkable similarity of facialexpressions, of attitudes. Antonio and Bassanio are two suchfriends

She reasons that Antonio is ‘a semblance’ (a reflection) of herown soul as he occupies a position equal to hers in Bassanio’sheart and in that case she has spent little effort in purchasing(securing) him.

She refers to Antonio’s state as that of ‘hellish cruelty’ (Shylock’scruelty here that has captures Antonio)

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Portia considers talking of her efforts as self praise and doesnot want any talk over it.

She conveys the following plan to Lorenzo:1. She entrusts Lorenzo with the manage and the command of her

Belmont house2. She has taken a sacred vow that she will spend her time in

prayer and meditation with Nerissa in a monastery two milesaway

3. Nerissa and Portia will live there till their husbands return andPortia requests Lorenzo not to refuse this offer that she hasmade him affectionately

Lorenzo agrees to accept Portia’s offer readily Portia tells him that her servants will recognize Lorenzo and

Jessica in her place and Bassanio’s Lorenzo and Jessica take their leave of PortiaBalthasar: Now Balthasar……………………………. Before thee Portia hopes to find Balthasar as helpful and honest as she has

ever found him She asks him to carry a letter to Padua to her cousin Dr. Bellario

as speedily as he can She asks Balthasar to bring notes and garments that Dr Bellario

has to give to her She is to be met at the Tranect (the place where the ferries start

and load for Venice) There she asks Balthasar to meet her at the common ferry (the

public boat) for Venice Balthasar should waste no time in words and return as soon as

possible Balthasar exits and Portia tells Nerissa that they have work to

do and they will meet their husbands soon On Nerissa’s asking her if their husband’s will see them Portia

replies in the following words:



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHPORTIA:

They shall (their husbands will see them), Nerissa; but in sucha habit (in such an attire),That they shall think we are accomplishedWith that we lack. (Imp: There is a reference to illusions here.Portia tells Nerissa that their husbands will not be able tomake out their identities. They will be under the impressionthat Portia and Nerissa are what they are not: men)I’ll hold thee any wager, (She is prepared to bet on the matter)When we are both accoutered (dressed) like young men,I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two, (This is a funny way ofsaying that Portia will be playing the dominant role betweenthe two of them)And wear my dagger with the braver grace (She intends tocarry the dagger much more bravely),And speak between the change of man and boyWith a reed voice, (A reference to the feminine voice: Portiawill speak between the tone of a boy and that of a man) andturn two mincing steps (ladylike steps)Into a manly stride, (into masculine steps and bodylanguage)and speak of frays (of quarrels)Like a fine bragging youth (a simile: like an irresponsibleyoung man), and tell quaint lies (strange lies),How honourable ladies sought my love, (Portia will talk thefavorite masculine jargon: about women seeking her/his loveand she denying them in such a way that they all committedsuicide)Which I denying, they fell sick and died;I could not do withal(she could not manage them all together);then I’ll repent (she will regret and wish) ,And wish for all that, that I had not killed them (she will regretkilling them);

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And twenty of these puny lies (harmless but masculine lies)I’ll tell,That men shall swear I have discontinued schoolAbove a twelvemonth. (Portia will tell these lies in such away that people around her will think that she has been outof school only a year back)I have within my mind (she has planned)A thousand raw tricks (rude jokes and words) of these braggingJacks (eager and excited boys),Which I will practice (which she will try and practice on otherswhile she is in disguise).

Nerissa asks her why they are to disguise as men. Portia tells Nerissa that she will inform her of the particulars

once they are in the coach. She also asks her to hurry up as theyhad to cover twenty miles that day.

Act III Scene VBackground The scene opens with Launcelot and Jessica conversing with

each other in Portia’s garden It is a comic scene and serves the purpose of giving the actors

enough time to go back and forth before the greater and themore important trial scene that follows

Launcelot: For look you……………………neither Launcelot taunts Jessica that that the sins of the fathers (the

ancestors) are to be laid against the children and she will sufferfrom the impact of Shylock’s sins

In a rather mocking tone Launcelot tells Jessica that he isconcerned about her and fears for her

He asks her to be happy and cheer up as she is damned Jessica retorts that her husband will save her as she is a Christian

now and she cannot be suffering from the Jew’s natural sin On this Launcelot blames the Christians who have been



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHconverting other people to the faith and says that such conversionswill be against the interest of the Christians overall as they willraise the price of pork, the staple food that Christians eat, andonce that happens the Christians will not have enough money toput ‘rasher’ on the coals (rasher: pork strips)

Lorenzo enters and hears Jessica’s plaint and warns Launcelotof serious consequences if he does not desist from taking Jessicainto tight corners

Jessica tells Lorenzo that Launcelot and she have fallen out asLauncelot has pronounced her damned and sinful and has alsoaccused Lorenzo of being a mean Christian as he has been raisingthe price of hogs by converting her to Christianity

Lorenzo tells Launcelot to ‘prepare’ for dinner Launcelot puns on the word ‘prepare’ and associates it with

hunger. He says that everybody at home is ‘prepared’ hungryenough for dinner

Lorenzo calls Launcelot a wit-snapper – a person whose vocationit is to play with words and tells him to prepare, ‘cook and serve’,dinner

Launcelot tells him that ‘cover’ is the word needed for theservants to serve dinner. (The word ‘cover’ indicated ‘cover’the table.)

On Lorenzo’s asking him to ‘cover’, Launcelot flatly denies andsays that he can’t cover (his head with a hat as it was considereda social affront – Launcelot puns again: ‘cover’ the table and‘cover’ the head)

Lorenzo uses an apostrophe: a direct address to somethingabstract to comment on Launcelot

He remarks that Launcelot has planted in his memory an armyof good words and that he knows of many fools who do verywell in life on the basis of their verbosity. (Here Lorenzo makesa reference to all the courtly jesters that held a royal rank andprofile and had the same ability as Launcelot to charm people

ICSE MADE EASY



with words) Lorenzo asks Jessica what she thinks of Portia Jessica remarks:1. Portia is past all expressions and no words are enough to convey

her essence2. Bassanio should live an upright life as he has the joys of heaven

on earth (in Portia’s form) and should he not have an upright lifeon earth he will never go to heaven

3. She reasons it further saying that the Gods playing a match insport would need a lot more to equal the scales if they placedPortia on one as a wager, since no one mortal woman would beable to equal Portia’s qualities

4. She opines that the poor, uncilivilised world does not have amatch for her

Lorenzo is quick to quip that he is Jessica’s husband exactly asPortia is Bassanio’s wife (a remark made in mock humour as hewishes Jessica to have the same opinion of him)

Jessica wants him to know her opinion of him and they finallysettle that Jessica will give him a fair assessment at the dinnertable as he will be able to digest her criticism among all theother things

ACT IV Scene I The Duke enters the court set in Venice along with the

magnificoes He feels apologetic about Antonio having to go through ordeal:

he mentions Shylock as the stony adversary and an ‘inhumanwretch’

Shylock, according to the Duke, is not capable of showing anypity and has not even a drop of mercy in his character

Antonio thanks the Duke for trying hard to reduce the instinct ofrevenge in Shylock’s character and trying to mitigate (reduce)the harsh court proceedings



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH Yet, Shylock’s obdurate (stubborn) nature has made it impossible

for any compromises to be reached Antonio tells the Duke that he is beyond legal redemption; no

legal remedies can pull him out of Shylock’s reach now Antonio’s only approach is to battle Shylock’s hatred with his

own patience Antonio confesses that he has run out of all options to

compromise: his only strategy now is to brave Shylock’s fury ina patient mannerNOTE: The address that the Duke gets from the Antonio hasthe title ‘YOUR GRACE’ and not ‘YOUR SERENITY’, whichserves its purpose to remind the audience that they are watchingand reading an English play set in an Italian backdrop.

Shylock enters the sceneDUKE

Make room (the Duke asks people to stand aside so thatShylock is visible to the audience), and let him stand beforeour face (let the Duke and Shylock be face to face; Dramaticdevice).Shylock, the world thinks (people around; society and the worldis of this opinion), and I think so too (and the Duke is inagreement with that opinion),That thou but lead’st this fashion of thy malice (that Shylock isconducting himself in this hateful manner)To the last hour of act; and then ’tis thought (only up to the lastpoint of the act. The Duke means to imply that Shylock won’tshow his revengeful aspect to Antonio finally and beconsiderate)Thou’lt show thy mercy and remorse more strangeThan is thy strange apparent cruelty; (That once he has satisfiedhimself on Antonio’s plight, he will display his merciful side)And where thou now exact’st the penalty, (And while Shylock

ICSE MADE EASY



has requested the Duke for granting him the forfeiture ofhis bond, the Duke hopes that Shylock will not seek it in thefinal analysis and show mercy)Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh, (The Dukedefines the penalty: a pound of Antonio’s flesh)Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture (He hopes that Shylockwill not only forgo the penalty),But, touch’d with human gentleness and love, (under theinfluence of human feelings of Love and compassion,)Forgive a moiety of the principal; (Shylock will also forgive alarge portion of the penalty, having felt pity for Antonio)Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, (fig of speech:personification; the Duke personifies pity to convey thatShylock will cast an eye of pity on Antonio’s losses)That have of late so huddled on his back,Enow to press a royal merchant down (Antonio’s losses havebeen such that any other merchant would have given wayunder them)And pluck commiseration of his state (and his losses are enoughto influence people into sympathsing with him)From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint, (even the savageraces, such as the Turks and the Tartars, who have hardenedemotions and wild feelings and have never been madecivilized and sensitive would have pitied Antonio and a manin his state)From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train’dTo offices of tender courtesy.We all expect a gentle answer, Jew (The Duke tells Shylock tobe considerate and gentle).Shylock: I have possessed………………………………..Areyou answered?

Shylock refuses to budge and tells the Duke that it is his wish to



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHproceed against Antonio

He has, according to his own admission, sworn on the holySaturday that he will work for the penalty and damages to bepaid if the bond is forfeit

If the Duke denies him the forfeit, the violation will legal andShylock will not be responsible for it

The very ‘charter’, the document of Venetian constitution andindependence, will be risked by such a denial

As for reasons why he chooses to be so malicious towardsAntonio, Shylock simply blames his whim

HE uses the following examples to illustrate the role of ‘humour’in a person’s conduct:

1. If his house were infested with a rat and he pleased to spend tenthousand ducats to have the rat poisoned, no one will questionthe legal validity of his judgment

2. There are men who do not love the sight of a gaping pig ( areference to the roasted pig on the dinner table)

3. There are men who behave abnormally when they see a cat4. And then there are men who are allergic to the notes and the

tunes of the high-pitched bagpiper (a bag-pipe is a popularScottish musical instrument)

Shylock uses the dichotomy (division) of AFFECTION(Preference) and PASSION (Strong like or dislike) to justify hisargument. Preference is guided by a man’s nature and thus ruleshis Passions.

For all the examples Shylock mentions, he tells the Duke andthe Court that there is no basis for why a man can’t tolerate thesight of a roasted pig, the cat and the bagpipe except one

A man (any man) may offend others by taking a dislike topopularly accepted things. But the intention of such a man is notto offend others. The man is offended by things popularlyappreciated. Therefore, he dislikes them and is consideredoffensive.

ICSE MADE EASY



Shylock relates his argument to Antonio and announces it in theCourt that he dislikes and hates Antonio as he (Antonio) hasoffended him.

It is, therefore, that Shylock has chosen to forego his financialinterest and pursue a losing suit (a loss making venture in lettinggo nine thousand ducats and accepting a pound of human flesh)In the interaction that follows BASSANIO and SHYLOCK havea verbal duel and accuse each other of wrong doing:

Bassanio accuses Shylock of being insensitive and cruel Shylock tells Bassanio that he is not bound, or forced to please

Bassanio with his answers Bassanio accuses Shylock of trying to kill all that he does not

love Shylock concludes that violence proceeds from hatred and a

man kills what he hates Bassanio argues that hatred should not be born out of offence Shylock answers that it will be folly to let a serpent sting a man

twiceANTONIO

I pray you, think you question with the Jew………..Let mehave judgment and the Jew his will.

Antonio has so far been mute and he tells his friends and theDuke that:

1. Shylock’s Jewish cruelty is coming to the fore here2. Shylock is more difficult to reason with than:a) Standing on the beach and expecting the tides to reduceb) Asking the wolf he has given the ewe (the mother sheep) weep

for her lambc) Asking the mountain pines (the pine trees on the hills) to move

their tops from one side to another when ‘gusts of heaven’ (highwinds) blow across them without making any noise

d) Anything that is impossible and the hardest



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH3. Shylock’s Jewish heart is the most impossible thing for a man to

convince Antonio tells his friends not to look to Shylock for any mercy

and make any further offers He also asks the Court to pronounce the judgment shortly and

simply and Shylock have his will In the interaction that follows Bassanio offers Shylock six

thousand ducats and Shylock rejects it saying that he would notaccept thirty six, let alone six thousand ducats.

The Duke wonders how Shylock will poleas for mercy if hehimself is so unrelenting

SHYLOCK : What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?(Shylock has nothing to fear. He tells the Duke and the Courtthat his actions are perfectly justified)You have among you many a purchased slave,(Shylock pointsout that the Venetians and the Duke have practiced Slavery,that they keep ‘purchased slaves’)Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,(Theseslaves, Shylock points out, are used much in the manner ofanimals. He uses a simile to indicate the treatment metedout to the slaves by Venetian people)You use in abject and in slavish parts(in low tasks andslavery),Because you bought them (as ‘you,’ the Venetians, havebought them, the slaves have no rights): shall I say to you(Will it be right if Shylock were to ask the Duke and theVenetian society…),Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?(To let the slavesbe free and marry the slaves to their sons and daughters)Why sweat they under burthens(and not to let the slaves sweatin toil)? let their bedsBe made as soft as yours (another simile. Why should thebeds of the slaves not be as comfortable as those of their

ICSE MADE EASY



masters) and let their palates (the tongues of the slaves)Be season’d (be given) with such viands (delicious food)?NOTE: Shylock questions the dichotomy that existed in theVenetian society in its treatment of the Christians and thenon ChristiansYou will answer‘The slaves are ours:’ (If Shylock asked the Venetian peopleto treat the slaves fairly, they will tell him that the slaves aretheirs and purchased. They don’t have rights and thus getno fair treatment…)so do I answer you:The pound of flesh, which I demand of him,Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it.(Shylock is merely extending the logic of Slavery to his ownargument: Antonio’s pound of flesh that he demands of theDuke and the Court is earned by Shylock. He is legallyentitled to cut it from Antonio’s body. It is not for him to lookinto it morally when the Venetians do not look at Slaverymorally)If you deny me, fie upon your law! (if the pound of flesh bedenied to Shylock, the laws of Venice are flawed)There is no force in the decrees of Venice. (The legal statutesof Venice are without any power as they are not function onthe principle of equality)I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it? (Shylockcraves for judgment.)

The Duke declares that he has the power and the authority todismiss the Court and that he will dismiss the court unlessBellario, a learned doctor, whom the Duke has decided toadjudicate on the issue, approaches the Court

Salerio informs the Duke that there is a man waiting for theDuke’s permission to enter the Court. The man has the lettersand has come all the way from Padua.



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH The Duke expresses his wish to see the letters and asks for the

messenger Bassanio asks Antonio to take courage and not give in just as

yet Antonio confesses that he is a tainted or sick ram of his flock

and will fall to the ground first He says that he is the fittest for death; he compares himself

with the weakest fruit that has fallen first on the ground in ametaphor.

He asks Bassanio to write ‘his epitaph’ (tombstone address). Nerissa enters and she is dressed like a lawyer’s clerk The Duke asks where she has come from and she greets the

Duke telling him that she is from Padua and sent on by Bellario Bassanio asks Shylock why he whets his knife so seriously Shylock answers that it is his desire to cut off a pound of flesh

from the bankrupt Antonio Gratiano remarks that Shylock is sharpening his knife not on his

‘sole’ but his ‘soul’ (he uses a pun). He calls Shylock a cruelJew.

Gratiano tells Shylock that no metal—not even the executioner’saxe (the axe that the executioner kills the criminals)—could everbe half as sharp as Shylock’s hatred.

Shylock remarks that no prayers will be able to ‘move’ himGRATIANO

O, be thou damned (Gratiano curses Shylock and calls himdamned), inexecrable (repulsive, hateful) dog,And for thy life let justice be accused! (Shylock should haveno reason to live except that he can not be killed legally in acivilized society)Thou almost makest me waver in my faith (Shylock forcesGratiano to lose faith in his Christian beliefs and thoughts)To hold opinion with Pythagoras (And Gratiano will agree with

ICSE MADE EASY



the philosophy of Pythagoras)That souls of animals infuse themselves (The philosophy ofPythagoras was that the souls of animals fly into the humanbodies at the time of their death.)Into the trunks of men (into the bodies of men). Thy currishspirit (Shylock’s dog-like soul)Governed (inhabited, was present in) a wolf who, hanged forhuman slaughter, (and that wolf was hanged for the killing ofhuman beings)Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, (while the wolfwas hanged, his soul escaped his body)And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam (and while Shylocklay in the womb of his evil mother)Infused itself in thee (the spirit of the cruel wolf enteredShylock’s body), for thy desiresAre wolfish, bloody, starved, and ravenous. (As Shylock’sthoughts are cruel, bloodthirsty and violent)

Shylock tells Gratiano and Antonio’s friends in general to shutup, for all their words will not make Shylock’s course illegal

He tells Gratiano that he (Gratiano) is hurting his lungs in railingShylock in this manner

The Duke mentions a letter from Bellario and wonders wherethe learned doctor from Padua is

Nerissa answers that Portia (the learned doctor) is waiting to beadmitted in the Duke’s service

The Duke instructs his men to escort Portia to the Court roomand asks his clerk to read him the letter from Bellario

The Clerk reads:Bellario in his letter has expected the Duke to:a. Understand that he was sick at the receipt of the letterb. His dear friend and collegue, a young doctor of laws by the

name of Balthasar, was with him at the time he received the



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHDuke’s letter

c. Bellario informed Balthasar of the disput between Antonio andShylock

d. Together they consulted many bookse. Balthsar carries Ballario’s opinion and has his own learning to

back itf. Bellario does not have enough words to describe Balthasar’s

learning and it is Balthasar who attends the Duke’s court atBellario’s ‘importunity’ (request) and in his ‘stead’ (place)

g. Bellario requests the Duke not to let Balthasar’s visible lack ofexperience stand in way of his Judgment

h. In Bellario’s opinion Balthasar has ‘so young a body’ with ‘soold a head’

i. Bellario leaves Balthsar to the service of the Duke and theDuke’s ‘trial’ (here test offered to young Balthasar) should bethe benchmark for Balthasar’s fame

The Duke refers to the opinion that the learned Bellario has ofthis young doctor of laws

Portia next enters the scene ‘dressed like a doctor of laws’ The Duke asks if Portia has been sent on by Bellario and she

answers in the positive Portia is welcomed in the Duke’s court The Duke asks her if she knows the dispute between the Jew

and Antonio Portia has full knowledge of the matter and asks Antonio and

Shylock to stand before her She remarks that:a. Shylock’s ‘suit’ (request) is ‘strange’ (anomalous/abnormal)b. However, it is not illegal and he cannot be stopped on purely

legal groundsc. She asks Antonio his awareness of his predicament. That he

stands to be threatened for life.

ICSE MADE EASY



d. She asks him if he signed the Bonde. Antonio confirms having signed the Bond

NOTE: Portia’s introduction is very subtle and leaves theaudience asking the big questions. We know that she hasconsidered the matter closely with Bellario. The Duke’s clerkread out that in the letter. Yet, Portia only mentions that Shylock’spetition and suit cannot be summarily dismissed under theVenetian law. Portia’s initial support to the legal validity ofShylock’s plea helps to bring out the monster in Shylock. Andthat helps Portia expose his true colours to the Court and theaudience at large.Shakespeare has brought out, among other things, the elementof MALICE AFORETHOUGHT with which Shylock pursuesthe case against Antonio.

Portia expects Shylock to be merciful Shylock asks her why he should show Antonio mercy; there is

no provision in law that can force him to do soPortia: The quality of mercy………………………….. Mustneeds give sentence against the merchant there.

Portia argues that:1. The quality of Mercy is not forced on anyone and by anyone

(Shylock should not think of it that way)2. It (the quality of Mercy) is like the gentle rain from heaven

(figure of speech: metaphor) on earth3. The quality of Mercy is blessed twice:a. It blesses the person who receives itb. It blesses the person who gives it (or shows mercy)4. It is the ‘mightiest’ (the greatest feature) in the ‘mightiest’(most

powerful people)5. Mercy suits and defines the chosen King better than his crown6. The scepter (royal staff) of the King represents the authority of

his earthly power



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH7. The scepter of the King is also the feature, the symbol of his

power and grandeur, in which resides the awe and the fear withwhich the King’s subjects perceive him

8. Mercy, however, is higher; greater than the influence of thescepter

9. Mercy resides and is enthroned in the very hearts of Kings(Portia draws a distinction between authority and compassionof Kings. She argues that a King is known not by his authorityof power but by his greater merciful self.)

10. Mercy is a quality of God himself11. It is with Mercy that a mortal King and his mutable power appears

Godly and Divine12. The King’s judgment is Godly when his Mercy moderates his

Justice13. She tells Shylock to remember that Justice alone does not lead

the human race to salvation; that though he requests Justice, heshould know that Justice devoid of mercy dooms the humanrace (a ref to the original sin in the bible that doomed the humanrace). Mercy shown by God leads us to salvation and, therefore,we should know the importance and the need of Mercy.

14. Man prays to God for Mercy and our prayers tell us to be mercifulto others

15. Portia observes that she speaks in such detail to remove theelement of cruel and cold-hearted justice from Shylock’s plea

16. If Shylock follows the course of Justice without mercy, theVenetian Court will, by the rule of law, have to deliver a sentenceof punishment on AntonioShylock: My deeds upon my head………………. Forfeit ofmy bond

Shylock is unmoved and asks the Court to deliver his Justiceand the penalty on Antonio as forfeit

Portia wonders if Antonio has been able to arrange the money

ICSE MADE EASY



he owed Shylock Bassanio answers that he has the money and he deposits it on

Antonio’s behalf. He says that1. He is indebted to pay the money ten times over2. And use his hands, his head and his heart to settle Antonio’s

debt3. If such an offer fails to break ice with Shylock, it should appear

that Malice (hatred) has won over Truth4. He requests Portia and the Duke to alter the law once so as not

to let Shylock perform a legally sanctioned murder5. He requests them to do a great right by doing a little wrong to

rein in Shylock’s malicious willPortia: It must not be……………………….it cannot be

Portia tells the Court that the law cannot be altered There is no authority in Venice that can change a decree ‘a rule

established by law’ As such a change will be recorded in the annals of legal history

in Venice as a precedent and errors will be made by its use infuture

Shylock praises Portia by calling her a Daniel (NOTE: it is abiblical allusion to Daniel, a character in the Bible, the oldtestament, who was known for his wisdom and judgment) andsays that he wishes to honor her.

Portia looks over the bond and tells Shylock that for his moneylent, he is being offered thrice the amount

Shylock cries foul and cites his oath he has made to God. Hedeclares he will not lay perjury upon his soul for the state ofVenice

Portia declares that the bond is forfeit and that Shylock, by thebond, is entitled to claim a pound of flesh from Antonio to beextracted from nearest his heart

She asks Shylock to be merciful and accept thrice his money



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHand let her tear the bondSHYLOCK: When it is paid according to the tenor (when thebond is paid in accordance with the words in it i.e. a poundof Antonio’s flesh.)It doth appear you are a worthy judge (Shylock calls Portia adeserving judge of the case, someone who has shownknowledge and understanding of Shylock’s cause);You know the law, your exposition (Portia is complimented byShylock. She knows the law and her understanding has beenperfect)Hath been most sound (perfect): I charge you by the law(Shylock asks Portia to adhere to law in judging his case),Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, (He also calls Portiaa well deserving pillar of law; someone who knows andintends to implement the law)Proceed to judgment (It is in the name of law that a judgmentshould be delivered): by my soul I swearThere is no power in the tongue of man (he swears that thereis not a single soul in the state of Venice whose words coulddissuade Shylock from carrying out his intention of executingthe bond on Antonio in letter and spirit)To alter me: I stay here on my bond (He intends to seek theimplementation of his bond)

Antonio requests the Court to give the judgment without delay Portia is prompt in telling Antonio that the judgment is not in his

favour: he must prepare his bosom for Shylock’s knife Shylock calls Portia noble and excellent Portia explains that the intent (direction) and the purpose (scope)

has a complete relation with the penalty that Antonio must payand which is also mentioned on the bond

Shylock praises Portia yet again and compliments her on thematurity of her judgment

Portia asks Antonio to ‘lay bare his bosom’ and Shylock asserts

ICSE MADE EASY



that Antonio must expose him his breast as it is from there thathe must lose flesh

Portia confirms the words of the bond; that Antonio must loseflesh from ‘nearest his heart. She asks for the scales to weighthe flesh

Shylock confirms that he has the scales but refuses to providefor the surgeons as it is not nominated by the Bond

Portia does mention that the lack of surgeons might bleed Antonioto death and Shylock ruthlessly conveys that he is under noobligation to save Antonio’s life

On Portia’s importuning his moral conscience, Shylock repliesin the negative and tells the Court that he does not intend toprovide for any medical assistance to AntonioNOTE: Portia’s plan is a ploy to draw Shylock into admission ofhis own nefarious intentions. The man intends to kill Antonioand he does all that he can in his hatred to stick to the Bond inletter and spirit. Portia later turns the Bond on its head and itbecomes untenable for Shylock to follow it in letter and spirit.Again Portia reveals Shylock’s MALICE AFORETHOUGHT.Shylock bites the bait and goes out of his way to show that he isabout to commit a legally sanctioned murder in the garb oflegalities of the Court.

Portia asks Antonio if he has anything to say to his friends beforethe final judgment is passed and he makes a long speech:

ANTONIOBut little (he does not have much to speak): I am arm’d(protected by his fortitude) and well prepared (prepeared forShylock’s knife).Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well! (he bids himgoodbye)Grieve not (do not be sad) that I am fallen to this for you; (thathe has met with this fate on his account)For herein Fortune shows herself more kindThan is her custom: (Antonio’s optimism, a point in contrast



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHwith his pessimism in the first act, tells him to read his fatepositively.)it is still her use (It is the usual fate of people)To let the wretched man (the unfortunate man) outlive hiswealth (see the days of his poverty after his wealth),To view with hollow eye (tired eyes) and wrinkled brow (loseforehead skin)An age of poverty; (Antonio argues that man generally livesto see his bad days while he does not have to live on. He issaved the pain of living through his miseries. He will bedead soon and spared the horror of his poverty.) from whichlingering penance (from that lasting punishment)Of such misery doth she cut me off. (of the misery and thepain of misfortune, fortune saves him)Commend me to your honourable wife: (he asks Bassanio totell Portia his story)Tell her the process of Antonio’s end; (Bassanio should tellher how Antonio died)Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; (Bassanio shouldtell the world about their friendship and their close bond)And, when the tale is told, bid her be judgeWhether Bassanio had not once a love. (and leave it to hiswife to be the judge of their friendship)Repent not you that you shall lose your friend,And he repents not that he pays your debt; (neither of themshould repent on what has happened and what will follow)For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,I’ll pay it presently with all my heart. (As no matter how deepan incision the Jew makes on Antonio’s body, Antonio willpay the debt most willingly.)

Bassanio responds to this emotional speech by referring to hisdear wife

ICSE MADE EASY



He says that Portia is as dear to him as life itself but not evenlife and his wife and all the world together holds a position thatmay be compared with Antonio’s

He says that he is prepared to lose all to Shylock to save Antonio Portia, who is listening to this conversation unbeknownst to

Bassanio, expresses her disapproval of her husband’s offer Gratiano is the next to commit all his resources, including his

wife to Antonio’s defence. He goes a step further and wishesthat Nerissa were in heaven to request the Gods to changeShylock’s mind

Shylock mocks the Christian husbands for the frivolity with whichthey pledge their wives to the welfare of their friend. He wisheshis daughter were married to a descendent of Barrabus (acriminal in the Bible, another Biblical allusion) and not to aChristian.

Shylock asks the Court to hurry up and award him his sentence Portia announces that Antonio’s pound of flesh is Shylock’s for

the taking. It is sanctioned by law and awarded by the Court. Shylock rushes to thank Portia. Portia further states that Shylock may cut off the same pound

of flesh from close to Antonio’s chest; this is also sanctioned bylaw and awarded by the Court

Shylock rushes towards Antonio and thanks Portia again for adecisive sentence against the erring merchant.

Before he can lay his knife on Antonio’s body, Portia stopsShylock

She tells him that the Bond does not mention blood. Shylock isentitled to the flesh and not the blood.NOTE: An understanding of the Biblical canon is required here.The Bible considers Blood to be a sacred component of life.And in Venice, shedding Christian blood was a crime of thehighest order. The flesh (that represents sin in the Bible) couldbe risked as it was rank and base. Yet the distinction between



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHblood and flesh is nowhere more apparent than in the Christiantheology; Shylock’s bond would not have had legal sanction hadit explicitly referred to shedding Christian blood. It is the implicitreference, the natural outcome that Portia takes out from whatappears to be an unassailable Bond. The bond is malafide inlight of what it would do if it were executed. It would shedChristian blood: an illegal and immoral act to commit in apredominantly Christian country.

Portia asks Shylock to take away a pound of flesh withoutshedding a drop of Christian blood

She tells Shylock that1. He can cut off a pound of flesh2. But if he sheds a drop of Christian blood in the cutting of a

pound, his lands and goods will be confiscate by the State ofVenice

Gratiano is ecstatic and Shylock is shocked. He wonders if thatis the law and Portia points out that he can see the relevant act

Shylock can immediately sense that he has been exposed andhis game is up. He asks for a compromise. The Bond could bepaid thrice and Antonio could go home.

Portia however has other plans. She intends to hunt Shylockwith his own weapon: cold legality. Shylock has refusedsettlement in open court and he will get only what his legalentitlement is: a pound of flesh without a drop of blood. Sheintends to give him nothing but the penalty

Portia tells Shylock:1. To be ready to cut off the flesh2. Not shed any blood3. Cut no less, no more than a mere pound; if he cuts more or less

than a pound by the twentieth part of a scruple (the smallest unitof measurement) or even the weight of a hair, Shylock will loseall his wealth and property to the State of Venice and risk deathhimself.

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Antonio’s friends know that he has won the case. Gratiano beginsto celebrate already by daring Shylock to act

Shylock asks for the principal amount he lent Antonio, the three-thousand pounds. If he is given that he can go home

Portia refuses to let him have the offer. Shylock’s earlier refusalsto settle the matter financially entitle him only to Justice andnothing else

Shylock is so defeated that he conveys his intent to forego eventhe principal. He knows that he stands thoroughly exposed.

Portia however will not let him go scot free. She brings thecharge of murder to his door:

PORTIATarry, Jew (she asks Shylock to wait):The law hath yet another hold on you (Shylock has furtheraccountability to the Venetian law).It is enacted in the laws of Venice (it is so written and mentionedin Venetian law, so enacted),If it be proved (successfully established) against an alien(against a foreign citizen; Shylock was a foreign citizen)That by direct or indirect attemptsHe seek the life of any citizen (that directly or otherwise, heplotted against the life of a citizen),The party [the person (here, Antonio)] ‘gainst the which hedoth contrive (the person against whom the foreign citizenmakes such an attempt)Shall seize one half his goods [that person (here Antonio )] willown half the property and goods of the foreign citizen (hereShylock) of the ;the other half (the other half of the property)Comes to the privy coffer of the state (will be owned by thestate’s treasury);And the offender’s life lies in the mercy [the life of the offender



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH(here Shylock) will lie at the mercy of the Duke and thegovernment of Venice]Of the duke only, ‘gainst all other voice. [and in this matter thejudgment of the Duke will be final and undisputed]In which predicament [in this problem and conflict], I say,thou stand’st [Portia is telling Shylock that he will have todefend himself now that he can be said to have tried murder];For it appears, by manifest proceeding, (as it is very clear bythe case that Shylock tried to harm Antonio’s life)That indirectly and directly too (both directly and indirectly)Thou hast contrived against the very life [that he contrived,planned, against the very life of Antonio)Of the defendant (Antonio is the defendant here); and thouhast incurr’d (and Shylock has become liable for beingprosecuted by the state of Venice for a crime that he couldnot have committed)The danger formerly by me rehearsed (the danger here refersto the danger that Shylock faces now from Venetian law) .Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke (Shylock shouldgo down on his knees and beg the Duke for forgiveness).

Gratiano tells Shylock to beg mercy of the Duke and others sothat he may get the leave to hang himself. He tells Shylock that:

1. Shylock does not have the leave to hang himself either2. He does not have the value of a cord (rope) left with him3. And the State must hang him The Duke tells Shylock that there is vital difference between

him and the Christians and makes two points:1. He forgives Shylock his life even before he has asked for it2. Half Shylock’s wealth is Antonio’s3. And the other half should come to the state of Venice. This

could be further converted into a fine if Shylock is humble.

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Shylock’s defeat is now visible and he asks the Duke to:1. Punish him severely.2. He uses a metaphor comparing his life with a house. He argues

that a house without foundations is hollow; very similarly, a lifewithout money and means is hollow and Shylock wants to havenone of it

3. That if they have decided to take the means that have sustainedhis life, they have decided to take his life

Portia asks Antonio if he could show Shylock mercy. Gratianoobserves that all that Shylock deserves is a halter gratis (a ropefree of cost)

Antonio’s merciful character however comes out and he declaresthat if it pleases the Duke and the lords and the Court, he would:

1. Request the Duke and the Court to cancel the fine against halfof Shylock’s wealth.

2. Keep the other half of Shylock’s wealth (that now goes toAntonio) to give it away to Lorenzo, who eloped with his daughterJessica. Two further points he stipulates:

A) That Shylock should embrace ChristianityB) That he should draw up a deed of gift in the Court of all his

possessions and transfer them to his son in law and his daughter The Duke tells the Court that he will withdraw the pardon that

he has given Shylock if Shylock fails to satisfy the Court onthese points

Portia asks Shylock if he has anything to say Shylock answers that he is satisfied and has no say in the matter

anymore Portia asks Nerissa to draw the deed of gift. Shylock asks them

to send it on and let him go home The Duke gives Shylock the leave to go Gratiano mentions that Shylock’s christening (the ritual of

acquiring a new Christian name) will bring him to the font (the



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHlarge stone bowl kept in the Church with holy water) with twoGodfathers but had he been the Judge, he would have sentShylock to the gallows (to the hanging place) with ten Godfathers.Gratiano means to say that he would have called ten moreGodfathers as Jury to punish Shylock had he been the judge.

Shylock exits the scene The Duke asks Portia to go home with him to dinner Portia humbly turns the Duke’s request down. She tells him

that she must go back to Padua by the next boat. The Duke feels sorry that Portia is not able to dine with him He asks Antonio to reward Portia as she has saved him his life The Duke, the Magnificoes and the followers exit the scene Bassanio thanks Portia for her service to them as a lawyer.

Portia has freed them of grievous penalties and for her serviceshe offers her the three thousand dollars that he got for Shylock.

Antonio also requests her to accept the money and expresseshis indebtedness to her

Portia does not intend to take the fee. She says:1. A man satisfied with his work is paid by it2. In being able to deliver Antonio (save him) Portia is satisfied

and therefore well paid.3. She tells them that she has never been interested in money and

monetory gains4. She asks them to recognize her when they meet again5. She intends to take her leave of them Bassanio importunes Portia to accept something to remind her

of them. He asks Portia to accept something as a tribute, if notas fee

He asks for two things to be granted: Portia should forgive himfor being stubborn; she should not say no to him

Portia asks for Antonio’s gloves and Bassanio’s ring On being asked his wedding ring Bassanio recoils. This is the

ICSE MADE EASY



ring that his wife gave him and he does not wish to part with it He says that the ring is a worthless article and it will be shameful

of him to give Portia that Portia positions herself brilliantly and says that she will not have

any other ring but the one that she asked for Bassanio pleads his helplessness and says that:1. More depends on the ring than the value2. He will look for the most valuable ring in Venice and give Portia

that3. He will make public announcements to that effect if Portia spares

her this ring that he got from his wife Portia mocks the offer Bassanio made and calls him ‘liberal

only in making offers. She accuses him of making an offer firstand then not keeping his promise

Bassanio tells her that the ring is a gift from his wife and that heswore it when he put it on that he would never remove it.

Portia terms Bassanio’s explanation a mere excuse and wondersif his wife would truly object to the ring being given away if sheknew the contribution Portia has made in Antonio’s life

She says that Bassanio’s wife would not ‘hold enemy’ forever ifshe knew how well Portia deserved the ring

She exits the place with Nerissa dissatisfied Antonio requests Bassanio to let the lawyer have the ring. He

requests Bassanio to consider his friendship with Antonio andthe lawyer’s deserving nature to make his point

Bassanio finally gives in and asks Gratiano to run after the clerkand give him the ring and bring him to Antonio’s house

Gratiano exits the scene Bassanio and Antonio go to Antonio’s house even as Bassanio

tells Antonio that they will fly away to Belmont in the morning(fig of speech metaphor; their going to Belmont is beingcompared with the flight of the bird)



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHACT IV SC II

Portia and Nerissa enquire the Jew’s house so that the deedcould be given Shylock to sign

They intend to leave Venice that evening itself in order to reachBelmont before Bassanio

The deed, Portia says, will be welcome to LorenzoGratiano enters the scene He overtakes Portia and Nerissa and hands them the ring that

Bassanio has sent on He also makes them a dinner invitation Portia expresses her inability in attending the dinner She accepts the ring most thankfully She asks Gratiano to show Nerissa Shylock’s house

Nerissa tells Gratiano that she will try to get the ring out fromher husband and Portia wishes her good luck.Once the rings have been obtained, the women will havedefensive husbands. There will be a lot of swearing on the partof the husbands, who will swear and pledge their innocence inthe matter.Portia tells Nerissa to hurry and join her at the tranect (wherethe ferry for Belmont will be caught on their way back).

Act VSalient points1. Brings back the elements of comedy to the play. Significantly

different from the previous act as it lends the drama a happyending

2. Brings together all the major characters3. Restores Antonio his fortune4. Presents mock conflict (the ring episode) and its resolution in

the play5. Also presents to us Merchant of Venice as one of the problem

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plays of Shakespeare with elements of Comedy and Tragedyinterwoven in it

Lorenzo and Jessica compare their night with the classical nights:LORENZO

The moon shines bright: in such a night as this (on one suchnight of full moon),When the sweet (fragrant) wind did gently kiss the trees (Windpersonified: wind ‘kisses’ the trees: slowly and graduallymoves the trees)And they did make no noise (and the kissing, the movementproduced no noise) ,

Reference 1: Troilus and CressidaIn such a night (Lorenzo repeats the phrase ‘in such a night)Troilus methinks mounted (climbed) the Trojan walls (thewalls of Troy)And sigh’d his soul (cried in pain) toward the Grecian tents(Grecian camp),Where Cressid (Cressida) lay that night (where Cressida wasthat night)There is a series of references drawn on here. The referencesare as follows:

• The full moon light is being compared with the night on whichTroilus went over to the Grecian camps after the war of Troyhad been concluded.

• Troilus was Priam’s son, in love with Cressida, to whom he sworeeternal fidelity. After Cressida was taken into the enemy camp,Troilus would stand on the walls of Troy looking at the Greekcamp

Reference 2: Thisbe and PyramusJESSICA

In such a nightDid Thisbe fearfully (anxiously) o’ertrip (walk lightly over)



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHthe dew (the wet grass)And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself (and saw the shadowof the lion before the lion)And ran dismay’d away (ran away surprised)

The reference has three points:• Pyramus and Thisbe were lovers in Babylonia and their story is

retold by Ovid in Metamorphoses• They had decided to meet under a tree, where Thisbe arrived,

saw the shadow of a lion and ran away, dropping her scarf• Pyramus, who arrived later saw the blood smeared scarf (that

had the blood of an ox), thought that Thisbe had been killed andstabbed himself. Thisbe, who returned to the spot later stabbedherself too, seeing dead Pyramus.

Reference 3: Dido and AeneasLORENZO

In such a night (on a night such as this one)Stood Dido with a willow (a tree; symbolises Loss) in her hand(holding a willow)Upon the wild sea banks (on the banks of the stormy sea) andwaft her love (waved to her love, Aeneas)To come again to Carthage (to return to Carthage)

Note:• The Queen of Carthage, Dido, fell in love with Aenas, the Trojan

Hero. She would wait on the banks of the stormy sea afterAenas had gone to found the city of Rome, anticipating his return.

• The story is told by many poets in literatureReference 4: Media and AesonJESSICA

In such a nightMedea (an enchantress) gather’d the enchanted herbs(magical herbs)

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That did renew old Aeson (Jason’s father Aeson; see note).The reference has the following points:

Aeson was the father of the Greek hero Jason, mentioned alsoin the context of the Golden fleece in Act I

Medea was an enchantress who loved Jason and helped himget the Golden Fleece

Medea was said to have restored Jason’s father Aeson to life.Ovid wrote about it in Metamorphoses

The Elizabethans believed that herbs, esp. certain herbs, gainedspecial qualities when gathered on a moonlit night

LORENZOIn such a night (on a night such as this one; Lorenzo meansto be jovial in comparing their situation with that of the greathistorical figures they have mentioned before)Did Jessica steal (pun: rob her father and run away herself)from the wealthy Jew (Shylock)And with an unthrift love (pun again; the expression implies‘careless devotion’ and ‘penniless lover’) did run from Venice(escape from Venice)As far as Belmont (for Belmont).

JESSICAIn such a nightDid young Lorenzo swear he loved her well (Jessica outwitsLorenzo; another example of women characters inShakespeare’s comedies being smarter than the malecharacters. She tells Lorenzo that he made her promises inlove that he never kept),Stealing her soul with many vows of faith (He captured herheart with declarations of love)And ne’er a true one (and did not keep his promises).

LORENZOIn such a night



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHDid pretty Jessica, like a little shrew (complaining woman),Slander her love (insult her ‘love’ here her love for Lorenzo),and he forgave it her (he forgave her for it).

JESSICAI would out-night you (Jessica is confident she would outwitLorenzo further if they were undisturbed), did no body come(if no one would disturb them);But, hark, I hear the footing of a man (But they hear thesteps of a man).

Notes on the above interaction:1. The above interaction shows us the romantic relationship between

Jessica and Lorenzo2. It reestablishes the elements of Love and Romance in the play3. The allusions point to the one common feature in the relationships

of all the archetypical lovers: the difficulties they faced in theirunion

4. Jessica and Lorenzo’s case is no different from that of thehistorical lovers

Stephano enters the scene and announces:1. Portia will be back before dawn2. Nerissa and she wander about the ‘holy crosses’ small roadside

shrines3. Portia and Nerissa have been in prayer for happy wedlock

hours (a happy married life) Lorenzo asks who is with Portia and Stephano mentions Nerissa

as ‘a holy hermit and her maid’ Stephano asks Lorenzo if he has had any news from Bassanio.

Lorenzo tells him that they have had none. Lorenzo asks Jessica to move in the Belmont house and take

personal charge of the preparations to welcome Portia Launcelot enters and announces the arrival of a post (a

messenger) with his horn (post-horn: it was a custom for the

ICSE MADE EASY



messengers to blow horns before they announced the news)full of good news. They have finally heard from Bassanio. Hewill be in Belmont before the morning.

Lorenzo calls Jessica his ‘sweet soul’ and tells her to move inthe house and await the arrival of the master and the mistress ofthe house

He doubts his own decision: there is no need for them to movein at all as they are almost into the early morning.

He asks Stephano to go into the house and tell the servants andthe attendants of the arrival of the owners of the house

He tells Stephano to play music in open air to mark the happyreunion about to take place in the morning hours

Lorenzo makes the following observations about the night andmusic:

1. The moonlight sleeps sweetly upon the bank (personifies themoonlight)

2. They will sit out in the open and music will gradually ‘creep’ intheir ears (a weak personification and a metaphor; musicis said to creep and thereby is compared with an creepinginsect. It can also be implied that it is the creeping sainttrying to spread good feeling and harmony)

3. The soothing calm and peace of the night suit the notes ofmelodious ‘harmony’(music)

4. He asks Jessica to gaze at the sky and the floor of heaven (astrong metaphor continues in the next lines; heaven (thevisible sky) is compared with the floor)

5. The floor of heaven (surface of heaven) is richly decoratedwith ‘patines of bright gold’ (pieces of shiney metal; the stars).Explanation: as the surface of a room would have the beautifulpattern of metal and stone on it, so has the sky got the starsdecorating it.

6. Even the smallest orb (planet) that the human eye can seesings like an angel in its path and motion (simile andpersonification here; the planets sing ‘like’ angels and they



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISH‘sing’, which is a human character)

7. They sing together as if in a quire/concert with the ‘young eyedcherubins’ (A cherubin was the second in the order of angels,portrayed as a winged child)Explanation: Lorenzo gets highly philosophical in his observations.He refers to the ideas of Pythagoras in observing that the planetsand the stars have an inherent music. The Elizabethans toobelieved that the motion of the stars and the planets producedsounds and the combination of these sounds created harmony.

8. The harmony of the planets and the stars is also present in theimmortal human soul

9. It cannot, however, be heard as long as the ‘muddy vesture ofdecay’ (the perishable human body) ‘grossly’ (rudely/roughly) ‘close it in’ (holds the ‘immortal soul’ captive)Note: What Lorenzo is saying is as follows: the music andharmony of the stars and the planets is found also in the immortalsoul. Yet, man is unable to hear it as the soul is the prisoner ofthe perishable body.

The musicians enter and Lorenzo asks them to arouse Diana(the moon Goddess) from her slumber by their music

He asks them to play welcoming notes for Portia Jessica observes that she is never ‘merry’ (in the jovial mood)

when she hears serious musicLORENZO

The reason is (Lorenzo tries to explain Jessica’s behaviour),your spirits are attentive (Jessica is never jovial when shehears sweet music as she is a receptive/sensitive listener):For do but note a wild and wanton herd (He asks her to observethe behaviour of an indisciplined, uncontrollable herd ofcattle),Or race of youthful and unhandled colts (or the breed ofimmature and untrained young male horses),

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Fetching mad bounds (jumping around madly), bellowing(producing loud sounds) and neighing loud (high sounds),Which is the hot condition of their blood (which is the truenature of their wild blood);If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound (if they hear perhapsthe sound of a trumpet),Or any air of music (song) touch their ears (if the animalmentioned, the youthful and unhandled colts, hears themelodies and the sound of music),You shall perceive them make a mutual stand (it is seen thatthey all stand together still),Their savage eyes (wild eyes) turn’d (are transformed) to amodest gazeBy the sweet power of music (harmonious influence ofmusic): therefore the poet (here, Ovid, the great Roman poet)Did feign (depicted) that Orpheus (the famous musician inGreek myth, son of Caliope, was presented with the lyre ofApollo and sang and played so beautifully that animals,plants and even the lifeless objects moved from their places)drew trees, stones and floods (moved trees, stones andinfluenced natural phenomenon);Since nought so stockish, hard and full of rage (as there isnothing so stubborn, insensitive and aggressive),But music for the time doth change his nature (that it cannot beinfluenced by the sweet melodies of music).The man that hath no music in himself (a man with no music inhim),Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds (and someonewho is not moved by the harmony of sweet sounds),Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils (is suited only for crime,trickery and robbery);The motions of his spirit are dull as night (such a man has no



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHspiritual life and is mentally dull)And his affections dark as Erebus (and his feelings are as evilas the home of the dead. Erebus in Greek myth is the homeof the dead):Let no such man be trusted (such a man is not worthy ofanyone’s trust). Mark the music (he asks Jessica to listen tothe music).Note: Lorenzo’s argument is that music has great humanizingqualities and the sensitive react very gravely and somberly to it.Music has the potential to discipline and order even those formsof life that are naturally wild and insensitive.

Enter PORTIA and NERISSA Portia observes the light burning in her hall She remarks on the light of the candle. The little candle, she

says, throws out its beams of light She compares the beams of candle light with charitable, good

deeds in a corrupt world Nerissa responds that the moon light had quite eclipsed the

candle’s beams Portia compares the moon light with the greater glory. She adds

that a King’s substitute can never be the King. That a king’ssubstitute impresses us as long as the King is not around.

The presence of the king dims and lessons the radiance of thesubstitute.

She uses a simile to tell Nerissa that the substitute disappearsbefore the king as ‘the inland brook’ (the river) vanishes into‘the main of waters’ (the sea).

They suddenly hear the music in the air. Nerissa points out that the music is of Portia’s band of musicians

(it used to be a custom for the rich to employ their ownmusicians)

Portia opines that things are lent a charm and novelty by their

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contexts. That nothing is perfect without favorable surroundings. The music, Portia says, sounds more melodious at night than it

does by day Nerissa says that it is the silence of the night that lends music its

greater melody.PORTIA

The crow doth sing as sweetly (the crow sings as sweetly) asthe lark (the lark is a bird of Alaudidae family, foundworldwide and universally acknowledged for its melodioussong),When neither is attended (when they are not heard; Portiahints at the silence of the night that makes the song of thelark as melodious as that of the crow), and I thinkThe nightingale, if she should sing by day (if the nightingalewere to sing during the day),When every goose is cackling (when geese made loud andunpleasant sounds) would be thoughtNo better a musician than the wren (the nightingale would notbe any more melodious than the wren).How many things by season (here, environment/surroundings/right time) season’d (textured/defined/given a shape) are(By the above example Portia hints at the contextualpropriety of all that is pleasing to human nature. Melodylost in chaos is noise. And silence makes the unpleasantsounds tolerable.)To their right praise and true perfection! (things earn their rightpraise and true perfection by the time and place in whichthey are born and prosper)Peace, ho! the moon sleeps with Endymion (Classical allusion:in Greek myth: a beautiful youth, loved by the moon, whovisited him every night to bathe him in her silver light)And would not be awaked (and should not be aroused).

Lorenzo recognizes Portia’s voice and announces her arrival



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHfor the audience

Portia remarks that Lorenzo recognizes her much in the mannerof a blind man knowing the cuckoo (by its bad voice). Thefigure of speech is a simile: ‘as the blind man knows thecuckoo’.

Lorenzo welcomes Portia home Portia tells them that Nerissa and she have been in communion

with God for better healths of their husbands and asks whetherBassanio and Gratiano have returned.

Lorenzo tells them that they have not yet returned. He informsthem of the messenger whom they sent to announce their arrivalin advance

Portia tells Nerissa to instruct the servants at home not to let outthe fact of their absence from Belmont to her husband. Sherequests Lorenzo and Jessica for the same and they readily oblige.

Lorenzo can hear the trumpet of Bassanio’s followers. Hepromises Portia that they are no ‘tale tellers’

Portia replies that:1. The night is not true to its character as it is the time of happy

family reunion.2. It is more like the ‘daylight sick’ (a day without much light),

it looks a little dimmer3. The night is very like the day that is when the sun is concealed

in the clouds Bassanio enters with Antonio, Gratiano and his followers Bassanio remarks that Venitians will share their day time with

‘the Antipodes’ (Australians) if Portia (who is as great a sourceof light as the sun) walks at night

Portia puns on the word ‘light’, saying that she would love togive light (be a source of light) but not be light (light andshallow of character)

She remarks that a ‘light’ wife (a woman of shallow character)

ICSE MADE EASY



makes a heavy (sad) husband Bassanio should never have a reason in Portia to be heavy She thanks God for their safe and sound return Bassanio introduces her to Antonio and asks her to welcome

him. He describes Antonio as someone to whom he was veryindebted

Portia puns on the word bound. She says that Antonio was‘bound’ (in chains) for his friend, and, therefore, Bassanio shouldbe much ‘bound’ (grateful) to Antonio.

Antonio expresses his satisfaction over having got acquitted anddoes not want the past to be talked about. There is optimism inhis heart.

Portia welcomes Antonio home. She says she is eager to hosthim not merely in words but in deed. She will ‘scant’ (cut short)‘this breathing courtesy’ (this verbal welcome)

By this time Nerissa has already cornered Gratiano and hedefends himself loudly:

Gratiano is prepared to swear that he has done no wrong andthat Nerissa’s accusations are unjustly made

Gratiano declares that the ring was indeed given to the clerk ofthe lawyer who represented Antonio

He also declares that he has no interest in the matter and thatthe clerk’s welfare is of no concern to him

Had he known that Nerissa would take the matter so offensivelyhe would not given the ring away to the clerk

Portia interjects and asks what the quarrel is about Gratiano informs them of Nerissa’s grievance. He dismisses

her plaints as useless and being about ‘a hoop’ (a ring) of gold He calls it a ‘paltry’ (useless) ring, one that had ‘cutler’s poetry’

(the common inscriptions that the knife-makers decoratedtheir knives with) on it

He even quotes the inscription on the ring (comparing it with



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHthose on the knives) as ‘Love me and leave me not’

Nerissa answers him thus:NERISSA

What talk you of the posy or the value (Gratiano should not bethe one talking of the poetry and its value)?You swore to me (Gratiano gave Nerissa his word that hewill keep the ring with him and defend it), when I did give ityou (at the time the ring was given him),That you would wear it till your hour of death (he promised herthat he will wear the ring till his death)And that it should lie with you in your grave (and that even hisdeath will not separate him and the ring):Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths (Nerissa showsher displeasure by according greater importance toGratiano’s oaths. He should have kept the ring with him tokeep his word, if nothing more),You should have been respective and have kept it (Gratianoshould have kept his oath).Gave it a judge’s clerk! no, God’s my judge (Just to take thequarrel forward, she doubts Gratiano’s explanation that hegave the ring away to the judge’s clerk),The clerk will ne’er wear hair on’s face that had it (the clerkwho got Gratiano’s ring will never have facial hair on him).NOTE: Nerissa’s grouse and Portia’s arraignment of Bassaniois the mock revenge the two extract from their husbands. Thetwo women have clearly outwitted their husbands in everydepartment. The ring episode is their masterstroke.

GRATIANO protests that the judge’s clerk will grow beard onhis face if he grows to be a man. Nerissa however is far fromconvinced. She mocks him wondering how a woman will growto be a man.

Gratiano swears again affirming that he gave the ring to a youngman

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Gratiano describes the man he gave the ring to. The man, hesays, was only a boy, short in stature, talkative, and he beggedthe ring of him. Gratiano could not say not to him.

Portia finally gives her opinion and criticizes Gratiano. In heropinion Gratiano is guilty. He should not have given away thefirst gift of his wife so carefreely:

1. The ring was held on with promises and pledges of love2. It was also fastened with faith to Gratiano’s very flesh3. She points out Bassanio’s ring that she had committed to him at

the time of their marriage.4. Bassanio swore that he would never part with it and Portia is

confident that he will neither leave the ring nor remove it off hisfingers for all the wealth the world has to offer

5. She snubs Gratiano, alleging that he has given Nerissa a veryunreasonable cause of grief.

6. To take the point further, she places herself in Nerissa’s shoesand declares that she would have been equally furious had shebeen in her place

Bassanio in an aside wishes that he had never given the ringaway. If only he could cut off his finger and say that he lost it indefending the ring

Gratiano tells them that Bassanio gave his ring away too. Thatthe Judge who asked for it deserved it:

1. That it was only after Bassanio’s act that he gave his ring to theclerk

2. That the boy, his clerk, who made the effort to prepare the deedof gift (for Lorenzo), asked Gratiano his ring

3. That neither the judge (the lawyer) nor his assistant wouldaccept anything but the rings

Portia asks Bassanio what ring Gratiano has alluded to: is it thering she gave Bassanio and the one he swore to keep for life

Bassanio confesses that he cannot add a lie to an error he hasalready committed. He points to his finger that does not have



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHthe ring upon it

Portia accuses Bassanio of having a false and empty heart She declares that she will not be Bassano’s wife till she sees the

ring Nerissa also vows not to consider Gratiano her husband till she

sees the ring she gifted him In his defence Bassanio says that Portia would not have objected

to the rings being given to the Judge and his clerk if:1. She knew the person who was given the ring (implying Balthasar,

the lawyer)2. She knew the person for whom the ring was given (implying

Antonio, his dearest friend)3. She knew why the ring was given (implying the impossibility of

saving Antonio and the ease with which Portia brought it about)4. She knew how all his offers fell on deaf ears and nothing but the

ring would be accepted If she knew all of the points, she ‘would abate the strength of

her displeasure’ (decrease her anger and plaints againstBassanio)

Portia, in mock humor between Nerissa and herself, furtherexpresses her deep displeasure with her husband on the followinggrounds:

1. That Bassanio did not know the ‘virtue’ (true value) of the ring2. That he did not know half the value and the worth of Portia who

had given him the ring3. That he forgot his own honour with which he had sworn to keep

the ring with him She questions Bassanio’s version and wonders why any man

would be so stubborn as to insist on the ring if Bassanio defendedit with any ‘terms of zeal’ (determination)

The ring, she tells us, was held by Bassanio as ‘a ceremony’(sacred symbol of marriage)

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She is bound to agree with Nerissa that Bassanio gave the ringaway not to man but a common woman and she bets her life on itNOTE: Portia’s speech is a further reflection on the Merchantof Venice being an Elizabethan comedy. The woman holds theman defensive. Portia is calling the shots here, and Bassaniomust defend himself.

BASSANIONo, by my honour, madam, by my soul (Bassanio swears byhis honor as a gentleman and his soul),No woman had it, but a civil doctor (that he did not give it anywoman but a doctor of laws),Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me (the same doctorwho refused three thousand ducats that Bassanio offeredhim)And begg’d the ring (and asked Bassanio for the ring); thewhich I did deny him (and Bassanio refused the ring to himinitially)And suffer’d him to go displeased away (and the lawyer, beingoffended by Bassanio’s refusal, walked away initially);Even he that did uphold the very life (and Bassanio did sufferthe displeasure of the very person who saved the very life)Of my dear friend (of his closest, dearest, friend). What shouldI say, sweet lady (he tells Portia with regret)?I was enforced to send it after him (that he was compelled tosend the ring to him);I was beset with shame and courtesy (his refusal to the lawyerhad shamed him as a gentleman);My honour would not let ingratitude (he could not let his honorbe tainted by his own inability to bestow a small reward)So much besmear it (taint/stain his honour). Pardon me, goodlady;For, by these blessed candles of the night (a metaphor: he



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHswears on the stars, comparing them with the candles),Had you been there, I think you would have begg’dThe ring of me to give the worthy doctor. (Had Portia beenthere she would ask Bassanio to give the precious ring awayto the deserving doctor who saved the life of his dear friend.)

Portia angrily tells him not to let the deserving doctor ever visither.

The doctor, she says, has got the one thing she so dearly loved.And the one thing Bassanio swore to keep for her and failed tokeep his word in.

Taking her cue from her husband, she will more than generouslybestow all that she has upon the learned and talented doctor

She will not deny the doctor any favours Nerissa tells Gratiano that she will be uninhibitedly generous

with the lawyer’s clerk and that she should be left to her ownprotection.NOTE: Portia and Nerissa tell Bassanio and Gratiano in theirmock humour that the men have lost their absolute claim overtheir women now. Since they could not suffer the shame ofdenying the doctor and his clerk the one precious thing theirwives had given them, the wives will not be ashamed to denythe doctor and his clerk the most precious thing the husbandsgave them. The husbands’ absolute claim over their wives istheir most precious achievement. Portia and Nerissa threatenBassanio and Gratiano that they will treat the doctor and hisclerk as liberally and attentively as they do them.

Antonio finally interjects and says that he has been the cause ofthe unhappy quarrels between husbands and wives

Portia finally realises that she is taking the joke too far and assuresAntonio that he is welcome

Bassanio apologizes to Portia and asks her to forgive him Before his dear friends and keeping them as witness he swears

to her on her beautiful eyes, in which he sees his reflection

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Portia holds the argument there and asks the assembled party tonotice that Bassanio’s oath is flawed

In her two eyes Bassanio ‘doubly’ sees himself (his twoimages). He, therefore, swears by ‘his double self’ {Pun on‘doubly’. Bassanio sees two images ‘doubly’ and behaveslike a ‘double’ self (false person)}.

Such an oath cannot be trustworthy Bassanio asks for her forgiveness again and swears her that he

will never break any of his promises Antonio now breaks in with his own assurance and tells Portia

that he once lent his body for her Bassanio’s wealth He tells Portia that he almost lost his life for Bassanio and that

he was saved by the young judge who took the ring Antonio pledges his soul for Bassanio’s sake again. Once he

put his physical safety at stake for his friend; now he is willing toput his spiritual safety at stake for him (note the use of theword ‘soul’). The phrase ‘soul upon the forfeit’ means thatAntonio commits his soul to Portia as the penalty if Bassaniofails her in his promises.

Antonio tells Portia that Bassanio will never break his oaths infuture

Portia requests Antonio to be his friend’s guarantor and handshim the ring

She asks Antonio to tell his friend never to lose the ring again.Antonio hands the ring to Bassanio and tells him to swear neverto lose it

Bassanio looks at the ring with a sense of shock. The ring is thesame that he gave the young doctor

Portia tells Bassanio that she took the ring from the doctor At this Nerissa offers Gratiano a ring too, saying that she obtained

it of the ‘scrubbed boy’, the doctor’s assistance Portia finally addresses all her guests:



ICSE MADE EASY

ICSE – X ENGLISHPORTIA:

You are all amazed (she refers to their surprise andconsternation):Here is a letter; read it at your leisure (she shows them a letter,asking them to read it);It comes from Padua, from Bellario (the letter was written byBellario, her cousin, and came from Padua):There you shall find that Portia was the doctor (that letter provesbeyond doubt that Portia was the doctor of laws and Nerissa,the clerk),Nerissa there her clerk: Lorenzo hereShall witness I set forth as soon as you (Lorenzo’s testimony isnow called upon. He beong a friend of Antonio, Bassanioand Gratiano shall prove that Portia and Nerissa left thehouse as soon as their husbands)And even but now return’d (and have returned only a littlebefore the men); I have not yetEnter’d my house (she has just entered the house). Antonio,you are welcome;And I have better news in store for you (there is somethingbetter Portia has to share with Antonio)Than you expect: unseal this letter soon (she presents Antonioa seperate letter that she asks him to open);There you shall find three of your argosies (three of his ships)Are richly come to harbour suddenly (have returned to theharbour safely and unexpectedly):You shall not know by what strange accidentI chanced on this letter (she does not intend to get in the detailof how she got the letter and from where).NOTE: The above speech is the speech of resolution.Shakespeare must conclude the comedy on the positive notemuch as he began it on a sombre note of Antonio’s grief. The

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Merchant of Venice is rich again and his fortune is restored tohim. For reasons of Dramatic Convenience the speech does notdetail how and where Portia came across Antonio’s letters)

Antonio expresses that he is dumb Bassanio and Gratiano wonder if Portia was the doctor and

Nerissa his attendant Antonio reads the letter and conveys that his ships are back

indeed. He calls Portia ‘sweet lady’ who has given him ‘lifeand living’

His ships, he tells us, have safely come to road (back to theharbor)

Portia tells Lorenzo that she has some good news for him andJessica too

Nerissa addresses Lorenzo and Jessica and says that she willgive them the bounty without charging them a fee.

Nerissa hands them the deed of gift that Shylock signed andthat entitles them to all his property and money on his death

Lorenzo thanks them and refers to ‘manna’. Portia and Nerissadrop ‘manna’ (the bread from heaven in the Bible) on starvedpeople. (Note: Lorenzo compares Portia and Nerissa withthe angels from heaven and the others with the starvingHebrews, who nourished by ‘manna’ survived for forty yearsbefore they got to the promised land)

The morning has approached and Portia knows that the menare still amazed by the sudden discoveries they have made.

She asks them all to go in and question the ladies there on oathso that their answers dim curiosities. She promises them thatNerissa and she will answer all questions faithfully.

Gratiano gets to make the concluding remarks. He tells theaudience that the only thing he will be wary of ever is losing hiswife’s ring.

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