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ACT II, SCENE 1 1. Where does the scene take place? Who enters the scene and in what manner? A. This scene takes place in a room in Portia s house in Belmont. The Prince of Morocco and his followers enter the scene in exotic oriental costumes to the flourish of cornets. 2. Explain: the shadow d livery of the burnish d sun A. Morocco asks Portia not to look upon him with dislike on account of his complexion which is dark. He says he got this colour because of the fierce sun. He was born and brought up in a country where the sun is very close to the earth. Livery is a uniform presented by a nobleman or a rich man to his servants. Shadow d livery means a dark skin, a uniform given by the fiercely shining sun. The Prince speaks of himself as the servant of the sun, a lord, who has given him a dark colour as the livery of his service. 3. Explain: Phoebus fire scarce thaws the icicles A. Phoebus, in Greek mythology is one of the manes of Apollo, the Sun God. So, Phoebus fire means the rays of the sun. Icicles are long pointed spikes of ice. The Prince means the sun s rays are so faint in the North that they are scarcely able to melt the frost, snow and the icicles. 4. What test does Morocco suggest should be done to prove his courage? Explain. A. Morocco suggests that he should be matched with any fair-skinned Northman. They should make a cut upon their bodies to prove their love for Portia, so that she can see whose blood is redder and more courageous. Red blood was considered to be a sign of courage. 5. Explain: I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath fear d the valiant A. Morocco tells Portia that his dark complexion has created fear in the bravest of men. 6. Which other example does Morocco give to show that he is proud of his dark skin? A. Morocco says that the most respected young ladies in his country have loved him for his dark complexion. 7. On what condition will Morocco change his dark colour? A. Morocco says that he would not change this dark skin for anything in the world except to win Portia s love.
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