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ICSE Class X Notes 2019 : English Paper 2 (English Literature)

13 pages, 14 questions, 1 questions with responses, 1 total responses,    0    0
Shreyas JV
The Hyderabad Public School (HPS), Begumpet, Hyderabad
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ACT II, Scene 6 1. Where does the scene take place? Name the characters that enter the scene. How are they dressed? A. This scene takes place in a street in Venice outside Shylock s house. Gratiano and Salarino dressed as masquers enter the scene. 2. Why is Gratiano surprised that Lorenzo is late? A. Gratiano is surprised that Lorenzo is late because those who are in love generally rush to the meeting place long before the appointed hour. 3. What is Salarino s comment? A. Salarino comments that the doves that draw the chariot of Venus, the Goddess of Love, fly ten times faster when they are journeying to bind new love more firmly, than they do when love is once pledged and certain or when it is a case of preventing old love pledges from being broken. (Men care more for the new love rather than the old). Salarino hints that Jessica is his and Lorenzo is not very faithful to her, therefore he is late. 4. Explain: All things that are/ Are with more spirit chased than enjoyed A. The above line means that the pursuit of any desired object is a more enjoyable task, and gives far greater pleasure, than the enjoyment of it after it has been attained and enjoyed. 5. By what different comparisons does Gratiano enforce the truth of the above maxim? A. Gratiano confirms Salarino s opinion by saying that a person is not so hungry when he has finished his food. In the same manner, a horse is very enthusiastic and zealous before it starts its race. But it does not feel the same energy and spirit when it has to go back upon the same journey. It loses its freshness and spirit and gets tired. There is more pleasure in pursuing a desire than in fulfilling it. 6. Explain: How like a younker or a prodigal .. rent and beggar d by the wanton wind . A. Gratiano gives another example of a decorated ship which leaves its port on a new voyage to prove the above maxim. A ship which is going on a fresh voyage is well-decorated with its sails, ropes, masts and flags. It looks like a smart and extravagant youth. It is embraced by the wild wind just as a passionate young man is by his beloved. But when the same ship comes back from the voyage to its home port, it is shattered and ragged. It is no longer beautiful and is weather-beaten. Its sails and masts are broken and it is without its pomp and splendor which it had at the time of starting on the voyage. It is bent, worn and shabby. It can be compared to the prodigal son who came back to his father s house after wasting all his money. 7. Who enters the scene now? What does he say to his friends? A. Lorenzo enters the scene now. He tells his friends to forgive him for having stayed away so long. He tells them it was entirely on account of business matters that he was obliged to keep them waiting. He says if ever any of them wishes to do what he is doing that night, and steal away a fair lady to be his wife, he will wait as long as they have done, to help them on that occasion. 8. Whom does Lorenzo call out to? Who enters & in what manner? A. Lorenzo calls out to Jessica. Jessica enters by opening the upper window and leans out. She is dressed in boy s clothes, i.e. dressed as a page boy. 9. What does she say? Why? A. She asks who is there. She would like to hear who it is, that she may be absolutely sure, though she can swear that she recognizes the voice. She is making sure who is calling because all three are wearing masks. 10.What does Lorenzo say? How does Jessica retort & what is Lorenzo s reply? A. Lorenzo replies that it is Lorenzo, who loves her. Jessica retorts by saying that it is certainly Lorenzo, and therefore he is most surely her love, for he is the one she loves above all. Then she says she does not know whether he loves her as much. Lorenzo replies that God in heaven and her own heart are the witness of his love for her. 11.What does she throw down to Lorenzo? Why is she glad that it is night? A. Jessica throws down a casket to Lorenzo telling him that it contains valuable things and worth taking trouble for. Jessica is glad that it is night because Lorenzo cannot see her very clearly for she feels exceedingly shy in her masculine attire. 12.Explain: But love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit . A. The classical god of love, Cupid is always represented as a blind boy, with bow and arrows. So, here it means that just like Cupid, lovers are always blind to each other s faults. 13.What does she go on to say about Cupid? A. Jessica says that if lovers did see the foolish acts they themselves commit, Cupid, the little blind god of love, himself would be shocked if he saw her dressed like a boy. 14. According to Lorenzo what role does Jessica have to play? What is her reaction to this? A. Lorenzo tells Jessica to come down into the street quickly as she has to play the role of his torch-bearer in the masque that night. Jessica is shocked and embarrassed on hearing that she has to be Lorenzo s torch bearer. She asks Lorenzo whether she must hold a light to show up her shameful acts her elopement, her male attire & her theft. She continues to say that her deeds themselves are truly apparent and do not require any further light to be thrown on them. To play the part of a torch-bearer will reveal her to the sight of all and she ought to be concealed. 15.What does Jessica plan to do before leaving? A. Jessica plans to lock up the doors and enrich herself with a little more money, before leaving her home. 16.What does Gratiano say? Explain the pun used by him. A. Gratiano vows by his hood that Jessica is too good to be a Jew. She is a real Gentile. The word Gentile is punned on. It means (i) a gentlewoman (ii) a Gentile- that is not a Jew. 17.In what high terms of praise does Lorenzo speak of Jessica? A. Lorenzo says that he loves Jessica truly. She is wise if he has judged her correctly. She is beautiful if his eyes are true. She is honest for she has proved herself to be so. As she has three qualities wisdom, beauty and honesty, she will always remain in his heart. 18.Who stops Gratiano as they are about to leave? What does he tell him? A. Antonio stops Gratiano and gives him a message. Antonio tells Gratiano that he ought to be ashamed as it is late. It is nine o clock and he is keeping the rest of the company waiting. He informs Gratiano that there will be no masque that night, for the wind has changed and it is now favourable for sailing. Bassanio must embark immediately. Antonio has sent twenty men out to look for Gratiano. 19.Compare and contrast Jessica s character with that of Portia. A. Portia is dutiful and is ready to carry out the wishes of a dead father. Jessica, on the other hand, is frivolous and ungrateful. She not only elopes with a Christian, but also robs her father of his wealth and thus hurts him. The result is that Shylock is more embittered and hardened. 20.Importance of the Scene: This scene serves a dual purpose: It hardens Shylock s desire for revenge It enlists our sympathy on his behalf. We feel that the poor man is certainly wronged both by his daughter and the hostile Christian society, and that there is some justification for his vindictiveness. ACT II, Scene 7 1. Where does the scene take place? Who enter the scene? A. This scene takes place in Portia s house in Belmont. Portia and the Prince of Morocco enter the scene with their trains. 2. What two things have been done before Morocco undergoes the test of the caskets? A. Before Morocco undergoes the test of the caskets he has already been to the church and taken the oath that he will never love or marry a lady, in case of failure. Also Portia has entertained him at dinner (at noon). 3. Why does she call him noble ? A. By the word noble she means illustrious . She is also being very courteous to Morocco and treating him with due respect and dignity. 4. What were the exact words inscribed on the three caskets? A. Gold: Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire Silver: Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves . Lead: Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath . 5. How would Morocco know if he had chosen the right casket? A. If he selects the casket which contains Portia s portrait then she will be his. 6. Explain: dull lead, with warning all as blunt . A. The colour of lead is pale and plain. So it bears caution quite as plain and unpleasant as itself. 7. What are Morocco s reasons for rejecting the lead casket? A. According to Morocco men take risks in the hope of rich gains. A noble mind does not stoop so low as to concern itself with things as worthless as this lead shows itself to be. Therefore, he will neither sacrifice nor risk anything for the worthless lead. 8. What are his reasons for rejecting silver casket? A. Morocco stops there to examine his personal worth impartially. He says if he were to judge by his own estimation then he deserves plenty. Yet that may not go so far as to win Portia. Yet again for him to have any doubts about his own worth would be a mere weakness and may work against his own chances. According to his merits, he is sure he deserves the lady. He deserves her for his high birth, for his fortunes, for his natural virtues and his accomplishments which show good breeding. Moreover, he deserves her for his love for her. He almost decides on the silver casket but takes up the gold casket again because he feels that such a rich gem as Portia can never be set in anything less than gold. He feels that it is a sinful thought to think that Portia is contained in the silver casket because it is only a tenth of the value of pure gold. 9. How does Morocco explain the rivalry for Portia s hand? A. When Morocco reads the inscription on the gold casket, he says that it is Portia that everyone wishes for. People come from the four corners of the world to pay respect to this living, saintly lady. The Persian deserts and the vast barren fields and desolate jungles of Arabia have become like crowded streets with princes coming to see beautiful Portia. The oceans which rise as high as the sky are no obstacles to the brave and adventurous men coming from foreign lands. They cross the oceans as if they were mere streams and come to see fair Portia. 10. Explain: to kiss the shrine, this mortal breathing saint A. A shrine is a place where any sacred relic of a holy person or the image of a saint is kept. So, Portia is compared to an image in a shrine as she is enshrined with so many excellent qualities. She is regarded as a saint though she is still living. 11. Explain: .. but that s insulp d upon; but here an angel in a golden bed lies all within. A. In England, they had a gold coin on which the figure of Archangel Michael standing upon and piercing the dragon was engraved on one side. The coin was in fact called an angel. Morocco means to say that the figure of the angel on the coin is engraved on the surface of the coin. It is outside, whereas, Portia is an angel who lies in a golden bed within the gold casket, entirely hidden from view. 12. How does Morocco justify the choosing of the golden casket? A. Morocco argues that base lead cannot contain such a saintly person like Portia. Silver which is ten times inferior to gold also cannot contain Portia as she is such a rich gem for which nothing less precious than gold can be proper setting. So he concludes that Portia whom many men desire, the most valuable precious stone, must be contained in the gold casket. Morocco remembers that the English have a gold coin which bears the figure of an angel engraved on the outside. Since Portia is an angel too, he decides that her portrait lies in a golden bed within the gold casket. So he asks for the key and unlocks the golden casket. 13. What does the Prince see in the gold casket? What was written on it? A. He sees a skull and in its eyeless socket a scroll of writing. On the scroll was written that all that shines is not always gold. The truth of this statement must have been heard by many of us. Many men have sold their lives to see the outer beauty of gold. We find nothing but worms inside very beautiful and gold-covered tombs. Addressing the chooser the paper said that if he had been as wise as he was courageous, young of body but with a wise mind the answer meant for him would not be have been written on this paper. It tells him that his request for marriage with Portia stands rejected. 14. What does Portia say after his departure? A. She feels relieved at his departure. She hates both his complexion and his vain disposition and hopes that every suitor who is like him may make a similar choice. 15. What does this scene reveal about the Prince of Morocco? A. Prince of Morocco is very materialistic. He only sees the outward appearance and value of the caskets. He is willing to hazard something only for a concrete gain. He confesses that he has vowed to woo Portia mainly for being a rich prize. He is only an admirer of Portia not her lover. Even after he has lost he leaves without criticizing anyone but himself. ACT II SCENE 8 1. Where does the scene take place? Name the two characters who enter as the scene opens. A. This scene takes place in a street in Venice. Salarino and Salanio enter the scene. 2. What is Salarino telling Salanio? A. Salarino tells Salanio that he had seen Bassanio when he sailed the previous night. The ship had gone, and Gratiano was in it, accompanying Bassanio. Certainly Lorenzo was not with them. 3. What news does Salanio give Salarino? A. Salanio tells Salarino that the old rascal Shylock, roused the Duke with his complaints against Lorenzo and Jessica for robbing him and eloping and made such a disturbance that the Duke was obliged to attend to his demands. He even accompanied him to search for Lorenzo and Jessica on board the vessel Bassanio sailed in. 4. Why could the Duke not search the ship? Who assured the Duke that Lorenzo was not with Bassanio on the ship? A. As the ship had set sail the Duke could not search the ship. Antonio assured the Duke that Lorenzo was not on the ship. 5. What information about Lorenzo and Jessica was given to the Duke at the seashore? A. At the seashore someone informed the Duke that Lorenzo and Jessica had been seen sitting together in a gondola. 6. How does Shylock feel and behave when he discovers that his daughter has eloped after robbing him? A. When Shylock discovers that his daughter has eloped after robbing him, Shylock is wild and furious. He makes an outcry in the public street. He utters confused cries of his daughter, his ducats, Christians and justice. He says that his daughter has fled with a Christian. He cries over his Christian money. He wants justice from the law. He cries again over his money, his daughter, his bags of gold, precious gems and most valuable gems which she has robbed Shylock of. He asks for justice and for Jessica to be found and punished. 7. What is Salarino s comment? A. Salarino says that all the boys in Venice are at his heels, mocking his cries for his daughter and his ducats. 8. What remark about Antonio does Salanio make now? A. Salanio remarks that worthy Antonio had better have the money for Shylock on the appointed day or Shylock will take out his anger and grief on him, i.e. he will make Christian Antonio, pay for the loss a Christian Lorenzo has put upon him. 9. What do Salanio s words remind Salarino of? A. Salanio s words remind Salarino of a conversation he had with a Frenchman the previous day. He told Salarino that in the English Channel a ship from Italy, laden with rich cargoes, had wrecked. Salarino thought of Antonio when he heard this and prayed in silence that it might not be his (Antonio s) ship. 10. What does Salanio suggest on hearing about the wrecked ship? A. On hearing about the wrecked ship, Salanio suggests that it would be kindness on his part to let Antonio know about it. However, he should not tell him such bad news without preparation, for it will cause him much distress. 11.What does Salarino say about Antonio s nature now? A. Salarino now remarks that there is not a more generous-hearted gentleman in the whole world. Salarino says he was present when Antonio bade farewell to Bassanio. The latter (Bassanio) promised to return as soon as possible. Antonio however told him not to make haste. He said that Bassanio should not spoil his wooing by hurrying back on his account. Instead, he should wait for the most favourable moment to press his suit. He should not allow thoughts of his agreement with Shylock trouble his mind. His mind should be entirely occupied with his lady. He should allow himself to be perfectly happy and think only of showing his affection and devotion to his lady-love in the most suitable and appropriate manner. When saying this tears came to his eyes and he turned his face away but held on to Bassanio s hand. He kept on lingering his grasp, thus expressing his strong love for Bassanio. 12.According to Salanio, why does Antonio love the world. A. According to Salanio, Antonio loves the world only on Bassanio s account for he loves him dearly. 13.Explain: quicken his embraced heaviness. A. Salanio and Salarino decide to seek Antonio to enliven him and cheer his sad spirit with some amusement. ACT II SCENE 9 1. Where does the scene take place and name the persons who enter the scene. A. This scene takes place in Portia s house in Belmont. Nerissa with a servant enter the scene. 2. What does she tell the servant? A. She tells the servant to make haste and open the curtains at once. The Prince of Arragon has already sworn to observe the conditions and is coming there to make his choice of the caskets. 3. What does Portia say to Arragon? A. Portia tells Arragon that if he chooses the casket with her picture in it then their marriage ceremony will be performed immediately. However, if he should choose wrongly, then he must depart without further words. 4. What three conditions is he bound to by the oath? A. Arragon is bound by oath to observe three conditions. Firstly, he must never reveal to any other person which of the three caskets he has chosen. Secondly, if he does not win Portia, he must never woo another lady. Thirdly, if he chooses wrongly, he must depart at once without further words. 5. Explain: And so have I address d me A. When Portia remarks that every suitor who comes to take this risk swears to these conditions, Arragon too says that he is prepared to comply with these conditions. 6. Whom does Arragon address before looking at the caskets? A. Arragon addresses the Goddess of Fortune before looking at the caskets and asks them to help him to realize his dearest wish. 7. How does he show his dislike for the leaden casket? A. He shows his dislike for the leaden casket by calling it base lead. He rejects it because it is dull and plain in appearance. He says it must present a more attractive appearance than it does, before he will give or risk anything for it. 8. What does he say about the golden casket? A. Arragon comments on the words written on the golden casket. According to him the word many stands for a large number of common people who have no merit. The common people do not bother about the intrinsic worth of a thing because they age guided by external appearances. In this sense they are like a foolish bird (martlet) which builds its nest on the outer wall of a house and is open to the fury of the rough winds and bad weather. The Prince of Arragon thinks that he would not guide himself by external appearance. He would not choose what many men desire. He would not like to be classed with one of the common people. 9. Which word in the inscription of the silver casket appeals to Arragon? How does he explain the motto on the silver casket? A. The word deserves appeals to him. According to his wealth, social position and power should not be won by illegal and corrupt methods. He suggests that many men who are respected do not deserve that respect and the social position they enjoy. He wants that honour should go to the man who has the merit or qualities to deserve that honour. If only deserving men got honour and respect, then many men who now stand with their heads naked (uncovered) would have to cover them and be dignified ( it was a custom only for superiors to wear the hat in the presence of the inferiors). Then many men who now give orders to others would have to take orders. Then the low peasants who do not deserve honour but pretended to be superior would be separated from the really honourable men. Also, many respectable men will be chosen from the ordinary people who are like chaff and other useless things. Arragon says that the world would be such a happy place if all the positions of rank, dignity and offices were bestowed on the deserving instead of the dishonourable. Honour should be bestowed on those who earn it by fair deeds. Arragon continues to say that if honour and distinction were bestowed by merit in the world, many worthless and mean-minded people could be picked out from the high ranks of life and from noble families. Many men of true worth and merit would be recovered from the low ranks of life and would be restored to their true place of glory and dignity. 10.What does he find on opening the silver casket and what is his reaction? A. He finds a picture of a grinning idiot with half-shut eyes holding out a written paper to him. Arragon is dumb-founded and very disappointed with what he finds and pauses silently for a long time before speaking. He says that there is such a difference between that wretch and the reward he longed for and thought he deserved. He asks Portia whether he deserves no more than the head of a fool. 11.What is Portia s reply? A. Portia tells him that he is the one who has committed the offence of making a wrong choice. Therefore he is not entitled to criticize the terms of the competition and declare himself the judge of his own merits. If one plays a game one must abide by its rules. The offender who receives the sentence and the judge who pronounces if are never the same person. 12.What was written on the scroll? A. The scroll says that the silver metal of the casket was tested seven times by the fire. A judgement which never goes wrong in choosing is a judgement that is tested seven times. There are some people who run after empty shows and such people get only happiness which is unreal. There are some fools whose attractive exterior hide their folly. In the same way the head of this fool was kept in a silver casket. The fools head will always be there as a symbol of his folly. So he should take his leave now as his chance is over. 13.How does Arragon leave? A. Arragon gets over his feeling of disappointment and leaves with dignity. He tells Portia that if he remains any longer now, he will show himself to be more foolish than ever. He came to woo Portia with one foolish head and now he goes away after having gained another fool s head. He bids Portia farewell. He says he will abide by his promise and he will patiently suffer his feelings of resentment. 14.What does Portia say after he departs? A. After Arragon departs Portia who is relieved says that there is another moth which has burnt itself in the flame of a candle. These people amuse her, as they make their choice after so much deliberation and all the time they show themselves without wisdom. When they make their choice, their foolishness leads them to make the wrong. 15.Explain: the candle singed the moth A. It is a well known proverb. It means that a foolish insect that is attracted by the bright light of the candle, flutters round it and gets burnt. Similarly, Arragon is the foolish person who has been attracted by the bright silver casket and has come to grief. 16.What does Nerissa say about the old proverb? Explain. A. Nerissa says that the old proverb is right after all. It is Fate that decides what happens to one, whether one is to be wedded or to be hanged. Nerissa means that it is not reasoning or wisdom that decides the matter but it is destiny that decides. It is destiny that has saved Portia from two unsuitable suitors, and it is destiny that may give her worthy suitor. 17.Who enters the scene and what news does he bring? A. A servant enters. He tells Portia that a young gentleman from Venice has just arrived. He has come as a fore-runner to tell of his early arrival. He brings from him most substantial greetings, not only polite salutations and gracious speeches, but costly presents as well. The servant says that he has never yet seen so pleasing a messenger come on an errand of love. Even a day in April, the sweetest spring day, coming to give people a foretaste of bright and bountiful summer, is not comparable to this gorgeous messenger who rides in advance of his master. 18.Why does Portia tell the servant to stop speaking? A. Portia tells the servant to stop speaking because he is so extravagant in his praises that she is dreading to hear him say presently that he is some relative of his, as he seems so anxious that the messenger should create a favourable impression. 19. What does Portia say to Nerissa? Who is the messenger? Has Portia guessed who is announced? A. Portia tells Nerissa to come quickly along with her as she is most impatient to behold this swift messenger of Cupid who comes in so courteous a manner. The messenger is Gratiano. Portia has guessed that it is Bassanio who has been announced. But her clever remark to the servant that he is some relation of his, leads Nerissa to name the lord. 20.With what prayers, does Nerissa end the scene? A. Nerissa prays to Cupid, the god of love, that the lord announced should be Bassanio, if such is his will. 21.What does this scene reveal about the Prince of Arragon? A. The Prince of Arragon is vain and conceited. He has too high an opinion of himself and thinks that he deserves the very best by virtue of his rank and position. He makes the wrong choice; his pride is humbled. He deserves only a fool s head. Neither Morocco nor Arragon are true lovers. Hence, they cannot hazard all, which is possible only for a true lover like Bassanio. ****

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