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ROMEO AND JULIET

ACT II SCENE II
CAPULET'S ORCHARD

Part A (Answer in two or three sentences)

1. Why is Juliet compared to the sun?

Juliet is radiant as the sun rays which make her glow like the sun. Her
surpassing beauty makes Romeo imagine that she is the sun, transforming
the darkness into daylight.

2. Why is Juliet dissatisfied with her lover's name?

Romeo belongs to the Montague family who are the arch enemies of the
Capulets. To love Romeo who is a Montague is dangerous They cannot love
and remain as a Montague and a Capulet.So she is dissatisfied with her
lover's name.

3. What is Juliet afraid of?

Juliet is terrified that Capulet's men will kill him if they discover him on their
property. The Capulets and Montagues hold an ancient grudge against each
other. So Juliet is afraid that Romeo will be killed.

4. Why does Juliet not want Romeo to swear by the moon?

Juliet does not want Romeo to swear by the moon because the moon is
inconstant, changing its position and shape, and a promise sworn on the
moon could also be prone to changing.Juliet is afraid that if Romeo swears by
the moon, then his love will be changing as the moon does.

5. What does Juliet demand from Romeo in order to prove his

honourable 'bent of love' towards her?

Juliet says that if Romeo's intentions as a lover are truly honorable and wants
to marry her, he must send her word tomorrow. She will send a messenger to
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him, and he can send her a message of when and where they will be married.
She will then come to him and be his forever.

6. How will Juliet give testimony of her true love for Romeo if they get
married?

Juliet is ready to sacrifice everything she has, the riches,love, very being and
she will follow Romeo to anywhere for the sake of their true love.

7. "Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be

morrow". Explain.

Romeo and Juliet have shared their love and have decided to get married But
for the present they have to take leave.Their sorrowful parting is also sweet
because it gives them hope to see each other again the next morning

8. Whose help does Romeo plan to seek in order to marry Juliet?

Romeo plans to seek the help of Friar Lawrence to marry Juliet. He is a priest
and close friend of Romeo.
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Part B (Answer in 100 words)

1. Comment on the images used by Shakespeare in

order to depict the intensity of the passion of the
lovers.
'Romeo and Juliet' is Shakespeare's first romantic
tragedy.In the balcony scene (Act II, Scene II) Shakespeare
uses the imagery of light and darkness to illustrate the
blooming of romance between Romeo and Juliet. As
Romeo stands in the shadows, he looks to the balcony and
compares Juliet to the sun. He then asks the sun to rise
and kill the envious moon.He personifies the moon, saying
that she feels grief and envy of Juliet, the sun, because
Juliet is more beautiful than she, the moon. Then he says,
she is 'as glorious to this night' as is 'a winged messenger
of heaven'. He describes Juliet as 'a bright angel' and 'dear
saint' because of her virtue. Shakespeare continues to use
the imagery as he compares the twinkling of Juliet's eyes to
the stars in the sky and how her cheeks' brightness could
shame the real stars to dim.
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2. Juliet's soliloquy examines the importance of words

and names. Discuss.

'Romeo and Juliet' is Shakespeare's first romantic tragedy.

In the balcony scene (Act II, Scene II) Juliet's soliloquy
examines one of the themes of the play: the importance of
words and names. If Romeo abandons his family name, he
would still be Romeo. Juliet calls on Romeo to 'refuse thy
name' and in return, she will 'no longer be a Capulet'.
Dismissing and trivializing the significance of a name, Juliet
passionately maintains that a rose, if called something
entirely different, would still smell as sweetly as it does with
the name rose. Likewise, Juliet’s beloved Romeo would
remain equally untainted and precious if he were addressed
by any other name.It suggests that a name is simply a label
to distinguish something from another. Juliet exposes the
ridiculousness of the feud between the two families over,
simply, who they are. Shakespeare's suggests that a name
means little - it is the worth of the individual that counts.
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3. The atmosphere of mutual admiration in this scene

creates a sense of equality between the lovers. Explain.
''Romeo and Juliet' is Shakespeare's first romantic tragedy.
The Act 2, Scene 2 , known as the balcony scene is
considered to be one of the most celebrated romantic
scenes. Romeo's words, "Call me but love and I'll be new
baptized. Henceforth "I never will be Romeo" shows that he
is willing to disown his family, take up a new name if Juliet
will say that she loves him. Similarly, Juliet's words "Deny
thy father and refuse thy name; or if thou wilt not, be but
sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet" solidifies
her love. Romeo uses the religious imagery like, "a bright
angel" and "dear saint" to refer to Juliet. The recurring use
of religious imagery emphasizes the purity of Romeo and
Juliet's love.The symbolism of baptism shows a purity and
youth of their relationship. This is significant because it
shows Romeo’s commitment and that he wants to be with
her whatever the cost. The mentioning ‘idolatry’ again
shows the transcendent nature of their love.Juliet warns
that ‘the place death, considering who thou art’, but Romeo
says ‘more peril lies in thine eyes than twenty of their
swords’ . It reveals the depth of their love and admiration.
Juliet's promise to Romeo to "follow thee my lord
throughout the world" is another example of the sense of
equality between the lovers.
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Part C (Answer in 300 words.

1. Discuss in detail the meeting between Romeo and
Juliet.
2. The balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet exemplifies
the poetics of love. Substantiate with textual reference.

William Shakespeare is the greatest poet and dramatist in

English literature. 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of his early
tragedies. The balcony scene (Act 2 scene 2) a beautiful
romantic scene is one of the central moments in this play.

Romeo climbs the Capulet family's garden wall, and

sees Juliet alone on her balcony. He speaks of her beauty
as he listens to her speak her thoughts of love aloud. Juliet
thinks she is in private, so she talks freely of her love for
Romeo.
Juliet believes that love stems from one’s inner
identity, and that the feud between the Montagues and the
Capulets is a product of the outer identity, based only on
names. She thinks of Romeo in individual terms, and thus
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her love for him overrides her family’s hatred for the
Montague name.
Romeo, after several worrisome moments, announces
himself, and swears his love. He startles Juliet, and she
warns him how dangerous it is for him to be in the Capulet
garden. Next, Romeo swears his love clearly, and asks for
Juliet's feelings in return. She acknowledges that she loves
him, but says she will accept only honorable love and a
marriage proposal. Romeo implies that he want to marry
her, and the two make secret plans for the following day.
They finally part, and Romeo states that he will go
immediately to find Friar Laurence to arra7nge the wedding
details

2 THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

ACT IV SCENE I
VENICE. A COURT OF JUSTICE.

Part A (Answer in two or three sentences)

1.How does the Duke address Shylock in the court?

The Duke addresses Shylock in the court saying that everybody thinks that Shylock
is only putting up an appearance of malice against Antonio. At last, he will show
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mercy by not only giving up the demand for Antonio’s punishment but also by
forgiving a part of the principal amount of the loan, taking pity on his losses.

2.Shylock will show no mercy to Antonio. Why?

Shylock does not show any mercy to Antonio as he feels that he has done nothing
wrong and therefore need not fear judgement. Besides he has been waiting to have
his revenge on Antonio and thinks that this is the best opportunity for him to do that.
Shylock considers Antonio as a man who has done great damage to him financially
and also in terms of reputation.

3.Who is Balthazar? Who sent him to the court in Venice?

Balthazar is Portia in disguise as a young lawyer. Bellario, Portia's cousin and a
well-respected Doctor of Law from Padua, is to attend the court that day. On
persuasion by Portia,he feigns sickness and sends her as the lawyer Balthazar in his
stead.

4.What does Shylock claim as per what is written in the bond?

According to the bond the Jew can cut one pound of Antonio's flesh,if he does not
repay the debt on time.Shylock claims to have every legal right to get it and if the
penalty is not given,it is a shame on the law of Venice.

5.Why does Shylock exclaim "A Daniel come to judgement!"?

Bassanio asks Portia ( disguised as Balthazar) to do a little wrong to save
Antonio.Portia, remarks that Venetian law does not allow such malpractices which
will end up in a wrong precedent.Shylock is delighted to hear this judgement and
calls the lawyer a Daniel come to judge what is right.

6.How is Shylock defeated by Balthazar?

Portia, disguised as Balthazar, seems to favour Shylock's bond initially. Later as the
case proceeds,she asks Shylock to cut one pound of flesh.But the bond does not
say a word about spilling his blood.If he sheds one drop of blood Shylock's property
will be confiscated by the state of Venice.

7.What is the verdict of the Duke at the end of the trial?

The Duke declares the verdict that Shylock's property should be confiscated.He adds
that half of Shylock's property be confiscated by the state and the other half be given
to Antonio. Besides, Shylock should be sent to the gallows.

8. Antonio is ready to forgive Shylock on two conditions.What are they?

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Antonio is ready to forgive Shylock on two conditions. One is that Shylock should
convert to Christianity. The second condition is that Shylock should bequeath all his
goods to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his death.

9. What reward does Balthazar claim from Bassanio for saving Antonio's life?
Initially Balthazar is reluctant to be rewarded But when Bassanio insists, she agrees
to take the ring. But it has been gifted him by his wife, on the promise that he shall
neither lose it nor part with it

10. How does the ring act as a symbol of conflicting loyalties?

The ring is a symbol of Portia's love and commitment, and also reflects faithfulness
and loyalty in marriage.Bassanio is confused whether to be loyal to his wife Portia by
not losing or parting with the ring, as he has promised her. Or to be loyal to
the lawyer who saved his dear friend’s life by parting with the ring .

Part B (Answer in 100 words)

1. How does Shylock justify his claim on the bond?

The trial scene of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is the most famous and
powerful scene of the play in the whole of English dramas. This is the
scene where Shylock is to take his forfeiture from Antonio.Shylock says
that he has sworn by the holy Sabbath to seek the penalty that is due
according to the contract.Shylock reminds the Duke that he cannot go
against the law in defending a Christian because he is legally right.
He claims that he has a right to get it and if justice is not done it will be a
shame on the laws of Venice. Shylock says that people like or dislike
things according to their nature that produces emotions. He further
explains by saying that if he was annoyed by a rat in his house he would
do everything possible to get rid of it. He may spend ten thousand
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ducats to kill it. He doesn't mind losing 3000 ducats because he wants to
put an end to the life of a man whom he regards as his enemy and
whom he hates fiercely.
2. Examine the selfless friendship of Antonio and Bassanio
In 'The Merchant of Venice, Antonio and Bassanio share an intense,
passionate friendship. Antonio appears to have stronger feelings than
Bassanio, while Bassanio is, to some extent, financially dependent on
Antonio's generosity.The strength of this relationship, the depth of the
love these two men hold for one another, is such that Antonio will agree
to give Shylock a pound of his flesh if he fails to repay the money.
Bassanio's love for Antonio can be seen in the trial scene where he is
ready to give his own flesh and blood and even his dear wife to save
Antonio from the clutches of the fiend Shylock. His act of leaving his
newly wed wife and reaching Venice to save Antonio also shows his
affection for him.. It is visible that Bassanio is less a friend and more a
brother to Antonio.This love shows the pureness of their heart and also
that unconditional love does exist.

3. Discuss the significance of mercy as explained by Balthazar.

Portia's famous speech extolling the qualities of mercy in Act 4, Scene 1

of Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' is an appeal to Shylock's
better qualities to extend mercy to Antonio, the merchant who owes him
money, and not take from him the pound of flesh that Shylock is due by
law.Portia disguised as the learned Balthazar, in her speech to Shylock
says that the quality of mercy is not strained.The quality of mercy is a
divine blessing which benefits both the man who shows mercy and the
man who receives it. Mercy is a nobler quality in a royal king better than
the crown he wears.The quality of mercy is more powerful than the
king’s sceptre which symbolizes his power and grandeur on earth and a
king who is merciful has the quality of God.Because mercy is an attribute
of God, Portia reasons, humans approach the divine when they exercise
it.

4. Shylock is triumphant on all the general charges that are levelled

against him, but fails through a legal flaw.Examine.
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'The Merchant of Venice' is the earliest of Shakespeare's fine comedies

in which he has placed a magnificent and clear- sighted woman in sharp
contrast to an unusual usurer. There is no doubt that the law is on the
side of Shylock. He makes a claim to a pound of Antonio’s flesh on the
basis of the bond which Antonio has signed and forfeited.He thinks that
Portia is pleading in such a manner that he must win the case.The turn
in the events is caused by Portia’s sudden announcement that the Jew
can have a pound of Antonio’s flesh but that the Jew must not shed a
single drop of Antonio’s blood in the course of his cutting of the flesh.His
insistence on the literal implementation of the bond leads to his
destruction.

5. Describe the circumstances which led Gratiano to cry out in

delight "A second Daniel! A Daniel,Jew!"?

'The Merchant of Venice' is the earliest of Shakespeare's fine comedies

in which he has placed a magnificent and clear- sighted woman in sharp
contrast to an unusual usurer.Shylock thinks that Portia is pleading in
such a manner that he must win the case. So he calls Portia a 'Daniel',
after the Biblical Daniel, who was known as a wise judge.But Portia turns
the verdict upside down by harshly ordering him to cut away Antonio's
flesh without shedding a drop of blood. If he sheds one drop of Christian
blood, his lands, his goods shall be confiscated by the state of Venice.
.Then Gratiano cries out in delight,"A second Daniel! A Daniel,Jew!"
Gratiano’s remarks here are bitterly sarcastic. He is using the same
yardstick against Shylock to praise the lawyer. Like the Biblical Daniel,
who was a man famed for wisdom and sound judgment, the lawyer has
announced an infallible verdict. Bassanio too takes his name here as a
representative of the perfect judge.

6. Portia's resourceful intellect saves Antonio. How?

'The Merchant of Venice' is the earliest of Shakespeare's fine comedies
in which he has placed a magnificent and clear- sighted woman in sharp
contrast to an unusual usurer.When Portia hears that Antonio is in
trouble, Portia secretly travels from Belmont to Venice and disguises
herself as the learned doctor Balthazar, who has been sent by Doctor
Bellario to help judge the case. Infact,she has persuaded Bellario to
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absent from the trial under the pretext of illness and to send her instead
of him. Portia succeeds in saving Antonio by interpreting the bond in the
letter,not the spirit of the law,as Shylock himself insisted on it. She earns
him that the bond does not allow him to shed a single drop of blood,
while taking the pound of fleshThus Portia's shrewd interpretation of law
really saves Antonio.

Shylock remains determined to collect his bond, and Portia initially

seems to be in favor of Shylock's strict interpretation of the law. Just
before Shylock can cut Antonio, Portia halts the process and says that
the bond only calls for a pound of flesh and says nothing about blood.
She also notes that Shylock must cut exactly a pound of flesh and not
one drop of Christian blood can be shed during the procedure. Portia
then turns the law against Shylock by declaring that he is attempting to
murder Antonio, who is a Venetian citizen. The penalty for any foreigner
attempting to murder a Venetian citizen requires that half of the
foreigner's assets will be given to the state while the other half of his
assets will be given to the Venetian citizen. In summary, Portia saves
Antonio's life by disguising herself as a young lawyer named Balthazar
and cleverly interpreting the law to prevent Shylock from receiving his
bond of a pound of Antonio's flesh.

Portia secretly travels from Belmont to Venice and disguises herself as

"the learned doctor Balthazar," who has been sent by Doctor Bellario to
help judge the case.

Portia tells him to be careful to cut neither more nor less an exact pound
of flesh.If he cuts more or less than an exact pound,if it weighs lighter or
heavier by even a twentieth part of a small grain,or if the beam of the
scales inclines to one side only by the breadth of a hair,he will suffer the
penalty of death and all his possessions will be confiscated by the state.
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Bassanio doubts their friendship’s strength, he creates more worry and

pain than any financial strain can cause.

Shylock's primary motive for seeking a pound of Antonio's flesh was to

take revenge.

Shylock reminds the Duke that he cannot go against the law in

defending a Christian because he is legally right

Part C (Answer in 300 words)

1.The presentation of the trial scene both before and after the entry
of Portia is an illustration of dramatic skill. Discuss.

'The Merchant of Venice', a Romantic Comedy by William Shakespeare,

is remembered for its dramatic scenes. Act 4 scene 1 the Court Scene is
notable for Portia's speech on the quality of mercy. This scene provides
a dramatic climax to the play and it displays Shakespeare's brilliance in
scripting.
Shakespeare's exceptional mastery is illustrated in the trial scene. The
dramatic tension is built moment by moment to a breathless point and
then we are relieved as if by a magical touch.By asking Shylock to show
mercy toward Antonio, the Duke provides Shylock with a final
opportunity to restate his position and, dramatically, Shakespeare
prolongs the suspense of whether or not Shylock will actually demand
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Antonio's life. Antonio knows that mercy is unlikely from Shylock, and
Shakespeare tightens the tension of this scene by having Antonio
beseech Bassanio to stop trying to win any sympathy from Shylock.
Shakespeare makes us clear that Shylock's inhumanity, his obsession
with revenge, is what motivates his demands.

The idea of being determined to receive the pound of flesh is

repeated over and over so that we understand Shylock's stubbornness
and his determination. Shakespeare creates and sustains dramatic
interest in us.Tension increases almost unbearably as the Duke reads
the letter from Bellario and Shylock begins to sharpen his knife on the
sole of his shoe. Shakespeare sustains the tension still longer by having
her question the legality of the bond. Portia disguised as Balthazar
delivers a sublime speech on the superior virtue of mercy over justice.
Shakespeare's dramatic skill is revealed when he portrays Portia
shifting to the pleasant trick of spurring Shylock's expectations to the
height by interpreting law in a way most pleasing to him. But Portia turns
the verdict upside down by harshly ordering him to cut away Antonio's
flesh without shedding a drop of blood.Shakespeare wisely makes Portia
delay final pronouncements and then ingeniously begin to reveal new
interpretations of absolute justice. Shakespeare is manipulating, with
genius, the sympathy of the audience.Portia requests the court to
confiscate all the properties of Shylock for attempting to kill a Christian.
Thus Shylock is defeated.

2.Shakespeare presents in detail the 'game of justice' in a court

where 'words' are used to defeat 'words' both logically and literally.
Discuss.

'The Merchant of Venice', a Romantic Comedy by William Shakespeare,

is remembered for its dramatic scenes.Trials provide the centerpiece of
any discussion of law in Shakespeare's dramas. In this scene, the matter
of the bond reaches its crisis and its resolution: Shylock is defeated,
Antonio is saved.
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Throughout this scene, Shylock is asked, both by the court and by

his opponents, why he refuses to relent toward Antonio. In each case,
his answers are themselves unanswerable," I stay here on my bond",
"I crave the law" and "I stand here for law". He declares,"I stand for
judgement". When Portia offers Shylock thrice the due amount he tells
her that he has sworn an oath before God to have nothing but the bond.

When Portia says, "Tarry a little; there is something else," words

which will reverse the whole situation.With Portia's pronouncement that
the law allows "no jot of blood," only "a pound of flesh" Shylock's case is
lost. He is almost struck dumb. He asks, "Is that the law?" He realizes
that his case is now absolutely, irrevocably reversed.The law that he
believed to be so solid crumbles before Shylock. Portia tells him to be
careful to cut neither more nor less an exact pound of flesh.If he cuts
more or less than an exact pound,if it weighs lighter or heavier by even a
twentieth part of a small grain,or if the beam of the scales inclines to one
side only by the breadth of a hair,he will suffer the penalty of death and
all his possessions will be confiscated by the state.

Since Shylock has already refused in open court payment of the

principal in lieu of the penalty, he cannot now have even this.Portia
says,"Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture".She points out that any
foreigner, who deliberately intend to harm a Venetian would forfeit all his
property to such a person and to the state. Furthermore, the Duke can
decide if such a person will be executed or not. Antonio offers to return
his share of Shylock’s estate, on the condition that Shylock convert to
Christianity and bequeath all his goods to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his
death. Shylock consents and departs, saying simply, “I am not well” .