Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice.
(i) Name the speaker. Why did the speaker appeal to the Jew for mercy? Earlier who else in the play appealed for mercy?
(ii) What are the three qualities of mercy which the speaker has stated just before the
extract?
(iii) Give the meaning of ‘But mercy is above this sceptred sway’. How does Shylock turn down Portia’s plea for mercy? What does he insist on?
(iv) What is Bassanio ready to do for Antonio in the court? Why is Bassanio snubbed immediately by the disguised Portia?
(v) Mention two prominent character traits of Shylock as highlighted through the scene from which the extract has been taken. Substantiate your answer with examples from the text.
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(i)
- Portia / disguised as a learned doctor of law
- To save Antonio’s life / to free Antonio from the bond.
- Duke
(ii) The quality of mercy is not forced / It drops like gentle rain from heaven / It is twice blessed / It blesses him that gives and him that takes / It is mightiest in mightiest / The throned monarch better than his crown.
(iii)
- The sceptre of the king is the symbol of that earth power which is temporary but Mercy is the attribute or the Power of God which is above the sceptre / But Mercy is far above this world that is ruled by man with sceptres.
- My deeds are upon my head / he will take responsibility of what he is doing.
- He insists on the bond / the penalty and forfeit of his bond.
(iv)
- Bassanio is ready to give twice the sum / ten times over the sum / on forfeit of his hands, his head, his heart.
- When Bassanio says that his life itself; his wife and all the world are not with him esteemed above Antonio’s life / Bassanio is ready to sacrifice his life, his wife and the world for Antonio.
(v)
- Cruel / revengeful / hateful / merciless / pitiless.
- This examples – justify