Questions and Answers from The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 8 by William Shakespeare
Structured Questions from Act 2 Scene 8 of the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
He came too late, the ship was under sail,
But there the duke was given to understand
That in a gondola were seen together
Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica.
Besides, Antonio certified the duke
They were not with Bassanio in his ship.
1. Who is referred to as 'he'? Which ship was under sail? Why is 'he' said to be late?
Answer
He is Shylock. The ship in which Bassanio and others travelled has already set sail. Shylock thinks that his daughter has boarded the ship along with Lorenzo but by the time he comes to search for them, the ship had already left.
2. What was suspected earlier?
Answer
Earlier it was suspected that Jessica and Lorenzo had gone with Bassanio, in his ship.
3. Give the meaning of 'amorous' and 'certified'. What did Antonio certify?
Answer
Amorous' means loving and certified' means assured. Antonio certified that Jessica and Lorenzo have not gone in Bassanio's ship.
4. What does Solanio says about Shylock, just after this?
Answer
Solanio describes Shylock's behavior after finding out that his daughter has run away with a Christian, taking with her all his money and jewels. He has never heard or seen such an outburst of feelings, so strange, intense and frequently changing. Shylock went along the streets shouting, 'My daughter, O my ducats! lamenting the loss of the two alternatives. He wants justice and also needs to find the girl as she has taken the ducats along with her.
5. Why did all the boys in Venice follow Shylock? What else did they do?
Answer
All the boys were following Shylock mocking him as they feel that he has gone mad. They also repeat his cries this stones, his daughter and his ducats'
6. What does Solanio say that Antonio should do now?
Answer
Solanio says that Shylock is mad with his loss and will certainly take revenge from Antonio by extracting his flesh, if he doesn't pay back the borrowed money in time. So he feels Antonio should pay his debt on the appointed day: otherwise, he may have to pay for it with his life.
Salerio :
Marry, well remember'd.
I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday,
Who told me, in the narrow seas that part
The French and English, there miscarried
A vessel of our country richly fraught.
I thought upon Antonio when he told me,
And wish'd in silence that it were not his.
1. What does he mean by 'well remembered"? What did he reason with a Frenchman and what did he come to know?
Answer
When Solanio says that Antonio should better pay back the debt to Shylock on the stipulated day, Salerio remembers his talk with the Frenchman. He takes this opportunity to share the information with his friend, that he came to know about a ship with rich cargo had been wrecked in the English Channel.
2. Give the meaning of 'reasoned', 'miscarried' and 'richly fraught'?
Answer
The word 'reasoned' means talked, 'miscarried' means lost or wrecked and 'richly fraught' means laid with expensive goods.
3. What does Solanio tells his friend to do. How should he do it and why?
Answer
Solanio tells his friend to give a hint about the wreckage to Antonio, but not abruptly. He should do it gently and with tact as Antonio is a tender-hearted person, very loving and sensitive.
4. What does Salerio says about Antonio at this time? How did The' part from Bassanio?
Answer
Salerio says about Antonio that 'a kinder gentleman treads not this earth' He parted from Antonio with great love, saying that he need not return from Belmont in a hurry but give proper time for courtship. He need not worry about the bond rather focus his mind on courtship and show of love. Then with his eyes full of tears, he clasped Bassanio's hand and they parted.
5. What does Solanio say towards the end of the scene and what do the two friends plan to do?
Answer
Solanio says that Antonio loves the world only because of Bassanio. The two friends plans to visit Antonio, amuse him and cheer up his spirit as he is lately gripped with melancholy.
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