Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Bassanio: Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?
Gratiano: Were you the clerk?
Antonio: Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road.
Portia: How now, Lorenzo!
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
(i) Where does this scene take place? What had Portia directed Antonio to give to Bassanio just moments before the above words were spoken?
(ii) Portia had just given Antonio, Bassanio and Gratiano a letter to read. Who had written this letter? What does Bassanio learn about Portia from this letter?
(iii) What good news does Portia have for Antonio? How does he respond to it?
(iv) To whom does Portia refer as ‘My clerk’? What ‘good comforts’ does the ‘clerk’ have for Lorenzo?
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(i)
- Avenue in Belmont, outside Portia’s house
- The ring that Portia had given to Bassanio at their wedding – the ring Bassanio had given to the young ‘doctor’ of law for saving Antonio’s life.
(ii)
- Bellario
- That Portia had been the learned ‘doctor’ / lawyer at Antonio’s trial.
(iii)
- Three of Antonio’s merchant ships (argosies) full of riches (richly) had come to harbour quite unexpectedly (suddenly)
- Antonio says, ‘I am dumb’ (speechless) / Says- ‘You have given me my life and my livelihood.’ / He is happy
(iv)
- Nerissa, her lady – in waiting
- Nerissa tells Lorenzo that he and Jessica would inherit all Shylock’s wealth after his (Shylock) death.
(v)
- At Antonio’s urging ‘My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring;
Let his deserving [He deserves the ring because he saved Antonio] and my love withal / Be valued ‘against your wife’s commandment’
- Bassanio valued Antonio’s friendship highly – could not refuse him – was prepared to risk
- Portia’s anger/ dearest friends/ ready to make sacrifices for one another.