English Literature Specimen 2024: Sec-B Solutions of ICSE Sample Paper

English Literature Specimen 2024: Sec-B Solutions of ICSE Sample Question Paper. New Sample Paper Solution ICSE Board 2024 English Paper 2 Sec-B DRAMA ( The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare ) all Question Answers by Expert Teachers. Visit official website CISCE for detail information about ICSE Board Class-10.

English Literature Specimen 2024: Sec-B Solutions of ICSE Sample Paper

DRAMA

 ( The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare )

Board	ICSE
Class	10th (x)
Subject	English
Topic	Specimen Paper Solved
Paper	Paper 2 (Literatur)
Session	2023-24
Part/ Sec	Sec-B, DRAMA (Que-2 and Que-3)
Max mark	80

DRAMA  ( The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare )

English Literature Specimen 2024: Sec-B Solutions of ICSE Sample Paper

Question 2 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Bassanio:

A gentle scroll. —– Fair lady, by your leave; [Kissing her]
I come by note, to give and to receive.
Like one of two contending in a prize,
That thinks he has done well in people’s eyes
Hearing applause and universal shout
Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt
Whether those peals of praise be his or no;

(i) Where did Bassanio find the ‘gentle scroll’? What ‘prize’ had Bassanio just won?

Ans:  Bassanio found the ‘gentle scroll’ in the leaden casket from which he found the portrait of fair Portia. His winning of the hand of Portia was the ‘prize’ for Bassanio as so many suitors were trying to win her hand.

(ii) Explain why Bassanio said he felt ‘Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt’.

Ans:   Bassanio felt ‘giddy in spirit, still gazing in doubt’ as he thought that he was one of two competitors for a prize who thought he had done well in the eyes of spectators, looking around in some doubt as to whether those shouts of applause were for him or not. He was still in doubt whether he had really won the fair lady Portia.

(iii) Soon thereafter, Portia gives Bassanio a ring as a token of her love. What does this gift symbolise?

Ans:  Portia gave Bassanio a ring as a token of her affection. The gift symbolized their mutual trust and love for each other. If ever he parted with the ring or lost it or gave it away, this would mean that his love for her was dead and she would accuse him of the breach of trust.

(iv) What assurance does Bassanio give her while accepting this gift?

Ans:  Bassanio assured Portia that he would never part with the ring she had given him. Giving her an assurance of his love, he told her that he would keep the ring secure on his finger. It would go only after his life was no more. That is, he would keep it as long as he lived.

(v) What does Portia urge Bassanio to do when she learns that his friend Antonio is in trouble? What aspect of her character do her words reveal?

Ans :  Portia urged Bassanio to leave for Venice at once and take as much gold and money he needed to return the borrowed money to Antonio. In no case should such a good friend come to trouble; This shows Portia’s compassionate heart and generous nature to help someone in distress.

Question 3 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Shylock: Shall I not have barely my principal?
Portia: Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,
To be so cut taken at thy peril, Jew.

(i) What is the ‘forfeiture’ Portia mentions? How will it prove perilous for Shylock?

Ans:-  Portia is saying in this quotation from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” that Shylock will not receive his principal amount of money, but just the forfeiture, which is the punishment for failing to comply with the conditions of the loan agreement

(ii) What does Portia go on to tell Shylock about the laws of Venice, as applicable for a foreigner?

Ans:-  Portia goes on to tell him that if a foreigner (in this case, Shylock) kills or attempts to kill a Venetian citizen (Antonio), the victim gets to claim half of the foreigner’s property, and the state claims the other half

(iii) How does Gratiano mock Shylock at this point?

Ans:-  How does Gratiano respond to the proceedings? He mocks Shylock through out the proceedings, once Portia shows the loop whole Gratiano says “Daniel” so he is mocking Shylock

(iv) What ‘mercy’ does the Duke now offer to Shylock?

Ans:-  Portia orders Shylock to beg for the duke’s mercy. The duke declares that he will show mercy: he spares Shylock’s life and demands only a fine, rather than half of the Jew’s estate. Shylock claims that they may as well take his life, as it is worthless without his estate

(v) How does Shylock react to the Duke’s decision on his punishment? What are your feelings for Shylock at this point in the play? Give reasons

Ans:-  When the duke asks Shylock how he expects to receive mercy when he offers none, Shylock replies that he has no need for mercy, as he has done nothing wrong. Just as the slave-owning Christians of Venice would refuse to set their human property free, Shylock will not relinquish the pound of flesh that belongs to him

–: Visit also :–

Return to : ICSE Specimen Paper 2024 Solved

Thanks