The Merchant Of Venice Act -2, Scene - 2 workbook answers

Extract I

Launcelot:

1. Who is Launcelot Gobbo? What inner struggle is going on in his conscience? What does his struggle show about the contemporary Christian practice?

Ans:Shylock's servant is Launcelot Gobbo.
In his thoughts, a battle rages between his conscience, which advises him to be a loyal servant, and the devil, who tempts him to quit Shylock's service and work for Bassanio.Launcelot's inner battle exemplifies the modern Christian practise of debating whether or not to surrender to temptation.

2. Why does Launcelot want to run away from the Jew? What does his conscience advise him to do?

Ans:Because his boss, Shylock, is the devil in human form, Launcelot wishes to flee from the Jew.Shylock, according to Launcelot, is a miserly man who keeps him hungry while in his service.He also fears that if he continues to serve Shylock, he will become a Jew.At first, his conscience warns him not to flee Shylock's mansion and to be cautious.  However, when the devil persuades him to flee, his conscience tells him that as he is the child of a good father or at least a good mother and so, he should stay where he is and not move.

3.Launcelot’s speech provides some comic relief in the play? Why was such a relief need in the context of the play?

Ans:Launcelot provides some comedic relief in this part of the play.
In the context of the play, such a reprieve was required because the preceding scene showed a serious tone in which Antonio accepts to sign a treacherous bond that demands a pound of his flesh if he fails to keep the promise.

4.Enumerate the reasons given by Launcelot’s conscience to stay on with the master?

Ans:Launcelot's conscience warns him against escaping since flight is a disgraceful deed.It goes on to say that he is the son of a good father or, at the very least, a good mother, and that he should remain with the master.

5.Finally, whom does Launcelot obey-the devil or his conscience? How is the theme of racial discrimination brought out in Launcelot’s decision to run away?

Ans:Finally, Launcelot submits to the devil's will.The topic of racial prejudice is emphasised by Launcelot's choice to flee from his master, Shylock, who is a Jew, and take up service with Bassanio, a Christian.

6.How is the theme of conflict between the good and the evil shown in this scene?

Ans:In this scenario, the subject of battle between good and evil is shown.The devil encourages Launcelot to escape, but his conscience advises him to stay with his lord.He considers the devil's advise to be sound and the conscience' to be inflexible.He listens to the devil's wise counsel. 

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Extract II

1.  Where are Launcelot and old Gobbo? What is meant by ‘true-begotten father’? Why can’t old Gobbo recognize his son?

Ans:Launcelot and elderly Gobbo are walking down a Venice street.'True begotten father' refers to my biological father.Because he is more than half-blind, Old Gobbo is unable to identify his son.

2. Why is old Gobbo looking for the way to Master Jew’s house? How does Launcelot confuse the old man while giving directions to him to reach the Jew’s house?

Ans:Old Gobbo is seeking for a method to get to the Jew's house so he may see if his son Launcelot, who was a servant in Shylock's household, is still there.
Gobbo is perplexed by Launcelot's incorrect instructions to Shylock's residence.

3.  What was Gobbo’s reaction to the directions given to him by Launcelot?

Ans:According to Gobbo, it was a tough path to walk for the saints.

4.  What present has Gobbo brought to give to the Jew? What does Launcelot say to his father about it?

Ans:To offer to the Jew, Gobo has brought a plate of fried doves.Because he has half-starved Shylock, Launcelot urges his father to give him a rope to hang himself with instead of a present.
 

5.  Launcelot plays a comic role in this scene. Give two examples of comedy provided by him?

Ans:When Gobbo asks Launcelot for directions to Shylock's residence, the incorrect directions Launcelot gives him are hilarious.Old Gobbo can't follow the direcitions since they're too complicated.
Launcelot's request for his father's blessing is the second example.He knelt in front of his father.  Being blind, his father touches Launcelot’s face and says that Launcelot has more hair on his face that Dobbin, his cart horse.

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Extract III

1.  Why does Launcelot use high-sounding words in his conversation with Gobbo? What does Shakespeare want to convey to the audience in this context about the habit of some people in his time?

Ans:In his chat with Gobbo, Launcelot employs high-sounding phrases to impress him with his classical knowledge and gentlemanly demeanour.Shakespeare wishes to portray to the audience the practise of certain egotistical individuals in his time who claimed to be something they were not.

2.Why does Launcelot call old Gobbo ‘father’ in the first line of the extract? Give the meaning of :

According to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning,

Ans:In the opening sentence of the passage, Launcelot addresses Old Gobbo as "father," indicating that he intends to gradually disclose his true identity to him.
In the provided words, Launcelot informs Gobbo that the young man is dead, according to his Fate or Destiny, the Three Sisters of the Ancient Greeks, and other areas of knowledge.

3.  How does Gobbo react to the news of the apparent loss of his son?

Ans:When Old Gobbo learns that his son has died, he is taken aback.In his old age, he claims that his son was his only source of support.

4.  How does Launcelot show dramatically that he is Gobbo’s son? Why does the former refer to his mother’s name in the context?

Ans:When Gobbo asks Launcelot if his son is actually dead, Launcelot makes a startling confession that he is Gobbo's son.Gobbo, on the other hand, does not believe him.The name of Launcelot's mother, Margery, is then mentioned as confirmation that he is indeed Gobbo's son.

5.How does Gobbo show by words and actions that he is fond of his son?

Ans:Gobbo adores his child.Gobbo is taken aback when Launcelot informs him that his son has died, and he regrets the fact that his son was his main source of support in his old age.Gobbo also refuses to trust Launcelot's confession until he cites his mother's name.When Launcelot informs him he is his son, Gobbo, who is blind, feels Launcelot's face to make sure he is his son.

6.  Give any two humorous situations from this scene.

Ans:When Launcelot gives Gobbo instructions to Shylock's residence, it's a hilarious scene.Gobbo does do not follow the directions since they are so perplexing.
Another amusing incident is Launcelot's request for his father's blessing.
In front of his father, he kneels.
His father strokes his beard and remarks that Launcelot's face has more hair than their cart-tail horse's .

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Extract IV

1.  What has just happened that makes Gobbo say that Launcelot has changed? What present did Gobbo bring? To whom does he want to give it?

Ans:When Gobbo pointed out that Launcelot had more hair on his face than Dobbin, their shaft-horse, has on his tail, Launcelot said that Dobbin's tail is getting smaller since he had more hair on his tail than he did on his face the previous time he saw him.Gobbo observed at this point that Launcelot had changed.Gobbo has brought Shylock a platter of fried doves to eat.

2.  Give the meaning of:

a)  My master’s a very Jew

 
Ans: My master is a typical Jew, i.e., he is miserly man.

b)  Give him a halter

 
Ans: give him a rope to hang himself with.

3.  How can we conclude from the extract that Launcelot has been suffering in the Jew’s service?

Ans:In the extract, Launcelot tells his father that while in Shylock's service, he has become so thin due to a lack of appropriate nutrition that his ribs and bones can be counted on one hand.
This demonstrates Launcelot's suffering at the hands of the Jews.

4.  What do you find strange in the expression: You may tell every finger I have with my ribs?

Ans:Anyone can count all of his ribs by feeling them with their finger, according to Launcelot.However, Launcelot changes the sequence, creating a comedic result. .

5.  What special privilege would Launcelot have if he serves Bassanio? What would happen if Launcelot were to serve the Jew ‘any longer’?

Ans:If Launcelot agrees to serve Bassanio, he will be given new outfits.If Launcelot continues to work for the Jew, he may become a Jew himself, according to him.He's implying that he won't be able to stay in Shylock's employ for much longer.

6.  What kind of attitude against the Jews is shown in this scene?

Ans:This scenario exemplifies the Jews' miserly mentality.
Launcelot claims that he is half-starved while in Shylock's service, and that he has become so thin due to a lack of food that his bones and ribs can be counted on one hand. 

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Extract V

1.  How has Launcelot shown that he could speak for himself to be employed by Bassanio?

Ans:When old Gobbo takes too long to beg Bassanio to accept his son, Launcelot, into his service, Launcelot interrupts him and says he wants to serve him.

2.  What impact is the palm-reading by Launcelot likely to make on the audience?

Ans:Launcelot's palm-reading gives comedic relief to the audience while also foreshadowing good fortune in Launcelot's life.

3.  What does Launcelot predict about his wives and his escape from dangers to his life?

Ans:Launcelot predicts that he will live a long life after reading his palm.
He intends to marry a huge number of women (eleven widows and nine maids in all).
He will narrowly avoid drowning three times and a hair's width from falling out of a feather bed once.

4.  What instructions did Bassanio give to the Gobbos and to his servants after employing Launcelot?

Bassanio orders the Gobbos to go see Shylock and say him farewell before arriving at his residence after engaging Launcelot.He instructs his staff to acquire Launcelot a uniform that has more ornaments or decorative stripes than the rest of his servants' uniforms.

5.  Before this extract Launcelot referred to a proverb which is applicable both to Shylock and to Bassanio. What was the proverb and how is it applicable to both of them?

Ans:‘The grace of God is enough,' says Launcelot, using an old saying.He claims that this adage applies to both Shylock and Bassanio.Bassanio is a nice man who has received God's favour.Shylock does not possess God's grace.He does, however, have "enough wealth." 

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Extract VI

1.  Give the context in which Bassanio speaks these words.

Ans:When Gratiano asks for permission to accompany him on his journey to Belmont, Bassanio says these words to him.

2.  Give the meaning of:

To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thys skipping spirit,

Ans:To tone down your lively spirits by exercising a little moderation.

3.Briefly summarise the advice given by Bassanio to Gratiano in the extract.

Ans:Bassanio describes himself to Gratiano as uncontrolled, rude, and harsh.Bassanio and his pals embrace his flaws as characteristics of his character.However, his erratic behaviour may be misinterpreted at Belmont.As a result, Bassanio advises him to exercise moderation in order to manage his crazy behaviour and tone down his vibrant spirit.

4.Why does Bassanio ask Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont?

Ans:Bassanio requests that Gratiano behave appropriately in Belmont because he is concerned that his behaviour would look flawed to those who do not know him.
At Belmont, his reckless behaviour may be misread, and Bassanio may lose all hope of marrying Portia.

5.What assurance does Gratiano give to Bassanio about the latter’s advice?

Ans:Gratiano has promised to act appropriately.He claims that he will speak solemnly and seldom utter an oath.
He'll have prayer books in his pockets and a quiet confidence.He will cover his eyes with his hat and earnestly say "Amen" during the grace before meals.  He will do everything  that politeness demands and follow all the customs of good manners, as though he trying to  please his grandmother by showing a quiet and serious behaviour.

6.What exception to Gratiano’s behaviour is accepted for the particular night? Why?

Ans:Because of the celebration, Bassanio informs Gratiano that his disrespectful behaviour would be allowed for the night.
This is because Bassanio wants the night to be filled with laughter and pleasure.
He will be disappointed to find Gratiano in such a depressed state.Bassanio prefers to see him in his most joyful state. 

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