Duke: You hear the learn’d Bellario, what he writes
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Duke: You hear the learn’d Bellario, what he writes:
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
[Enter Portia, dressed like a Doctor of Laws]
Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?
Portia: I did, my lord.
Duke: You are welcome: take your place.
Are you acquainted with the difference
That holds this present question in the court?
Answer
(i) Where is this scene set?
A court (of justice) / in Venice
Why was Portia there?
To assist at Antonio’s trial / to save Antonio from Shylock / from the bond he had signed with Shylock / to act as a lawyer / to help her husband save Antonio
(ii) What reason had Bellario given for his absence?
he was very sick / ill
Whom had he sent in his stead?
Balthazar / a young doctor of Rome / Portia in disguise
(iii) Bellario’s letter stated that he had taken some measures to prepare the ‘young and learned doctor’ to deal with the case. What were they?
- Explained the details of the ‘controversy’ between Antonio and Shylock
- They had studied many law books together
- Bellario had given Balthazar his opinion / advice
(iv) What was the ‘difference’ between Shylock the Jew and Antonio the merchant that the Duke was unable to resolve?
- Antonio had borrowed three thousand ducats from Shylock for a period of three months.
- Antonio’s ships had been lost at sea - he was bankrupt and unable to repay the debt.
- Shylock was adamant in demanding his pound of flesh - refusing all offers of money.
(v) How does Portia succeed in saving Antonio?
- Portia grants Shylock his bond but says that not one drop of Antonio’s blood must be shed - if it were then all his land and goods would be confiscated by the laws of Venice
- Shylock had to cut out exactly one pound of flesh - if he cut even the smallest bit in excess of pound Shylock would be put to death.
What does this reveal of her character?
Portia proves that she is clever / quick-witted.
- Exam Year: 2019