Sunday, 3 June 2018

Justice Play by John Galsworthy: Objective Questions for LT

Justice Play by John Galsworthy: Objective Questions for LT

Ques 1. John Galsworthy was born on
A.    1867
B.     1868
C.     1869
D.    1870
Ans. A
Ques 2. John Galsworthy died on
A.    1930
B.     1931
C.     1932
D.    1933
Ans. D
Ques 3. When did the play “Justice” published?
A.    1909
B.     1910
C.     1911
D.    1912
Ans. B
Ques 4. John Galsworthy was awarded nobel prize in
A.    1930
B.     1931
C.     1932
D.    1933
Ans. C
Ques 5. What is the pseudonym that Galsworthy took to publish his earlier works?
A.    John Simpkins
B.     John Sebastian
C.     John Sinjohn
D.    John Semplin
Ans. C
Ques 6. On the models of whose problem plays did John Galsoworthy write his plays?
A.    Henry Arthur Jones
B.     Arthur Pinero
C.     Henrick Ibsen
D.    T W Robertson
Ans. C
Ques 7. In which play does William Falder appear as central character?
A.    Loyalties
B.     Justice
C.     The Silver Box
D.    The Skin Game
Ans. B
Ques 8. Play “Justice” is a satire on
A.    The system of paying wages
B.     The system of imprisonment
C.     The system of social disparity
D.    The system of legal trials
Ans. D
Ques 9. In play “Justice”  “It is a matter of life and death”, Who says this and to whom ?
A.   Ruth Honeywell says to Cokeson, the head clerk of How’s firm
B.   Walter How to James How
C.   William Falder to Judge
D.  William Falder to James How
Ans. A

Ques 10. “Justice is a machine that, when someone has once given it the starting push, rolls on of itself.?

Who says this?
A.    Judge
B.     Cokeson
C.     Falder’s defence counsel, Mr. Frome
D.    James How
Ans. C     Frome says to convey the sense that the legal system operates in such an inhuman way that it makes mockery of the concept of ‘justice’ and destroys the individual completely. The end of the drama, the end of Falder’s life proves his words.
Ques 11. “Law is what it is, a majestic edifice sheltering all f us” Who says this?
Who says this?
A.    Judge
B.     Cokeson
C.     Falder’s defence counsel, Mr. Frome
D.    James How
Ans. A   judge as a protector and agent of the existing legal system asserts that the institution of law is a noble one. It seeks to protect the good citizens from the bad ones, to protect the society. The judge is the spokesman of the conventional concept of ‘justice’ in the contemporary judicial system. Naturally, his opinions and views do not go by human norms.

Ques 12. “It must have been temptation of the moment” ...A man does not succumb like this.” Who says this?

A.    James How
B.     Walter How
C.     Cokeson
D.    Ruth Honeywell
Ans. B    After the detection of Falder’s forgery जालसाजी and his confession, James How decides upon prosecuting Falder. Walter How, his son, pleads for Falder’s case. He opines that Falder, a gentleman, must have been tempted to do this. His words indicate that he is a good-natured youth, who judges everything on the human ground.
Ques 13. “The quality of mercy is not strained...” who says it in play “Justice”?
A.    James How
B.     Walter How
C.     Cokeson
D.    Ruth Honeywell
Ans. B  Walter How  tries to convey his father that they should pardon on this virtue.
Ques 14. Mute Scene appears in play in
A.    Act 2 scene 2
B.     Act 3 scene 3
C.     Act 4 scene 4
D.    Act 5 scene 5
Ans. B   The Mute Scene (Act III, scene iii) is very important from the theatrical point of view since through this Galsworthy presents the deep agony of a helpless man, Falder in the solitary confinement. The scene arouses not only our pity and fear, but also our hatred for the system.
Ques 15. “Justice” is best described as
A.    Romantic comedy
B.     Tragedy
C.     Problem play
D.    Spiritual play
Ans. C
Ques 16. Who discovers the forgery of William Falder check of nine pounds forged for ninety?
A.    James How
B.     William How
C.     Robert Cokeson
D.    None
Ans. C
Ques 17. John Galsworthy has treated the theme of law and justice in many of his plays. Why?
A.    Because his father was an advocate
B.     Because he was himself a qualified advocate
C.     Because he was interested in stories of crime and punishment
D.    Because he had an intimate friend who was a professional detective
Ans. B
Ques 18. John Galsworthy is also a great stylist. His style is remarkable for _____.
A.      its strength and elasticity
B.      its powerful sweep, brilliant illustrations
C.      its deep psychological analysis
D.     all of the above
Ans. D
Ques 19. _____ are considered Galsworthy’s monumental works.
A.      The Fortsyte Saga and A Modern Comedy
B.      The Fortsyte Saga and The End of the Chapter
C.      The Man of Property and The end of the Chapter
D.     The Man of Property and A Modern Comedy
Ans. A
Ques 20. _____ is the main theme of most of Galsworthy’s plays.
A.      family history
B.      fraternity
C.      social problems of his time
D.     love
Ans. C
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Justice Play by John Galsworthy: summary


Justice Play by John Galsworthy: summary


John Galsworthy OM (1867 –1933) was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga (1906–1921) and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932. Justice published in 1910. It was part of a campaign to improve conditions in British prisons
The play opens in the office of James How & Sons, solicitors. The senior clerk, Robert Cokeson, discovers that a check he had issued for nine pounds has been forged to ninety. By elimination, suspicion falls upon William Falder, the junior office clerk. William Falder is in love with a married woman, the abused and ill-treated wife of a brutal drunkard. Pressed by his employer, a severe unkindly man, Falder confesses the forgery, pleading the dire necessity of his sweetheart, Ruth Honeywill, with whom he had planned to escape to save her from the unbearable brutality of her husband. Notwithstanding the entreaties of young Walter How, who holds modern ideas, his father, a moral and law-respecting citizen, turns Falder over to the police.
The second act, in the court room, shows Justice in the very process of manufacture. The scene equals in dramatic power and psychological verity the great court scene in "Resurrection." Young Falder, a youth of twenty-three, stands before the bar. Ruth, his faithful sweetheart, full of love and devotion, burns with anxiety to save the young man, whose affection for her has brought about his present predicament. Falder is defended by Lawyer Frome, whose speech to the jury is a masterpiece of social philosophy. He does not attempt to dispute the mere fact that his client had altered the check; and though he pleads temporary aberration in his defense, the argument is based on a social consciousness as fundamental and all-embracing as the roots of our social ills. He shows Falder to have faced the alternative of seeing the beloved woman murdered by her brutal husband, whom she cannot divorce, or of taking the law into his own hands. He pleads with the jury not to turn the weak young man into a criminal by condemning him to prison.
In prison the young, inexperienced convict soon finds himself the victim of the terrible "system." The authorities admit that young Falder is mentally and physically "in bad shape," but nothing can be done in the matter: many others are in a similar position, and "the quarters are inadequate."
The third scene of the third act takes place in Falder's prison.
Falder leaves the prison, a broken man. Thanks to Ruth's pleading, the firm of James How & Son is willing to take Falder back in their employ, on condition that he give up Ruth. Falder resents this.
It is then that Falder learns the awful news that the woman he loves had been driven by the chariot wheel of Justice to sell herself. At this moment the police appear to drag Falder back to prison for failing to report to the authorities as ticket-of-leave man. Completely overcome by the inexorability of his fate, Falder throws himself down the stairs, breaking his neck.
The socio-revolutionary significance of "Justice" consists not only in the portrayal of the in-human system which grinds the Falders and Honeywills, but even more so in the utter helplessness of society as expressed in the words of the Senior Clerk, Cokeson, "No one'll touch him now! Never again! He's safe with gentle Jesus!"
The play opens in the office of the managing clerk at the firm of James and Walter How. Robert Cokeson, the managing clerk is sitting at his table adding up figures in a pass- book when Sweedle, the office boy appears to inform that a lady wants to see Falder, a junior clerk in the office. The lady is called in. Introducing herself as Ruth Honeywell, she tells Cokeson that she wants to see Falder on personal business. Cokeson replies that it is against rules to allow private callers in the office, but when she insists that it is a matter of life and death, he reluctantly allows her to meet Falder who has just come in.

Ruth informs Falder that her husband in a drunken state had tried to kill her and she fled with the children while her husband was asleep. As Falder reveals his plan to go away from England, they must pretend to be husband and wife. Ruth needs some money to make some purchases. Thinking that Falder is hesitant to go away with her, she offers to stay back with her husband and be killed rather than go away with him against his will. But Falder assures her that they will go and tells her to be at the booking office at 11:45 that night.

But meanwhile James How, the senior partner, points out a discrepancy in the balance amount in the pass- book and soon it is found that a cheque drawn for nine pounds has been cashed for ninety pounds. Walter says that he had given the cheque to Cokeson. But as it was his lunch time, Cokeson had given the cheque to Davis, a junior clerk to cash it. Cokeson is upset and draws the conclusion that Davis who has just left for Australia had forged the cheque.

Meanwhile, Cowley, the cashier of the bank who had encashed the cheque is called in so that he will be able to identify the person who had encashed the cheque. The cashier identifies Falder who has just come to James How’s room as the person who had encashed the cheque for ninety pounds. When the cashier leaves, James calls in Falder and asks him about the cheque. Falder admits that Davis gave him the cheque to encash it. He did encash it but it was for ninety pounds. Falder suggests that possibly Davis altered the cheque before giving it to him. But James How tells him that the counterfoil of the cheque was with Walter till Tuesday and hence it was not possible for Davis to alter the figures in the counterfoil as he had already left for Australia on Monday. Being thus cornered, Falder admits his guilt and begs to be excused, pleading that he has committed the offence in a fit of madness. Besides, he even promises to return the money.

Both Walter and Cokeson request James How to be lenient as this is his first offence. Walter would like to give Falder a chance for the sake of his future. But James is of the view that such persons are to be kept in prison. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Wister arrives and Falder is taken away on the charge of felony.

Act II opens in the Court of Justice. The Court-room is crowded with barristers, reporters, ushers and jurymen. The trial of Falder is in progress.
Falder is seen at the dock with a warden on either side of him. He is being tried for an offence he had committed on 7th July. On that day, he had forged a cheque. The offence was discovered on the 18th of July. He was arrested on the same day and was taken away to prison. He remained as an under-trial prisoner till October when the trial took place. In the trial, Falder is represented by Hector Frome, a tall young man in a very white wig. Harold Cleaver, the counsel for the Crown, is a dried, yellowish man, of more than middle-age in a yellowing wig.

Falder’s counsel Frome does not dispute the fact of forgery of the cheque but takes up the plea that he had committed the offence “in a moment of aberration, amounting to temporary insanity” caused by violent distress under which he was labouring. He presents to the court the circumstances of his love for a woman married to a brutal drunkard and how he had planned to rescue her. He appeals to the jury to consider the fact that the unfortunate woman has no other means to save herself and her children, except by escaping with Falder to a foreign country. For that they require money. Driven by a desperate impulse to obtain the much- needed money, Falder altered the figures in the cheque. Frome argued that as Falder was not in a sane state of mind, he could not be held responsible for his action and to prove his contention, he cites the evidence, first of Cokeson, and next of Honeywill.

After Frome, the defence counsel had examined both Cokeson and Ruth. Cleaver, the prosecution counsel, cross- examines Falder. In his evidence, Falder had taken the plea that he was off his mind when he forged the cheque and for four minutes, he knew nothing except that he ran to the bank. Cleaver’s contention is that since Falder knew that he ran, he could not by any means have been unconscious of what he did or did not do when altering the cheque. Cleaver’s view is summed up in this extract:
Cleaver: Divested of the romantic glamour which my friend is casting over the case, is this anything but an ordinary forgery? Come.

Falder: I was half frantic all that morning, sir.
Cleaver: Now, now! You don’t deny that the ‘ty’ and the ‘nought’ were so like the rest of the handwriting as to thoroughly deceive the cashier?
Falder: It was an accident.
Cleaver: (cheerfully) Queer sort of accident, wasn’t it?......
Cleaver attempted to prove that Falder was not at all off his mind but had done everything deliberately in a planned way including going back to work in the afternoon after encashing the cheque and depositing nine pounds and changing the figures in the counterfoil five days later.

Frome, the defence counsel, next addresses the jury by expressing his belief that the jury has already been convinced that the offence was committed in “a moment of mental and moral avcuity” arising from intense emotional excitement. He appealed to the jury that his objective was not to invest the case with “romantic glamour” but to show the background of “life” that had led to the offence. The act of forging the cheque was the work of four mad moments during which this weak and nervous young man had slipped into the cage of the Law. He had already passed two months in the prison as an under-trial prisoner and that had been punishment enough for him.

However, Cleaver, the prosecution counsel, crushes Frome’s plea of temporary insanity by quoting the managing clerk and the woman’s statements that the accused was not mad, however excited or “jumpy” he might have been. Besides the seriousness of the offence, two other points needed consideration to prosecute Falder: his action that would shift the suspicion to Davis, the clerk who was on tour and his relations with a married woman.

At the direction of the judge, the jury who had left the court room for a private discussion returns and announces that they have found Falder guilty. The judge agrees with the verdict of the jury that Falder is guilty of forgery. While agreeing that Falder was overcome by emotions, the judge clarified the immoral nature of the emotions for which any plea for mercy could not be considered. He observed: “The Law is what it is- a majestic edifice, sheltering all of us, each stone of which rests on another. I am concerned only with its administration………You will go to penal servitude for three years”.

Act III opens in the prison Governor’s room. The date is 24th December. We recall that Falder was arrested on 18th July, was tried in October and sentenced to three years of penal servitude.

The chief jail-warder, Wooder, has discovered a small, rough, handmade saw made by a prisoner named Moaney and who has cut his window bar with it. Moaney is an old jail- bird serving his fourth term. The warder reports to the governor that there is a general unrest among the prisoners, though they are in separate cells. The prisoner named O’ Cleary began banging on his door that morning. The governor is worried at the discontentment of the prisoners. However, the prison chaplain is all for breaking the will power of these prisoners.

Presently Cokeson, the managing clerk of the solicitors’ firm where Falder worked, enters and meets the governor. He tells the governor that he has come to talk about Falder who was his junior clerk. Falder’s sister had requested him to enquire about Falder. But the governor explains to him that as Falder is on a month’s separate confinement, he is not allowed any visitors. Cokeson is upset to hear this and remembers how it had affected Falder’s mind when he was an under-trial prisoner.

Cokeson relates to the governor Falder’s love with a married woman whose husband was a nasty and spiteful fellow. He refers to her desire to wait for him till he comes out. He tells the governor: “He’s got three years to serve. I want things to be pleasant with him. He sees no good in solitary imprisonment.” The Chaplain however doesn’t seem to agree with Cokeson’s views.

Meanwhile, the jail-doctor arrives and reports that solitary confinement is doing him no harm. But Cokeson refers to the great mental suffering of the young man. He then asks if the woman could be permitted to see Falder; that would do well to both of them. However, the governor tells him that such visits are against rules. Cokeson turns back sadly.
Scene ii of Act III presents a vivid picture of the effect of solitary imprisonment on the prisoners by bringing out the episode of the inspection of the prison governor of the prisoners undergoing solitary confinement. First, the governor sees Moaney, inquires of him about the saw that he has made and whether he would give him his word not to try it again. But when Moaney does not wish to give his word, he is given two days’ cell with bread and water. Next, the governor sees Clipton who is suffering from age complaints and is a nervous wreck for whom sleep is the only comfort. He complains about the noise from the adjacent cell. The governor then sees O’ Cleary, the Irish prisoner who banged on the door in the morning. Being asked why he banged on the door, he says that the impulse to make noise seizes him; he cannot be steady. The noise that he makes with his hands will be conversation to him. The governor then goes to Falder’s cell. He asks Falder to settle down to prison life calmly and not break down in nervousness. Falder says that he cannot sleep in the early hours of the morning and has the apprehension that he will not be able to come out of prison. The governor asks him to strengthen his mind and not to think of private troubles. Meanwhile, when the prison-doctor arrives, the governor asks him to examine Falder’s health. After examining Falder, the doctor reports that there is nothing wrong with him except his nervousness.

Scene iii of Act III takes us to Falder’s cell, a whitewashed space thirteen feet broad by seven deep- and nine feet high, with a rounded ceiling. His bedding lies rolled up in a corner. On a shelf above, lie several books. The novel Lorna Doone lies open on a small table. Above the table is hanging a shirt from a nail, his set work being to make button- holes in the shirt. There is a gas jet in a corner by the window covered by a thick glass.

Falder is seen standing motionless trying hard to hear something, any little sound outside the silent prison cell. He paces the cell like an animal in a cage. There is a sharp tap and a click. A sound from far away terrifies him at first. But when the banging sound travels from cell to cell, his weak brain is overpowered. He swings his hand in a sort of unconscious response to the sound and at last begins to beat the door.

Act IV opens in Cokeson’s room on a March evening two years later. This point is interesting. We know that Falder was imprisoned in October for three years. But now we see that he has been released in about two years. Obviously, he has got partial remission of the three year term as we understand from Ruth Honeywill’s discussion with Cokeson. She tells Cokeson that she met Falder the day before; he is all skin and bone. Falder had got a job but he could keep it for only three weeks.

Cokeson asks her if she can do something for him, till he finds his feet. But she tells Cokeson of her difficulty in that matter as the money she earns is not enough for the two children. Then her employer kept her as his mistress and treated her well. But now that she has seen Falder released from prison, she will no more return to her employer and asks Cokeson if Falder could be employed back by the firm. Cokeson does not promise anything but tells her that he will speak to the partners. Then Ruth goes out.

Presently, Falder enters the room. Cokeson shakes hands with him and tells him that he intends to speak to the partners about him. Falder then relates to him how, after his release, he found employment but when the other clerks came to know of his past, he gave up the job in shame. He then got another job, but could not stick to it. He did something wrong by giving false references and being afraid he left the job. He also tells Cokeson about his ill- treatment at the hands of his sister’s husband who wanted to pay him twenty- five pounds to see that he left for Canada for good. Cokeson too wanted to offer him the money but Falder declines the offer.

Falder next relates his meeting with Ruth and his love for her inspite of the fact that it has caused him so much misery. Falder remarks with bitter irony that everyone seems to be sorry for him but all are afraid to associate with him. Presently, when the partners of the firm, James and Walter How, arrive Cokeson sends Falder to retire into the clerk’s office in order to talk about him to the partners.

Cokeson pleads with James on behalf of Falder by saying that he is quite repentant. He requests the partners to take him to fill a vacancy which happens to exist in the firm. James, the senior partner, is rather unwilling to have an ex- convict in the office. But Walter feels that they ought to help Falder.

James tells Falder that he may have a chance in the office, but he must guard against two things. First, he must get rid of the notion that he is unjustly treated. But Falder states that if first offenders like him are treated differently and somebody could take care of them instead of sending them to prison, most of the confirmed jail- birds would not have been in jail at all. James, however, has his doubts about so much goodness in human nature. He tells Falder that he must put all his past behind him and build himself up a steady reputation.

Secondly, James asks Falder to give up his connections with Ruth. Unless he does so, he would not be able to keep straight. But to Falder, his love for Ruth is the only thing that he looks forward to all the time. James thinks that the reputation of the firm cannot allow him to have a clerk who is not morally strong. If Falder agrees to give up Ruth, he can come, otherwise not. However, Falder declares that they cannot give up each other. James adds that he might overlook if Falder had any chance of marrying her. Walter offers to see if their firm can manage a divorce. With James’ permission, Falder beckons Ruth to come up. Ruth comes in and stands calmly by Falder. James tells her about Falder and wants her to have courage enough to give him up if she wants Falder to be taken in the office again. But Falder is not prepared to give her up. However, at James’ insistence, Ruth agrees to leave Falder alone. At that moment, Falder realizes that Ruth had behaved immorally during his absence. He almost breaks down in despair.

At that moment, the detective sergeant, Wister, comes in and says that he is looking for the clerk named Falder whom he wants arrested here. He tells James and the others present that Falder has failed to report himself regularly to the police and lately he is wanted in connection with a forged reference with which he secured an employment. Cokeson tries to put him off by asking him to come some other time. James too does not show his inclination to help out Wister. But when Wister notices Falder’s cap left behind on the table, he makes towards the room where Ruth and Falder are waiting.

Wister catches hold of Falder and as they go downstairs together, Falder throws himself down. His neck is broken and the dull thud of the fall is heard by James and others in the room. Ruth is about to fall in a faint and as Walter and Cokeson take care of Ruth, Sweadle rushes out and with Wister’s help, brings in Falder’s body to the outer office. Ruth breaks down but Cokeson holds out his hand to Ruth saying that no one would touch Falder now; he is safe with gentle Jesus.

A close look at the subject-matter is necessary in order to decide whether the title ‘Justice’ is appropriate for the play. The play can be seen as a commentary upon the administration of criminal law in England during Galsworthy’s time. The basic issues raised are:

1.Even if the law is justly administered, does it do real justice to the criminal?
2.While the law aspires to be just to all, is a person given the deserved justice?
3.Does Falder, who is sent to prison for a period of three years, suffer more than he deserves at the hands of the harsh and unimaginative prison administration?

The solitary imprisonment administered to Falder for committing the offence of tempering a cheque is an important angle in our attempt to find an answer to the question whether Falder was dispensed the deserved justice. This whole effort is as the chaplain says, “to break the perverted will of the prisoners”.
After his release from the prison, he finds that he has not been able to escape the mental agony that he suffered during his solitary imprisonment. Justice was done to him by sending him to jail. But “the rolling of the chariot wheels of justice” crushes him and along with him, his beloved Ruth.
Galsworthy brings out the social system of contemporary England which is so indifferent to the individual. In the name of giving protection to them, the system administers a kind of justice which lies at the root of the tragedy. Hence, the title is quite justified in its implications of irony concerning the mechanisms of the legal system.

LET US KNOW
In the discussion of Justice, the term ‘social problem’ has been used on several occasions. Social problems are the themes of modern social tragedies. Because of their preoccupation with social problems, these plays are known as “problem plays”. In these plays, the individual is pitted against the big forces of society, suffers and perishes. Falder in Justice is pitted against the force of the law and is crushed at the end. The cause of his suffering and tragedy is rooted in social ills and errors from which he could not come out.



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The Merchant of Venice: Objective Questions for LT

The Merchant of Venice: Objective Questions for LT
Ques 1. When “The Merchant of Venice” was first performed?
A.    1602
B.    1603
C.    1604
D.   1605
Ans.  D
Ques 2. When “The Merchant of Venice” was first published?
A.    1600
B.    1601
C.    1602
D.   1603
Ans. A

Ques 3. The caskets that Portia’s suitors must pick from are made of what materials?

  • A. Gold, silver, lead
  • B. Teak, mahogany, pine
  • C. Bone, porcelain, clay
  • D. Marble, stone, brick
Ans. A

Ques 4. Which of the following is a reason Shylock gives for hating Antonio?

  • A. Antonio has insulted Shylock in the past.
  • B. Antonio lends money without interest, which damages Shylock’s business.
  • C. Antonio hates Jews.
  • D. All of the above
Ans. D

Ques 5. Whom does Bassanio agree to bring with him to Belmont?

  • A. Old Gobbo
  • B. Gratiano
  • C. Antonio
  • D. Jessica
Ans. B

Ques 6. What act does Jessica believe will solve the misery of life with Shylock?

  • A. Becoming a more devout Jew
  • B. Ensuring that Shylock loses his bond to Antonio
  • C. Marrying Lorenzo
  • D. Locking herself in her room
Ans. C

Ques 7. According to Lorenzo’s plan, how will Jessica escape from her father’s house?

  • A. She will disguise herself as Lorenzo’s torchbearer and slip out undetected.
  • B. She will leave during the night, while Shylock is asleep.
  • C. She will take her father to a large public auction and get lost in the crowd.
  • D. She will fake her own death.
Ans. A

Ques 8. How does Shylock react to losing Launcelot as a servant?

  • A. He weeps in private
  • B. He tells Launcelot that Bassanio will be a harder master
  • C. He beats Launcelot with a stick
  • D. He refuses to pay Launcelot the wages he owes him
Ans. B

Ques 9. How does Portia react to the prince of Morocco’s failure as a suitor?

  • A. She prays that no one with such dark skin ever wins her hand.
  • B. She is relieved because the quick-tempered prince would not have made a stable husband.
  • C. She is sad to lose such a wealthy suitor.
  • D. She laughs at his foolishness and sends him away.
Ans. A

Ques 10. Who loses the opportunity to marry Portia by choosing the silver casket?

  • A. The Jew of Malta
  • B. The prince of Arragon
  • C. The duke of Earl
  • D. The viscount of Normandy
Ans. B

Ques 11. According to Tubal’s report, for what did Jessica trade Shylock’s most precious ring?

  • A. A gondola
  • B. A horse for Bassanio
  • C. A christening gown for her first child
  • D. A monkey
Ans. D

Ques 12. What course of action does Portia suggest when she learns that Shylock wishes to collect his pound of flesh?

  • That Bassanio and his men disguise themselves and usher Antonio a safe distance away from Venice
  • That the matter be dealt with in a court of law
  • That the bond be paid many times over
  • That Jessica plead with her father for mercy
Ans. C

Ques 13. Where does Portia instruct her servant Balthasar to hurry?

  • A. To an apothecary
  • B. To Padua to visit Doctor Bellario
  • C. To Morocco
  • D. To Shylock’s house
Ans. B

Ques 14. What complaint does Launcelot make regarding the conversion of the Jews?

  • A. He says there would be no one left to loan money.
  • B. He says the garment industry would suffer.
  • C. He says that the price of bacon would soar.
  • D. He says the Catholic Church would be unable to handle so many conversions.
Ans. C

Ques 15. In court, how does Antonio react to Shylock’s insistence on collecting his pound of flesh?

  • A. He vows that he will meet Shylock’s hatred with patience.
  • B. He weeps openly.
  • C. He curses Shylock’s vengefulness.
  • D. He makes an impassioned plea to the court to intervene on his behalf.
Ans. A

Ques 16. Who enters the court disguised as a young doctor of Law named Balthasar?

  • A. Portia
  • B. Nerissa
  • C. Jessica
  • D. Lorenzo
Ans. A

Ques 17. What loophole in Shylock’s bond allows Portia to stop him from taking a pound of Antonio’s flesh?

  • A. Jewish law prohibits Shylock from practicing his trade on the Sabbath.
  • B. Shylock is entitled only to flesh, but not blood.
  • C. Shylock forgot to sign the bond.
  • D. There is no hard evidence that Antonio’s ships have sunk, and that he cannot pay the bond.
Ans. B

Ques 18. How is Shylock punished for seeking to take Antonio’s life?

  • A. He is banished.
  • B. He is ordered to surrender all his property to the Church of Rome.
  • C. He must convert to Christianity and will his possessions to Jessica and Lorenzo upon     his death.
  • D. He must work as Antonio’s servant for the remainder of his life.
Ans. C

Ques 19. What words does Shylock utter after accepting the court’s sentence?

  • A. A pox upon Venice
  • B. These are most unlawful laws
  • C. Forgive me my sins
  • D. I am not well
Ans. D

Ques 20. What news does Antonio receive at the play’s end?

  • A. Shylock has killed himself.
  • B. Some of the ships he supposed were lost have arrived in port.
  • C. The duke of Venice has changed his mind and finds Antonio guilty of forfeiture of Shylock’s bond.
  • D. His long lost brother has been found.
Ans. B
Ques 21. Who is the merchant of Venice?
A.  Bassanio
B.   Antonio
C.   Portio
D.  Shylock

Ans. B
Ques 22. Bassanio wants to marry Portia for what reason?
A.  Because she has money
B.   Because he is lonely
C.   Because she is beautiful
D.  Because he loves her
Ans. A
Ques 23. What Biblical passage does Shylock quote to defend charging interest on loans?
A.  Pilot whipping Jesus 40 times
B.   Jacob receiving the striped lambs from his father-in-law
C.   The scene of the last supper
D.  Noah building the ark
Ans. B
Ques 24. What condition must the Prince of Morocco agree to before he may choose from among the caskets?
A.  That if he chooses wrong, he will kill himself
B.   That if he chooses wrong, he will have to marry a woman of Portia's choosing
C.   That if he chooses wrong, he will never marry
D.  That if he chooses wrong, he will give Portia all his wealth and leave forever
Ans. C
Ques 25. Gobbo arrives with a present for Shylock. What is the present?
A.  Doves
B.   Sweetmeats
C.   Baubles
D.  Gold
Ans. A
Ques 26. Lancelot leaves Shylock to become whose servant?
A.  Antonio
B.   Gobbo
C.   Jessica
D.  Bassanio
Ans. D
Ques 27. Lorenzo and Jessica do what during the masque?
A.  Purchase a monkey and bring it back to Shylock's house
B.   They run away from Shylock's house, taking a great deal of gold and valuables with them
C.   Get into an argument and refuse to speak to one another
D.  Become drunk with the other revelers
Ans. B
Ques 28. How is Jessica dressed when she runs away from Shylock?
A.  As a queen
B.   As a clown
C.   As a man
D.  In a valuable dress covered with jewels
Ans. C
Ques 29. The Prince of Morocco chooses which casket?
A.  Gold
B.   Silver
C.   Bronze
       D.Lead
Ans. A    Gold casket reveals skull

Ques 30.  The second suitor, the Prince of Aragon, arrives in Belmont and chooses the silver casket. What does the casket reveal?
A.  A dagger
B.   A miniature portrait of Portia
C.   A skull
D.  A blinking idiot

Ans. D  inside the silver casket there is a portrait of  “A blinking idiot” holding a letter that redicules the prince for making the wrong choice

Ques 31. What is one fundamental difference between Belmont and Venice?
A.  Belmont is a commercial center, whereas Venice is an artistic center
B.   Belmont has women present, whereas Venice only has men on the streets
C.   Belmont is larger than Venice in absolute landmass
D.  Belmont represents the middle classes, whereas Venice represents the aristocratic classes

Ans B      Venice is a city of trade , merchants and greed. Where Shylock was allowed to live and trade. It is a place of romance and festivity. Belmont, where Portia lives, is naturally beautiful and peaceful. it is a place where women and men live in greater equality and where peace reigns, unlike in the chaotic and cosmopolitan streets of Venice.

Ques 32. Shylock delivers his famous monologue, "Hath not a Jew eyes?", to which characters?
A.  Jessica and Lorenzo
B.   Portia and Nerissa
C.   Solanio and Salerio
D.  Bassanio and Graziano

Ans. C

Ques 33. How many ships does Antonio believe he has lost in total?
A.  3
B.   4
C.   2
D.  1

Ans. A

Ques 34. After Bassanio chooses the correct casket, what does Portia give him and tell him never to lose?
A.  Money to take to Antonio
B.   A ring
C.   Herself
D.  The casket
Ans. B

Ques 35. What amount of money does Bassanio offer Shylock to pay off Antonio's debt?
A.  6,000 ducats
B.   2,000 ducats
C.   10,000 ducats
D.  8,000 ducats
Ans. A



Ques 36. Who needs money to suit Portia?
A. Antonio
B. Bassanio
C. Gratiano
D. Lorenzo

Ans. B

Ques 37. Who marries Nerissa?
A. Gratiano
B. Lorenzo
C. Antonio
D. Bassanio

Ans. A   Nerissa – Portia's waiting maid and   Gratiano – friend of Antonio and Bassanio

Ques 38.  Who marries Shylock's daughter, Jessica?

A. Bassanio
B. Gratiano
C. Lorenzo
D. Antonio

Ans. C    Jessica runs away from home, dressed as a torchbearer at a masque, and marries Lorenzo. Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio

Ques 39. What is Shylock's profession?

A. Merchant
B. Lawyer
C. Sailor
D. Usurer
Ans. D   Shylock is a usurer or moneylender. He lends money and charges interest on it.


Ques 40. How much money does Antonio borrow from Shylock?
A. 5000 ducats
B. 3000 ducats
C. 3000 pounds
D. 5000 pounds

Ans. B  Antonio borrows 3000 ducats from Shylock. He gives this money to Bassanio to suit Portia with.

Ques 41. . If Antonio cannot pay the money back in three months he must give Shylock a pound of _________.
Ans. Flesh    Shylock would be allowed to cut off a pound of flesh from anywhere on Antonio's body.



Ques 42. In Act 3, Scene 1, Shylock gives his famous speech, "...Hath not a Jew eyes, hath not a Jew hands, organs..." Shylock is asked what is the bond good for. Shylock's first answer is ....

A. "to feed my revenge"
B. "to give me pleasure"
C. "to make Antonio suffer"
D. "to bait fish withal" 

Ans. D       


Ques 43. Which of these does Shylock NOT agree to in the end?

A. Give Antonio half his money, in trust until Shylock dies
B. Give all his money to Antonio
C. Change his religion
D. Leave his money to his daughter when he dies
Ans. B     Although the law calls for him to give half of his money to the state and half to the person he threatened, Antonio says that, instead, he will only have his share until Shylock dies, at which time it will be given to Shylock's daughter and her husband. The Duke allows Shylock to keep the money that should have gone to the state, on condition that he become a Christian and leave all his estate (not just Antonio's due half) to Jessica and Lorenzo when he dies.
Ques. 44. Who is Shylock's only friend shown in the play?
Ans. Tubal
Ques 45. How many scores (20) of ducats did Jessica spend at one sitting in Genoa?

A. 8
B. 6
C. 4
D. 2
Ans. C
Ques 46. Which casket has the inscription "Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves"?
A. Silver
B. Bronze
C. Gold
D. Lead
Ans. A   Prince of Arragon choses it and it reveals a blinking idiot meant wrong choice
Ques 47. Which casket has the inscription "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire”?
A. Silver
B. Bronze
C. Gold
D. Lead
Ans. C     Prince of Morocco choses it and it reveals skull  and says all that glitters is not gold.


Ques 48. Which casket has the inscription "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath."
A. Silver
B. Bronze
C. Gold
D. Lead
Ans. D  Bassanio  choses it and wins Portia’s hand to marry. It contains a picture of Portia.
Ques 49. In Act 3, Scene 1, Shylock says "a diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in _______".
Ans. Frankfurt
Ques 50. Who said it?
In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. In Act 1?
A.  Antonio
B.   Bassanio
C.   Gratiano
D.  Portia
 Ans. A
Ques 51. Antonio's treatment of Shylock is __________ by today's standards.
A.  rational
B.   anti-Semitic
C.   economical
D.  compassionate
Ans. B
Ques 52. Shylock Famous speech ““Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is?” appears in
A.    Act 1 scene 2
B.    Act 2 Scene 2
C.    Act 3 Scene 1
D.   Act 4 Scene 2
Ans. C   Shylock says speech to Salarino.
Ques 53. Where appear the famous speech “ The quality of mercy is not strained”by Portia in play “The Merchant of Venice”?
A.    Act 1 scene 2
B.    Act 2 Scene 2
C.    Act 3 Scene 1
D.   Act 4 Scene 1
Ans. D   Portia says to Shylock