3.6 The Merchant of Venice - Class 6 - Kumarbharati

Author: William Shakespeare (Adapted)

Genre: Play / Adapted Classic Tale

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 6

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The story The Merchant of Venice is adapted from Shakespeare’s famous play. Antonio, a kind merchant of Venice, invested all his money in ships. His best friend Bassanio wanted to marry Portia, a rich and intelligent lady, but needed money to visit her. Antonio helped by borrowing money from Shylock, a greedy moneylender. Shylock lent the money on a cruel condition: if Antonio failed to repay in three months, Shylock could cut a pound of his flesh. Meanwhile, Bassanio went to Belmont and chose the lead casket among gold, silver, and lead, thus winning Portia’s hand. Later, Antonio’s ships were reported lost, and Shylock demanded his cruel penalty. In court, a young lawyer pleaded for mercy, but Shylock refused. Finally, the lawyer declared that Shylock could take the flesh but not spill a drop of blood. Shylock realised he could not fulfil this condition and lost the case. The lawyer turned out to be Portia in disguise. Antonio’s life was saved, and later his ships returned safely. The story ends happily with lessons of mercy, justice, and true friendship.

Theme / Central Idea

The story highlights friendship, love, and the triumph of mercy over cruelty. It also teaches that greed and revenge lead to downfall, while kindness and wisdom bring happiness.

Character Sketches

Antonio

• Kind and generous merchant of Venice.

• Risked his wealth to help Bassanio.

• Almost lost his life due to Shylock’s cruel bond.

• Symbol of sacrifice and friendship.

Bassanio

• Handsome, noble, but poor.

• True friend of Antonio.

• Won Portia by choosing the lead casket.

• Represents loyalty and wisdom.

Portia

• Beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy.

• Bound by her father’s will to the casket test.

• Disguised as a lawyer to save Antonio.

• Symbol of wisdom, courage, and mercy.

Shylock

• Jewish moneylender, rich but greedy.

• Hated Antonio for lending money without interest.

• Demanded a pound of flesh as penalty.

• Symbol of cruelty and revenge.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Bassanio wanted to marry Portia.”

   Answer: The infinitive is to marry. It shows Bassanio’s purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Change the voice: Portia saved Antonio in court.

   Answer: Antonio was saved by Portia in court.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Use ‘must’ in a sentence based on the story.

   Answer: A true friend must always stand by you in difficult times.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Change into past tense: Shylock demands a pound of flesh.

   Answer: Shylock demanded a pound of flesh.

   
   

5. Wh-question framing

   Make a Wh-question for the underlined part: Antonio lived in Venice.

   Answer: Where did Antonio live?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Question: Why do you admire Antonio’s character?

   Answer: Antonio is admired because of his generosity and sacrifice. He risked his wealth and life to help his friend Bassanio, showing true friendship.

   
   

2. Question: Do you agree with Portia’s way of saving Antonio? Why?

   Answer: Portia’s way of saving Antonio was wise and brave. She used her intelligence to turn the law against Shylock without violence, showing that wisdom is stronger than cruelty.

   
   

3. Question: What do you learn from Shylock’s character?

   Answer: Shylock’s character teaches that greed and revenge destroy peace and respect. His cruelty led to his own downfall.

   
   

4. Question: How is mercy better than justice alone?

   Answer: Mercy is better because it adds kindness to justice. It blesses both the giver and the receiver, making life more humane.

   
   

5. Question: What qualities helped Bassanio win Portia?

   Answer: Bassanio’s wisdom, honesty, and faith helped him choose the lead casket. These qualities showed that true worth lies beyond riches and appearances.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. Antonio was a moneylender in Venice. → False (He was a merchant.)

2. Bassanio borrowed money from Shylock in Antonio’s name. → True

3. Portia’s suitors chose the gold and silver caskets but failed. → True

4. Shylock demanded Antonio’s ships as a penalty. → False (He demanded a pound of flesh.)

5. The young lawyer who saved Antonio was actually Portia. → True

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Question: What was the condition in Shylock’s bond?

   Answer: The condition was that if Antonio failed to repay the money within three months, Shylock could cut off a pound of Antonio’s flesh.

   
   

2. Question: How did Bassanio win Portia’s hand in marriage?

   Answer: Bassanio won Portia’s hand by choosing the lead casket among gold, silver, and lead, as per her father’s will. It proved his wisdom and sincerity.

   
   

3. Question: How did Portia save Antonio in court?

   Answer: Disguised as a lawyer, Portia argued that Shylock could take a pound of flesh but not shed a drop of blood. Since this was impossible, Shylock lost the case.

   
   

4. Question: Why did Shylock hate Antonio?

   Answer: Shylock hated Antonio because Antonio lent money to people without interest, which went against Shylock’s greedy business.

   
   

5. Question: What is the moral lesson of The Merchant of Venice?

   Answer: The story teaches that true friendship, wisdom, and mercy are greater than wealth and cruelty. It warns against greed and revenge.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The story The Merchant of Venice is an inspiring tale of friendship, love, and mercy. It combines the excitement of Portia’s casket test, the cruelty of Shylock’s bond, and the clever courtroom drama. Antonio’s loyalty, Bassanio’s sincerity, and Portia’s intelligence make the story memorable. The theme of mercy as a divine quality gives the story a deep moral value. The play is memorable not just as a tale of adventure but as a lesson that kindness and wisdom always win over cruelty and greed. It leaves readers with admiration for true friendship and a reminder that humanity lies in compassion.

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