Merchant of Venice. - Repositories

140 NOTES [ACT H.
groups do you divide the personages of this act ? Who forms
the connecting link between the different groups ? What is
the strongest character contrast that has yet been presented?
What are the two strongest emotions that have been revealed
by the characters of this act ? Keep in mind, for themes at
the close, the development of Shylock's plot against Antonio:
also the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio,—whether
or not it was equally strong on both sides.
ACT II.
SCENE I
Morocco. Erom the words the Prince utters, from the way
in which Portia addresses him. and from the "Flourish of
cornets" mentioned in the stage directions, we may assume in
the appearance of both Morocco and his train a great deal of
"barbaric splendor."
1. 2. livery. Used often in Shakespeare in the sense of a
servant's uniform worn to show what master he serves. Whose
livery does Morocco wear, and of what color is it ?
L 5. Phoebus. Apollo, the god of the sun, or the sun itself.
1. 7. reddest. Would this degree of comparison be right here
to-day ? Red blood was regarded as a sign of courage.
1. 8. aspects This is one of the words that in Shakespeare's
time had the accent nearer the end than it is to-day. Notice
where the same word occurs before in I., i., 54.
1. 9. fear'd. Used in its original meaning of frightened. Is
Morocco conceited, or only justly self-respecting?
1. 13. In terms of. With respect to.