Merchant of Venice. - Repositories

142 NOTES [ACT II
1, 43. What peculiar grammatical construction in this line
that has occurred twice before in the play ? Eind the two other
instances.
1. 44. temple. Some editors think this was originally written
table ; others think it means the church. Give good reasons
for both views, and in the second case show what Shakespeare
has just been writing about that might lead him to give the Greek
rather than the Christian word for a place of worship.
1. 46. To make me. What ellipsis must be supplied before
the beginning of this line ?
I. 46. blest or cursed'st. What less condensed form of expression
would we use here to-day ?
II. 1-46. Read toward the end of the notes the article on the
Duration of the Action, and tell what reasons there are for the
elapse of not much more than a week between this scene and
the last. Why did Morocco wish to win Portia as his wife ? Do
you think she was inwardly "mocking" him as she mocked the
other suitors in her conversation with Nerissa? What is the
most important fact that we have learned from this scene ?
SCENE
Launcelot. To which one of the three groups of characters
presented in Act I. do we now return ?
1. 1. serve. Assist. At present, however, which attitude is
his conscience assuming in regard to his running away ?
1. 10. Via. " A word of exhortation used by a boat's crew
when increasing their stroke."
II