Passage
Gonzalo
That our garments, being, as they were, drenched
in the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness
and gloss, being rather new-dyed than stained
with salt water.
Antonio
If but one of his pockets could speak, would it
not say he lies?
Sebastian
Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report.
Gonzalo
Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when
we put them on first in Africa, at the marriage of
the King’s fair daughter Claribel to the King of
Tunis.
(i) How has Gonzalo tried to console Alonso? Why?
Answer : Gonzalo has tried to console Alonso because Alonso is in grief over the supposed death of his son Ferdinand. According to Gonzalo, they should be cheerful for the fact that they have escaped the worst tempest in their lives.
(ii) What seems to be something miraculous to Gonzalo?
Answer : Gonzalo has tried to console Alonso because Alonso is in grief over the supposed death of his son Ferdinand. According to Gonzalo, they should be cheerful for the fact that they have escaped the worst tempest in their lives.
(iii) How is he mocked at by Antonio?
Answer : Antonio, making fun of Gonzalo, says that if one of his pockets could speak it would say he told a lie as it had mud in it.
(iv) Who is Claribel? From where is the party of passengers coming?
Answer : Claribel is Alonso’s daughter. The party of passengers aboard the ship that has ‘wrecked’ is coming from Africa where Claribel was married to the King of Tunis.
(v) How does Sebastian describe Claribel’s marriage later in the context?
Answer : Sebastian ironically remarks that the marriage was ‘sweet’ (unlucky) . That was why, they had a ‘prosperous’ (disastrous) voyage back.
(vi) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) notwithstanding (b) pocked up
Answer : (a) yet (b) hide
Passage
Sebastian
Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss,
That would not bless our Europe with your daughter
But rather loose her to an African;
Where shall at least is banished your eye,
Who hath cause to wet the grief on’t.
Alonso
Prithee, peace.
Sebastian
You were kneeled to an importuned otherwise
By all of us, and the fair soul herself
Weighed between loathness and obedience, at
Which end o’th’ beam should bow. We have lost your son,
I fear, for ever. Milan and Naples have
More windows in them of this business’ making
Then we bring men to comfort them.
The fault’s your own.
(i) Who is Alonso? Why is he in grief?
Answer : Alonso is the king of Naples. He is in grief over the supposed loss of his son Ferdinand. He is inconsolable. He does not believe that his son could be alive.
(ii) Who is Sebastian? Why does he blame Alonso?
Answer : Sebastian is Alonso’s brother. He blames Alonso for the voyage which took the toll of Alonso’s son Ferdinand. He wants to say that if they had not undertaken to voyage to get his daughter married to an African, Ferdinand would have been alive.
(iii) Why is Antonio pointing out to the way the others have fallen asleep?
Answer : Antonio is pointing out to Sebastian that all have together fallen asleep as if struck down by thunder. He wants to underline the fact that Fate has given a golden opportunity to them and it must be availed of.
(iv) Explain : ‘My strong imagination sees a crown/Dropping upon thy head’.
Answer : Antonio is now more open than before in laying bare his vicious plan. He says that he is already seeing Sebastian being crowned as a king. Slowly and surely he is whetting the secret desire in Sebastian to be the king himself.
(v) How does Antonio later openly disclose what he wants?
Answer : Antonio tells Sebastian that he can be the king of Naples by killing his sleeping brother Alonso. The prince Ferdinand is thought to be dead and the princess is married in a far-off country. Gonzalo, who is devoted to Alonso, will be killed. Others would be happy to obey them.
(vi) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:
(a) nimble (b) speaks
Answer : (a) lively (b) incites