1.

Antonio: Then let us both be sudden.Gonzalo : (Waking) Now, good angels Preserve the kingAlonso: Whç how now? Ho! Awake?Why arc you drawn?Wherefore this ghastly looking?Gonzalo: ‘What’s the matter?(i) Where are the speakers? Briefly explain how they were at this place.(ii) What does Antonio mean by “Then let us both be sudden”? What does he convince Sebastian to do?(iii) What makes Gonzalo and Alonso wake up suddenly?(iv) What reason do Sebastian and Antonio give for their strange behavior?(v) Which sounds had Gonzalo heard? What did the king’s party decide to do at thè end of the scene?(vi) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the context of the passage:(a) sudden (b) drawn

Answer»

(i) The speakers are in one part of the island where Ariel had left them. They liad reached here aller their miraculous escape from the storm in the sea which was caused by Ariel. They liad jumped into tite sea to escape because the ship was about to sink.

(ii) Persuaded by Antonio, Sebastian had agreed to murder his brother Alonso and Gonzalo so that he was able to succeed to Alonso’s throne. While Alonso and Gonzalo were sleeping, they had decided to execute their plan of murder. In this regard Antonio had suggested to Sebastian that they should act with promptness. Antonio had convinced Sebastian that once Alonso was killed, his daughter Claribel would not come to claim the throne. Sebastian was sure to become the king of Naples.

(iii) Seeing that Gonzalo’s life is in danger, Ariel sings a song in his ear. In this song he tells Gonzalo that while he is sleeping, the conspirator is ready to avail himself of the opportunity. So he should wake up. Gonzalo wakes up and seeing Antonio and Sebastian with swords drawn awakens Alonso also.

(iv) Questioned by Gonzalo and Alonso as to why they have drawn their swords, Antonio and Sebastian tell them that they had heard a deep and distant growl like that of bulls or lions. This had awakened them and they had drawn their swords.

(v) Gonzalo had heard a low murmuring sound which had awakened him. Actually, it was Ariel’s voice buzzing in his ear to wake him up. At the end of this scene, Alonso and his companions decide to go on in search of Ferdinand. The king and Gonzalo were sure that he must be somewhere in the island.

(vi) (a) speedy, prompt 

(b) with swords drawn, ready to attack



Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions