LOYOLA COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), CHENNAI – 600 034
B.A. DEGREE EXAMINATION – ENGLISH LITERATURE
FOURTH SEMESTER – APRIL 2004
EL 4501/ENG 504 - SHAKESPEARE
Date : 05 .04.04
Duration: 9 – 12 noon
I Answer on the questions:
1. A piece of work that will make sick men whole’
a.Whose words are they are to whom spoken?
b.What was the piece of work?
2. “No Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he
We are two lions litter’d in one day”
a.Who does ‘he’ stand for?
b.Explain the metaphor?
3. “Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth
If you dare fight today, come to the field
If not, when you have stomachs”
a. Who are the speaker and the listener?
b. What does the word ‘stomachs’ mean?.
4. “O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet
Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords
In our own proper entrails”
Explain the passage.
5. “And Caesar’s spirit ranging for revenge
With Ate” by his side come lot from hell
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That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial”
Explain the passage
6. Let his deservings, and my love withal
Be valued ‘gainst your wife’s commandment
a. Whose ‘deservings’ is mentioned here?
b. What is the commandment?
7. Engaged my friend to his mere enemy,
To feed my means.
a. Identity the speaker and whom does the word ‘enemy’ to refer to?
b. Explain the words ‘my means’.
8. Live thou, I live. With much much more dismay
I view the Fight than thou that mak ‘st the Fray.
a. Bring out the significance of the word ‘Live’.
b. What do ‘Fight’ and ‘Fray’ refer to?
9. We all expect a gentle answer
a. Who is the speaker?
b. What does the speaker, mean by the expression a gentle answer?
Max : 100 marks
Hours : 3 hrs
(10 x 2 = 20 marks)
-2-
10. Now infidel, I have you on the hip
a. Identify the speaker and the listener
b. What is the mood of the speaker and what made him speak like this?
II. Answer any FIVE of the following in about 150 words
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
(5 x 8 = 40 marks)
Compare and contrast the characters of Brutus and Cassius.
Nemesis is fully in operation in the play – Discuss.
‘Jessica makes it worst of all the words of hatred on shylock in the play’. Discuss.
Comment on the aspect of humor in the play The Merchant Venice
Explain the tyranny of reason as embodied in the law in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream’.
As You Like It as a pastoral comedy. Enumerate.
Othello, a character depicting a tragic flaw which leads to his downfall. Explain.
Shakespeare’s great ability to relate to contemporary times and problems. Explain with special reference to
Othello, Midsummer Nights Dream and As You Like It.
III. Attempt essays in 300 words:
(2 x 20 = 40 marks)
19. Account for the failure of the Conspirators in Julius Caesar.
(OR)
Enumerate in your own words Shakespeare’s attitude towards democracy in ‘Julius Caesar’.
20. The Casket scene and the bond episode are compliment to each other. Explain.
(OR)
‘Bassanio is more loyal and sincere to his friend Antonio than to his wife Portia. - Elucidate.
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