Read the following extract from Act 2 of “The Merchant of Venice” and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate option from the choices given below:

Portia: In terms of choice, I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes;
Besides the lottery of my destiny,
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.

“Nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.” What is the significance of this line in Portia’s life?

[1 mark]

Portia can utilise the meaning of this phrase to choose her life partner.

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No significance, as Portia would not be able to choose her partner.

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Portia has declared her future husband using her judgement.

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Portia has asked her friends to choose a life partner for her based on this line.

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Solution

The correct option is B No significance, as Portia would not be able to choose her partner.
The sentence “Nice direction of a maiden’s eyes” refers to the attentive nature of a girl to find out every detail of the man with whom she is going to be married. But this is not the case with Portia because her destiny is solely dependent on the outcome of the lottery devised by her father. The winner of the lottery has to be the life partner of Portia. So, this line has no significance in determining Portia’s life partner. It is just a quotation for her.

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Portia: In terms of choice, I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes;
Besides the lottery of my destiny,
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.

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Portia: In terms of choice, I am not solely led
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