UNIT 6 - THE DISCOVERY - TWO MARKS QUESTIONS

 

UNIT 6 - THE DISCOVERY - TWO MARKS QUESTIONS

1. What is termed as his worst enemy by Columbus?

Ans.: Columbus feels that his uncontrolled tongue is his worst enemy.

2. Give a short description of the appearance of Columbus.

Ans.: Columbus was a tall, well build man of forty six. His hair was prematurely white, fair complexion and ruddy.

3. The play begins with a song. What mood does this convey?

Ans.: The seamen who had been away from home for a long time had not sighted land. The song shows that the seamen were desperate.

4. ‘There are limits to patience’, says Diego. What does this suggest about Diego’s state of mind?

Ans.: Diego along with the seamen were tired of the voyage and wanted to return home, but Columbus was firm and would not give up. So Diego desperately said these words.

5. Who do you think has the lives of fifty in his hands? How?

Ans.: Christopher Columbus had the lives of fifty seamen in his hands. He was their captain. The seamen were tired and wanted to return home but Columbus was firm and would not give up.

6. What does Columbus feel his worst enemy? Why do you think he feel so?

Ans.: Columbus feels that his uncontrolled tongue is his worst enemy. Columbus was a man who lost his temper soon and was easily irritated. He would often speak rudely to his men which made them angry towards him.

7. ‘Mutiny is an ugly word’, says Diego. Is mutiny an ugly word? If so why?

Ans.: Yes, because mutiny leads to destruction. Mutiny curbs the development of determination, tolerance and faith in God.

8. How does Pedro try to defend the drunken seamen? Was he right in defending them?

Ans.: Pedro defending that the drunken seamen were simple men and wanted to relax by drinking as they did not have the same vision as Columbus. Pedro was not right in defending the seamen because their drinking was leading to unruly behaviour.

9. Columbus was always furious when he heard the seamen’s song. Why did it make him angry?

Ans.: The song expressed the seamen’s love for drinking which was a sign of their deep discontent. Columbus was angry because they did not understand what he was trying to achieve.

10. Columbus feels that whatever he does, it is God’s will. What will of God does he like to fulfil through this venture?

Ans.: Columbus felt that it was the will of God that he should discover a new world which would bring wealth to his country and help them to bring new souls on the path to God.

11. Columbus says, “Would God implant desire to solve mystery and he doesn’t provide solutions?” Identify the mood of Columbus in saying this?

Ans.: Columbus had been sailing for many days not yet sighted land. His men were turning against him. But Columbus felt that if God had sent him he would surely help him find a way. These words show that he had faith in God.

12. Whose company did Pepe prefer? What was the reason for this?

Ans.: Pepe preferred to be in the company of Columbus because he had faith in Columbus vision.

13. Pepe warns Columbus about some people. Who are they?

Ans.: Pepe warns Columbus about the other sailors because they drank too much and were going against Columbus.

14. How did the seamen show their anger towards Columbus?

Ans.: The seamen rushed in an angry mass towards Columbus growling like wild animals.

15. “Discipline knows no buts” what made Columbus say this?

Ans.: Columbus wanted to punish Guillermo Ires, who had disobeyed Columbus. So he ordered that Guillermo should be brought to him. Francisco tried to protest, against this. Columbus then said these words.

16. Why do the Crewmates of Columbus feel desperate?

Ans.: After sailing for so many days, Columbus and his men could not sight a land. They were tired and wanted to return to their homes and families. But Columbus would not give up. So they were desperate.

17. ‘I will perform it myself’, says Columbus. What does ‘it’ mean here?

Ans.: ‘It’ means to put him in irons for the first man to move towards Columbus.

18. ‘Devil’s track to nowhere’, says Guillermo. What does this suggest about the thinking of the seamen?

Ans.: The seamen felt that Columbus was perhaps possessed by the Devil. He was risking their lives and taking them on a voyage which would take them nowhere.

19. How did Pepe prove his loyalty to Columbus?

Ans.: Pepe was the only person who had faith in Columbus and tried to warn him about how desperate the others had become. When the seamen rushed to kill Columbus, Pepe stood before them with his arms spread out and told them that they would have to kill him first. His loyalty put the others to shame.

20. “This is a voyage of discovery”. What had Columbus set out to discover?

Ans.: Columbus had set out to discover a new world, where he would find new wealth and a new territory for his king and queen to rule.

21. According to Columbus, what was the one thing that he had discovered?

Ans.: Columbus said that he had discovered one thing – that if a man had a vision, he must follow it alone. He should not expect loyalty, friendship, discipline or obedience from others.

22. Pepe says, “Everybody doubts ...... except me”. Why do you think he is an exception?

Ans.: Because Pepe was loyal to his captain and believed that the captain would reach his destiny when the other seamen wanted to attack him with anger.

23. Pepe excitedly declares that he is still loyal to the leaders what effect does it have on others like Juan and Guillermo?

Ans.: Pepe was the only one who had the faith that Columbus would discover a new world. But the other sailors like Juan and Guillermo rebelled against him and even tried to attack him and abused Pepe when he came forward to save Columbus from being attacked.