Five Important Questions with answer form "Malini" and Summary

Rabindra Nath Tagore

English | Questions
Malini
Rabindra Nath Tagore
Class : 11 | The Magic of Words

Summary

This play is written by Rabindranath Tagore. Malini has been taught by Buddhist monks, although she is the daughter of a Hindu King. She wants to leave the King's palace and go out into the world. She says: "Wealth does not cling to those whose destiny it is find riches in poverty." The King is worried. He says:" storm clouds are gathering over the King's house." The people want him to throw Malini out of the Kingdom because they feel threatened by her ideas on religion. Malini wants to be sent away (banished) but the Queen does not understand this. Malini wants to help the people outside the palace solve their problems. A crowd of Brahmins appears in front of the palace. They ask for Malini to be banished. They are led by Kemankar. A Brahmins says they must tell the King: "a snake has raised its poisonous head from his own nest and is aiming at the heart of our scared religion." He says:" I am ashamed to won as mine a creed that depends on force for its existence." The Brahmins hear the army has decided to support them against the King. They recite prayers calling for a goddess to take human form to help them. At this moment Malini enters saying: "I have come." The Brahmins believe she is a goddess, but even when they realize she is really Malini they are overcome by her love of world and take her back to the palace. Kemankar is worried. He says. "It is a fearful moment when a man's heart deceives him. Then blind desire becomes his gospel and fancy usurps the dread throne of the gods." He believes religion has been replaced by love for a woman, Malini. Kemankar decides to go to another country to find soldiers to right for his religion. He tells Supriya to stay, warning him that" In evil times the strongest bonds give way brothers strike brothers and friends against friend. Act II takes place in the palace garden. It begins with Supriya talking to Malini. She says she cannot argue with him because he has read many books .Supriya says "I am praying more. It is your love, dearer than my life.

 Important Questions 

1. Would you call Supriya a betrayer? Give reasons for your answer. 

Ans: Yes, we can say Supriya as a betrayer because Supriya and Kemankar were two close friends. They used to stay together. Kemankar wanted to go to foreign land to bring armies to revolt against Malini. Supriya also wanted to go with Kemankar. Kemankar asked him to retain there and inform him. While Kemankar was in foreign land, he warns Supriya not to betray their old friendship because of the new religion. But Kemankar goes to foreign land and writes his friend about plans then Supriya informs about Kemanker's secret plan to the king. King captures Kemankar. In this way, Supriya can be said as a great betrayer. He actually deceived his own close friend. 

2. Describe the characters of Malini. 

Ans: Malini is a beautiful and young girl. She is the princes. She is from royal family but impressed by Buddhism. She doesn't follow the traditional old religion. But Brahmins go against Malini because they are follower of traditional old religion (i.e. Hinduism). She asks for her own banishment. She likes to live among the poor people. She doesn't want comforts, pleasure, treasures, etc. she wants to guide the people who are living in the darkness. The queen calls her pure flame of fire. The common people regard her mother of the world. When the king wants to punish Kemankar, Malini requests the king to forgive Kemankar. This shows that Malini is a kind hearted, virtuous girl who always speaks in favour of non-violence and poor people. 

3. Why were the Brahmins demanding for the banishment of Malini? 

Ans: Malini is a beautiful young princess who was taught by Buddhist monk. She wanted to bring new creed among people. She doesn't follow the traditional old religion. Hinduism but follows new religion Buddhist. The Brahmins believe that the members of the royal family should spend their life in pleasures and comforts but Malini doesn't like this. Brahmins wanted to revolt against Buddhism. They were demanding for the banishment of Malini to protect their old religion. Finally, Kemankar bring armies to revolt against the new religion. 

4. How is the character of Supriya different from that of Kemankar? 

Ans: Kemankar is the blind follower of traditional old religion-Hinduism. When Malini speaks in favour of Buddhism, Kemankar as well as other Brahmin's can't tolerate it and revolt for the banishment of Malini. Later on other Brahmins speak in favour Of Malini; he leaves country to bring armies from foreign country and revolt against his countrymen. On the other hand, Supriya support Malini. Finally, Supriya betrays Kemankar informing the king about secret plans of Kemankar. According to Kemankar, Supriya is lost in the love and Charm of Malini. 

5. What is the reason that Malini asks for her own banishment from the palace? 

Ans: Malini is a beautiful young prince who is taught by a Buddhist monk. She is impressed by Buddhism. She doesn't like royal happiness, pleasures and comforts. But the Brahmins who are the followers of traditional old religion believe that members of royal family should spend their life in comforts. Malini doesn't like it at all. When Malini goes against traditional old religion ­ Hinduism, at that time Brahmins go to royal palace for the banishment of Malini. Malini thinks that the outside world wants her. Malini then asks for her own banishment from the palace to go to live among the poor people. She wants to teach the Brahmins the reality and lead them to the truth. 

Questions for Practice 

1. Write a character sketch of Supriya. 

2. Were Brahmins demanding the banishment of Malini? 

3. Draw a character sketch of Kemankar. 

4. Why does Kemankar kill his dear friend Supriya? 

5. Draw a character sketch of Supriya. (Malini) 

6. Why does Malini ask the king to forgive Kemankar at the end of the play? 

7. The play "Malini" ends with Malini's words" "Father, forgive Kemankar." Do you think the king will forgive Kemankar? Discuss. 

8. What was the revolt against? Against Malini? Against the king? Against Buddhism? Explain. (Malini) 

9. Why do you think Malini asked for her own banishment from the palace? 

10. Why does Malini call upon her father to forgive Kemankar? Do you think the king will forgive Kemankar? Discuss.

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