Match the characters with the play:

Characters	Play
(a) Donalbain	(i) King Lear
(b) Claudio	(ii) Macbeth
(c) Nerissa	(iii) Merchant of Venice
(d) Goneril	(iv) Measure for Measure

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The correct answer is -  (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)

(a) Donalbain – (Macbeth: Donalbain is the younger son of King Duncan in Macbeth. After his father’s murder, he flees to Ireland to escape danger. Donalbain's role in the play is small, but his involvement in the political drama and the aftermath of his father's death situates him within Macbeth. He symbolizes the consequences of violence and the instability of the throne.

(b) Claudio – Measure for Measure: Claudio is a central character in Measure for Measure. He is arrested for impregnating his fiancée Juliet before marriage, and the play explores his moral struggles and the theme of justice. His character’s fate is central to the issues of mercy and justice in the play.

(c) Nerissa – Merchant of Venice: Nerissa is a key character in The Merchant of Venice, where she is a friend and confidante to the heroine, Portia. She plays a role in the courtroom drama of the play, helping Portia in her disguise and the famous trial scene. Nerissa represents loyalty and wit.

(d) Goneril – King Lear: Goneril is one of the two treacherous daughters of King Lear, contributing to the central conflict of King Lear. Her ambition and cruelty play a significant role in the tragedy, representing the breakdown of family ties and the destructive pursuit of power.

Information Booster:

Donalbain and Macbeth:

Donalbain’s small yet significant role in Macbeth contrasts with the larger actions of characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

His flight with his brother Malcolm from Scotland symbolizes the disintegration of order and leadership after Duncan's assassination. The chaotic nature of the play makes every character, even those with less stage time, critical to the theme of instability.

Claudio and Measure for Measure:

Claudio's moral conflict and his fate, controlled by the Duke, form the crux of Measure for Measure.

The play is often seen as a reflection on the themes of power, punishment, mercy, and justice, with Claudio’s fate resting in the hands of characters who manipulate justice for personal gain.

Nerissa and Merchant of Venice:

As Portia's clever and loyal maid, Nerissa plays an important role in the plot of The Merchant of Venice. She is involved in the courtroom drama, cleverly helping her mistress disguise herself and contribute to the triumph of justice over Shylock’s greed.

Nerissa's wit and her relationship with Portia underscore the play's exploration of loyalty and justice.

Goneril and King Lear:

As one of Lear’s daughters, Goneril is integral to the tragedy of King Lear. Her betrayal of her father and the subsequent power struggle between her and her sister Regan contribute to the play's grim exploration of loyalty, inheritance, and familial responsibility.