The first line I will be directing is Bassanio saying, ‘’Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?’ He will move forward slightly, and deliver this line in a whisper, in an attempt to try and scare the audience, who already know that it is being wet in preparation for the cutting of Antonio’s pound of flesh.
Shylock will answer angrily, emphasising the words ‘cut’, ‘forfeiture’ and ‘bankrupt’, whilst pointing towards Antonio, hoping to gain some pleasure from Antonio’s fear.
Gratiano tries to get around Shylock in his first speech by saying ‘Not on thy sole, but on thy soul harsh Jew!’ This is a pun, so Gratiano will point to his sole of his foot while saying ‘sole’ and bring his arms up to heaven and look across at Shylock while saying ‘soul’. As he does not get his desired answer from Shylock, speaking quickly, furiously and angrily he lets out his rage, probably forgetting that he is in a courtroom and just aware of his hatred for Shylock, the ‘inexorable dog’
Shylock and Antonio will be stood up through this, as Shylock adds, ‘I stand here for law.’ This will be delivered calmly and innocently, making the audience dislike him, as they know he has come for justice, and because of his hatred for Antonio as they are of opposite religions.
The Duke will speak professionally and smoothly, though he will rush his words.
When Nerissa, and later, Portia enter, the audience will be greatly amused to see two men dressed as women, dressed as men again. I will put long wigs on the actors and tie them back in bunches. They will talk deeply, wear heavy black suits, and Portia, dressed as a Doctor of Laws, will carry a scroll, wear moon-rimmed glasses and a black hat to partly hide her hair.
As well as being amused when Portia comes in, the audience-as many watching the performance will know the outcome- will be deeply relieved to see Portia come, as they know that as well as coming to find out if her husband Bassanio loves her, she will also save Antonio. The Duke will be very pleased to see her, and when he tells her to take her place, she will go and sit down at the front of the court.
When the Duke orders Antonio and Shylock to ‘both stand forth’, they will both stand forth in their seats.
Portia says, ‘Then must the Jew be merciful.’ And Shylock answers, ‘On what compulsion must I? Tell me that. He is angry and doesn’t want to be pitied upon. The audience must feel really sorry for Shylock at that point. Another reason for their pity for him is because everyone else in the court is a Christian, and they’re all prejudiced and spiteful towards him, not referring to him as Shylock but ‘Jew’. When they say ‘Jew’ they will do so in a nasty tone so the audience feel sorry for him.
Portia’s speech (lines 180 to 201) is long and fascinating. She will deliver it in a calm and soft voice. She will use hand movements to go with ‘It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. She will rush at points like ‘We do pray for mercy and that same prayer teach upon us all to render the deeds of mercy.’ Portia is trying to appeal to Shylock by giving him a way out of his bond. She then attempts to argue that if God would not show mercy, none of us would be granted an opportunity for salvation. She implies to the Lords Prayer, which a Jew may not necessarily know. This speech will totally inspire and touch the audience. After hearing this they will probably respect her views more, although they may feel that her punishment towards Shylock at the end of the play is a little harsh. Some gentle music could be playing while Portia is reciting the speech, as it is a very significant part in the play.
When Bassanio is telling Portia that he has the money that Antonio owes, ‘twice the sum…I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er.’ He will be delivering his lines desperately, pleading and rushing at some points, ‘On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.’ He will be losing it. At this point, the audience and Antonio will be hopeful Shylock will let Antonio go, at the same time as thinking what a great friend Bassanio is to him. Portia will be proud of her husband. Although, at the same time as hoping Antonio will be set free, they will feel sorry for Shylock by being referred to as ‘cruel devil’.
When Portia says ‘And lawfully the Jew may claim a pound of flesh to be cut’, Shylock will be very relaxed at this point, perhaps smiling slyly, as everything is going his way. He would be sitting back in his seat, where as poor Antonio would be leaning forward, shaking nervously and sweating. Gratiano and Bassanio would be sat beside him, trying to confront him. There would be a very tense silence from the audience as Shylock says ‘There is no power in the tongue of man to alter me.’ The audience now are totally sure or very convinced it is going to happen. The Duke will walk up to where Antonio is sat, grab his thin cotton shirt and dramatically, suddenly rip it. There will be dramatic music playing at this point. Antonio will be deeply shocked and look as if he is about to die on the spot. There will be hushes, awes, sighing and whispers from the court audience. They will spit and jeer racist comments at Shylock.
Portia will calmly and thoughtfully ask Antonio if he has anything more to say. With sunlight from the glass window above, shining onto his face he will sadly he will take each of his friend’s hands and kiss them. There will be tears in his, Gratiano’s and Bassanio’s eyes. Shylock will be quite happy, but the other people in the court will be spitting and jeering at him, calling him an evil, heartless Jew. Portia will give a small, proud smile of awareness when Antonio says ‘Commend me to your honourable wife.’ Antonio shows loyalty and determination to survive by bravely saying, ‘For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I’ll pay it presently with all my heart.’ This is ironic, showing that Shylock already has no heart to commit such cruelty to mankind.
When Bassanio tells Antonio that he would give up his wife for him, Portia, and the audience will be deeply shocked, as the whole reason for her journey was to see if Bassanio loved her.
Shylock learns that if one drop of Christian blood is shed from Antonio, his whole land and goods will be confiscated. Unhappily, due to the relief of the audience, he agrees to three times the amount and lets Antonio free. Bassanio pays gladly, unable to hide his happiness. The whole court will burst into smiles, sighs of relief and even the Duke, a fellow Christian, will be happy for Antonio.
The audience will sympathise for Shylock, as he will no longer be smiling but frowning. Even more so when Portia stops him, reminding him of the penalty that non-citizens face when they threaten the life of a Venetian. In such a case, Portia states, half of Shylock's property would go to the state, while the other half would go to the offended party— Antonio. Portia orders Shylock to beg for the Duke's mercy. The Duke declares that Shylock's life will be spared and demands only a fine of half Shylock’s estate. Antonio offers to return his share of Shylock's estate, on the condition that Shylock converts to Christianity and gives all his goods to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his death. Shylock departs, saying simply, “I am not well”
This change has to be very harsh on Shylock and his spirits have to change so suddenly so everyone feels sorry for him. He exits feeling a little better that at least he has half of his goods left, and has been spared his life, but has lost his religion, his ability to practice his profession, his daughter, his servant and a ring given to him by his dead wife. Audiences cannot help but view Shylock as a victim. He has become a tragic figure in a comedy that has no place for a character so complex.
