Shylock proceeds to banter with Antonio playing with him rather than giving a direct answer to his request, Shylock appears to be enjoying himself having some control over Antonio’s destiny. Antonio calls Shylock “A goodly apple rotten at the heart”. Eventually Shylock comes to the nub of the problem. Speaking in verse Shylock confronts Antonio with the racism he has suffered “you call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spat upon my Jewish gabardine” and yet Antonio now asks for Shylocks help. Antonio does not apologise but rather threatens to continue such racist behaviour “to spet on thee again”. Having raised Antonio’s loan suggesting that in “a merry sport” a blood be drawn up in which if Antonio fails to repay the 3000 ducats on an agreed date he will forfeit to Shylock one pound of his flesh. Shylock insists this is simply good humour the audience however recognise Shylocks statement of hatred of this Christian and such a macabre idea would raise doubts in the mind of any normal man. The audience may perhaps at this point remember Antonio’s depression and wonder if a man who is “so sad” may actually have a death wish.
For some unexplained reason Shylock decides to accept Antonio’s invitation to supper that night. Shylock senses a foreboding a premonition that something terrible will happen that night “I swear I have no mind of feasting here tonight”. Shylock does not know that Jessica his daughter indeed plans to rob her father and elope with Christian Lorenzo that night. When Shylock returns from supper with Antonio he finds his house empty.
The audience learn from Salarino and Solanio of Shylocks reaction to the loss of his daughter. The Christians laugh at the agony suffered by Shylock and the audience begin to realise that Antonio invites Shylock to dinner in order that Jessica could rob her father and elope with a Christian.
The audience hear from Salanio that Shylock has ranted through the streets of Venice “my daughter, oh my ducats, oh my daughter”. We understand Shylocks diamantine in that he cannot speak a simple sentence in order. We also realise that he immediately blames Antonio and Bassanio for his loss. The first inclination is given that Antonio’s fleets are in trouble. When Antonio and Bassanio are parted, Antonio was aware that Shylocks bond may indeed be called to be answered “and for the Jews bond in which he hath of me let it not enter in your mind of love”.
Shylock is further insulted and dismayed by accounts of his daughters behaviour. Salario and Solarinio taunt Shylock with their knowledge of Jessica is nothing like her father, hinting that indeed he is not her true father “I say my daughter is my flesh and blood”. Strangely it is the Christians who remind Shylock of the news that Antonio has “loss at sea”. Being already upset and frustrated Shylock turns his anger on Antonio claiming he will claim his bond “lets him look to his bond”. In a most passionate speech Shylock explains the hands of the Christian Antonio “He hath disgraced me…”. Shakespeare then gives Shylock one of the most anti-racist speeches in the English language “If you prick us, do we not bleed…”. Shylock claims that Christian have taught him well in the art of inhumanity and he will now “execute his lesson”.
To further insight Shylock and Tuble then gives more news of Jessica’s behaviour in Genoa. As Shylock hears how his money is being squandered and family heirlooms are given away, he swings between wishing the return of his child and wishing her dead “I would my daughter be dead at my foot and the jewels in her ears”. Shylock is clearly unstable, heart broken he turns all his passion his pain at the loss of his daughter and the loss of his money onto Antonio, “I’ll plague him, I’ll torture him”.
During the time that Bassanio spent courting Portia, Shylock dwells on his hatred of him, insulted him and conspired to create the opportunity for his daughter Jessica to rob him. Shylock must have felt totally alone with only his Jewish community to support him.
When act four opens the Duke Antonio and his friends are already assembled in court. The Duke calls Shylock “an inhuman wretch”. The audience would agree that a Jew by reputation would be “incapable of pity”, Shylock is not addressed by name in the court he is “The Jew”. The Duke almost appears to befriend Shylock, stating that they share a common knowledge that the terms of the bond will never be exacted “thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice to the last hour of act”. The Duke infers that Shylock will change his mind “we all expect a gentle answer Jew”.
Shylock however seems to be taunting the court officials rather enjoying the power which he can exert over Christians. He claims his desire to take Antonio’s flesh is merely a whim, which he cannot explain or control “some men there are love, love not a gaping pig…” When the Duke reminds Shylock that God will only be merciful to those who show mercy, Shylock retorts suggesting that the Christians are absolute hypocrites. He reminds the Christians they quote from the Bible when it suits them but that does not interfere with their practice of buying and selling and keeping slaves “You have among you many a purchased slave…” Shylock then appears to grow irritated with this banter and demands the judgement of the law “I stand for judgement”.
It is interesting that at this point Shakespeare gives Shylock verse rather than prose to express his ideas. As we know noble and important characters in Shakespeare speak in iambic-pentameter, where as comic or lowly characters speak in prose. This suggests that Shakespeare expected his audience to listen with respect to the words of Shylock a most unusual precedent to create.
Bassanio, being the extravagant character he offers his flesh, blood, bones and all instead in exchange of Antonio’s life. Antonio typically would rather Bassanio wrote and spoke well of him in the future.
When Portia arrives in court disguised as the doctor in law, Balthazar she speaks in a most pragmatic tone of voice and then she uses the most beautiful metaphorical language to discuss “the quality of mercy”, Portia’s speech has entered into the English language as one of the most significant achievements of Shakespeare. The language spoken by Portia shows an amazing understanding by Shakespeare of legal proceedings, logic, intelligence and temper for the more poetic side of the argument.
Shylock is resistant to Portia’s most eloquent persuasion and he applauses her appearance to the letter of the law as it has been framed in the Venetian courts, “O wise young Judge, how do I honour thee?”
Despite being offered three times the value of the bond Shylock will not be rescind. Shylock explains he has vowed before God to have revenge on his Christian “I have an oath in heaven”, Portia declares the bond is legal. With mounting excitement, Shylock speaks in short bursts, possibly dancing for joy “I, his breast, so say the bond”.
As Shylock offers the scales to weigh the amputated flesh, Bassanio and Gratiano offer their wives lives in exchange for Antonio’s life. Shylock scorns their exaggeration and bombasity, “These be the Christians husbands”, Shylock then mentions his own daughter to bring Jessica to mind at this point in the play, his daughter to the Christians in the true root of his desire to kill Antonio.
At the last moment Portia points out the flaw in Shylocks bond, the facts that a drop of blood may not be spilled. With glee the Christians begin to torment Shylock, taking his money, threatening his life and ultimately insisting he is baptised and that Antonio will be his Godfather. Amidst execrations Shylock “totters” from the play probably to hang himself.
I have come to the conclusion that Shylock is only a product of his environment.
