Shylock’s opening sentences of act 1 scene 3 should be spoken in a slightly bewildered way. He should sound as though he cannot believe that Antonio and Bassanio have come to him for help. He should start talking in a mocking tone as though he is enjoying his moment of importance. He should spend time pausing before his speeches and talk slowly. Speeches like,
“Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound”
Should be said in a mocking tone, showing that Shylock is enjoying being in control for once, where people who think themselves better than him need his help. The speech starting,
“yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into.” (act 1 scene 3, lines 31-36)
should be spoken with special emphasis, faster and louder than previous speeches. Showing that Shylock has taken offence to Antonio’s offer for Shylock to join him and Bassanio for dinner, because Jews do not eat certain foods. Emphasis should also be put on the speech starting,
“Signior Antonio, many a time and oft in the Rialto you have rated me about my moneys and my usances” (act 1 scene 3, lines 103-126)
because this is a key speech about how he is treated badly by Antonio and other people because of his religion and money making. Another key phrase that should be spoken with a tone of pleasure and excitement is the speech,
“this kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary; seal me there your single bond, and, in a merry sport” ending in “be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me”
This says that if Bassanio does not repay the value of the bond at the right time then 1 pound of Antonio’s flesh will be cut off by Shylock, which would give Shylock revenge for everything Antonio has done to him.
Bassanio’s initial speeches of act 1 scene 3 should be spoken with a tone of desperateness. They should be spoken fairly fast without long pauses before replying to Shylocks speeches. Bassanio is desperate to get the loan from Shylock so he can get to Portia,
“May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?”
This is 1 of the speeches that should be spoken with a desperate tone of voice. Bassanio’s tone of voice should start to turn more angry as the scene goes on, as Shylock is taking time, pondering over his answer. Towards the end of the scene Bassanio becomes shocked at Shylocks proposal of removing a pound of Antonio’s flesh if the conditions of the bond are not met. Bassanio tries to persuade Antonio not to accept this bond,
“You will not seal to such a bond for me; I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.”
This should be spoken very quickly and abruptly as Bassanio does not want Antonio to risk himself in any way for him.
When Antonio enters the scene (after line 36) he should look more important and wiser than the other two characters who are in the scene. His first speech should be spoken normally but with a slight hint of hatred towards Shylock put across in his expressions, body language and slight anger in his voice. Shylock then describes how Antonio punishes and is cruel to Shylock because of his religion. Antonio replies saying that he is likely to do this again and that he should lend this money to his enemy so if he breaks the bond he shall have pleasure in carrying out the penalty. This should be spoken fiercely but clearly to make Shylock think about how he hates Antonio and would indeed take great pleasure in carrying out the penalty. The speech
“Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it within these two months, that’s a month before this bond expires, I do expect return of thrice three times the value of this bond”
This should be spoken slightly light hearted and reassuringly because he is confident he will easily be able to pay off the bond in time and tries to make Bassanio feel confident about it too. Antonio’s tone of voice now turns slightly jokily because he is sure that he will be able to pay off the bond and so is happy that Shylock is lending them the money. Antonio should jokily say the phrase,
“The Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind.”
To slightly mock Shylock and make Bassanio feel more confident about the bond. Antonio should make often eye contact with Shylock to display to the audience that he has hatred for him.
My presentation of act1 scene 3 will prepare the audience for later developments in the play because it introduces Shylock who is a very important character in the play. It also gives the audience a better understanding of Bassanio and Antonio’s personality and there hatred, especially Antonio, 4 the Jews. This scene is also very important because it sets out the bond, and the condition of the bond which later in the play result in Shylock being ready to cut the flesh from Antonio.
