Act I. Scene III. - Venice. A public Place. Bassanio gets his loan of three thousand ducats from a Jewish moneylender named Shylock. The price for not paying the debt back is high, namely a pound of flesh from Antonio, but Antonio is not worried. His ships (and wealth) come back a month before the debt is due...Back in Venice; Bassanio secures his three thousand ducats from a rich Jewish moneylender named Shylock. Shylock is reluctant to have Antonio secure the loan since Shylock explains Antonio's ships and wealth are at sea on his ships and are at risk from pirates and "the peril of waters, winds, and rocks" (Lines 12-28).Shylock when asked to dine with Antonio, significantly refuses, explaining that while he will do business with Antonio, walk, buy, sell and talk with him, he will not drink, dine or pray (Shylock is Jewish, Antonio is Christian) with him (Lines 32-40). Shylock hates Antonio intensely and has little love for Bassanio. Shylock in particular resents Antonio for being "Christian;" (Line 43), for lending money without charging interest which lowers the interest rate in Venice that Shylock can lend money out on, for hating Shylock's "sacred nation," (Line 49) and for criticizing Shylock for charging interest on loans which Shylock considers to be good business. Shylock has not yet decided if he will charge interest noting that Antonio has always pledged neither to lend nor borrow money with interest and tells the story of Jacob and his flock of sheep. Antonio insults Shylock by asking if interest was charged (Line 76).Shylock calculates the interest he will charge but does not name a figure (Lines 104-108), noting how Antonio now asks for money from a man Shylock considers was seen as a "dog" in Antonio's eyes (Lines 108-138).Antonio tells Shylock to make the terms of the loan those he would give to an enemy (Line 136). Feigning friendship now towards Antonio, Shylock agrees to lend the money without interest to prove his sincerity (Lines 138-143).However there is a catch; if Bassanio does not repay the debt within the specified two months, Shylock who hates Antonio can by agreement, cut from him a pound of flesh. Bassanio does not like this but Antonio assures him that when his ships return he expects a "return [profit] / Of thrice three times the value of this bond [three thousand ducats]" (Line 160).Shylock notes that a pound of flesh is not nearly as valuable as "flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats" (Line 168), adding that he makes this offer in friendship (Lines 144-152).Emphasizing that Shylock is not serious about the pound of flesh, Shylock urges Antonio and Bassanio to meet with him at the "notary's; [an official]" to inform this man of "this merry [silly humorous] bond," after which Shylock promises to deliver the ducats immediately. Bassanio, suspicious of the "merry bond," does not like his friend taking such a risk for him but Antonio is not worried since as he says, "My ships come home a month before the day" (my ships and wealth return a month before the debt is due), (Line 183).
Act II. Scene V. - The Same. Before Shylock's House. Shylock bumps into Launcelot, learning that Bassanio's party which he will be reluctantly attending, will be a masque. Shylock tells his daughter Jessica to stay at home and to do her best to ignore the Christians' revelry which Shylock despises. Before his house, Shylock happens upon Launcelot who is returning Lorenzo's message to Jessica that Lorenzo will soon come for her. Shylock makes his lack of love clear to Launcelot for working for Lorenzo by telling him "thou [you] shall not gormandize, / As thou hast [has] done with me;" and to "sleep and snore," as he has done whilst employed by Shylock (Line 3).Shylock now announces that he is leaving for supper, to go to Bassanio's party where Shylock intends to "go in hate, to feed upon / The prodigal Christian" by using his hospitality out of spite (Line 14). Shylock reveals that he does not feel right, that "There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, / For I did dream of money-bags to-night" (Line 17).Launcelot now scares Shylock by telling him that Bassanio and friends have decided to make Bassanio's party a masque or a masked ball. This terrifies Shylock who tells Jessica to "Lock up my doors;" and to not "thrust your head into the public street / To gaze on Christian fools with varnished [the masks] faces, / But stop my house's ears," so as to prevent the sounds of these Christian activities from penetrating into his house or as Shylock describes it, "the sound of shallow foppery enter / My sober house" (Lines 32-34 and Line 35).Shylock explains to Launcelot that he will go to the party despite his misgivings, Launcelot then exiting (Lines 36-43).Shylock now remarks that his former servant Launcelot "sleeps by day / More than the wild cat:" (Line 47), reminding Jessica again to "Do as I bid [tell] you; shut doors after you: / 'Fast bind, / 'Fast bind, fast find,' / A proverb never stale in thrifty mind" (Lines 53-54).Jessica who now is conveniently alone where she can make her escape, ends the scene, bidding her father farewell: "Farewell; and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a father, you a daughter, lost" (Lines 55-56).
Act II. Scene VIII. - Venice. A Street. Salarino and Salanio comment that a ship has recently floundered, hoping it is not one of Antonio's. We learn that Lorenzo and Jessica escaped successfully from Shylock who was too late to prevent his daughter's escape. Shylock is furious at having lost his daughter, his gold and his precious jewels to a Christian and knows that Antonio was partially involved and swears revenge...Meanwhile, back in Venice, Salarino and Salanio, friends of Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano and Jessica, comment on news of a ship floundering "in the narrow seas that part / The French and English,-" (Line 28). They hope it isn't one of Antonio's ships. We also learn of Jessica and Gratiano's escape; Shylock (Jessica's father) attempted to find Jessica on Bassanio's ship but "He came too late, the ship was under sail:" (Line 6). Antonio pledges to the Duke that, "They were not with Bassanio in his ship" (Line 11). We also learn of Shylock's immense anger at the loss of his daughter and her theft of his ducats: "'My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!'" (Line 16).Salarino ends this scene, commenting that Bassanio has now departed for Belmont to woo the fair Portia: I saw Bassanio and Antonio part: / Bassanio told him he would make some speed / Of his return: he answered 'Do not so; / Slubber [slur over, soil, ruin] not business for my sake, Bassanio, / But stay the very riping of the time; / And for the Jew's bond which he hath [has] of me, / Let it not enter in your mind of love: (Lines 36-45).
Act III. Scene I. - Venice. A Street. Shylock: "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” Shylock makes it clear that he no longer wants repayment of Bassanio's debt of three thousand ducats. He would prefer his pound of flesh from Antonio instead since he now sees Antonio as the source of all his miseries and reaffirms his desire to make Antonio pay for this...Back in Venice, we learn from Salanio and Salarino who have been following events "on the Rialto [a bridge]" which is a business district of Venice, that Antonio has lost a ship "on narrow seas; the Goodwins," a stretch of sea. (Lines 1-8).Shylock now arrives and is quite aware that Salanio and Salarino knew of his daughter's escape with Lorenzo (Line 28), adding that Jessica is his "flesh and blood" (Line 41). Salarino insults Shylock by saying her flesh is as similar to his as the difference between "jet and ivory;" and that their blood is as different as "red wine and Rhenish [a drink]" (Lines 42-47).Shylock makes it clear that he knows of Antonio's misfortune by describing him as "a beggar," now and repeatedly tells Salarino that Antonio should "look to his bond" (Line 54) or remember his penalty for forfeiting his debt, namely a pound of flesh. Salarino thinks Shylock could not be serious, asking Shylock "what's that good for?" (Line 55).Shylock darkly replies that it is "To bait fish withal:" adding that if nothing else, Antonio's flesh will "feed my revenge" (Line 56). Shylock now explains how Antonio has "disgraced me, and hindered [lost] me half a million [presumably in lost interest], laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, [and] cooled my friends," (Lines 58-61) and "heated [protected] mine enemies;" (Lines 61-62) finally saying that the reason for all his suffering is because "I am a Jew.” Famously, Shylock points out that in being human like Antonio, who feels, thinks and acts the same way, he deserves better, asking: Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? (Lines 63-72)Shylock gleefully adds that in seeking revenge, he will simply be doing no more than following what he sees as Christian custom: "If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction", Shylock says (Lines 73-78).Shylock learns from Tubul who has been in Genoa, that his daughter Jessica could not be found (Line 89). The mere mention of his daughter sends Shylock into rage since he recalls the loss of his precious jewels and "two thousand ducats" (Line 90). Tubul also informs a delighted Shylock that Antonio has lost another ship, this time "coming from Tripolis" (Line 109).Tubul's news that Jessica had spent on one night some "fourscore ducats" (Line 117) enrages the previously jubilant Shylock who says that he is glad Antonio cannot repay his debt since now he can take his revenge upon him for all the suffering he has endured at the hands of Christians (Shylock being insulted, Jessica leaving).From Tubul, we learn that Antonio cannot possibly repay his debt. Shylock is delighted, "I am very glad of it: I'll plague him; I'll torture him: I am glad of it" (Line 125).When Tubul remarks that "Antonio is certainly undone" or in trouble, Shylock significantly agrees (Line 132).
Act III. Scene III. - Venice. A Street. Antonio pleads to let him pay back Bassanio's debt but Shylock wants Antonio's pound of flesh and therefore his death instead...Out on the streets but accompanied now by a "gaoler," or a jailer, Antonio tries to plead with Shylock not to demand the bond. Shylock will not listen, saying: "I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond:" (Lines 3-4). Antonio realizes Shylock will not be reasoned with, commenting that "I'll follow him no more with bootless [useless] prayers. He seeks my life; his reason well I know" (Lines 20-21).
Act IV. Scene I. - Venice. A Court of Justice. The Duke of Venice attempts to convince Shylock to let Antonio pay back Bassanio's debt. Shylock refuses, threatening the Duke that if he ignores their agreement, Venice will lose credibility as a place for merchants... Portia, disguised now as a man, defends Antonio, winning his life, through the technicality defence that Shylock can take only a pound of flesh and no more, a clearly impossible task. Furthermore she argues that Shylock has conspired to murder, an offence that is punishable by asset confiscation and death in Venice. A compromise is reached whereby Shylock must become Christian and give half his assets to Jessica when he dies. Back in Venice, things don't look good for Antonio. He has forfeited the debt and Shylock wants justice. Shylock is unlikely to show mercy easily, the Duke commenting that Shylock is "A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch / Incapable of pity, void and empty / From any dram of mercy" (Lines 4-6).The Duke attempts to appeal to Shylock's sense of "human gentleness and love," (Line 25). Shylock, however will have none of it; he wants his justice and he wants it delivered by the court, reminding the Duke that "If you deny it [Shylock's pound of flesh from Antonio], let the danger light / upon your charter and your city's freedom" (Lines 38-39). Shylock explains that he would rather have, "A weight of carrion flesh than to receive / Three thousand ducats:" (Lines 41-42).To the Duke questioning his motives for the pound of flesh, Shylock explains that he can offer no reason other than "a certain loathing I bear Antonio, that I follow thus / A losing suit [for Antonio] against him" (Lines 60-62).Bassanio pledges six thousand ducats for his friend, "For thy [your] three thousand ducats here is six" (Lines 83-84). Shylock will not be deterred from his revenge: "If every ducat in six thousand ducats / were in six parts and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond" (Lines 85-87). The Duke intercedes asking, "How shall thou hope for mercy, rendering none?" (Lines 87-88). Shylock replies that since the Duke and court all have slaves with which they can do as they please, so too, can Shylock of Antonio, since his right to him, like that of using slaves has been "dearly bought;" (Line 100). Shylock reminds the Duke of his obligation to uphold the law commenting that, "If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgement: answer; shall I have it?" (Lines 101-103).Seeing no other way to stall time, the Duke replies that, "Upon my power I may dismiss this court, / Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, / Whom I have sent for to determine this, / Come here [arrives] to-day" (Lines 103-107).The Duke is brought a letter from the eminent and well regarded Dr Bellario. It explains that he cannot make it, but that instead, he will send a very learned colleague of his in his place. Nerissa, disguised as Portia's clerk, arrives, "dressed like a lawyer's clerk." Portia later arrives "dressed like a doctor of laws.” The Duke asks Portia if she is familiar with the nature of the dispute. She answers that she is. She claims that Shylock must be merciful, claiming that the quality of mercy is "twice blessed; / it bless him that gives and him that takes:" (Lines 186-187). Shylock disagrees, demanding his justice. When Bassanio pledges twice the sum owed, Portia explains that "There is no power in Venice / can alter a decree established:" adding that this case will form a precedent (Line 218). Portia explains that since the bond is forfeit, "the Jew may claim / A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off / nearest the merchant's heart" (Line 231). This shocking advise by Portia (still disguised as a man) over joys Shylock no end and Portia implores Shylock to be merciful and take "thrice [three times] thy money offered thee [to you]" (Line 226). Shylock will not and demands a verdict. Portia implores Shylock to have a surgeon on hand to stop the bleeding. Shylock replies that it is not in the contract. Says Shylock, "I cannot find it [the surgeon provision]:'tis [it is] not in the bond" (Line 263). Antonio resigns himself to the worse (Portia, the doctor of laws appears to have just taken Shylock's side) and Bassanio explains that he would be happy to lose his wife: "I would lose them all, ay, sacrifice them all, / Here to this devil [Shylock], to deliver you" (Lines 287-288). Portia comically replies, "Your wife would give you little thanks for that, / If she were by to hear you make the offer" (Lines 289-290). Gratiano makes a similar statement to which his wife the disguised Nerissa replies, "'Its well you offer it behind her [Nerissa's] back; / the wish would make else an unquiet house" (it is just as well you make this offer behind her back. If she knew of it, there would be no end of trouble), (Line 294).Portia makes her judgment. Since the "bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;" (the bond gives you no right to blood), the words only refer to the flesh, Shylock may have his pound of flesh if he draws no blood (Line 307). This is impossible. Shylock cannot have his bond. Secondly, as Portia explains, it is an offence to take the life of any citizen of Venice directly or indirectly. The demand for the pound of flesh qualifies. As such, the state can have half Shylock's assets, the other half going to the citizen in question and Shylock may be hanged at the Duke's discretion or will...A compromise is however reached. Antonio suggests that Shylock not lose half his assets to the state, and that the other half of his assets should be given to his daughter upon his death. Shylock is spared death and must become a Christian, a verdict all involved can live with. The scene ends with a grateful Antonio and Bassanio. The Duke asks Portia to have dinner with him but Portia politely turns the Duke down, saying she must leave Padua tonight (Lines 402-405). Similarly, Portia politely refuses Bassanio's offer of "Three thousand ducats," which was the sum originally due to Shylock (Line 412). Bassanio politely insists that Portia whom he does not recognize take some gift from them in remembrance and appreciation. She insists on his wedding ring. He refuses, he was told by his wife never to surrender it following his marriage.” Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife; / and, when she put it on, she made me vow / that I should never sell nor give nor lose it" Bassanio explains (Line 443). However Antonio later talks Bassanio into giving away the ring. This he does, giving it to Gratiano to give to Portia.
The play famous for the expression "a pound of flesh" and the lines, "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?" begins in Venice with Antonio a wealthy merchant who is not happy since he is worried about his business enterprises, namely his ships at sea which could be at peril from rough seas or pirates.
Bassanio gets his loan of three thousand ducats from a Jewish merchant named Shylock. The price for not repaying the debt is high, namely a pound of flesh from Antonio, but Antonio is not worried. His ships (and wealth) come back a month before the debt is due...Meanwhile, Launcelot Gobbo, Shylock's servant has a problem; he hates his boss. Bassanio arrives and after some conversation, Launcelot becomes Bassanio's new servant. Jessica, Shylock's daughter plans to elope with Lorenzo against her father's wishes, were he to know. Jessica reveals her shame for her father. Lorenzo explains to his friends Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino and Salanio, how they will help him help Jessica run away from her father. Launcelot, Shylock's former servant delivers to Lorenzo a letter from Jessica explaining that Jessica will be waiting at her house for Lorenzo and friends and that she has taken some of her father's jewels and gold as well. The letter also explains that Jessica will be disguised as a boy to aid her escape...Shylock bumps into Launcelot, learning that Bassanio's party which he will reluctantly be attending, will be a masque (masked ball). Shylock tells his daughter Jessica to stay at home and to do her best to ignore the Christian revelries, which Shylock despises. Jessica escapes from her father's house to live a new life as a Christian and as the wife of Lorenzo. Jessica is embarrassed to be dressed as a boy. The masque (masked ball) is cancelled and Lorenzo and Jessica are to sail with Bassanio instead of attending the masque...
We learn that Lorenzo and Jessica escaped successfully from Shylock who was too late to prevent his daughter's escape. Shylock is furious at having lost his daughter, his gold and his precious jewels to a Christian and knows that Antonio was partially involved and swears revenge...Shylock makes it clear that he no longer wants repayment of Bassanio's debt of three thousand ducats. He would prefer his pound of flesh from Antonio instead since he now sees Antonio as the source of all his miseries and reaffirms his desire to make Antonio pay for this...We learn from Salanio that Antonio has forfeited his debt to Shylock and now stands to lose a pound of his flesh and with it his life for helping Bassanio. Portia enthusiastically offers to pay Shylock Bassanio's debt twelve fold... Antonio pleads to let him pay back Bassanio's debt but Shylock wants Antonio's pound of flesh and therefore his death instead...Portia and Nerissa leave Belmont on a secret mission to save Antonio, disguising themselves as men. In a garden at Portia's house, Launcelot believes Jessica to be damned telling her to "hope that your father got you not, that you are not the Jew's daughter." Jessica replies that, "I shall be saved by my husband; he hath made me a Christian." Lorenzo arrives, engaging Launcelot in witty banter. The Duke of Venice attempts to convince Shylock to let Antonio pay back Bassanio's debt. Shylock refuses, threatening the Duke that if he ignores their agreement, Venice will lose its credibility as a place for merchants... Portia, now disguised as a man, defends Antonio, winning his life, through the technicality defence that Shylock can take only a pound of flesh and no more, a clearly impossible task. Furthermore she argues that Shylock has conspired to murder, an offence that is punishable by asset confiscation and death. A compromise whereby Shylock must become Christian and give half his assets to Jessica when he dies is reached. Portia ensures that Shylock will sign a deed making the verdict binding.
Qualities, theme, language, change, literary, tradition, relationships, viewpoint, dialogue, soliloquy, prejudice.
Asides
Shylock---How like a fawning publican he looks!
I hate him for he is a Christian,
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe,
If I forgive him! ---Act I Scene III
Shylock---We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence. ---Act IV Scene I
Shylock---Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy; (this is ironic because he seems to be always asking for some sort of mercy, which he obviously has no real idea what is) This is the fool that lent out money gratis:
Gaoler, look to him.
Duke---I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer
a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.
DUKE
Make room, and let him stand before our face.
Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,
That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act; and then 'tis thought
Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty;
And where thou now exact'st the penalty,
Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture,
But, touch'd with human gentleness and love,
Forgive a moiety of the principal;
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses,
That have of late so huddled on his back,
Enow to press a royal merchant down
And pluck commiseration of his state
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint,
From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd
To offices of tender courtesy.
We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.
Duke---How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none? (My point form earlier)
Portia---The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
Portia---Tarry, Jew:
The law hath yet another hold on you.
It is enacted in the laws of Venice,
If it be proved against an alien
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen,
The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive
Shall seize one half his goods; the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state;
And the offender's life lies in the mercy
Of the duke only, 'gainst all other voice.
In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st;
For it appears, by manifest proceeding,
That indirectly and directly too
Thou hast contrived against the very life
Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr'd
The danger formerly by me rehearsed.
Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke.
Portia---What mercy can you render him, Antonio?
