The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

  ACT 2 SCENE 1

  The Prince of Morocco begs Portia not to “Mislike” him on account of his complexion. She politely reminds him that, under the terms of her father’s will, her marriage will be due to a “lott’ry” rather than her own choice. The prince’s speeches are lover-like, but he is self-absorbed and boastful. Portia reminds him that the penalty for choosing wrongly is that he must remain unmarried. He agrees, and they go to dinner.

  ACT 2 SCENE 2

  Lines 1–99: Lancelet, the Clown, is contemplating running away from his master, whom he characterizes as a “fiend” and a “devil,” recurring imagery used in conjunction with Shylock. As he finally decides to “run,” he meets Old Gobbo, his father. Gobbo is blind and does not recognize his son, who decides to pretend to be someone else, a situation that creates comedy, but which also reinforces the other instances of concealed/exchanged identity in the play. Gobbo reveals that he is looking for Shylock’s house and for his son, who Lancelet claims is dead, before revealing his true identity. Gobbo, however, will not believe that he is Lancelet. The confusion is resolved and Gobbo explains that he has brought Shylock a present, but Lancelet announces that he has run away from his master. He informs Gobbo that he intends to serve Bassanio, who gives “rare new liveries,” and tells him to give Bassanio the present.

  Lines 100–191: Bassanio enters, instructing a servant to have supper ready “by five of the clock,” and to ask Gratiano to come to his lodging. Lancelet urges his father to give him the present, and comic confusion is created as both men try to ask Bassanio if he will take Lancelet into service. Bassanio clarifies matters and agrees. Lancelet and Gobbo leave. Gratiano arrives and asks Bassanio if he may accompany him to Belmont. Bassanio agrees, but insists that Gratiano must be more modest in his behavior.

  ACT 2 SCENE 3

  Jessica regrets that Lancelet is leaving, as he has made life in Shylock’s house less tedious. She gives him money, and a letter to deliver to Lorenzo, a guest at Bassanio’s house. Alone, Jessica reveals her “heinous sin”: she is ashamed to be her “father’s child.” She declares that, although she is of Shylock’s blood, she is not of “his manners,” creating an important distinction between faith and character, explored throughout the play. She reveals her intention to “Become a Christian” and marry Lorenzo.

  ACT 2 SCENE 4

  Lorenzo and his friends prepare to disguise themselves as masquers and help Jessica escape from Shylock’s house that evening. Lancelet delivers her letter to Lorenzo and tells them that he is going to Shylock’s with an invitation to supper at Bassanio’s. Lorenzo gives him money and a message to Jessica that he will not fail her, and sends Salerio and Solanio to prepare. He tells Gratiano that Jessica will be waiting to elope with “gold and jewels” and will disguise herself as Lorenzo’s torchbearer and escape as part of the masque.

  ACT 2 SCENE 5

  Shylock warns Lancelet that his “eyes shall be thy judge” of the differences between himself and Bassanio, raising a motif of sight/ perception. He calls for Jessica and tells her that he is going out, although he is suspicious of Bassanio’s motives in inviting him, and fears some “ill a-brewing.” Lancelet tells him that there are to be masques that night, and Shylock warns Jessica to “Lock up” the house, and not to let the “sound of shallow fopp’ry enter / [His] sober house,” emphasizing his separation from the prevailing Venetian culture. As Lancelet goes, he whispers to Jessica to look out for “a Christian” (Lorenzo) during the masque. Shylock leaves, reminding Jessica to lock the doors, and she secretly bids him goodbye.

  ACT 2 SCENE 6

  Gratiano and Salerio wait for Lorenzo. They are worried that he is late, particularly as “lovers ever run before the clock,” but he joins them and calls for Jessica. She appears, above, disguised in boy’s clothes, and throws Lorenzo a casket of money and jewels. She is embarrassed by her disguise, but Lorenzo urges her to “come at once.” As they wait for her, Lorenzo tells Gratiano that Jessica is “wise, fair and true.” She arrives and they go to join the masque, leaving Gratiano behind. Antonio arrives to tell Gratiano that “the wind is come about” and he must join Bassanio to sail for Belmont.

  ACT 2 SCENE 7

  Portia shows the Prince of Morocco the three caskets. He reads the inscription on each: he has a choice between gaining “what many men desire” (the gold casket), getting “as much as he deserves” (silver), or to “give and hazard all he hath” (lead). Portia tells him that the correct casket contains her portrait. The prince makes a long speech explaining his reasoning, but also, unwittingly, revealing his self-importance. He chooses the gold casket, which contains a skull “within whose empty eye / There is a written scroll” telling him that “All that glisters is not gold”: he has judged by appearances, ironically given his request to Portia in Act 2 Scene 1. In contrast to his earlier verbosity, he tells Portia that he is “too grieved” to “take a tedious leave,” and departs. Portia is pleased and expresses the wish that all of his “complexion” make a similar choice.

  ACT 2 SCENE 8

  Shylock has discovered the disappearance of Jessica and his money. We learn about his response through the biased, unsympathetic report of Salerio and Solanio. Shylock and the Duke of Venice went to search Bassanio’s ship, which had already sailed. Antonio assured them that Lorenzo and Jessica were not on it. Solanio jeeringly reports Shylock’s confused rage and shouts of “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!,” suggesting that he values them equally. Solanio observes that unless Antonio can “keep his day” for repaying Shylock financially, he will pay for these events. Salerio has heard that one of Antonio’s ships may have been lost. They speak of Antonio’s kind and generous nature, in direct contrast with the characterization of Shylock.

  ACT 2 SCENE 9

  The Prince of Aragon has come to take the test for Portia’s hand. The process is repeated: the prince selects the silver casket and finds “The portrait of a blinking idiot,” holding another scroll. He protests. Portia’s observation that “To offend and judge are distinct offices / And of opposèd natures” emphasizes the theme of justice. The prince leaves, and Portia instructs Nerissa to “draw the curtain” on the caskets. A messenger brings news of the imminent arrival of a Venetian lord, who has sent greetings and gifts “of rich value.” Portia is eager to see the visitor, and Nerissa hopes it is Bassanio.

  ACT 3 SCENE 1

  In Venice, Solanio and Salerio discuss the reported loss of another of Antonio’s ships. Shylock approaches and Solanio observes that “the devil” “comes in the likeness of a Jew.” Shylock accuses them of having a part in Jessica’s elopement, and they torment him, before asking if he has heard about Antonio’s losses at sea. Shylock recalls how “smug” Antonio has been in the past, and tells them that he must now “look to his bond.” Salerio asks what good taking Antonio’s flesh will do, to which Shylock replies “To bait fish,” adding that it will “feed” his “revenge,” showing his callousness. He argues that Antonio has “disgraced,” “hindered” and “mocked” him, solely because he is Jewish. He makes an impassioned speech, pointing out that he is “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.”

  This plea for tolerance highlights the complexities of the play in terms of the representation of the Jewish faith and of Shylock, intrinsically and separately, and the degree of the audience’s sympathies for various characters, complicated here by Salerio and Solanio’s evident prejudice and Shylock’s evident desire for “revenge.” They are interrupted by Antonio’s servant, who asks Salerio and Solanio to go to his master. As they leave, Tubal arrives. Shylock asks for news of Jessica, but Tubal has not found her, although he reports that she is spending Shylock’s money. He also reports that Antonio has lost another ship, and Shylock wavers between pleasure at Antonio’s misfortune, and rage at his own losses.

  ACT 3 SCENE 2

  Lines 1–222: Portia asks B
assanio to wait “a day or two” before undertaking the task, as she does not want to lose him but he wants to choose immediately. He confesses his love and Portia agrees, calling for music to play while Bassanio is making his decision. As a song is sung, Bassanio considers the three caskets. Unlike the other suitors, he recognizes that “the outward shows be least themselves.” Rejecting gold as “food for Midas” and silver as the money that passes “’Tween man and man,” Bassanio selects the lead casket. Portia’s aside reveals her happiness as he opens it to reveal her portrait. Portia makes Bassanio “her lord, her governor, her king” and master of her estate and fortune. To seal this, she gives him a ring, which he must never “part from, lose or give away” as this would signal the “ruin” of his love for her. He promises to wear it until he dies, another “bond” which must be upheld. Nerissa and Gratiano congratulate the couple and Gratiano reveals that he is in love with Nerissa, before asking permission to marry her. Bassanio and Portia agree. As they joke happily together, Lorenzo arrives, accompanied by Salerio and Jessica.

  Lines 223–333: Bassanio and Portia welcome their visitors, and Salerio gives Bassanio a letter from Antonio. Gratiano says that Antonio will be pleased by the news of the betrothals, but Portia is watching Bassanio and comments that the letter “steals the color from Bassanio’s cheek.” Bassanio reveals the truth about the loan, and Antonio’s bond, before questioning Salerio about the loss of Antonio’s fortunes. Salerio tells him that even if Antonio could now find the money, Shylock is determined to have “forfeiture … justice and his bond.” Jessica confirms that her father has often sworn that he would “rather have Antonio’s flesh / Than twenty times the value of the sum.” Bassanio describes Antonio to Portia as “the dearest friend” and “the kindest man.” She says that Bassanio must pay as much as it takes to release Antonio, and offers him gold to “pay the petty debt twenty times over.” She decides that they shall be married quickly, then Bassanio shall go back to Venice with Gratiano, while she and Nerissa “live as maids and widows” until their return. Bassanio reads Antonio’s letter, which urges him to come and see him, as it is unlikely that he will live after paying the forfeit. Portia urges him to “be gone!” and Bassanio promises to return as soon as he can.

  ACT 3 SCENE 3

  Antonio is in jail. Shylock will not listen to requests for “mercy,” and his bitterness seems to have driven him to the edges of sanity as he constantly repeats that he will “have [his] bond.” He leaves, and Antonio resolves that he will stop begging, recognizing that Shylock wants him to die for the times he has helped people who owed him “forfeitures,” although he does not acknowledge that the persecution of Shylock for his faith may have contributed to his desire for revenge. He knows that the duke cannot prevent Shylock from exacting the bond, because to do so would be to “impeach the justice of the state.” Antonio sends Solanio away, hoping that Bassanio will come to see him “pay his debt.”

  ACT 3 SCENE 4

  Lorenzo tells Portia that if she knew Antonio, she would be even “prouder” of her role in trying to save him. She replies that she sees saving Antonio as the same as saving Bassanio, and announces her intention to withdraw to a monastery with Nerissa, to live “in prayer and contemplation” while Bassanio is away. She asks Lorenzo and Jessica to take the place of Bassanio and herself until this time. Portia then hands Balthasar a letter to take to her cousin, Doctor Bellario in Padua, and instructs him to bring back “what notes and garments” the doctor gives him. Finally, alone with Nerissa, Portia reveals her plan for them to go to Venice, disguised as men.

  ACT 3 SCENE 5

  Lancelet tells Jessica that he fears for her soul because “the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children,” but she argues that she has been “saved” by marriage to Lorenzo, who has made her a Christian. As they argue, Lorenzo arrives and Jessica repeats what Lancelet has said. Lorenzo, however, reports that Lancelet has got a Moorish servant pregnant. Lancelet merely responds with jokes until Lorenzo, annoyed, sends him to serve dinner. Lorenzo asks Jessica how she likes Portia, and she replies that the “world / Hath not her fellow.” They go to dinner.

  ACT 4 SCENE 1

  Lines 1–166: In the courtroom, the duke sympathizes with Antonio, describing Shylock as “an inhuman wretch / Uncapable of pity.” Antonio is resigned, declaring that he will “oppose” Shylock’s “fury” with “patience,” and his “rage” with “a quietness of spirit,” emphasizing the deliberate contrasting of the two characters. Shylock is shown in and the duke tells him that he is sure he will “show mercy” to Antonio. Shylock is unmoved, maintaining that he will have the “weight of carrion flesh” he is entitled to. He refuses to take the three thousand ducats instead, citing his “hate” and “certain loathing” of Antonio. Bassanio tries to reason with him and offers him more money, but Antonio tells him that it is pointless. The duke asks Shylock how he expects to receive mercy when he shows none. Shylock argues that he has no need of mercy when he is “doing no wrong”: he is asking for justice, which must be given to him according to “the decrees of Venice.” The duke has sent for “Bellario, a learnèd doctor” to determine the outcome, and Salerio reports that a messenger has arrived from Padua. Nerissa enters, disguised as a law clerk. As she hands the duke a letter, Shylock begins to sharpen his knife. The letter is from Bellario, who is unable to come but who has sent “A young and learnèd doctor,” Balthasar, in his place. Portia enters, disguised as Balthasar.

  Lines 167–270: Portia, as Balthasar, questions both Shylock and Antonio, concluding that “the Jew” must “be merciful.” Shylock asks what “compulsion” there is to do so, and Portia responds that mercy cannot be forced: “It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath.” Bassanio repeats that he now has the money to pay the bond “ten times o’er,” and asks that the law be changed. Portia says that there is “no power in Venice” that can alter the law. Shylock is delighted. Portia asks to look at the bond and concludes that Shylock may “lawfully” “claim / A pound of flesh.” Again, she urges Shylock to “be merciful” and again he refuses. He also declines to provide a surgeon to tend to Antonio afterward because “’tis not in the bond,” showing his determination to stick to the letter of the law.

  Lines 271–356: Portia calls Antonio forward and he announces that he is “prepared.” He takes Bassanio’s hand and tells him to commend him to his “honourable wife” and tell her how much Antonio loved him. Bassanio declares that, although Portia is as “dear” to him “as life itself,” he would “sacrifice” her to save Antonio. Gratiano makes a similar declaration, and Portia and Nerissa are both unimpressed by their husbands’ claims. Portia announces that Shylock may cut the flesh from Antonio, but, as he goes to do so, she tells him to “Tarry.” Using Shylock’s own adherence to the wording of the bond against him, she reminds him that the “words” “expressly are ‘a pound of flesh’”; he may take no “blood,” and he must take exactly a pound. Anything else is against the law, and would result in Shylock having to surrender his “lands and goods” to the state. Shylock announces that he will take money instead, but Portia insists that he may only take his bond. Shylock accepts defeat and prepares to leave the court, but Portia calls him back.

  Lines 357–413: Portia reminds Shylock of the penalty against “an alien” who “seek[s] the life of any citizen”: he must forfeit all of his “goods,” to be divided between the state and Antonio, and, unless the duke shows “mercy,” he will be executed. In contrast to Shylock’s own refusals to show mercy, the duke pardons his life and reduces his fine. Antonio is similarly merciful, returning his share of Shylock’s fortune on the condition that he converts to Christianity and leaves his money to Jessica and Lorenzo. Shylock agrees, and leaves the court.

  Lines 414–470: The duke invites “Balthasar” to dinner, but Portia says she must return to Padua. The duke tells Antonio that he should reward the “young man.” Bassanio still does not recognize his own wife, ironically for
getting his own words on “outward shows” in Act 3 Scene 2, and offers the three thousand ducats. Portia declines the money, but Bassanio insists on giving some form of payment. Portia asks him for his gloves and the ring he wears. Bassanio gives the gloves, but refuses to hand over the ring, explaining the “vow” he made to his wife. Portia accepts this explanation, although she is sure his “wife” would know that Balthasar deserved the ring. After she and Nerissa have left, Antonio urges Bassanio to give the ring to Balthasar, and Bassanio agrees. He removes the ring, and sends Gratiano to deliver it.