Rakhi Sameer

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
One of the best known
Best liked comedies of Shakespeare
Written in 1596
Second period of Shakespeares writing career
During this period Shakespeare also created the lyrical a midsummer
nights dream & Romeo and Juliet.
The Merchant of Venice was first printed in quarto form by James
Roberts.
Most of the action takes place in and near Venice a glamorous & romantic
city in Italy.
Leading port & trade Centre for the whole of Europe in the 16
th
cent.
Also formed a vital commercial link between the eastern and western
halves of the world.
Other place is Belmont Portia belongs to Belmont
It stands for high values of life
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ACT I SC I
World of romantic comedies
Beginning is little unusual
Antonio well known & respectable man
Play opens Antonio commenting on himself
in sooth . I know not why i am so sad.
It wearies me; you say it wearies you;
But how i caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff it is made of, where of it is born,
I am to learn;
And such want with sadness makes of me
That i have much ado to know myself.

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ACT I SC I
His sadness strikes a gloomy note for the opening of a comedy
His friends, Salerio and Solanio are worried about his sadness.
Salarino and Solanio suggest that his sadness must be due to his
commercial investments
Antonio denies
Bassanio, Lorenzo & Gratiano on stage
Gratiano shows his concern for Antonios sickness
Advises Antonio to worry too much
Antonio cause the world a stage everyone has a particular role to
play & his part is a sad one.
(This stage metaphor finds expression in Shakespeare as you like
it.)
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ACT I SC I
Gratiano would prefer the inevitable wrinkles of old age to come
through laughter.
He would warn his liver with wine rather that burn his hearts blood
with sighs and groans that are deadly.
A person should not be cold and lifeless as marble figure
Implying he would rather live vigorously.
Intimate connection between mind and body as a psychological
truth.
Jaundice melancholy
Grave man like a still stagnant pond covered with weeds & scum.
Such people prove to be fools when they open their mouths
Antonio & Bassanio left alone they speak about Portia
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ACT I SC I
Bassanio talks about his hardships
Antonio promises to help him.
Bassanio talks about Portia, a rich & beautiful heiress in Belmont
She is as noble as Portia, the noble wife of Brutus & daughter of
Cato
Bassanio compares her to the Golden Fleece; which according to
the Greek legend was protected by a dragon in Colchis
Similarly many suitors flock to Belmont to seek Portias hand in
marriage.
Bassanio is sure of his success if only he could reach Belmont
Antonios wealth invested
Asks Bassanio to loan in his name
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ACT I SC II
This scene transports us from the world of Venice to the world of
Belmont
The scene introduces Portia
Begins with a conversation Portia & Nerissa important scene plot
construction & characterization Shakespeare introduces second
plot
The casket story
Portias besiegement by a number of suitors
Dialogue between Portia & nerissa delightful humor
Nerissa shows a down to earth commonsense informs us Portia is
weary of her suitors
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ACT I SC II
Portia believes saying is much easier than practicing
A good teachers practice what he preaches
She compares good advice to a cripple
Youth is like a hare
All her philosophizing is futile
Fathers will has limited her personal choice
Nerissa appreciates the wisdom of Portias father
Three caskets: Her suitor, Prince of Naples & the county palatine.
Portia makes fun of suitors
Next suitor Prince of Morocco to arrive tonight
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ACT I SC III
Now, we meet shylock the rich money lending Jew.
Scene brings out salient traits of shylocks character vindictiveness,
diabolical cunning, malice and tenacity of purpose.
He hates Antonio and the insolent treatment meted out to Jews by
some Christians. But refuses
Antonio enters the scene
Shylock reveals his character in his soliloquy.
Important scene shows us why shylock hates antonio.
Motives regions, avaricious & national.
Hates Antonio because he is a Christian.
Also because Antonio lends money without interest this brings
down the rate of interest.
Antonio hates Jews.
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ACT I SC III
Shylock quotes the story of Jacob and his uncle Laban Old
Testament
Jacob Old Testament
Jacob a deal with his uncle Laban
All spotted & stripped lamb would belong to him.
He placed some trees before the female sheep
As a result many lambs were born spotted & stripped
Elizabethan period taking interest on money was considered
immoral
But shylock has turned everything.
Chap 27. Of genesis tells us how Jacob helped by his mother,
Rebekah gained birthright from his father, son of Abraham though
Jacob, had an elder brother, Esali.
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ACT I SC III
Both these stories involve cunning & deceit shylock quotes them to
strengthen his argument.
Antonio does not agree he consider Jacobs good fortune a
legitimate reward of his labor
He calls shylock a devil who quotes scriptures to his advantage
Shylock reminds Antonio of all insults heaped on him by latter
Shylock is a greedy & vindictive money lander
He also represents a repressed race
He agrees to lend money to Antonio
But he wants it back in three months
In the event of non payment within time
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ACT I SC III
Shylock is free to cut off a pound of flesh from any part from any
part of Antonios body
Antonios is sure about the return of his ships
And signs the bond
Bassanio is apprehensive of the Jews motives
This scene strikes the key note of the play: Prepares the stage for
the development of dramatic action.
Both the stories the bond story
The casket story
Antonios melancholy nature foreshadows the impending danger
All important characters are introduced.
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ACT II SC I
This scene does not advance the action Prince of Morocco
ACT II SC II
This scene is mainly created to provide laughter
Laughter story serves a link between
The caskets story and Lorenzo Jessica elopement.
Bassanios plan to precede Belmont
Lancelot to serve him.
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ACT II SC III
Brief informs about the love affair of Lorenzo and Jessica
Shylocks villainy & avariciousness
Has daughter says our house is hell
This scene prepares for Jessicas elopement
This provides a strong motive for shylocks cruelty
ACT II SC IV
Lancelot delivers the letter
About elopement
A masque is arranged
Jessica to join as a boy
Banquet at Bassanios place
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ACT II SC V
Comic aspect of shylocks character
Trouble is brewing he senses
Asks Jessica to keep the doors locked
ACT II SC VI
Lorenzo & Jessica story reaches its climates
Jessica is dressed as a page
She elopes with Lorenzo
Bassanio is leaving for Belmont
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ACT II SC VII
Portia shows the Prince of Morocco to the caskets where he will
attempt to win her hand
The first casket made of gold
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire
The second made of silver reads
Who chooseth shall get as much as he deserves.
The third, a heavy leaden casket, declares
Who chooseth me must give & hazard all he hath.
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ACT II SC VII
After much pondering the prince chooses
The gold casket reasoning that only the most precious metal could
have picture of such a beautiful woman
The chest reveals a skill with a scroll in its eye socket
All that glisters is not gold,
Often have you heard that told.
Portia is glade to see him go.
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ACT II SC VIII
Having witnessed shylocks rage upon learning of Jessicas
elopement
Solanio describes the scene to Salarino
Shylock is in a rage loss of his daughter & his ducats
Solanio hopes that Antonio is able to pay his debt.
ACT II SC IX
Prince of Aragon is trying his luck
He selected the silver one
He finds portrait of a bunking idiot a poem that condemns him as a fool.
Just as he departs
A messenger comes
Portia & nerissa go out to greet the new suitor hoping that he is Bassanio.
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ACT III SC I
In this scene the main plot moves swiftly news of Antonios losses
has been confirmed
Elopement of Jessica with a Christian has embittered shylock.
He is thirsty for revenge
Conversation with tubal two prominent passions of shylock his
greed for money & desire for revenge.
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ACT III SC I
Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not Jew hand, 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?
Shylock gives vent to his pent - up feelings.
This speech humanizes shylock.
For some time he wins our sympathy
If a Christian can take revenge
Why cant a Jew take revenge?
Antonio should therefore look to his bond
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ACT III SC II
Bassanios choice of the right casket
Sc significant from the point of view of structure all stories come
together here.
Also an insight into the character of Portia
Dramatic center of the play.
Antonios safety depends upon Bassanios choice of casket Portia
express her love for Bassanio
She doesnt want him to go wrong.
She is more nervous than Bassanio
Bassanio knows the worthlessness of external ornamentation
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ACT III SC II
He chooses the leadyn casket
Portia is overwhelmed
She promises to be a worthy wife
They exchange rings
Nerissa and Gratiano exchange rings
Salerio with Lorenzo & Jessica comes
With the news of Antonios losses
Shylock has resolved to have only for the future of the bond not the
amount.
Portia asks Bassanio to proceed to Venice
Save Antonio at any cost

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ACT III SC III
This scene preamble to the trial scene in act IV.
The bond is forfeited
Antonio has been imprisoned
Shylock embodiment of cruelty.
His scheme is now transparent.
Revenge his dominant passion
Antonio aware of the dukes helplessness to save him.

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ACT III SC IV
This SC too is closely linked with the trial scene.
Lorenzos tribute to Antonio
Portia plans to go to Venice

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ACT III SC V
Portia & Bassanio reach Venice

ACT IV SC I: Trial Scene
Climax of the play
Most effective scene of the play.
One of best scenes Shakespeare ever wrote
Sc. Opens in dukes court
Duke expect shylock to relieve Antonio
On the contrary shylock announces in open court
He has sworn by holy Sabbath
Have the due and forfeit of the bond
Denial of justice will bring dis credit to the character and freedom
of Venice.
Duke once again pleads with him to show mercy

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ACT IV SC I: Trial Scene
Shylock switches to psychological economic argument.
Portia dressed as Balthazar, a lawyer appears with Nerissa dressed
as clerk
Duke permits her to speak for Antonio
Portia promises shylock his right of justice by the Venetian law.
But she urges the Jew to be merciful

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ACT IV SC I: Trial Scene
She delivers an eloquent speech on the quality of mercy
The quality of mercy is not staind;
Iot droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is
twice blest:
It blessth him that gives and him that takes.
Mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The scepter shows the force of temporal power;
The attribute to awe and majesty.
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings,
It is an attributed to god himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest Gods
When mercy seasons justice

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ACT IV SC I: Trial Scene
Mercy drops as gentle rain from heaven
It is double blessing blesses him that gives
And him that receives finer ornament than the crown
Quality of god
Comes nearest to god
However, the words fall on deaf ears - determined
Declines Bassanios offer ten times over
Portia asks him to be prepared exactly a pound of flesh from
Antonios chest without shedding a drop of blood.
As it is not mentioned in the bond
Tarry a little
The bond him no drop of blood

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ACT IV SC I: Trial Scene
She discovers a loop hole in the water tight bond
If the spills one drop of Christian blood
His lands & goods fallen
His villainous plan is foiled
Defeated he is ready to accept money.
Portia says you have already rejected the offer
He will lose his wealth to the state

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ACT IV SC I: Trial Scene
Accused of having made a plot against the life of a citizen.
His life is dependent of the mercy of the duke
Half of his wealth will go to Antonio
Duke is a merciful Christian
Antonio returns shylocks wealth
On the condition he will give it to his daughter
I am content I am not well send the deed after me, and I will
signed it.

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ACT V SC I
Shakespeare restores the atmosphere of comedy
This scene rounds of all the loose ends.
Romantic dialogue Lorenzo & Jessica
Portia returns home changes her dress
Bassanio quarrels with Gratiano missing ring.
Portia accuses Bassanio infidelity
Antonio unhappy cause of the fight
Portia takes out the ring reveals her secret
Thought the play is a comedy somber atmosphere pervade even
after the end of the trial scene.

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ACT V
Act v serves to dissipate the gloomy impressions created by
shylocks fate is decided in act IV
But without this scene it would not have been a comedy.
The scene opens with references to music and moonlight.
Which are associated with love. The repetitive pattern of verse adds
lyrical beauty to the scene.
Lorenzo celebrates music
It transforms the hot conditions of blood into gentleness
The sportive love trick of the exchange of rings has been purposely
introduced.
The scene reveals the secret of the brilliant judge and the clerk of
the trial scene to Antonio, Bassanio and their friends.

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PLOT CONSTRUCTION
When the play was first published in quarto form by James Robert
in 1600 he called it a historie.
Actually it is a blend of many stories
Shakespeare the master craftsman inter weaves several stories.
Antonio, the merchant Shylock the parallel story Portia, lady of
Belmont Lorenzo.
Their taking refuge at Belmont
Also Lancelot gobos betrayal of his master, Shylock.
Finally, the story of Portia & Nerissa beguiling their husband
through the exchange of rings.

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PLOT CONSTRUCTION
This paly is often compared with a fairy tale due to many
improbable episodes
The paly touches upon serous matters of life in addition to the
impression of the romantic or fairy tale.
Out of the four plots the casket story & the bond story form the
main plots while the employment of Jessica & Lorenzo are the two
minor plots.
The casket story climax in Bassanios choice bond story Portias
bidding shylock to tarry a little
Before proceeding to claim his pound of flesh. The two main plots -
intermingled throughout alternately occupy the interest of the
audience in the first half of the play.

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SHYLOCK
Merchant of Venice is Shylocks play.
Traditional figure of money lenders is given much more vitality than
is necessary
Shylock lives a life independent of the story
He emerges as one of Shakespeares greatest and most
controversial characters
Domination the paly right from his first appearance
Practice of taking interest was regarded immoral but perversion of
nature
A money lender was putting his money to serve were sterile and
barren.
Shylock comes to life in every word he utters
His voice is harshly discordant

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SHYLOCK
Three thousand. Ducats for three months. Antonio shall become
bound . Antony is a good man. Yet his mean are in supposition. The man is
not withstanding sufficient. Three thousand ducats I think I take this bond.
These words represent a man narrow minded and obsessed with
money
Incapable of humor
Words always fit his meaning.
First meeting with this calculating money lender drops the hint of
tragedy
Again & again Shakespeare tries to hold
The grips of his story of the comic Jew and the pound of flesh but
he seems to fail.
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SHYLOCK
Voice of shylock comes cutting into the paly
Shakespeare catches him disclosing his intention and motives in an
aside.
How like a fawning publication he looks!
I hate him for that in low simplicity
He lends our money gratis, and brings down
Here with us in Venice
There is no human justification for his monstrous project
It is only his hatred for Christians
Shakespeare humanizes dead wife
His great speech hate not Jew
Most passionate speech

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SHYLOCK
Sounds like a plea for charity but his motive is revenge.
His humiliation with his race, religion & nation
Jessicas elopement with a Christian.
Brings about hostility
If a Jew a Christian, what is humility?
Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by
Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, it
shall go hard but I will better the instruction
Shylock is a victim of Christian intolerance
This does not justify his inhuman purpose
The play rings tragic tone

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SHYLOCK
After shylocks exit as a defeated villain that the spirit of comedy
establishes
Shylock is the villain Jew, the dog Jew
He himself states since I am a dog beware my fangs
He is thought as a devil
Shylock is inhuman wretch
Shylock is a totally manic the end.

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