Act 1: scene 1&2

Friendship:

‘ my purse, my person, my extremest means.Lie all unlocked to your

occasions.’ -antonio/a1s1
-Antonio is expressing his deep friendship and commitment to his
close friend, Bassanio. Antonio is willing to go to great lengths to help
Bassanio achieve his goals and desires. This demonstrates the
strength of their friendship and Antonio's willingness to support
Bassanio both emotionally and materially.
-Self-Sacrifice: Antonio's willingness to put his financial well-being
on the line for the sake of his friend's happiness emphasizes the idea
of self-sacrifice for friendship. He's not just offering money; he's
offering his own well-being and security, which underscores the
depth of his friendship.
-Trust: This line also illustrates the level of trust between Antonio and
Bassanio. Antonio trusts Bassanio with his financial resources and,
by extension, his own future. This trust is a fundamental aspect of
their friendship.

'The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all,Ere thou shalt lose for me
one drop of blood.' - Bassanio a4s1
-Loyalty and Sacrifice: In this line, Bassanio is expressing his unwavering
loyalty and willingness to sacrifice everything, even his own physical well-
being, for the sake of his friend Antonio. He is essentially saying that he would
give up his own body and life to ensure Antonio's safety and well-being.

Bassanio's willingness to offer his own body and life to save Antonio highlights
the selflessness that is often associated with true friendship. He prioritizes
Antonio's life and welfare above his own, demonstrating the extreme extent to
which he values their friendship.
'Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death;
And when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not
once a love.' -Antonio a4s1
-Request for Judgment: Antonio's request that Bassanio's future wife
(referred to as "her") be the judge of the depth of his love emphasizes
his desire for Bassanio's happiness and well-being. He wants his
friend to find happiness in his romantic relationship and hopes that
his love will be recognized and appreciated by Bassanio's future
spouse.
-Friendship Tested: These lines also reflect the profound and
enduring nature of Antonio and Bassanio's friendship. Even in the
face of potential tragedy (as Antonio is in a perilous situation at this
point in the play), Antonio's primary concern is for Bassanio's future
and happiness.

'But life itself, my wife, and all the world Are not with me esteemed
above thy life.-' Bassanio a4s1

-Profession of Friendship: In this passage, Bassanio is expressing his

deep and profound friendship and devotion to Antonio. He is
essentially saying that nothing in the world, not even his own life, is
valued more highly than Antonio's life. This demonstrates the
extraordinary strength of their friendship.

-Friendship as Priority: The lines also highlight the central role that
Antonio plays in Bassanio's life. While Bassanio is about to marry
Portia, his wife-to-be, he still holds Antonio in the highest regard.
This suggests that his friendship with Antonio is a cornerstone of his
existence and that his commitment to Antonio remains unwavering.
Prejudice
1 am as like to call thee so again,To spit on thee again, to spurn
thee too.?' -Antonio a1s3
-Antonio's words reflect the disdain and hostility he holds towards
Shylock solely based on his Jewish heritage. The repetition of the
phrase "to call thee so again" suggests not only Antonio's readiness
to use derogatory language but also the cyclical nature of
prejudice, where discriminatory attitudes are passed down through
generations. The mention of spitting on and spurning Shylock
underscores the dehumanizing effects of prejudice, reducing an
individual to an object of revulsion.

I hate him for he is a Christian;- Shylock a1s3

-Religious Prejudice: Shylock, who is Jewish, openly admits to
hating Antonio simply because he is a Christian. This demonstrates
how prejudice can be a two-way street, with individuals from
different religious backgrounds bias against each other.

I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and
so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray
with you. -Shylock a1s3
-Social and Religious Isolation: The quote also reveals the extent of
Shylock's prejudice. He draws a clear line between business and
social or religious interaction. Shylock's refusal to "eat, drink, nor
pray" with Christians underscores the deep-seated social and
religious divisions of the time. It shows how prejudice can extend to
personal and cultural spheres, not just economic ones.
the Jew is the very devil incarnation;' -Launcelot a2s2
-Dehumanization: Describing someone as a "devil incarnation"
dehumanizes them, making it easier to justify mistreatment or
discrimination. This dehumanization is a recurring theme in
prejudiced attitudes and behaviors.

: . the dog Jew did utter in the streets -solanio a2s8

(Shylock was crying on the street out of rage and anger due to
the betrayal of his daughter Jessica fleeing with Lorenzo the
Christian .)
-Dehumanization: Referring to Shylock as "the dog Jew" is a
dehumanizing and derogatory term. It reduces Shylock to the
level of an animal, reinforcing the idea that he is less than
human because of his Jewish heritage.

If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not
revenge?-shylock a3s1

-Perceived Injustice: Shylock's vengeful nature is rooted in his

perception of injustice. He believes that he and other Jews have
been mistreated and marginalized by the Christians in Venice.
The metaphor of poisoning and wronging underscores his belief
that they have suffered harm at the hands of the Christians.

-Desire for Retaliation: Shylock's use of the word "revenge"

highlights his desire for retaliation against those who have
wronged him. He sees revenge as a means of achieving a sense of
justice and redress for the harm he and his fellow Jews have
endured.
You may as well do anything most hard
As seek to soften that - than which what's harder? -
His Jewish heart. - Antonio a4s1
(All the hearts are the same ,Antonio resigned )
-Perception of Shylock: Antonio's words reflect the common prejudice
against Jews in the society depicted in the play. He characterizes Shylock's
heart as "Jewish," suggesting that it is inherently harder and less
forgiving than the hearts of Christians. This bias influences his perception
of Shylock's inflexibility.
-Resignation: The statement, "All the hearts are the same, Antonio
resigned," shows that Antonio may recognize the irrationality of prejudice
and the similarity of human hearts, regardless of religious or ethnic
background. He seems resigned to the fact that he may not be able to
change Shylock's mind or soften his heart.

'Would any of the stock of Barabbas

Had been her husband, rather than a Christian.’ -Shylock a4s1
-Religious Prejudice: Shylock's reference to "the stock of Barabbas" reflects
his contempt for Christians. Barabbas, in the New Testament, was a
criminal who was freed instead of Jesus. By invoking Barabbas, Shylock is
essentially saying that he would prefer a Jewish criminal as his
daughter's husband over a Christian, highlighting the depth of his religious
prejudice.
 Money
He lends out money gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with
us in Venice.' -Shylock a1s3

-Professional Rivalry: Shylock and Antonio are moneylenders, and there

is a significant amount of professional rivalry bet ween them. Shylock is
a Jewish moneylender who charges interest on loans, while Antonio
lends money without charging interest. Shylock sees Antonio's practice
of lending money for free as a direct challenge to his own moneylending
business..

-Personal Resentment: Shylock resents Antonio for several reasons,

including Antonio's past mistreatment of him due to his Jewish identity.
Shylock's statement reflects his personal animosity toward Antonio. He is
frustrated by Antonio's success and perceives Antonio's generosity as a
threat to his own livelihood.

.
Would she
were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin!
-Shylock a3s1

-He utters these words upon learning that his daughter Jessica has eloped
with Lorenzo, taking some of his ducats and valuable possessions with her.
Shylock's obsession with wealth is a prominent aspect of his character. The
loss of ducats and valuable possessions is a significant blow to him. His wish for
Jessica to be "hearsed at [his] foot" with the ducats in her coffin is a vengeful
expression of his desire to see her suffer the consequences of her actions.

-Desire for Revenge: Shylock's wish for Jessica's misfortune and the loss of his
wealth in her possession can be seen as an expression of his desire for revenge
against her and the Christians who have wronged him.

-Extreme Anger and Betrayal: Shylock's statement reflects his intense anger
and sense of betrayal upon discovering that his own daughter has run away,
taking his wealth and converting to Christianity in the process. He feels
deeply hurt and outraged by her actions.
Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond Double six thousand, and then
treble that,'
-Portia a3s2
(Portia says this as a part of her clever strategy to out wit Shylock and
secure Antonio's release. )

-Love for Bassanio: Portia's love for Bassanio is a driving force behind her
actions. She wants to ensure her husband's happiness and peace of mind. By
resolving Antonio's crisis, she not only secures his friend's release but also
safeguards her husband's emotional well-being.

-Friendship with Antonio: Portia is deeply devoted to her husband, Bassanio,

and by extension, his dear friend Antonio. She understands the importance
of friendship and loyalty, and Antonio's predicament deeply troubles her. Her
willingness to pay the debt reflects her commitment to helping Antonio, who
is dear to her husband.

Nay, take my life and all! -Shylock a4s1

(This was said when Portia said that his goods were to be confiscated and
to be distributed to the state and Antonio as vernice law says that if a
foreigner trys to harm a citizen ,that will be the consequence)
He wants his life to be taken because of his lost of money,this agains
shows his obsession nature with money.
Love!
One half of me is yours, the other half yours -
“Mine own” I would say: but if mine,then yours;’. - Portia a3s2

-Portia uses this metaphorical language to express her love for Bassanio. She
is saying that she is entirely devoted to him, as if her heart and being are
divided into t wo halves, both of which belong to him. This symbolizes the
unity and completeness she finds in their love.

-Selflessness: Portia's declaration reflects her selflessness and willingness to

give herself fully to Bassanio. She is not possessive or jealous but rather
embraces the idea that what belongs to her is also his. This selflessness is a
recurring theme in her character.

-Commitment: The phrase "but if mine, then yours" underscores her

commitment to Bassanio. She is not just expressing love but also a sense of
partnership and shared ownership. She wants to make it clear that their
lives are intert wined.

-Reciprocity: Portia's words emphasize the reciprocity of love. She sees love
as something that is given and received in equal measure. Her love for
Bassanio is based on mutual affection and the idea that what she gives, she
also receives.

‘Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours

Is now converted.’ -Portia a3s2

-Complete Devotion: Portia is expressing her complete devotion to Bassanio.

She uses the word "converted" to convey the idea that her entire self and
everything that belongs to her, including her wealth and love, is now
dedicated to Bassanio.

-Sacrifice: This statement underscores Portia's willingness to make sacrifices

for the sake of her love. She is willing to give up her own possessions and
identity, merging them with Bassanio's, to show the depth of her
commitment.

-Unity: The quote emphasizes the idea of unity in love. Portia sees their love
as a merging of t wo individuals into one shared entity. This concept of unity
is a recurring theme in her relationship with Bassanio.
 Justice and mercy!"
‘Uncapable of pity, void and empty’ -Duke a4s1

The duke says that Shylock is

“incapable of pity, void and empty”which means that Shylock does not have
the capacity to feel any. Furthermore,the word ‘void’ means that something
is completely empty which suggests that the Duke is implying that Shylock
will not sympathise with others because he is so cruel that he does not have
an ounce of compassion.

‘A stony adversary’ - Dutch

(This word is striking)The Duke calls Shylock a “stony adversary” which
implies that he feels it is unfortunate that Antonio’s enemy is Shylock as he
likens Shylock to stone. He is thus suggesting that Shylock is an unfeeling
and cruel enemy that will not feel pity or show mercy.

If you deny it, let the danger light upon

your charter and your city’s freedom”-Shylock

Shylock is trying to remind Antonio and the Duke that they cannot reject
his claim for Antonio’s pound of flesh because it is a legitimate claim backed
by the law. Since Venice was a country that needed to ensure the legitimacy
of its laws through enforcement, Shylock is clearly aware that he has the
upper hand and threatens them by reminding them of the consequences if
they do not abide by the law.

“I rather choose to have a weight of

carrion flesh, than to receive three thousand ducats” -Shylock
Shylock describes his bond with Antonio as “carrion flesh” and hence establishes it
as decaying flesh from a dead animal. This implies that Shylock intends to seek
Antonio’s death through the claiming of his bond and hence shows that he is
bloodthirsty. Furthermore,he establishes that he would take the bond over the
money which reveals his determination to have revenge as Shylock is a materialistic
individual who values money and profits.Hence, he is so bloodthirsty that the death
of Antonio is extremely valuable, more so than money.
“You may as well use question with the wolf why he hath made the ewe
bleat for lamb’ - Shylock

It is natural for the wolf to prey on sheep, you cannot stop him from doing ,itso or
ask him to explain himself as it is instinct. It is only natural for Shylock to be
merciless and cruel
“If every ducat in six thousand ducats... and every part a ducat,I
would not draw them, I would have my bond” -Shylock
-Shylock is expressing his anger and determination to collect a pound of
flesh as collateral for a loan he made to Antonio

-"every ducat in six thousand ducats," he would still insist on having his
bond, which is the right to take a pound of Antonio's flesh. This reveals
Shylock's intense desire for revenge against Antonio, as he values the
opportunity to take his flesh more than any amount of money. It also
highlights Shylock's deep resentment and anger towards Antonio, likely
stemming from the mistreatment and discrimination he has faced as a
Jewish moneylender in Venice.

'What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?'-shylock

In this quote, Shylock is expressing his belief that he has done nothing
wrong in seeking to enforce the terms of the contract he made with
Antonio, which allows him to take a pound of Antonio's flesh if the loan is
not repaid. Shylock is essentially arguing that he is entitled to pursue justice
and collect what is owed to him according to the terms of their agreement.

The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath’-
Portia (first time asking for mercy)

Portia is saying that mercy should be given freely and not be the result of
compulsion. It should come naturally like the rain. She asserts that showing
mercy will benefit both parties - both the pardoned and the one that shows mercy.

Through this, Portia attempts to save Antonio by encouraging Shylock to show mercy.
Unlike the Duke and Bassanio who attempt to pressure Shylock into forfeiting his bond,
Portia reminds Shylock that the desire to show mercy should be innate. Furthermore, she
asserts that mercy is “an attribute to God himself” and appeals to his religious nature.
“An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury
upon my soul? No, not for Venice.” -Shylock

Shylock rejects Portia’s attempt to settle the bond with thrice the amount owed
to him by establishing that he has made a vow to heaven and cannot violate it
by forfeiting the bond. This suggests that Shylock’s hate for Antonio is so
intense that he is willing to ____________ in order to get his revenge on
Antonio. In addition, although Shylock values money greatly, his rejection of
money for vengeance emphasizes ___________________________.

My deeds upon my head: I crave the law,- Shylock

Determination: Shylock is determined to see the terms of his contract with
Antonio upheld. He believes that he is entitled to the pound of flesh as agreed
upon in their contract and is willing to go to great lengths to ensure that the law
is on his side.

Legalistic: Shylock is portrayed as a highly legalistic character. He places great

importance on the letter of the law and is not swayed by appeals to mercy or
compassion. He is focused on his legal rights and insists on enforcing the contract.

Lack of Mercy: Shylock's statement here underscores his lack of mercy or

compassion toward Antonio. He is willing to see Antonio suffer the severe
consequences of their contract, even if it means taking a pound of Antonio's flesh,
which would likely result in Antonio's death.

Revenge: Shylock's actions throughout the play are driven by a desire for revenge
against Antonio and, to some extent, against the society that has mistreated
him because of his Jewish heritage. He sees the opportunity to enforce the
contract as a way to achieve this revenge.

For, as thou urgest justice, be assured

Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir'st.-Portia
Ending:
Both the Duke and Antonio, lessen the force of Portia's law and show Shylock relative generosity. However, in forcing
him to convert, they are stripping him of his identity as a Jew and forcing him to give up his occupation, because
Christians may not practice usury. In other words, they reduce him to nothing more than the bare animal self
Shylock’s response
Shylock refuses Portia’s request for a surgeon on his charge to “stop
(Antonio’s) wounds, lest he do bleed to death” because it is “not in the
bond”. Shylock thus implicitly reveals that he is agreeable to Antonio
dying as a consequence of fulfilling the bond.
So what?
What does this suggest?
1. He is blood-thirsty?
2. It is not merely a matter of “justice” and getting his pound of flesh?
3. He is unwilling to show any form of mercy even though Antonio will
be punished
when he gets his pound of flesh?