Act 4, Scene 1 — The Merchant of Venice

The argument Portia, disguised as a lawyer named Balthazar, enters Venice's court, delivers the mercy speech, upholds the bond, then destroys Shylock with his own weapon — the letter of the law.

Enter the Duke, the Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio

and others.

DUKE

What, is Antonio here?

What, is Antonio here

ANTONIO

Ready, so please your Grace.

Ready, so please your Grace

DUKE ≋ verse

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.

I am sorry for you, you are come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy.

I am sorry for you, you are come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy

"dram of mercy" A dram is the smallest unit of liquid measure — the Duke is saying Shylock lacks even the tiniest trace of mercy. Pharmacists used drams; the image is medical and precise.

ANTONIO ≋ verse

I have heard

Your Grace hath ta’en great pains to qualify

His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate,

And that no lawful means can carry me

Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose

My patience to his fury, and am arm’d

To suffer with a quietness of spirit

The very tyranny and rage of his.

I have heard Your Grace has ta’en great pains to qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, And that no lawful means can carry me Out of his envy’s reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury, and am arm’d To suffer with a quietness of spirit The very tyranny and rage of his.

DUKE

Go one and call the Jew into the court.

Go one and call the Jew into the court

SALARINO

He is ready at the door. He comes, my lord.

He is ready at the door He comes, my lord

Enter Shylock.

DUKE ≋ verse

Make room, and let him stand before our face.

Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too,

That thou but leadest 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 exacts 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.

Make room, and let him stand before our face. Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That you but leadest this fashion of your malice To the last hour of act, and then, ’tis thought, you’lt show your mercy and remorse more strange Than is your strange apparent cruelty; And where you now exacts the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh, you will not only loose the forfeiture, But, touch’d with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principal, Glancing an I 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.

Make room, and let him stand before our face Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That you but leadest this fashion of your malice To the last hour of act, and then, ’tis thought, you’lt show your mercy and remorse more strange Than is your strange apparent cruelty; And where you now exacts the penalty, Which is a pound of this poor merchant’s flesh, you will not only loose the forfeiture, But, touch’d with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principal, Glancing an I 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

"royal merchant" A compliment to Antonio's status — a merchant so wealthy and respected he is kingly. It also emphasizes how complete Antonio's ruin is: even great men can be brought down.

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

I have possess’d your Grace of what I purpose,

And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn

To have the due and forfeit of my bond.

If you deny it, let the danger light

Upon your charter and your city’s freedom!

You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have

A weight of carrion flesh than to receive

Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that,

But say it is my humour. Is it answer’d?

What if my house be troubled with a rat,

And I be pleas’d to give ten thousand ducats

To have it ban’d? What, are you answer’d yet?

Some men there are love not a gaping pig;

Some that are mad if they behold a cat;

And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ the nose,

Cannot contain their urine; for affection

Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood

Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer:

As there is no firm reason to be render’d

Why he cannot abide a gaping pig,

Why he a harmless necessary cat,

Why he a woollen bagpipe, but of force

Must yield to such inevitable shame

As to offend, himself being offended,

So can I give no reason, nor I will not,

More than a lodg’d hate and a certain loathing

I bear Antonio, that I follow thus

A losing suit against him. Are you answered?

I have possess’d your Grace of what I purpose, And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond. If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter and your city’s freedom! You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have A weight of carrion flesh than to receive Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that, But say it is my humour. Is it answer’d? What if my house be troubled with a rat, And I be pleas’d to give ten thousand ducats To have it ban’d? What, are you answer’d yet? Some men there are love not a gaping pig; Some that are mad if they behold a cat; And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ the nose, Cannot contain their urine; for affection Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer: As there is no firm reason to be render’d Why he cannot abide a gaping pig, Why he a harmless necessary cat, Why he a woollen bagpipe, but of force Must yield to such inevitable shame As to offend, himself being offended, So can I give no reason, nor I will not, More than a lodg’d hate and a certain loathing I bear Antonio, that I follow thus A losing suit against him. Are you answered?

I have possess’d your Grace of what I purpose, And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter and your city’s freedom You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have A weight of carrion flesh than to receive Three thousand ducats I’ll not answer that, But say it is my humour Is it answer’d What if my house be troubled with a rat, And I be pleas’d to give ten thousand ducats To have it ban’d

"my holy Sabbath" Shylock swears by the Jewish Sabbath — Saturday, not Sunday. He insists on his religious identity at every turn even as the Christians try to deny its validity.

"gaping pig" A roasted pig served whole with its mouth open — a common dish at English feasts. The image would have been especially charged given the Jewish dietary prohibition against pork.

Why it matters Shylock's refusal to give a 'rational' reason is philosophically sophisticated: he's saying that hatred, like love, doesn't need to justify itself. The Elizabethan audience might have found this monstrous; modern audiences often find it honest.

BASSANIO ≋ verse

This is no answer, thou unfeeling man,

To excuse the current of thy cruelty.

This is no answer, you unfeeling man, To excuse the current of your cruelty.

This is no answer, you unfeeling man, To excuse the current of your cruelty

SHYLOCK

I am not bound to please thee with my answer.

I am not bound to please you with my answer.

I am not bound to please you with my answer

BASSANIO

Do all men kill the things they do not love?

Do all men kill the things they do not love

SHYLOCK

Hates any man the thing he would not kill?

Hates any man the thing he would not kill

BASSANIO

Every offence is not a hate at first.

Every offence is not a hate at first

SHYLOCK

What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?

What, would you have a serpent sting you twice?

What, would you have a serpent sting you twice

ANTONIO ≋ verse

I pray you, think you question with the Jew.

You may as well go stand upon the beach

And bid the main flood bate his usual height;

You may as well use question with the wolf,

Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb;

You may as well forbid the mountain pines

To wag their high tops and to make no noise

When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven;

You may as well do anything most hard

As seek to soften that—than which what’s harder?—

His Jewish heart. Therefore, I do beseech you,

Make no moe offers, use no farther means,

But with all brief and plain conveniency.

Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will.

I pray you, think you question with the Jew. You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he has made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops and to make no noise When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard As seek to soften that—than which what’s harder?— His Jewish heart. Therefore, I do beseech you, Make no moe offers, use no farther means, But with all brief and plain conveniency. Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will.

I pray you, think you question with the Jew You may as well go stand upon the beach And bid the main flood bate his usual height; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he has made the ewe bleat for the lamb; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops and to make no noise When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven; You may as well do anything most hard As seek to soften that—than which what’s harder — His Jewish heart Therefore, I do beseech you, Make no moe offers, use no farther means, But with all brief and plain conveniency Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will

Why it matters Antonio's surrender is oddly moving — he's not afraid, he's exhausted by the performance of hope. His request to end the pleading is, in its way, more dignified than all the arguments before it.

BASSANIO

For thy three thousand ducats here is six.

For your three thousand ducats here is six.

For your three thousand ducats here is six

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

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.

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.

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

DUKE

How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend’ring none?

How shall you hope for mercy, rend’ring none?

How shall you hope for mercy, rend’ring none

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong?

You have among you many a purchas’d slave,

Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,

You use in abject and in slavish parts,

Because you bought them. Shall I say to you

“Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?

Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds

Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates

Be season’d with such viands”? You will answer

“The slaves are ours.” So do I answer you:

The pound of flesh which I demand of him

Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it.

If you deny me, fie upon your law!

There is no force in the decrees of Venice.

I stand for judgment. Answer; shall I have it?

What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? You have among you many a purchas’d slave, Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them. Shall I say to you “Let them be free, marry them to your heirs? Why sweat they under burdens? Let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Be season’d with such viands”? You will answer “The slaves are ours.” So do I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it. If you deny me, fie upon your law! There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgment. Answer; shall I have it?

What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong You have among you many a purchas’d slave, Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them Shall I say to you “Let them be free, marry them to your heirs Why sweat they under burdens Let their beds Be made as soft as yours, and let their palates Be season’d with such viands” You will answer “The slaves are ours

"many a purchas'd slave" Shylock's most devastating argument: he holds a mirror to Venice's economy. The same city that calls his bond monstrous profits from slavery. Shakespeare gives him the argument the Christians cannot answer — and then does not let him win.

Why it matters This is the speech that makes modern productions uncomfortable in a different way than 16th-century ones did. Shylock identifies the moral contradiction at the heart of Venetian society, and no one in the room refutes it.

↩ Callback to 1-3 Shylock's slave argument echoes the bond scene: in 1-3 he proposed flesh as equivalent to financial risk; now he proposes that his right to flesh is equivalent to the Christians' right to own slaves — both are defended as property.

DUKE ≋ verse

Upon my power I may dismiss this court,

Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,

Whom I have sent for to determine this,

Come here today.

Upon my power I may dismiss this court, Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here today.

Upon my power I may dismiss this court, Unless Bellario, a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here today

SALARINO ≋ verse

My lord, here stays without

A messenger with letters from the doctor,

New come from Padua.

My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua.

My lord, here stays without A messenger with letters from the doctor, New come from Padua

DUKE

Bring us the letters. Call the messenger.

Bring us the letters Call the messenger

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet!

The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all,

Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood.

Good cheer, Antonio! What, man, courage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, before you shall lose for me one drop of blood.

Good cheer, Antonio What, man, courage yet The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all, before you shall lose for me one drop of blood

ANTONIO ≋ verse

I am a tainted wether of the flock,

Meetest for death, the weakest kind of fruit

Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.

You cannot better be employ’d, Bassanio,

Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.

I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death, the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me. You cannot better be employ’d, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph.

I am a tainted wether of the flock, Meetest for death, the weakest kind of fruit Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me You cannot better be employ’d, Bassanio, Than to live still, and write mine epitaph

Enter Nerissa dressed like a lawyer’s clerk.

DUKE

Came you from Padua, from Bellario?

Came you from Padua, from Bellario

NERISSA

From both, my lord. Bellario greets your Grace.

From both, my lord Bellario greets your Grace

[_Presents a letter._]

BASSANIO

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

Why do you whet your knife so earnestly?

Why do you whet your knife so earnestly

SHYLOCK

To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.

To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there

GRATIANO ≋ verse

Not on thy sole but on thy soul, harsh Jew,

Thou mak’st thy knife keen. But no metal can,

No, not the hangman’s axe, bear half the keenness

Of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?

Not on your sole but on your soul, harsh Jew, you mak’st your knife keen. But no metal can, No, not the hangman’s axe, bear half the keenness Of your sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce you?

Not on your sole but on your soul, harsh Jew, you mak’st your knife keen But no metal can, No, not the hangman’s axe, bear half the keenness Of your sharp envy Can no prayers pierce you

"Not on thy sole but on thy soul" A pun on sole (the leather strap Shylock is using to sharpen the knife) and soul (implying Shylock sharpens his moral corruption, not just his blade). Gratiano loves this kind of insult.

SHYLOCK

No, none that thou hast wit enough to make.

No, none that you hast wit enough to make.

No, none that you hast wit enough to make

GRATIANO ≋ verse

O, be thou damn’d, inexecrable dog!

And for thy life let justice be accus’d;

Thou almost mak’st me waver in my faith,

To hold opinion with Pythagoras

That souls of animals infuse themselves

Into the trunks of men. Thy currish spirit

Govern’d a wolf who, hang’d for human slaughter,

Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet,

And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam,

Infus’d itself in thee; for thy desires

Are wolfish, bloody, starv’d and ravenous.

O, be you damn’d, inexecrable dog! And for your life let justice be accus’d; you almost mak’st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men. your currish spirit Govern’d a wolf who, hang’d for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And whilst you layest in your unhallowed dam, Infus’d itself in you; for your desires Are wolfish, bloody, starv’d and ravenous.

O, be you damn’d, inexecrable dog And for your life let justice be accus’d; you almost mak’st me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men your currish spirit Govern’d a wolf who, hang’d for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet, And whilst you layest in your unhallowed dam, Infus’d itself in you; for your desires Are wolfish, bloody, starv’d and ravenous

"souls of animals infuse themselves / Into the trunks of men" Metempsychosis — the Pythagorean belief that souls transmigrate between bodies. Shylock himself will mock this doctrine when he encounters Launcelet Gobbo in 4-1. Gratiano uses it as abuse; Shylock dismisses it as absurd.

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond,

Thou but offend’st thy lungs to speak so loud.

Repair thy wit, good youth, or it will fall

To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.

Till you canst rail the seal from off my bond, you but offend’st your lungs to speak so loud. Repair your wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin. I stand here for law.

Till you canst rail the seal from off my bond, you but offend’st your lungs to speak so loud Repair your wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless ruin I stand here for law

DUKE ≋ verse

This letter from Bellario doth commend

A young and learned doctor to our court.

Where is he?

This letter from Bellario does commend A young and learned doctor to our court. Where is he?

This letter from Bellario does commend A young and learned doctor to our court Where is he

NERISSA ≋ verse

He attendeth here hard by,

To know your answer, whether you’ll admit him.

He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you’ll admit him.

He attendeth here hard by, To know your answer, whether you’ll admit him

DUKE OF VENICE ≋ verse

With all my heart: some three or four of you

Go give him courteous conduct to this place.

Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.

With all my heart: some three or four of you Go give him courteous conduct to this place. Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario’s letter.

With all my heart: some three or four of you Go give him courteous conduct to this place Meantime, the court shall hear Bellario’s letter

"I'll pay it instantly with all my heart" A double meaning: Antonio literally means he will pay with his heart's blood (the knife will reach his heart), and also that he pays Bassanio's debt wholeheartedly, gladly. One of the most compressed puns in the play.

[_Reads._] _Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your

letter I am very sick, but in the instant that your messenger came, in

loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome. His name is

Balthazar. I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the

Jew and Antonio the merchant. We turn’d o’er many books together. He is

furnished with my opinion, which, bettered with his own learning (the

greatness whereof I cannot enough commend), comes with him at my

importunity to fill up your Grace’s request in my stead. I beseech you

let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend

estimation, for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. I

leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall better publish

his commendation._

You hear the learn’d Bellario what he writes,

And here, I take it, is the doctor come.

Enter Portia dressed like a doctor of laws.

Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?

PORTIA

I did, my lord.

I did, my lord

🎭 Dramatic irony The entire court believes they are dealing with a young male doctor named Balthazar, sent by the real legal scholar Bellario. The audience knows they are watching Portia in disguise — saving her own husband's best friend with wit her husband doesn't know she possesses.

DUKE ≋ verse

You are welcome. Take your place.

Are you acquainted with the difference

That holds this present question in the court?

You are welcome. Take your place. Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court?

You are welcome Take your place Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court

PORTIA ≋ verse

I am informed throughly of the cause.

Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew?

I am informed throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here? And which the Jew?

I am informed throughly of the cause Which is the merchant here And which the Jew

DUKE

Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth

PORTIA

Is your name Shylock?

Is your name Shylock

SHYLOCK

Shylock is my name.

Shylock is my name

PORTIA ≋ verse

Of a strange nature is the suit you follow,

Yet in such rule that the Venetian law

Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.

Of a strange nature is the suit you follow, Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed.

Of a strange nature is the suit you follow, Yet in such rule that the Venetian law Cannot impugn you as you do proceed

[_To Antonio_.] You stand within his danger, do you not?

ANTONIO

Ay, so he says.

Ay, so he says

PORTIA

Do you confess the bond?

Do you confess the bond

ANTONIO

I do.

I do

PORTIA

Then must the Jew be merciful.

Then must the Jew be merciful

SHYLOCK

On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.

On what compulsion must I Tell me that

PORTIA ≋ verse

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.

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 does 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 does then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be your plea, consider this, That in the course of justice none of us Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer does teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of your plea, Which if you follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence ’gainst the merchant there.

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 does 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 does then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice Therefore, Jew, Though justice be your plea, consider this, That in the course of justice none of us Should see salvation We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer does teach us all to render The deeds of mercy

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd" 'Strained' means forced or constrained. The speech argues that genuine mercy cannot be compelled — it must be freely chosen. This is the play's central philosophical proposition.

"It is enthroned in the hearts of kings" Portia is appealing to Shylock's own religious tradition here as much as Christian theology — both traditions hold mercy as divine. The irony is that she will shortly use the law mercilessly against him.

Why it matters The most famous speech in the play — and one of the most famous in English literature. What makes it dramatically piercing is not just its beauty but its failure: Portia means every word, and Shylock still says no.

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,

The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

My deeds upon my head I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond

PORTIA

Is he not able to discharge the money?

Is he not able to discharge the money

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Yes, here I tender it for him in the court,

Yea, twice the sum, if that will not suffice,

I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er

On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.

If this will not suffice, it must appear

That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you,

Wrest once the law to your authority.

To do a great right, do a little wrong,

And curb this cruel devil of his will.

Yes, here I tender it for him in the court, yes, twice the sum, if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart. If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth. And I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority. To do a great right, do a little wrong, And curb this cruel devil of his will.

Yes, here I tender it for him in the court, yes, twice the sum, if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth And I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority To do a great right, do a little wrong, And curb this cruel devil of his will

PORTIA ≋ verse

It must not be, there is no power in Venice

Can alter a decree established;

’Twill be recorded for a precedent,

And many an error by the same example

Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

It must not be, there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established; ’Twill be recorded for a precedent, And many an error by the same example Will rush into the state. It cannot be.

It must not be, there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established; ’Twill be recorded for a precedent, And many an error by the same example Will rush into the state It cannot be

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel!

O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!

A Daniel come to judgment! yes, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how I do honour you!

A Daniel come to judgment yes, a Daniel O wise young judge, how I do honour you

"A Daniel come to judgment" From the apocryphal story of Susanna, where the young prophet Daniel delivers a fair verdict when false witnesses condemn an innocent woman. Shylock praises Portia as Daniel — not knowing that Daniel's defining act was exposing false accusers, which is precisely what Portia is about to do to him.

PORTIA

I pray you let me look upon the bond.

I pray you let me look upon the bond

SHYLOCK

Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.

Here ’tis, most reverend doctor, here it is

PORTIA

Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee.

Shylock, there’s thrice your money offered you.

Shylock, there’s thrice your money offered you

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven.

Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?

No, not for Venice.

An oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice.

An oath, an oath I have an oath in heaven Shall I lay perjury upon my soul No, not for Venice

PORTIA ≋ verse

Why, this bond is forfeit,

And lawfully by this the Jew may claim

A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off

Nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful,

Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.

Why, this bond is forfeit, And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant’s heart. Be merciful, Take thrice your money; bid me tear the bond.

Why, this bond is forfeit, And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant’s heart Be merciful, Take thrice your money; bid me tear the bond

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

When it is paid according to the tenour.

It doth appear you are a worthy judge;

You know the law; your exposition

Hath been most sound. I charge you by the law,

Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar,

Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear

There is no power in the tongue of man

To alter me. I stay here on my bond.

When it is paid according to the tenour. It does appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your exposition has been most sound. I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment. By my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me. I stay here on my bond.

When it is paid according to the tenour It does appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your exposition has been most sound I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment By my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me I stay here on my bond

ANTONIO ≋ verse

Most heartily I do beseech the court

To give the judgment.

Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment.

Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment

PORTIA ≋ verse

Why then, thus it is:

You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

Why then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

Why then, thus it is: You must prepare your bosom for his knife

SHYLOCK

O noble judge! O excellent young man!

O noble judge O excellent young man

PORTIA ≋ verse

For the intent and purpose of the law

Hath full relation to the penalty,

Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

For the intent and purpose of the law has full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond.

For the intent and purpose of the law has full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

’Tis very true. O wise and upright judge,

How much more elder art thou than thy looks!

’Tis very true. O wise and upright judge, How much more elder are you than your looks!

’Tis very true O wise and upright judge, How much more elder are you than your looks

PORTIA

Therefore lay bare your bosom.

Therefore lay bare your bosom

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

Ay, his breast

So says the bond, doth it not, noble judge?

“Nearest his heart”: those are the very words.

Ay, his breast So says the bond, does it not, noble judge? “Nearest his heart”: those are the very words.

Ay, his breast So says the bond, does it not, noble judge “Nearest his heart”: those are the very words

PORTIA ≋ verse

It is so. Are there balance here to weigh

The flesh?

It is so. Are there balance here to weigh The flesh?

It is so Are there balance here to weigh The flesh

SHYLOCK

I have them ready.

I have them ready

PORTIA ≋ verse

Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,

To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.

Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.

Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death

SHYLOCK

Is it so nominated in the bond?

Is it so nominated in the bond

PORTIA ≋ verse

It is not so express’d, but what of that?

’Twere good you do so much for charity.

It is not so express’d, but what of that? ’Twere good you do so much for charity.

It is not so express’d, but what of that ’Twere good you do so much for charity

SHYLOCK

I cannot find it; ’tis not in the bond.

I cannot find it; ’tis not in the bond

Why it matters Shylock refuses a surgeon because the bond doesn't require it — using precisely the same literalism that Portia is about to use against him. The play is symmetrical in its cruelty.

PORTIA

You, merchant, have you anything to say?

You, merchant, have you anything to say

ANTONIO ≋ verse

But little. I am arm’d and well prepar’d.

Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well,

Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you,

For herein Fortune shows herself more kind

Than is her custom: it is still her use

To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,

To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow

An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance

Of such misery doth she cut me off.

Commend me to your honourable wife,

Tell her the process of Antonio’s end,

Say how I lov’d you, speak me fair in death.

And when the tale is told, bid her be judge

Whether Bassanio had not once a love.

Repent but you that you shall lose your friend

And he repents not that he pays your debt.

For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,

I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart.

But little. I am arm’d and well prepar’d. Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well, Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you, For herein Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom: it is still her use To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow I and wrinkled brow An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance Of such misery does she cut me off. Commend me to your honourable wife, Tell her the process of Antonio’s end, Say how I lov’d you, speak me fair in death. And when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love. Repent but you that you shall lose your friend And he repents not that he pays your debt. For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart.

But little I am arm’d and well prepar’d Give me your hand, Bassanio Fare you well, Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you, For herein Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom: it is still her use To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow I and wrinkled brow An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance Of such misery does she cut me off Commend me to your honourable wife, Tell her the process of Antonio’s end, Say how I lov’d you, speak me fair in death And when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love

Why it matters Antonio's farewell is one of Shakespeare's finest death-preparation speeches. That he is saved immediately after makes it retroactively funny — but in the moment, it is completely sincere and deeply moving.

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Antonio, I am married to a wife

Which is as dear to me as life itself,

But life itself, my wife, and all the world,

Are not with me esteem’d above thy life.

I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all

Here to this devil, to deliver you.

Antonio, I am married to a wife Which is as dear to me as life itself, But life itself, my wife, and all the world, Are not with me esteem’d above your life. I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to deliver you.

Antonio, I am married to a wife Which is as dear to me as life itself, But life itself, my wife, and all the world, Are not with me esteem’d above your life I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all Here to this devil, to deliver you

PORTIA ≋ verse

Your wife would give you little thanks for that

If she were by to hear you make the offer.

Your wife would give you little thanks for that If she were by to hear you make the offer.

Your wife would give you little thanks for that If she were by to hear you make the offer

🎭 Dramatic irony Portia says 'your wife would give you little thanks' for sacrificing her to save Antonio — she is literally commenting on her own reaction to her husband's remark, which he has no way of knowing.

GRATIANO ≋ verse

I have a wife who I protest I love.

I would she were in heaven, so she could

Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.

I have a wife who I protest I love. I would she were in heaven, so she could Entreat some power to change this currish Jew.

I have a wife who I protest I love I would she were in heaven, so she could Entreat some power to change this currish Jew

NERISSA ≋ verse

’Tis well you offer it behind her back,

The wish would make else an unquiet house.

’Tis well you offer it behind her back, The wish would make else an unquiet house.

’Tis well you offer it behind her back, The wish would make else an unquiet house

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter—

Would any of the stock of Barabbas

Had been her husband, rather than a Christian!

We trifle time, I pray thee, pursue sentence.

These be the Christian husbands! I have a daughter— Would any of the stock of Barabbas Had been her husband, rather than a Christian! We trifle time, I pray you, pursue sentence.

These be the Christian husbands I have a daughter— Would any of the stock of Barabbas Had been her husband, rather than a Christian We trifle time, I pray you, pursue sentence

PORTIA ≋ verse

A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine,

The court awards it and the law doth give it.

A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is your, The court awards it and the law does give it.

A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is your, The court awards it and the law does give it

SHYLOCK

Most rightful judge!

Most rightful judge

PORTIA ≋ verse

And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.

The law allows it and the court awards it.

And you must cut this flesh from off his breast. The law allows it and the court awards it.

And you must cut this flesh from off his breast The law allows it and the court awards it

SHYLOCK

Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare.

Most learned judge A sentence Come, prepare

PORTIA ≋ verse

Tarry a little, there is something else.

This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.

The words expressly are “a pound of flesh”:

Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh,

But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed

One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods

Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate

Unto the state of Venice.

Tarry a little, there is something else. This bond does give you here no jot of blood. The words expressly are “a pound of flesh”: Take then your bond, take you your pound of flesh, But in the cutting it, if you do shed One drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice.

Tarry a little, there is something else This bond does give you here no jot of blood The words expressly are “a pound of flesh”: Take then your bond, take you your pound of flesh, But in the cutting it, if you do shed One drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice

"Tarry a little, there is something else" The hinge of the entire play. Portia uses Shylock's own literalism — his insistence on the exact letter of the bond — to destroy him. The bond says flesh; it does not say blood. This is the 'loophole' that doesn't appear until the very last moment.

Why it matters The pivot of the entire play. Four words — 'tarry a little' — and the entire dynamic reverses. What makes this dramatically brilliant is that Portia is using the same legal pedantry Shylock has been using all scene.

GRATIANO

O upright judge! Mark, Jew. O learned judge!

O upright judge Mark, Jew O learned judge

SHYLOCK

Is that the law?

Is that the law

PORTIA ≋ verse

Thyself shalt see the act.

For, as thou urgest justice, be assur’d

Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir’st.

Thyself shall see the act. For, as you urgest justice, be assur’d you shall have justice more than you desir’st.

Thyself shall see the act For, as you urgest justice, be assur’d you shall have justice more than you desir’st

GRATIANO

O learned judge! Mark, Jew, a learned judge!

O learned judge Mark, Jew, a learned judge

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice

And let the Christian go.

I take this offer then. Pay the bond thrice And let the Christian go.

I take this offer then Pay the bond thrice And let the Christian go

BASSANIO

Here is the money.

Here is the money

PORTIA ≋ verse

Soft!

The Jew shall have all justice. Soft! no haste!

He shall have nothing but the penalty.

Soft! The Jew shall have all justice. Soft! no haste! He shall have nothing but the penalty.

Soft The Jew shall have all justice Soft no haste He shall have nothing but the penalty

GRATIANO

O Jew, an upright judge, a learned judge!

O Jew, an upright judge, a learned judge

PORTIA ≋ verse

Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.

Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more,

But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak’st more

Or less than a just pound, be it but so much

As makes it light or heavy in the substance,

Or the division of the twentieth part

Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn

But in the estimation of a hair,

Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.

Therefore prepare you to cut off the flesh. Shed you no blood, nor cut you less nor more, But just a pound of flesh: if you tak’st more Or less than a just pound, be it but so much As makes it light or heavy in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple, no, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair, you diest, and all your goods are confiscate.

Therefore prepare you to cut off the flesh Shed you no blood, nor cut you less nor more, But just a pound of flesh: if you tak’st more Or less than a just pound, be it but so much As makes it light or heavy in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple, no, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair, you diest, and all your goods are confiscate

GRATIANO ≋ verse

A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew!

Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.

A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.

A second Daniel, a Daniel, Jew Now, infidel, I have you on the hip

PORTIA

Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.

Why does the Jew pause? Take your forfeiture.

Why does the Jew pause Take your forfeiture

SHYLOCK

Give me my principal, and let me go.

Give me my principal, and let me go

BASSANIO

I have it ready for thee. Here it is.

I have it ready for you. Here it is.

I have it ready for you Here it is

PORTIA ≋ verse

He hath refus’d it in the open court,

He shall have merely justice and his bond.

He has refus’d it in the open court, He shall have merely justice and his bond.

He has refus’d it in the open court, He shall have merely justice and his bond

GRATIANO ≋ verse

A Daniel still say I, a second Daniel!

I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

A Daniel still say I, a second Daniel! I thank you, Jew, for teaching me that word.

A Daniel still say I, a second Daniel I thank you, Jew, for teaching me that word

SHYLOCK

Shall I not have barely my principal?

Shall I not have barely my principal

PORTIA ≋ verse

Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture

To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.

you shall have nothing but the forfeiture To be so taken at your peril, Jew.

you shall have nothing but the forfeiture To be so taken at your peril, Jew

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

Why, then the devil give him good of it!

I’ll stay no longer question.

Why, then the devil give him good of it! I’ll stay no longer question.

Why, then the devil give him good of it I’ll stay no longer question

PORTIA ≋ verse

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 rehears’d.

Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.

Tarry, Jew. The law has 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 does 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 you stand’st; For it appears by manifest proceeding That indirectly, and directly too, you hast contrived against the very life Of the defendant; and you hast incurr’d The danger formerly by me rehears’d. Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.

Tarry, Jew The law has 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 does 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 you stand’st; For it appears by manifest proceeding That indirectly, and directly too, you hast contrived against the very life Of the defendant; and you hast incurr’d The danger formerly by me rehears’d Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke

"privy coffer of the state" The state treasury — literally the 'private chest' of the government. Half of Shylock's wealth goes to the state treasury if the alien-against-citizen law applies.

GRATIANO ≋ verse

Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself,

And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state,

Thou hast not left the value of a cord;

Therefore thou must be hang’d at the state’s charge.

Beg that you mayst have leave to hang thyself, And yet, your wealth being forfeit to the state, you hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore you must be hang’d at the state’s charge.

Beg that you mayst have leave to hang thyself, And yet, your wealth being forfeit to the state, you hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore you must be hang’d at the state’s charge

DUKE ≋ verse

That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit,

I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.

For half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s;

The other half comes to the general state,

Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

That you shall see the difference of our spirit, I pardon you your life before you ask it. For half your wealth, it is Antonio’s; The other half comes to the general state, Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

That you shall see the difference of our spirit, I pardon you your life before you ask it For half your wealth, it is Antonio’s; The other half comes to the general state, Which humbleness may drive unto a fine

PORTIA

Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.

Ay, for the state, not for Antonio

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that.

You take my house when you do take the prop

That doth sustain my house; you take my life

When you do take the means whereby I live.

no, take my life and all, pardon not that. You take my house when you do take the prop That does sustain my house; you take my life When you do take the means whereby I live.

no, take my life and all, pardon not that You take my house when you do take the prop That does sustain my house; you take my life When you do take the means whereby I live

Why it matters One of the most quietly devastating lines in the play. Shylock isn't begging — he is naming with precision what is being done to him. The Christians call it mercy; he calls it what it is.

PORTIA

What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

What mercy can you render him, Antonio

GRATIANO

A halter gratis, nothing else, for God’s sake!

A halter gratis, nothing else, for God’s sake

ANTONIO ≋ verse

So please my lord the Duke and all the court

To quit the fine for one half of his goods,

I am content, so he will let me have

The other half in use, to render it

Upon his death unto the gentleman

That lately stole his daughter.

Two things provided more, that for this favour,

He presently become a Christian;

The other, that he do record a gift,

Here in the court, of all he dies possess’d

Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.

So please my lord the Duke and all the court To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it Upon his death unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter. Two things provided more, that for this favour, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess’d Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.

So please my lord the Duke and all the court To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use, to render it Upon his death unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter Two things provided more, that for this favour, He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess’d Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter

Why it matters Antonio's 'mercy' strips Shylock of his wealth, his religion, and his community — and ensures that everything he dies possessed of goes to the daughter who abandoned him and the Christian who stole her. It is presented as generosity and has troubled audiences ever since.

DUKE ≋ verse

He shall do this, or else I do recant

The pardon that I late pronounced here.

He shall do this, or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here.

He shall do this, or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here

PORTIA

Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say?

are you contented, Jew? What do you say?

are you contented, Jew What do you say

SHYLOCK

I am content.

I am content

Why it matters The two most barren words in the play. He is not content. He has nothing left to say.

PORTIA

Clerk, draw a deed of gift.

Clerk, draw a deed of gift

SHYLOCK ≋ verse

I pray you give me leave to go from hence;

I am not well; send the deed after me

And I will sign it.

I pray you give me leave to go from hence; I am not well; send the deed after me And I will sign it.

I pray you give me leave to go from hence; I am not well; send the deed after me And I will sign it

DUKE

Get thee gone, but do it.

Get you gone, but do it.

Get you gone, but do it

GRATIANO ≋ verse

In christ’ning shalt thou have two god-fathers.

Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more,

To bring thee to the gallows, not to the font.

In christ’ning shall you have two god-fathers. Had I been judge, you should have had ten more, To bring you to the gallows, not to the font.

In christ’ning shall you have two god-fathers Had I been judge, you should have had ten more, To bring you to the gallows, not to the font

"In christ'ning shalt thou have two god-fathers" Gratiano mocks the fact that two witnesses will stand up for Shylock at his forced baptism — and spins it as a failed trial metaphor (twelve jurors would convict him). The cruelty is dressed as wit.

[_Exit Shylock._]

DUKE

Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner.

sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner

PORTIA ≋ verse

I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon,

I must away this night toward Padua,

And it is meet I presently set forth.

I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon, I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth.

I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon, I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth

DUKE ≋ verse

I am sorry that your leisure serves you not.

Antonio, gratify this gentleman,

For in my mind you are much bound to him.

I am sorry that your leisure serves you not. Antonio, gratify this gentleman, For in my mind you are much bound to him.

I am sorry that your leisure serves you not Antonio, gratify this gentleman, For in my mind you are much bound to him

[_Exeunt Duke and his train._]

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend

Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted

Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof,

Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew

We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

Most worthy gentleman, I and my friend Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted Of grievous penalties, in lieu whereof, Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

ANTONIO ≋ verse

And stand indebted, over and above

In love and service to you evermore.

And stand indebted, over and above In love and service to you evermore.

And stand indebted, over and above In love and service to you evermore

PORTIA ≋ verse

He is well paid that is well satisfied,

And I delivering you, am satisfied,

And therein do account myself well paid,

My mind was never yet more mercenary.

I pray you know me when we meet again,

I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

He is well paid that is well satisfied, And I delivering you, am satisfied, And therein do account myself well paid, My mind was never yet more mercenary. I pray you know me when we meet again, I wish you well, and so I take my leave.

He is well paid that is well satisfied, And I delivering you, am satisfied, And therein do account myself well paid, My mind was never yet more mercenary I pray you know me when we meet again, I wish you well, and so I take my leave

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further.

Take some remembrance of us as a tribute,

Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you,

Not to deny me, and to pardon me.

Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further. Take some remembrance of us as a tribute, Not as fee. Grant me two things, I pray you, Not to deny me, and to pardon me.

Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further Take some remembrance of us as a tribute, Not as fee Grant me two things, I pray you, Not to deny me, and to pardon me

PORTIA

You press me far, and therefore I will yield.

You press me far, and therefore I will yield

[_To Antonio_.] Give me your gloves, I’ll wear them for your sake.

[_To Bassanio_.] And, for your love, I’ll take this ring from you.

Do not draw back your hand; I’ll take no more,

And you in love shall not deny me this.

BASSANIO ≋ verse

This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle,

I will not shame myself to give you this.

This ring, good sir? Alas, it is a trifle, I will not shame myself to give you this.

This ring, good sir Alas, it is a trifle, I will not shame myself to give you this

PORTIA ≋ verse

I will have nothing else but only this,

And now methinks I have a mind to it.

I will have nothing else but only this, And now methinks I have a mind to it.

I will have nothing else but only this, And now methinks I have a mind to it

BASSANIO ≋ verse

There’s more depends on this than on the value.

The dearest ring in Venice will I give you,

And find it out by proclamation,

Only for this I pray you pardon me.

There’s more depends on this than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation, Only for this I pray you pardon me.

There’s more depends on this than on the value The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation, Only for this I pray you pardon me

PORTIA ≋ verse

I see, sir, you are liberal in offers.

You taught me first to beg, and now methinks

You teach me how a beggar should be answer’d.

I see, sir, you are liberal in offers. You taught me first to beg, and now methinks You teach me how a beggar should be answer’d.

I see, sir, you are liberal in offers You taught me first to beg, and now methinks You teach me how a beggar should be answer’d

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife,

And when she put it on, she made me vow

That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.

Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife, And when she put it on, she made me vow That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it.

Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife, And when she put it on, she made me vow That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose it

PORTIA ≋ verse

That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts.

And if your wife be not a mad-woman,

And know how well I have deserv’d this ring,

She would not hold out enemy for ever

For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!

That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts. And if your wife be not a mad-woman, And know how well I have deserv’d this ring, She would not hold out enemy for ever For giving it to me. Well, peace be with you!

That ’scuse serves many men to save their gifts And if your wife be not a mad-woman, And know how well I have deserv’d this ring, She would not hold out enemy for ever For giving it to me Well, peace be with you

[_Exeunt Portia and Nerissa._]

ANTONIO ≋ verse

My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring.

Let his deservings and my love withal

Be valued ’gainst your wife’s commandment.

My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring. Let his deservings and my love withal Be valued ’gainst your wife’s commandment.

My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring Let his deservings and my love withal Be valued ’gainst your wife’s commandment

BASSANIO ≋ verse

Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him;

Give him the ring, and bring him if thou canst

Unto Antonio’s house. Away, make haste.

Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him; Give him the ring, and bring him if you canst Unto Antonio’s house. Away, make haste.

Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him; Give him the ring, and bring him if you canst Unto Antonio’s house Away, make haste

🎭 Dramatic irony Bassanio sends the ring to 'the doctor' to reward him — sending his wife's own wedding ring to his wife, who extracted it from him as a test that will dominate Act 5.

[_Exit Gratiano._]

Come, you and I will thither presently,

And in the morning early will we both

Fly toward Belmont. Come, Antonio.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This is the play's hinge. Everything before has been building toward this courtroom, and what happens here is genuinely shocking: Portia first makes the most beautiful argument for mercy in all of Shakespeare, and then, when Shylock refuses it, uses the exact same legal literalism against him with devastating precision. The audience gets both the idealism and the ruthlessness. By the end, Shylock has lost his money, his religion, and his daughter's inheritance — and the heroes leave for a party. The discomfort that follows the audience home is the point.

If this happened today…

A corporate lawyer in a tailored suit — young, razor-sharp, unknown to the room — stands up in a boardroom arbitration. A predatory creditor is demanding enforcement of a punishing contract clause that would effectively destroy a small business owner. The lawyer gives a five-minute speech about grace and good faith that leaves the room speechless. The creditor says no. The lawyer then opens the contract to page 47, subsection C, and notes that the clause as written is technically impossible to enforce without violating a separate statute — which carries its own penalties. The creditor's attorney goes pale. The client whispers, 'Who IS this person?' The lawyer gathers her papers and says she needs to get back to Padua.

Continue to 4.2 →