The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees,
And they did make no noise, in such a night,
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls,
And sigh’d his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.
The moon is shining brightly. On such a night as this, When the soft wind gently caressed the trees, And they made no sound, on such a night, I think Troilus climbed the Trojan walls, And poured out his heart toward the Greek camps Where Cressida slept that night.
Check out that bright moon. On a night like this, When the breeze softly touches the trees, And everything's quiet, I bet Troilus was scaling the Trojan walls, Sighing his whole soul toward the Greek tents Where Cressida lay.
moon's bright soft wind rustling trees troilus aching for cressida
In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o’ertrip the dew,
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself,
And ran dismay’d away.
On such a night, Thisbe fearfully ran through the dew, And saw the lion's shadow before seeing the lion itself, And ran away terrified.
On a night like that, Thistbe scrambling through the dew, all scared, Spotting the lion's shadow before anything else, And bolting away in panic.
thisbe running scared shadow of a lion bails immediately
In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild sea-banks, and waft her love
To come again to Carthage.
On such a night, Dido stood with a willow branch in her hand On the wild ocean shore, and waved to her love To return again to Carthage.
On a night like this, Dido's standing on the wild seashore with a willow branch, Waving to her lover, Begging him to come back to Carthage.
dido waiting by the sea willow in hand begging him to return
In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.
On such a night, Medea gathered magical herbs That restored Aeson's youth.
On a night like that, Medea was out collecting magical herbs That could make old Aeson young again.
medea gathering magic herbs making old men young
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
On such a night, Jessica stole from the wealthy Jew, And with a reckless love ran away from Venice As far as Belmont.
On a night like this, Jessica slipped away from her rich father, And ran all the way from Venice to Belmont With her impulsive new love.
jessica stealing away running to belmont for love
In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well,
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith,
And ne’er a true one.
On such a night, Young Lorenzo swore he loved her truly, Stealing her heart with countless promises of faithfulness, And not a single one was genuine.
On a night like this, Young Lorenzo was swearing up and down that he loved her, Winning her over with all kinds of promises, That he never meant a word of.
lorenzo swearing his love made it all up every promise fake
In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
On such a night, Pretty Jessica, like a sharp-tongued woman, Criticized her lover, and he forgave her for it.
On a night like this, Pretty Jessica was acting like a spitfire, Teasing and scolding her lover, And he just went along with it.
jessica scolding lorenzo he forgives her no big deal
I would out-night you did no body come;
But hark, I hear the footing of a man.
I would win this all-night game if no one showed up, But listen, I hear a man approaching.
I could keep going all night with you if nobody interrupted, But wait—I hear someone coming.
i could do this all night but someone's here
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
Who comes moving so quickly through the silent night?
Who's rushing through here in the dark like that?
who's hurrying through the night
A friend.
A friend.
A friend.
A friend
A friend! What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend?
A friend! Which friend? I beg you, state your name.
A friend? Which friend? What's your name?
friend? which one? tell me ur name
Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about
By holy crosses where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.
My name is Stephano, and I bring news That my mistress will arrive at Belmont before dawn. She is lingering about Before holy shrines where she kneels and prays For a happy marriage.
I'm Stephano, and I've got news for you. My lady's going to be here at Belmont before sunrise. She's spending time At these holy shrines, praying on her knees For a good marriage.
stephano here my lady coming to belmont soon she's praying for good marriage
Who comes with her?
Who is coming with her?
Who's she bringing with her?
who's coming with her
None but a holy hermit and her maid.
I pray you is my master yet return’d?
No one but a holy hermit and her maid. Please tell me, has my master returned yet?
Just a holy hermit and her maid. Has my master come back yet?
only a hermit and a maid has my master returned
He is not, nor we have not heard from him.
But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica,
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house.
He has not returned, and we have not heard from him. But come inside with me, Jessica, And let us prepare formally A welcome for the lady of the house.
He's not back and we haven't heard from him. But come on inside, Jessica, Let's set things up nice and proper To welcome the mistress of the house.
he's not back come inside jessica let's prepare a welcome
Sola, sola! wo ha, ho! sola, sola!
Hello! Whoa there! Hello!
Hey! Whoa! Hey there!
yooo whoa hey
Who calls?
Who calls?
Who calls?
Who calls
Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Sola, sola!
Hello! Have you seen Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Hello, hello!
Hey! You see Master Lorenzo? Master Lorenzo! Anyone there?
hey anyone see lorenzo lorenzo
The scene opens with one of the most beautiful exchanges in Shakespeare — Lorenzo and Jessica taking turns naming lovers of the night. But every story they pick ends badly. Troilus was betrayed by Cressida. Thisbe died because of a miscommunication. Dido was abandoned and suicided. Medea helped Jason then was cast aside and took her revenge in murder.
Shakespeare is doing something subtle and slightly unsettling here. The most romantic moment in the final act of a comedy is full of tragedy. Lorenzo names himself as a lover in the same list as men who were betrayed and destroyed by love. Jessica names herself as someone who was stolen away — a thief as much as a beloved.
The exchange doesn't undercut the scene's beauty. But it places Lorenzo and Jessica's happiness in a context of risk, of loss, of stories that went wrong. They are newly married, living in a house that isn't theirs, waiting for news. The moonlit poetry is real — and the shadows are real too. This is what makes the scene more interesting than simple romantic comedy: Shakespeare allows the joy and the elegance without pretending the world only contains those things.
Leave holloaing, man. Here!
Stop shouting, man. I'm here!
Quit yelling! I'm right here!
stop yelling i'm here
Sola! Where, where?
Sola! Where, where?
Sola! Where, where?
Sola Where, where
Here!
Here!
Here!
Here
Tell him there’s a post come from my master with his horn full of good
news. My master will be here ere morning.
Tell him there's a messenger who has come from my master carrying his bag full of good news. My master will be here before morning.
Tell him a messenger just showed up from my master with great news. My master's getting here before sunrise.
messenger from my master bringing good news he'll be here soon
Sweet soul, let’s in, and there expect their coming.
And yet no matter; why should we go in?
My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you,
Within the house, your mistress is at hand,
And bring your music forth into the air.
Sweet love, let's go inside and wait for them to arrive. But actually, why should we go inside? My friend Stephano, please tell those in the house Your mistress is about to arrive, And bring the musicians outside.
Come on, let's go in and wait for them. Actually, wait—why go inside? Stephano, let people in the house know Your lady is almost here, And bring the music outside.
let's wait inside actually no why bother stephano tell the house your lady's coming get the musicians outside
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears; soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins;
Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
How beautifully the moonlight rests on this riverbank! We'll sit here and let the sounds of music Softly enter our ears; the quiet night and gentle stillness Match the touch of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica. Look how heaven's floor Is thickly covered with bright gold discs. There's not the smallest star that you see But as it moves, it sings like an angel, Still singing in harmony with the young cherubins; Such harmony exists in immortal souls, But while this decaying body of mud Blocks it out, we cannot hear it.
Isn't the moonlight beautiful resting on this bank? Let's sit here and listen to the music drift into our ears—the quiet night and soft stillness go perfectly with such beautiful harmony. Look, Jessica, at how heaven's floor is covered thick with bright gold. Every single star you see is singing like an angel as it moves, joining with the young cherubins in harmony. The human soul has this same harmony, but our muddy bodies trap it inside so we can't hear it.
look how beautiful the moonlight is on this bank lets listen to music drift in the night the sky is covered in gold every star sings like an angel we have that harmony in our souls but our bodies trap it we cant hear it
Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn.
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear,
And draw her home with music.
Come on! Wake the night with a song. With sweet sounds, move your mistress' heart, And bring her home with music.
Come on, let's wake the night with a song. Play something beautiful that'll move your mistress' heart and bring her here with music.
come on wake the night w/ song play something sweet 4 ur mistress bring her home w/ music
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
I am never cheerful when I hear beautiful music.
Beautiful music always makes me sad, not happy.
music makes me sad not happy
The reason is, your spirits are attentive.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud,
Which is the hot condition of their blood,
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound,
Or any air of music touch their ears,
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand,
Their savage eyes turn’d to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music: therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods,
Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage,
But music for the time doth change his nature.
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
The reason is that your attention is focused. Just look at a wild, restless herd Or a group of young, untrained horses, Jumping violently, bellowing and neighing loudly, Full of their youthful energy, If they just hear a trumpet blast, Or any sound of music touches their ears, You will see them all stop together, Their wild eyes turned to a gentle look By the beautiful power of music. That is why the poet Said that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and rivers to himself, Since nothing is so dull, hard, and full of rage That music does not change its nature for a moment. The man who has no love of music in himself, Nor is moved by the harmony of sweet sounds, Is capable of betrayal, schemes, and robbery. The movements of his spirit are as dull as night, And his feelings as dark as the dark of the underworld. Let no such man be trusted. Listen to the music.
That's because you're really paying attention. Think about wild, crazy horses, A bunch of young, untrained colts, Jumping around like mad, bellowing and neighing, All that wild energy in their blood, But if they hear a trumpet Or even just some music, They all freeze. Their savage eyes go soft and gentle Because of music's power. No wonder the poets said Orpheus could make trees and rocks follow him— Look, nothing's so dumb and angry and stubborn That music doesn't transform it. Any man who has no music in his soul, Who isn't moved by beautiful harmonies, Is the kind of guy who'll betray you, scheme against you, rob you. His spirit's dead as night, His heart dark as hell itself. Never trust that kind of man. Listen to the music.
wild horses calm down when they hear music man without music in him is a traitor and thief don't trust him
That light we see is burning in my hall.
How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
That light shining in my house is a candle. How far that small candle casts its light! That is how a good deed shines in an evil world.
That's the light burning in my house. It's amazing how far a single candle throws its light! A good deed stands out like that in a wicked world.
that's my house light one candle shines so bright good deeds stand out
When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
When the moon was shining, we could not see the candle.
The moon was so bright we couldn't even see the candle.
moonlight was too bright candle disappeared
So doth the greater glory dim the less.
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters. Music! hark!
That is how greater glory outshines the lesser. A substitute shines as brightly as a king Until a real king appears, and then his power Loses itself, like an inland stream Flowing into the ocean. Music! Listen!
That's what I mean—the greater light outshines the smaller one. A substitute king looks great Until the real king shows up, then he just fades away, Like a small stream emptying into the ocean. Music! Listen!
bigger light outshines smaller a substitute king fades when the real king arrives music listen
It is your music, madam, of the house.
It is your musicians from the house, madam.
That's your musicians playing from the house, ma'am.
that's your house music
Nothing is good, I see, without respect.
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
I see that nothing is good without the right context. I think it sounds much sweeter than it does during the day.
Everything depends on context, I guess. It definitely sounds sweeter at night than during the day.
nothing's good without context sounds better at night
Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.
Silence gives it that quality, madam.
The quiet of the night makes it sound better, ma'am.
the quiet makes it better
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended; and I think
The nightingale, if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling, would be thought
No better a musician than the wren.
How many things by season season’d are
To their right praise and true perfection!
Peace! How the moon sleeps with Endymion,
And would not be awak’d!
The crow sings as beautifully as the lark When neither is being listened to. And I think The nightingale, if she were to sing during the day When every goose is honking, would be considered No better a musician than the wren. How many things are made perfect By the right time and setting! Listen! How the moon sleeps with Endymion, And does not want to be awakened!
A crow sings as sweet as a lark When nobody's listening. And the nightingale, If she sang during the day When all the geese are honking, Would sound like a wren. Timing makes all the difference in how good things sound! Quiet—the moon is sleeping with Endymion, And she doesn't want to wake up!
crow sounds like a lark when no one's listening timing is everything the moon sleeps with endymion
Jessica's single sad line — 'I am never merry when I hear sweet music' — sits strangely in an act otherwise full of resolution and joy. Lorenzo has a beautiful explanation (attentiveness of spirit, the soul responding to harmony), which is probably sincere. But it doesn't quite account for the fact that Jessica says this at Belmont, safe, rich, married, and still somehow melancholy.
Jessica is one of the play's most opaque characters. She stole from her father. She converted religions. She ran off with a Christian. The play treats this as straightforwardly good — she escapes the tyrant, she becomes part of the charmed world of Belmont. But in this one line she is somewhere else entirely.
The production history of the play includes many Jessicas who are not simply happy: who carry something from Shylock's house that can't be left behind. Shakespeare doesn't explain it. He just gives her one melancholy line in a moonlit comedy and moves on. Keep watching for what that line costs her — and what it reveals about the play's easy resolutions.
That is the voice,
Or I am much deceiv’d, of Portia.
That is the voice, Or I am very much mistaken, of Portia.
That's Portia's voice, Or I'm hearing things.
that's portia's voice or i'm going crazy
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo,
By the bad voice.
He knows me the way a blind man knows the cuckoo bird, By the bad voice.
He recognizes me the way a blind person knows a cuckoo—by its annoying call.
he knows me like a blind guy knows a cuckoo by the ugly voice
Dear lady, welcome home.
You are most welcome at my home, dear lady.
Welcome home, my lady.
welcome home
We have been praying for our husbands’ welfare,
Which speed, we hope, the better for our words.
Are they return’d?
We have been praying for our husbands' wellbeing, Which we hope will be better because of our prayers. Have they returned?
We've been praying for our husbands' safety, Hoping our prayers help. Are they back yet?
we've been praying for them hope our prayers help are they back
Madam, they are not yet;
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming.
Madam, they have not returned yet, But a messenger has come ahead To announce their arrival.
Not yet, ma'am. But a messenger came ahead To let us know they're on their way.
not back yet but a messenger came they're coming soon
Go in, Nerissa.
Give order to my servants, that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence,
Nor you, Lorenzo; Jessica, nor you.
Go inside, Nerissa. Order my servants To say nothing about our being away, And you stay quiet too, Lorenzo; Jessica, you as well.
Go inside, Nerissa. Tell the servants They're not to mention that we were gone, And Lorenzo, Jessica—neither of you say anything.
nerissa go inside tell servants keep quiet no one talks about this
Your husband is at hand, I hear his trumpet.
We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not.
Your husband is approaching, I hear his trumpet. We will not gossip about you, madam, do not worry.
Your husband's right here, I hear his trumpet. Don't worry, we won't say a word.
your husband's here i hear the trumpet we won't tell anyone
This night methinks is but the daylight sick,
It looks a little paler. ’Tis a day
Such as the day is when the sun is hid.
This night seems to me like daylight that is sick, It looks a bit washed out. It is a day Like the day looks when the sun is hidden.
This night looks like daylight that's sick or fading, It's kind of pale and washed out. It's like a day when the sun's covered up.
night looks like sick daylight kind of pale like when sun is hidden
We should hold day with the Antipodes,
If you would walk in absence of the sun.
We could have daylight with the people on the other side of the world, If you would walk around without the sun.
You're so bright, you could turn night to day for us and the whole world at the same time.
you're so bright you light up the whole world
Let me give light, but let me not be light,
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,
And never be Bassanio so for me.
But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.
Let me brighten your path, but let me not be unfaithful, Because an unfaithful wife makes a burdened husband, And Bassanio will never be burdened because of me. But God arrange everything! You are welcome home, my lord.
Let me make things brighter, but I won't be unfaithful— A cheating wife makes a miserable husband, And that will never happen to you, Bassanio. But anyway, God works it all out. Welcome home, my lord.
i'll be faithful not a cheating wife welcome home
I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend.
This is the man, this is Antonio,
To whom I am so infinitely bound.
I thank you, madam. Welcome my friend. This is the man, this is Antonio, To whom I owe so much.
Thanks, ma'am. Say hello to my friend. This is Antonio— I owe him everything.
this is antonio i owe him everything
You should in all sense be much bound to him,
For, as I hear, he was much bound for you.
You should certainly be deeply grateful to him, Because, from what I hear, he was imprisoned for you.
You'd better be really grateful to him, Because he was literally jailed for you.
you owe him everything he was jailed for you
No more than I am well acquitted of.
No more than I have fully paid back.
Not more than I've already repaid him for.
i've repaid him
Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
It must appear in other ways than words,
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.
Sir, you are very welcome to our house. This welcome must be shown in actions, not just words, So I will not waste time with empty polite words.
Sir, you're very welcome. But that welcome needs to show in our actions, not just talk, So I won't bother with empty courtesies.
you're very welcome we'll show it with actions not just words
[_To Nerissa_.] By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong,
In faith, I gave it to the judge’s clerk.
Would he were gelt that had it, for my part,
Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.
I swear by that moon, you're treating me unfairly. Honestly, I gave it to the judge's clerk. I wish he'd been castrated, for my part, since you're taking it so much to heart, love.
Look, by the moon, I'm swearing you're being totally unfair to me. Yeah, I gave it to the judge's clerk. I wish the guy had been castrated, honestly. But you're really upset about this, and I get it.
swear by the moon you're being unfair i gave it to the clerk wish i hadn't you're taking this way too hard
A quarrel, ho, already! What’s the matter?
An argument already! What is wrong?
Already fighting? What's going on?
already fighting what's wrong
About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring
That she did give me, whose posy was
For all the world like cutlers’ poetry
Upon a knife, “Love me, and leave me not.”
It is about a gold ring, a worthless ring, That she gave me, and its inscription was Just like the kind of verse engraved on knives by cutlers, It said "Love me and do not leave me."
It's about a stupid gold ring She gave me, with this cheesy inscription on it Like the kind of thing you'd see engraved on a knife, 'Love me and don't leave me.'
it's about a gold ring with a cheesy love poem like on a knife
What talk you of the posy, or the value?
You swore to me when I did give it you,
That you would wear it till your hour of death,
And that it should lie with you in your grave.
Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths,
You should have been respective and have kept it.
Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge,
The clerk will ne’er wear hair on’s face that had it.
Why talk about the inscription or its value? You swore to me when I gave it to you That you would wear it until you died, And that it would be buried with you. Even if not for my sake, then for your serious oaths, You should have been respectful and kept it. You gave it to a judge's clerk! God is my witness, That clerk will never grow facial hair because of what you did.
Who cares about the inscription or how much it's worth? You swore to me when I gave it that you'd wear it forever, That it would go with you to your grave. You should have kept it, if not for me, then for your promises. You gave it to a judge's clerk! I swear that guy will never be able to grow a beard.
you swore you'd keep it forever you gave it away now you're lying to me
The ring comedy of Act 5 is sometimes read as Shakespeare's lightest touch — a parlor game after the darkness of the trial scene. But it is also a very precise power demonstration.
Portia controls every element of the test. She extracted the ring. She has the evidence. She knows exactly when to reveal herself and when to extend the game. The 'threats' she makes — that she'll take the doctor as a bedfellow — are made from a position of absolute safety; she is the doctor.
What the ring test surfaces, beneath the comedy, is a real question: where does Bassanio's primary loyalty lie? When forced to choose between honoring his vow to Portia and honoring his debt to Antonio, he chooses Antonio. Antonio is the one who says 'let him have the ring.' In giving the ring away, Bassanio performs exactly the conflict that underlies the play — between male friendship and marriage, between Venice's world of bonds and Belmont's world of love.
Portia resolves it. She gives Bassanio back the ring, accepts Antonio as part of her household, and confirms that his ships are safe. The marriage survives; the friendship is incorporated into it rather than opposed to it. Whether that resolution is entirely satisfying — or whether there is something left unresolved — is a question the play leaves quietly open.
He will, and if he live to be a man.
He will grow a beard, and if he lives long enough to become a man.
Yeah, if he lives to become a man.
if he grows up
Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
Yes, if he needs to become a man to grow a beard, meaning he will not.
Sure, if he ever becomes a man—which he won't.
if he becomes a man which won't happen
Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth,
A kind of boy, a little scrubbed boy,
No higher than thyself, the judge’s clerk,
A prating boy that begg’d it as a fee,
I could not for my heart deny it him.
By this hand, I gave it to a youth, Kind of a boy, a small scruffy boy, No taller than you, the judge's clerk, A chattering boy who asked for it as payment, I could not bring myself to refuse him.
Look, I gave it to this young guy, Just a kid really, scruffy little thing, About your height, the judge's clerk, This talkative kid who begged me for it as a tip, I just couldn't say no to him.
i gave it to a young kid he begged for it i couldn't say no
You were to blame,—I must be plain with you,—
To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift,
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger,
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh.
I gave my love a ring, and made him swear
Never to part with it, and here he stands.
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters. Now, in faith, Gratiano,
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief,
An ’twere to me I should be mad at it.
You were wrong—I have to be honest with you— To give away so carelessly your wife's first gift, Something placed on your finger with sacred promises, And so deeply linked to your character. I gave my love a ring and made him swear Never to part with it, and he stands here still faithful. I can swear that he would not abandon it Nor remove it from his finger for all the wealth In the world. Now, in truth, Gratiano, You give your wife a terrible reason to grieve. If I were in her place, I would be furious.
You were totally wrong—let me be straight with you— To throw away so carelessly your wife's first gift, Something you swore on your life to keep, Something that meant everything to your marriage. I gave my husband a ring and made him promise Never to give it away, and he's still got it. I know for sure he wouldn't lose it For all the money in the world. Gratiano, you've really hurt your wife By treating her gift like it was nothing. I'd go crazy if my husband did that to me.
you shouldn't have given it away your wife's first gift my husband would never i'd be furious
[_Aside._] Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,
And swear I lost the ring defending it.
I might as well cut off my left hand and swear I lost the ring defending it.
I should just cut my hand off and claim I lost it fighting for it.
just cut off my hand say i lost the ring defending it
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that begg’d it, and indeed
Deserv’d it too. And then the boy, his clerk,
That took some pains in writing, he begg’d mine,
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings.
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away To the judge who asked for it, and he deserved it too. And then the boy, the judge's clerk, Who worked hard on writing, he asked for mine, And neither the judge nor his clerk would accept anything But the two rings.
Lord Bassanio gave his ring to the judge who asked for it. The judge definitely earned it. Then the judge's boy clerk, who worked hard on the paperwork, Asked for my ring. Neither of them wanted anything but the rings.
bassanio gave the judge his ring the clerk begged mine they wanted only the rings
What ring gave you, my lord?
Not that, I hope, which you receiv’d of me.
What ring did you give, my lord? I hope not the one you received from me.
Which ring did you give? Please tell me it wasn't the one I gave you.
which ring did you give not mine i hope
If I could add a lie unto a fault,
I would deny it, but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it, it is gone.
If I could tell another lie on top of my mistake, I would deny it, but you can see my finger Does not have the ring on it, it is gone.
If I could lie my way out of this, I would deny it, but you can see The ring's not on my finger anymore, it's gone.
i'd lie but you can see the ring's gone
Even so void is your false heart of truth.
By heaven, I will ne’er come in your bed
Until I see the ring.
That is how hollow and false your heart is. I swear, I will never share your bed Until I see the ring.
That shows how empty and false your heart is. I'm telling you, I'm not sleeping with you Until I see that ring.
your heart is false no bed until you find that ring
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine!
And I will not share your bed Until I see my ring again!
And I'm not getting in bed with you Until I see my ring!
i'm not sleeping with you until i see my ring
Sweet Portia,
If you did know to whom I gave the ring,
If you did know for whom I gave the ring,
And would conceive for what I gave the ring,
And how unwillingly I left the ring,
When nought would be accepted but the ring,
You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
Sweet Portia, If you knew to whom I gave the ring, If you knew for whose sake I gave the ring, If you understood why I had to give the ring, And how unwilling I was to part with the ring, When nothing would be accepted except the ring, You would soften your anger.
Portia, listen, If you knew who I gave it to, If you knew why I had to give it, If you understood the situation, How much I didn't want to give it up, When that was all they would take, You'd feel less angry about this.
if you knew why i gave it you'd understand you'd feel better
If you had known the virtue of the ring,
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring,
Or your own honour to contain the ring,
You would not then have parted with the ring.
What man is there so much unreasonable,
If you had pleas’d to have defended it
With any terms of zeal, wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Nerissa teaches me what to believe:
I’ll die for’t but some woman had the ring.
If you had understood the value of the ring, Or even half the worth of the woman who gave it to you, Or your own honor in keeping the ring, You would never have parted with the ring. What man would be so unreasonable That if you had defended it With any passionate argument, he would lack the decency To stop demanding something held as sacred? Nerissa has taught me what to believe: I swear to it, that some woman had the ring.
If you'd understood what that ring meant, Or even half of what I'm worth for giving it to you, Or your own pride in keeping something sacred, You would never have given it away. What kind of guy would be so unreasonable That he wouldn't respect you if you defended something like that? Nerissa's made me see the truth: I'll bet anything a woman had that ring.
if you understood what it meant you wouldn't have given it away i bet a woman got it
No, by my honour, madam, by my soul,
No woman had it, but a civil doctor,
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me,
And begg’d the ring, the which I did deny him,
And suffer’d him to go displeas’d away,
Even he that had held up the very life
Of my dear friend. What should I say, sweet lady?
I was enforc’d to send it after him.
I was beset with shame and courtesy.
My honour would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it. Pardon me, good lady;
For by these blessed candles of the night,
Had you been there, I think you would have begg’d
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor.
No, I swear on my honor, madam, on my soul, No woman had it. It was a learned doctor, Who refused three thousand gold coins from me And asked for the ring, which I refused him at first, And let him leave unhappy. He was the man who saved the life Of my dear friend. What could I do, sweet lady? I was forced to send it after him. I was overwhelmed by shame and politeness. My honor would not allow me To be so ungrateful. Forgive me, good lady. I swear by these beautiful night stars, Had you been there, I think you would have asked me To give the ring to such a worthy doctor.
No, I swear, madam, on everything I am, No woman had it. It was a lawyer, a brilliant one, Who turned down three thousand gold coins And asked for the ring. I said no at first And let him leave angry. This guy literally saved my best friend's life. What was I supposed to do? I had to send it after him. I was torn between shame and wanting to be polite. My honor wouldn't let me be that ungrateful. Forgive me, please. I swear by the stars, If you'd been there, you would have asked me yourself To give the ring to such a good man.
it wasn't a woman it was a doctor who saved my friend i had to give it to him i'm sorry
Let not that doctor e’er come near my house,
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,
And that which you did swear to keep for me,
I will become as liberal as you,
I’ll not deny him anything I have,
No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.
Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.
Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus,
If you do not, if I be left alone,
Now by mine honour which is yet mine own,
I’ll have that doctor for mine bedfellow.
That doctor should never come to my house, Since he has taken the jewel that I cherished, And the ring you swore to protect for me. I will be as generous with him as you were, I will not refuse him anything I have, Not even my body or my husband's bed. I will know him, I am certain of it. Do not stay away from home a single night. Watch me like the hundred-eyed guard Argus, If you do not, if I am left alone, I swear by my own honor, I will make that doctor my lover.
That doctor had better never show his face at my house, Since he got the ring I loved, The ring you promised to keep for me. Well, I'm going to be just as generous as you were. I won't refuse that doctor anything, Not even my body, not even your bed. I promise you, I'll know him. You better not leave me alone a single night. You need to watch me like crazy, Because if you leave me alone, I swear I'll take that doctor as my lover.
that doctor better not come here i'll take him as my lover if you leave me alone i'm serious
And I his clerk. Therefore be well advis’d
How you do leave me to mine own protection.
And I will take the clerk. So be careful About leaving me to protect myself.
And I'm going to do the same with his clerk. So you better be careful about leaving me alone.
i'll take the clerk don't leave me alone
Well, do you so. Let not me take him then,
For if I do, I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.
Go ahead then. Just do not let me catch him, Because if I do, I will damage the young clerk's pen.
Yeah, go ahead. But don't let me get him, Because if I do, I'll break that kid's pen.
don't let me get him or i'll break his pen
I am th’ unhappy subject of these quarrels.
I am the unhappy cause of these quarrels.
I'm the reason for all this fighting.
i'm the reason for this mess
Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.
Sir, do not grieve. You are welcome regardless.
Sir, don't worry about it. You're welcome anyway.
don't worry you're welcome
Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong,
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes,
Wherein I see myself—
Portia, forgive me for this forced wrong, And in front of all these friends I swear to you, by your own beautiful eyes, In which I see myself—
Portia, forgive me for this mistake I was forced to make, And in front of everyone here I swear to you, looking at your beautiful eyes, Where I see myself—
forgive me portia i swear by your eyes i see myself there
Mark you but that!
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself,
In each eye one. Swear by your double self,
And there’s an oath of credit.
Look at that! In both my eyes he doubly sees himself, In each eye one. Swear by your double self, And that will be a convincing oath.
Wait, look at that! He sees himself twice, once in each eye. Go ahead, swear by your double self, That's a solid oath right there.
he sees himself twice in both my eyes that's your oath
Nay, but hear me.
Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee.
But listen. Forgive me for this mistake, and I swear on my soul I will never break an oath with you again.
Just hear me out. Forgive me, and I swear on my soul I'll never break a promise to you again.
forgive me i'll never break an oath again
Antonio's three ships coming safely to port is the most structurally important news in Act 5 — and it arrives almost as an afterthought, tucked into Portia's letter-reading after the ring business is resolved. But it matters enormously.
Antonio was introduced in the very first scene as a man whose wealth was entirely at sea — and entirely at risk. The bond with Shylock was the result of that risk. The trial scene was the result of the bond. Everything in Acts 2 through 4 flows from Antonio's ships being in danger.
Their safe arrival is not just good news. It is the play's final argument about fortune, risk, and the arbitrary nature of financial catastrophe. Antonio was almost cut open because of a shipping delay. Three ships arrive safely and the whole disaster was, in retrospect, narrowly avoidable. The comedy genre requires this: things come right in the end. But Shakespeare plants just enough of Antonio's speechlessness — 'I am dumb' — to suggest that being right in the end does not fully account for what nearly happened on the way there.
I once did lend my body for his wealth,
Which but for him that had your husband’s ring
Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,
My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly.
I once put my own body in danger for his wealth, Which, without the man who has your husband's ring, Would have completely fallen apart. I am willing to be bound again, My soul as the security, that your lord Will never again deliberately break faith.
I once risked everything for this guy financially. If it wasn't for the man who has your husband's ring, I would have been ruined. I'm willing to put myself on the line again, Swearing on my soul that your husband Will never deliberately break a promise again.
i risked everything for him i'll do it again he won't break faith
Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,
And bid him keep it better than the other.
Then you shall be his security. Give him this, And tell him to keep it better than the other.
Then you'll guarantee it. Give him this, And make sure he keeps it better this time.
you're his guarantee give him this ring keep it better
Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.
Lord Bassanio, I give you this ring and require you to keep it with utmost care.
Here, Bassanio, promise you'll keep this ring.
bassanio keep this ring
By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!
By all that is holy, this is the very same ring I gave to the doctor!
Oh my God, it's the same ring I gave the doctor!
it's the same ring i gave to the doctor
I had it of him: pardon me, Bassanio,
For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.
I got it from him. Forgive me, Bassanio, Because this ring means the doctor slept with me.
I got it from him. Forgive me, Bassanio, Because this ring means that doctor and I were together.
i got it from him the doctor and i were together
And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano,
For that same scrubbed boy, the doctor’s clerk,
In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.
And forgive me too, my gentle Gratiano, Because that scruffy boy, the doctor's clerk, In exchange for this, slept with me last night.
And forgive me, Gratiano, Because that scruffy kid, the doctor's clerk, In return for this ring, spent the night with me.
forgive me gratiano the clerk spent the night with me
Why, this is like the mending of highways
In summer, where the ways are fair enough.
What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserv’d it?
This is like road maintenance In summer, when the roads are already good. So we're already tricked before we've deserved it?
This is like fixing roads that are already in good shape. So we're already getting what we deserve before we've even done anything wrong?
fixing roads in summer already getting what we deserve
Speak not so grossly. You are all amaz’d.
Here is a letter; read it at your leisure.
It comes from Padua from Bellario.
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor,
Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you,
And even but now return’d. I have not yet
Do not speak so crudely. You are all shocked. Here is a letter; read it when you have time. It comes from Padua from Bellario. There you will find that I was the doctor, Nerissa there, her clerk. Lorenzo here Shall witness that I left at the same time you did, And only just now returned. I have not yet
Don't talk like that. You're all in shock. Here's a letter; read it whenever. It's from Bellario in Padua. You'll see that I was the doctor, Nerissa was the clerk. Lorenzo can tell you I left when you did And just got back. I haven't even
read this letter i was the doctor nerissa was the clerk i just got back
And I have better news in store for you
Than you expect: unseal this letter soon.
There you shall find three of your argosies
Are richly come to harbour suddenly.
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chanced on this letter.
And I have even better news for you Than you expect: open this letter soon. There you'll find that three of your merchant ships Have returned to harbor with full cargo. You won't believe the strange accident That brought me this letter.
And I've got even better news for you than you'd expect: open this letter. It says three of your cargo ships just came back into harbor loaded with goods. It's the strangest coincidence how I got this letter.
ive got even better news 4 u open this letter three of ur ships just came back to harbor full of cargo its crazy how i got this letter
I am dumb.
I am speechless.
I'm speechless.
no words
Were you the doctor, and I knew you not?
Were you the doctor, and I did not know you?
You were the doctor and I didn't even know it?
wait you were the doctor? i had no idea
Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?
Were you the clerk who is going to make me a cuckold?
So you're the clerk who's about to make me a fool?
you're the clerk making me a fool
Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it,
Unless he live until he be a man.
Yes, but the clerk who never plans to do it, Unless he lives until he grows into a man.
Yeah, but a clerk who's never actually going to do it, Unless he lives long enough to become a man.
i'm never doing it unless i grow up
Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow.
When I am absent, then lie with my wife.
Sweet doctor, you will be my bedfellow. When I am away, you can share my wife's bed.
Sweet doctor, you're going to be my roommate. When I'm not here, feel free to share my wife's bed.
sweet doctor you're my new roommate
Sweet lady, you have given me life and living;
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road.
Sweet lady, you have given me my life and livelihood. Because here I read that my ships Have safely arrived in port.
Sweet lady, you've given me my life back. Because I'm reading here that my ships Have safely made it to port.
you gave me my life back my ships made it home
How now, Lorenzo!
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.
How are you, Lorenzo! My clerk has some good news for you as well.
Lorenzo! My clerk has some good news for you too.
good news lorenzo my clerk's got something for you
Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.
There do I give to you and Jessica,
From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift,
After his death, of all he dies possess’d of.
Yes, and I will give them to him without charging any fee. There I give to you and Jessica, From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, After his death, of everything he possesses.
Yeah, and I'm not charging for it either. I'm giving you and Jessica A gift deed from the rich Jew Of everything he owns when he dies.
giving you and jessica everything from the rich jew after he dies
Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way
Of starved people.
Fair ladies, you are dropping gifts like manna For starving people.
You beautiful women are handing out gifts Like manna from heaven to starving people.
you're giving gifts like heaven's food
It is almost morning,
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full. Let us go in,
And charge us there upon inter’gatories,
And we will answer all things faithfully.
It is almost morning, And yet I am sure you are not fully satisfied With understanding all these events. Let us go in, And let us question each other thoroughly, And we will answer everything faithfully.
It's almost sunrise, And I know you're not completely satisfied With all that's happened. Let's go inside, And let's ask each other everything, And we'll explain it all honestly.
it's almost morning let's go in we'll explain everything
Let it be so. The first inter’gatory
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is,
Whether till the next night she had rather stay,
Or go to bed now, being two hours to day.
But were the day come, I should wish it dark
Till I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.
Well, while I live, I’ll fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
Let it be so. The first question That my Nerissa will be asked to swear to is, Whether until the next night she would prefer to stay awake, Or go to bed now, with two hours until day. But if the day were to come, I would wish it dark Until I were lying with the doctor's clerk. Well, while I live, I will fear no other thing So much as keeping Nerissa's ring safe.
Okay then. The first thing I want to ask Nerissa under oath is, Whether she'd rather stay up until the next night, Or go to bed now with just two hours till morning. But honestly, if day was coming, I'd wish for darkness Until I got in bed with the doctor's clerk. For the rest of my life, nothing worries me More than keeping Nerissa's ring safe.
first question for nerissa stay up or sleep with two hours till day i'd rather be in bed with the clerk keeping your ring safe forever
The Reckoning
After the violence of the trial scene, the play insists on beauty. Lorenzo and Jessica fill the dark with poetry about doomed lovers and music that tames wild things. Then the ring argument — which could be cruel — turns out to be a game Portia is playing from a position of total security, not a test she fears. The revelations arrive in quick succession: Portia was the doctor; Nerissa was the clerk; Antonio's ships are safe. The play resolves into joy so completely that what happened in that Venice courtroom feels — for a moment — very far away.
If this happened today…
Two couples at a lakeside estate waiting for the others to return. The host couple sits outside under stars trading inside jokes about mythological lovers going badly wrong — it's their version of banter. A messenger arrives saying the ladies are coming. Then there's a reckoning about who gave away what ring, a lot of competitive swearing, and then the bombshell: your wife was the lawyer who saved your best friend. He just handed her her own wedding ring as a thank-you gift. The good news doesn't stop there — three investment funds that everyone assumed had failed have just been confirmed profitable. It is, by any measure, a very good night.