PORTIA
“Inquire the Jew’s house out; give him this deed / And let him sign it.”
- Explanation: Portia, still disguised as the lawyer Balthazar, tells Nerissa to find Shylock’s house and deliver a legal document for him to sign.
- Analysis: This is part of Portia’s plan to ensure that Shylock legally transfers his wealth to Lorenzo and Jessica, as was ordered by the Duke.
- Language Device: Imperatives (“Inquire,” “give,” “let”) show Portia’s confidence and authority.
- Themes: Justice and Mercy—this deed is a final act of mercy forced onto Shylock after the trial.
- Character Insight: Portia is clever and in control, continuing to manipulate events even after the courtroom drama.
“We’ll away tonight, / And be a day before our husbands home.”
- Explanation: Portia says they will leave for Belmont tonight and arrive a day before their husbands, so they can surprise them.
- Analysis: Portia is orchestrating a humorous and ironic situation; she knows something the men don’t.
- Themes: Deception, Marriage, Gender roles—Portia takes charge in ways that would defy norms for women at the time.
“This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.”
- Explanation: Portia adds that the deed (which gives Shylock’s wealth to Lorenzo) will be a gift Lorenzo appreciates.
- Analysis: Lorenzo, who eloped with Jessica, is rewarded, emphasizing Christian triumph over Shylock.
- Themes: Religion, Justice, Wealth and Property—these are intertwined in the play’s resolution.
[Enter Gratiano]
GRATIANO: “Fair sir, you are well o’erta’en.”
- Explanation: Gratiano greets Portia (still disguised) politely, saying he’s glad to have found her.
- Language Device: Archaic phrasing—“well o’erta’en” means “well met” or “well encountered.”
- Tone: Polite, respectful.
“My Lord Bassanio, upon more advice, / Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat / Your company at dinner.”
- Explanation: Gratiano says Bassanio reconsidered (“upon more advice”) and has sent the ring Portia (as the lawyer) asked for. Bassanio also invites her to dinner.
- Analysis: Dramatic irony—Portia is receiving her own ring, which she gave Bassanio with the promise he would never part with it.
- Themes: Loyalty, Marriage, Testing of Love.
- Literary Device: Dramatic irony—the audience knows more than the characters, creating humor and anticipation.
PORTIA (as Balthazar): “That cannot be.”
- Explanation: Portia pretends to be surprised.
- Analysis: She plays along with the act, heightening the upcoming comedy.
“His ring I do accept most thankfully, / And so I pray you tell him.”
- Explanation: She thanks Gratiano and asks him to pass her gratitude to Bassanio.
- Tone: Formal and polite—still playing the role of the lawyer.
- Themes: Trust and Betrayal—Portia is setting up a humorous test of Bassanio’s loyalty.
“Furthermore, / I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house.”
- Explanation: She politely requests that Gratiano help guide the “young clerk” (Nerissa in disguise) to Shylock’s house.
- Language Device: Polite diction maintains her disguise.
- Themes: Disguise, Power dynamics—Portia is still giving instructions in disguise.
GRATIANO: “That will I do.”
- Explanation: Gratiano agrees to help.
- Character Insight: Gratiano is loyal and helpful, though somewhat oblivious to what’s going on.
NERISSA (as Clerk): “Sir, I would speak with you.”
- Explanation: Nerissa now takes her turn in the plot.
- Analysis: She plans to do to Gratiano what Portia did to Bassanio—get him to give up the ring she gave him.
- Themes: Loyalty, Deception, Testing relationships.
[Aside to Portia] “I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring, / Which I did make him swear to keep forever.”
- Explanation: Nerissa whispers to Portia that she’s going to test her husband too.
- Language Device: Aside—meant only for the audience and Portia to hear.
- Themes: Marriage, Fidelity, Trust.
- Tone: Playful, mischievous.
PORTIA (aside): “Thou mayst, I warrant! We shall have old swearing / That they did give the rings away to men; / But we’ll outface them, and outswear them, too.”
- Explanation: Portia confidently says Nerissa will succeed and jokes that the men will be shocked and swear they were tricked—but the women will outdo them in cleverness.
- Language Device: Irony, wordplay on “old swearing” (meaning lots of passionate swearing).
- Themes: Power of Women, Wit and Humor, Gender roles—women outsmarting men is a recurring comic element.
- Tone: Light-hearted and cheeky.
“Away, make haste! Thou know’st where I will tarry.”
- Explanation: Portia tells Nerissa to hurry and reminds her where to meet later.
- Analysis: She keeps the plan moving and stays in control.
- Themes: Control, Disguise, Deception as Power.
[She exits]
NERISSA (as Clerk): “Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?”
- Explanation: Nerissa now sets her plan in motion, asking Gratiano to guide her to Shylock’s house.
- Tone: Innocent on the surface, but full of dramatic irony.
- Themes: Cleverness, Deception, Women challenging norms.
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