SHYLOCK: “Jailer, look to him. Tell not me of mercy.”
Meaning: Shylock tells the jailer to keep a close watch on Antonio and says not to talk to him about mercy.
Analysis:
- Shylock is firm and unforgiving.
- He dismisses the idea of compassion.
- Theme: Justice vs. Mercy – Shylock wants strict justice, not mercy.
- Language device: Imperative tone – “Look to him” shows authority and coldness.
“This is the fool that lent out money gratis. Jailer, look to him.”
Meaning: Shylock mocks Antonio for lending money without interest (“gratis” = free). He repeats the order to the jailer to guard him.
Analysis:
- Shows Shylock’s resentment – Antonio’s kindness hurt his business.
- Repetition of “look to him” shows obsession with control.
- Theme: Revenge, Economics, and Pride.
ANTONIO: “Hear me yet, good Shylock—”
Meaning: Antonio pleads with Shylock to listen to him.
Analysis:
- Use of “good Shylock” is ironic – shows desperation, not praise.
- Theme: Powerlessness, Plea for Mercy.
SHYLOCK: “I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond.”
Meaning: Shylock insists that the contract be honored and doesn’t want anyone to argue against it.
Analysis:
- “Bond” = legal contract; repetition emphasizes his unshakable demand.
- Shows legal obsession and revenge.
- Theme: Law vs. Justice, Revenge, Obsession.
“I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.”
Meaning: Shylock says he made a vow and will stick to it.
Analysis:
- Shows religious and moral conviction, but also rigidity.
- Theme: Justice, Duty, Vengeance.
“Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.”
Meaning: Shylock reminds Antonio that he was insulted as a “dog” before he ever did anything wrong. Now, he’s going to act like one – so Antonio should watch out.
Analysis:
- Metaphor: “Dog” and “fangs” – Shylock embraces the label Antonio gave him and turns it into a threat.
- Highlights Shylock’s hurt pride and desire for revenge.
- Themes: Prejudice, Revenge, Identity.
“The Duke shall grant me justice.—I do wonder, Thou naughty jailer, that thou art so fond To come abroad with him at his request.”
Meaning: Shylock says the Duke will give him justice. He scolds the jailer for being foolish enough to let Antonio out just because he asked.
Analysis:
- “Fond” = foolish; Shylock criticizes those who pity Antonio.
- He sees the jailer as disloyal or too soft.
- Theme: Justice, Mercy, Authority.
ANTONIO: “I pray thee, hear me speak—”
Meaning: Antonio continues to beg Shylock to listen.
Analysis:
- Again shows Antonio’s helplessness.
- Contrast between Antonio’s humility and Shylock’s stubbornness.
- Themes: Mercy, Desperation, Power.
SHYLOCK: “I’ll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak.”
Meaning: Shylock repeats that he wants the bond fulfilled and refuses to listen.
Analysis:
- More repetition = emphasis on his unyielding nature.
- Theme: Obsession, Justice without Mercy.
“I’ll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.”
Meaning: He shuts Antonio down – nothing he says will change his mind.
Analysis:
- Harsh, final tone.
- Shylock wants control and refuses negotiation.
“I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To Christian intercessors.”
Meaning: Shylock says he won’t be like a soft-hearted fool who forgives because Christians beg for mercy.
Analysis:
- Imagery: “soft and dull-eyed fool” – mocks those who forgive.
- Shows bitterness toward Christians who once mocked him.
- Theme: Mercy vs. Revenge, Religious conflict.
“Follow not! I’ll have no speaking. I will have my bond.” (He exits.)
Meaning: He tells them not to follow him or try to argue more. He exits, holding fast to his demand.
Analysis:
- Strong closing line – again repeating “bond” – dramatic exit.
- Shylock is unchangeable.
- Theme: Justice, Vengeance, Isolation.
SOLANIO: “It is the most impenetrable cur That ever kept with men.”
Meaning: Solanio calls Shylock an unfeeling, vicious dog (“cur”) – the worst of them all.
Analysis:
- Metaphor: “impenetrable cur” – suggests Shylock has no empathy.
- Shows Christian bias against him.
- Theme: Prejudice, Conflict, Dehumanization.
ANTONIO: “Let him alone. I’ll follow him no more with bootless prayers.”
Meaning: Antonio says there’s no point begging anymore – it’s useless (“bootless”).
Analysis:
- Antonio gives up.
- His calm acceptance contrasts with Shylock’s fury.
- Theme: Resignation, Fate, Powerlessness.
“He seeks my life. His reason well I know: I oft delivered from his forfeitures Many that have at times made moan to me. Therefore he hates me.”
Meaning: Antonio explains that Shylock wants him dead because Antonio helped people avoid paying their debts to Shylock, which cost Shylock money.
Analysis:
- Antonio understands the root of Shylock’s hatred.
- Shows how personal grudges are tied to financial loss.
- Theme: Revenge, Justice, Reputation.
SOLANIO: “I am sure the Duke Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.”
Meaning: Solanio believes the Duke won’t let Shylock go through with it.
Analysis:
- Shows hope in mercy and fairness.
- Belief that law should be humane.
- Theme: Justice vs. Law, Hope, Power of Authority.
ANTONIO: “The Duke cannot deny the course of law, For the commodity that strangers have With us in Venice, if it be denied, Will much impeach the justice of the state, Since that the trade and profit of the city—”
Meaning: Antonio explains that Venice depends on foreign merchants. If the Duke denies the law (which allows Shylock’s bond), it would damage Venice’s reputation for fairness and hurt trade.
Analysis:
- Antonio acknowledges that even though the law is cruel, it must be upheld to maintain economic order.
- Theme: Justice vs. Law, Commerce, Social Order.
- Language device: Logical reasoning – Antonio uses cause and effect to explain why the law might not protect him.
“Consisteth of all nations. Therefore go.”
Meaning: Venice is made up of people from many different nations. Because of that, the law must treat all equally—so go now.
Analysis:
- Antonio is finishing his point: since Venice thrives on international trade, denying justice to a foreigner (Shylock) would harm the city’s reputation.
- Theme: Law vs. Justice, Commerce, Multiculturalism.
- Tone: Resigned, logical.
- Language device: Reasoning – shows how Antonio accepts the importance of law even when it goes against him.
“These griefs and losses have so bated me”
Meaning: My sorrows and financial losses have worn me down so much…
Analysis:
- “Bated” = weakened, reduced.
- Shows emotional and physical exhaustion.
- Theme: Suffering, Loss, Human frailty.
- Language device: Imagery of decline, adds to Antonio’s tragic mood.
“That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh Tomorrow to my bloody creditor.”
Meaning: I’m so weak that Shylock might not even get a full pound of flesh from me tomorrow.
Analysis:
- Dark irony – even in dying, Antonio is aware of the grotesque nature of the bond.
- “Bloody creditor” = Shylock, described as violent and cruel.
- Theme: Death, Justice turned cruel, Dehumanization.
- Language device: Metaphor – “pound of flesh” symbolizes revenge and inhumane justice.
“Well, jailer, on.”
Meaning: Alright, let’s go, jailer.
Analysis:
- Short, stoic acceptance of his fate.
- Tone: Calm, resigned.
- Theme: Fate, Honor, Endurance.
“Pray God Bassanio come To see me pay his debt, and then I care not.”
Meaning: I just hope Bassanio comes to see me repay the debt (with my life). After that, I don’t care what happens.
Analysis:
- Shows deep love and loyalty to Bassanio—Antonio’s final wish is to see him.
- Theme: Friendship, Sacrifice, Love.
- Language device: Pathos – evokes pity and emotional connection.
- Religious reference: “Pray God” shows Antonio’s faith even in suffering.
“They exit.”
This signals the end of the scene. Antonio is led away, possibly to prison or to await the trial.
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