LORENZO
The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,
Lorenzo sets a romantic tone. The moon is shining brightly, and it’s the kind of night that inspires memories and stories of love.
Language device: Visual imagery – creates a peaceful, dreamy mood.
Theme: Romance and nostalgia.
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise,
He describes how even the wind is soft and gentle, so much so that the trees aren’t rustling.
Language device: Personification – the wind is described as kissing the trees.
Mood: Calm, romantic night.
In such a night
Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls
And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night.
He imagines the Trojan prince Troilus climbing the city walls and sighing sadly, thinking about Cressid, who has betrayed him.
Allusion: References a tragic love story from classical mythology.
Theme: Unfaithful love, longing, sorrow.
JESSICA
In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully o’ertrip the dew
And saw the lion’s shadow ere himself
And ran dismayed away.
Jessica answers with another story – Thisbe runs through the grass, sees the shadow of a lion, and runs away frightened.
Allusion: Myth of Pyramus and Thisbe.
Theme: Misunderstanding in love, fear.
LORENZO
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.
Dido, heartbroken after being abandoned by Aeneas, stands by the sea hoping he’ll return.
Symbol: Willow – a symbol of grief and mourning in love.
Theme: Betrayal and abandoned love.
JESSICA
In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Aeson.
Jessica talks about Medea, who used magic to make her old father-in-law young again.
Allusion: Greek mythology – magic and transformation.
Theme: Love mixed with power and manipulation.
LORENZO
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew,
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont.
Lorenzo now refers to Jessica herself – she ran away from her father (Shylock), taking his money and jewels, all for love.
Tone: Teasing, slightly ironic.
Theme: Risk and rebellion in love.
JESSICA
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.
Jessica responds playfully, saying Lorenzo made promises of love but didn’t keep them.
Tone: Playful sarcasm.
Theme: Questioning sincerity in love.
LORENZO
In such a night
Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew,
Slander her love, and he forgave it her.
Lorenzo teases her back, calling her a “little shrew” for accusing him but saying he forgave her.
Language device: Light mockery, humor.
Theme: Flirtation, forgiveness, banter between lovers.
JESSICA
I would out-night you did nobody come,
Jessica says she would continue this poetic game longer – “out-night” meaning out-talk or outdo him in romantic comparisons – if no one were about to interrupt.
But hark, I hear the footing of a man.
She hears someone approaching.
Device: Suspense – a shift from playful tone to alertness.
Enter Stephano, a Messenger.
LORENZO
Who comes so fast in silence of the night?
Lorenzo hears someone and wonders who’s hurrying through the quiet night.
STEPHANO
A friend.
Short reply to show he means no harm.
LORENZO
A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend.
Lorenzo still wants to confirm – “friend” is not enough, he wants a name.
STEPHANO
Stephano is my name, and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
Be here at Belmont.
Stephano introduces himself and shares the good news: Portia will return before sunrise.
She doth stray about
By holy crosses, where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours.
Portia has been stopping at religious places, praying for a good marriage.
Theme: Faith, love, devotion.
LORENZO
Who comes with her?
STEPHANO
None but a holy hermit and her maid.
Only a hermit (a religious man) and Nerissa are with her.
I pray you, is my master yet returned?
Stephano asks if Bassanio is home.
LORENZO
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.
Lorenzo says Bassanio hasn’t returned. He invites Jessica inside so they can get ready to welcome Portia with proper respect and celebration.
Theme: Hospitality, duty, respect in relationships.
Enter Lancelet, the Clown.
LANCELET
Sola, sola! Wo ha, ho! Sola, sola!
Lancelet enters shouting “Sola!” – this is just comic nonsense, meant to be funny and loud, possibly pretending to search for someone.
LORENZO
Who calls?
LANCELET
Sola! Did you see Master Lorenzo? Master
Lorenzo, sola, sola!
Lancelet keeps calling out Lorenzo’s name in a silly, exaggerated way, continuing the comic tone.
📜LORENZO: Leave holloaing, man! Here.
Explanation: Lorenzo is telling Lancelet to stop shouting (“holloaing”)—he’s right here.
Tone/Language: Casual, impatient.
Theme: Friendship, casual camaraderie.
📜LANCELET: Sola! Where, where?
Explanation: Lancelet shouts “Sola!” (a comic call used earlier in the play), asking where Lorenzo is.
Language Device: Repetition (“Where, where?”) adds humor and shows Lancelet’s comic, confused character.
Theme: Comic relief, loyalty.
📜LORENZO: Here!
Explanation: A simple response—he’s right there.
Tone: Still impatient; suggests Lancelet is being a bit silly.
📜LANCELET: Tell him there’s a post come from my master with his horn full of good news. My master will be here ere morning, sweet soul. (Lancelet exits)
Explanation: Lancelet says to tell someone (probably Stephano) that a messenger has arrived with good news from his master (Bassanio). He adds that his master will arrive before morning.
Language Device: “Horn full of good news” – metaphor, likely referencing a messenger’s horn and symbolizing abundance.
Theme: Anticipation, reunion.
📜LORENZO, to Jessica: Let’s in, and there expect their coming.
Explanation: Lorenzo suggests to Jessica that they go inside and wait for the visitors.
Theme: Hospitality, love.
📜And yet no matter; why should we go in?—
Explanation: He changes his mind—why should they go inside? They can wait outside.
Tone: Reflective, romantic mood begins.
📜**My friend Stephano, signify, I pray you, Within the house, your mistress is at hand, And bring your music forth into the air. (Stephano exits)
Explanation: Lorenzo asks Stephano to let the household know that Jessica is nearby and to bring out the musicians.
Theme: Celebration, harmony.
Language Device: Formal request (“I pray you”) – adds elegance to Lorenzo’s tone.
📜How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.
Explanation: Lorenzo admires the peaceful moonlight shining on the riverbank.
Language Device: Personification – the moonlight is described as “sleeping” to evoke calm and beauty.
Theme: Nature, love, serenity.
📜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.
Explanation: Lorenzo wants them to sit and enjoy the quiet night with music gently entering their ears.
Devices:
- Imagery: “Creep in our ears” creates a sensory experience.
- Personification: “Stillness and the night become touches” – night is given human-like qualities.
Theme: The healing, soothing power of music.
📜Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold.
Explanation: Lorenzo tells Jessica to sit and look at the sky, which he compares to a floor decorated with golden plates (stars).
Devices:
- Metaphor: Stars = “patens of bright gold” (religious golden plates) – sacred, beautiful.
- Visual imagery.
Theme: Romance, divine beauty.
📜There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st But in his motion like an angel sings, Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubins.
Explanation: Every star (orb) in the sky moves and creates music like angels singing in harmony to young heavenly beings (cherubins).
Devices:
- Personification: Stars are imagined to sing.
- Allusion: Cherubins – Biblical reference.
Theme: Harmony of the universe, spiritual beauty.
📜Such harmony is in immortal souls, But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
Explanation: Lorenzo says that our souls have this kind of perfect harmony too, but our mortal bodies (the “muddy vesture of decay”) prevent us from hearing it.
Devices:
- Metaphor: “Muddy vesture of decay” = the human body, corrupt and mortal.
- Contrast: Mortal vs. immortal.
Theme: Soul vs. body, the divine within us.
(Enter Stephano and musicians)
📜Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn. With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear, And draw her home with music.
Explanation: Lorenzo calls for the musicians to “wake” the goddess Diana (of the moon) with music. He wants the music to gently touch Jessica’s ears and bring her joy.
Devices:
- Allusion: Diana – Roman goddess of the moon and chastity.
- Personification: Music “piercing” ears—gentle yet emotional.
Theme: Music as emotional bridge, love, nature.
(Music plays.)
📜JESSICA: I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
Explanation: Jessica says music makes her feel solemn or thoughtful, not happy.
Tone: Melancholic, introspective.
Theme: Emotional complexity, sensitivity.
📜LORENZO: The reason is, your spirits are attentive.
Explanation: Lorenzo replies that she’s not sad, just deeply focused when hearing music.
Theme: Emotional awareness.
Language Device: Logical reasoning – builds a poetic argument.
📜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,
Explanation: He compares undisciplined young animals running wild to human passions.
Devices:
- Animal imagery.
- Metaphor: “Hot condition of their blood” = youthful impulsiveness.
Theme: Nature, passion, restraint.
📜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 turned to a modest gaze By the sweet power of music.
Explanation: Even wild animals calm down when they hear music; their wildness turns to peace.
Theme: Power of music to civilize, harmony.
Language Device: Transformation imagery.
📜Therefore the poet Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods,
Explanation: Lorenzo refers to the myth of Orpheus, who played music so beautifully that even inanimate things followed him.
Device: Allusion – Greek mythology.
Theme: Music’s magical and transformational power.
📜Since naught so stockish, hard, and full of rage, But music for the time doth change his nature.
Explanation: Nothing is so stubborn or angry that music cannot change it—at least temporarily.
Theme: Transformation, emotional power of art.
📜The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
Explanation: A person who doesn’t appreciate music cannot be trusted. Lorenzo believes they are likely to be deceitful or cruel.
Theme: Morality and art.
Device: Contrast—music-loving vs. music-less people.
📜The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus.
Explanation: Such a person has a soul as dull as night and emotions as dark as Erebus (a place in Greek mythology associated with darkness).
Devices:
- Simile: “Dull as night”
- Allusion: Erebus = mythological darkness.
Theme: Light vs. darkness, soul’s moral compass.
📜Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.
Explanation: Lorenzo warns against trusting anyone unmoved by music. He ends with: listen carefully to the music.
Theme: Trust, judgment, inner harmony.
Language Device: Imperative – “Mark the music” invites audience reflection.
(Enter Portia and Nerissa)
📜PORTIA: That light we see is burning in my hall.
Explanation: Portia notices a light in her house from a distance.
Simple Observation, but it sparks deeper metaphorical reflection next.
📜How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
Explanation: A small candle gives off great light—just like how a small act of kindness can shine brightly in a corrupt world.
Device:
- Simile/Metaphor: Comparing candlelight to a good deed.
- Theme: Goodness, morality, contrast between light (good) and dark (evil).
📜NERISSA: When the moon shone we did not see the candle.
Explanation: Nerissa notes that when the moon was out, the candlelight wasn’t visible.
Theme: Relative significance, perspective.
📜PORTIA: So doth the greater glory dim the less.
Explanation: Bigger things can overshadow smaller ones—like the moonlight overshadowing candlelight.
Device: Metaphor, moral reflection.
Theme: Fame, power, modesty.
📜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.
Explanation: Something temporary (like a regent or stand-in) looks important until the real leader arrives. Just like a small stream empties into a large ocean, it loses its identity.
Device:
- Simile/Metaphor – comparison to brook and king.
- Theme: Identity, true power, humility.
📜Music, hark!
Explanation: Portia suddenly hears the music and asks Nerissa to listen.
Tone: Transition to admiration.
Device: Imperative – dramatic pause.
📜NERISSA: It is your music, madam, of the house.
Explanation: Nerissa says it’s the household’s own musicians playing.
Tone: Gentle, reassuring.
📜PORTIA: Nothing is good, I see, without respect. Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.
Explanation: Portia observes that everything depends on context. The same music sounds better at night than during the day.
Theme: Relativity, perception, aesthetic beauty.
Language Device: Aphorism – a wise, compact statement.
NERISSA
“Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam.”
Explanation: Silence gives something value or makes it seem more virtuous.
Device: Personification – silence is portrayed as bestowing something.
Theme: Appearance vs. Reality, Value of Silence
PORTIA
“The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark / When neither is attended,”
Explanation: If no one is listening, even the crow sounds as sweet as the lark.
Device: Comparison/simile – comparing crow and lark.
Theme: Perception and Judgment, True Value
“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.”
Explanation: If the nightingale sings during the noisy day, people might think she sings no better than a small bird like the wren.
Device: Imagery, metaphor – comparing voices and music to people’s value being misunderstood.
Theme: Timing and Context, Misjudgment
“How many things by season seasoned are / To their right praise and true perfection!”
Explanation: So many things are appreciated only when they happen at the right time.
Device: Wordplay on “season” (time and flavor).
Theme: Timing, Order and Harmony
“Peace—how the moon sleeps with Endymion / And would not be awaked!”
Explanation: Let’s be silent, like the myth where the moon sleeps peacefully with Endymion and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
Device: Mythological allusion (Endymion and the moon goddess Selene).
Theme: Peace and Stillness, Romantic Idealism
LORENZO
“That is the voice, / Or I am much deceived, of Portia.”
Explanation: That sounds like Portia’s voice—unless I’m wrong.
Theme: Recognition, Return and Reunion
PORTIA
“He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo, / By the bad voice.”
Explanation: He knows it’s me the way a blind man knows a cuckoo—by its unpleasant voice.
Device: Simile, sarcasm/humor.
Theme: Identity, Playfulness in Love
LORENZO
“Dear lady, welcome home.”
Explanation: A warm welcome back.
Theme: Homecoming, Hospitality
PORTIA
“We have been praying for our husbands’ welfare, / Which speed we hope the better for our words.”
Explanation: We’ve been praying for our husbands’ safety, hoping our prayers help them return safely.
Theme: Loyalty, Love and Marriage, Faith
“Are they returned?”
Explanation: Have they come back yet?
LORENZO
“Madam, they are not yet, / But there is come a messenger before / To signify their coming.”
Explanation: No, they haven’t arrived, but a messenger came to say they’re on their way.
Theme: Anticipation, Hope
PORTIA
“Go in, Nerissa. / Give order to my servants that they take / No note at all of our being absent hence—”
Explanation: Go inside and tell the servants not to mention that we were gone.
Theme: Deception, Control, Secrets in Love
“Nor you, Lorenzo—Jessica, nor you.”
Explanation: You too, Lorenzo and Jessica—don’t tell anyone we were away.
LORENZO
“Your husband is at hand. I hear his trumpet.”
Explanation: Your husband is near—I hear the trumpet announcing his arrival.
Theme: Reunion, Ceremony
“We are no tell-tales, madam, fear you not.”
Explanation: Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.
Theme: Trust
PORTIA
“This night methinks is but the daylight sick; / It looks a little paler.”
Explanation: This night feels like a pale, sick version of the day.
Device: Personification – night as a “sick” version of day.
Theme: Light and Darkness, Mood and Atmosphere
“’Tis a day / Such as the day is when the sun is hid.”
Explanation: It’s like a cloudy day when the sun is hidden.
Enter Bassanio, Antonio, Gratiano, and their followers.
BASSANIO
“We should hold day with the Antipodes / If you would walk in absence of the sun.”
Explanation: It would feel like daytime even on the other side of the world if you were there, even without the sun.
Device: Hyperbole, flattery.
Theme: Love and Admiration, Romantic Exaggeration
PORTIA
“Let me give light, but let me not be light, / For a light wife doth make a heavy husband,”
Explanation: Let me bring brightness, but not be “light” (flirtatious or foolish), because a silly wife brings down her husband.
Device: Pun on “light” (brightness vs. foolishness).
Theme: Wit, Gender Roles, Marriage
“And never be Bassanio so for me.”
Explanation: I hope Bassanio never has to suffer because of me.
“But God sort all! You are welcome home, my lord.”
Explanation: May God guide everything. Welcome home!
Theme: Faith, Reunion
BASSANIO
“I thank you, madam. Give welcome to my friend. / This is the man, this is Antonio, / To whom I am so infinitely bound.”
Explanation: Thank you. Please welcome my friend Antonio, to whom I owe so much.
Theme: Friendship, Loyalty
PORTIA
“You should in all sense be much bound to him, / For as I hear he was much bound for you.”
Explanation: You should be very grateful—he was literally “bound” (legally obligated) for you.
Device: Wordplay on “bound” (obligated and grateful).
Theme: Sacrifice, Debt and Duty
ANTONIO
“No more than I am well acquitted of.”
Explanation: I’m only as obligated as I’ve been released from—it’s all resolved now.
Theme: Justice, Resolution
PORTIA
“Sir, you are very welcome to our house. / It must appear in other ways than words; / Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.”
Explanation: You’re very welcome. But I’ll show my welcome through actions, not just words—so I’ll keep this short.
Device: Politeness mixed with deeper meaning.
Theme: Hospitality, Action vs. Words
GRATIANO (to Nerissa)
“By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong! / In faith, I gave it to the judge’s clerk.”
Explanation: I swear by the moon, you’re wrong! I gave the ring to the clerk of the judge (really Portia in disguise).
Device: Dramatic irony – the audience knows what Nerissa doesn’t.
Theme: Deception, Marital Trust
“Would he were gelt that had it, for my part, / Since you do take it, love, so much at heart.”
Explanation: I wish the guy who has it (again, secretly her) were castrated, since you’re so upset about it.
Device: Crude humor, irony.
Theme: Trust, Conflict in Marriage
PORTIA
“A quarrel ho, already! What’s the matter?”
Explanation: A fight already? What’s going on?
Theme: Marital Conflict, Comedy
GRATIANO
“About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring / That she did give me, whose posy was—”
Explanation: Over a small gold ring she gave me, which had an inscription inside…
Device: Symbolism – the ring symbolizes love and loyalty.
Theme: Symbols of Love, Promises and Betrayals
💬 “For all the world like cutler’s poetry / Upon a knife, ‘Love me, and leave me not.’”
Explanation: Gratiano mocks the ring’s inscription, comparing it to cheap poetry engraved on knives sold by cutlers (knife-makers), like: “Love me, and leave me not.”
Device: Simile – “like cutler’s poetry” (suggesting the sentiment is cheap or clichéd).
Theme: Love vs. Materialism, Mockery of sentimentality.
💬 NERISSA: 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…
Explanation: Nerissa isn’t concerned about the ring’s price or inscription. She reminds Gratiano of the promise he made to her — that he would never remove the ring until he died.
Device: Hyperbole (dramatic commitment), Irony – he broke the promise quickly.
Theme: Promises in Love, Loyalty, Trust.
💬 Though not for me, yet for your vehement oaths, / You should have been respective and have kept it.
Explanation: Even if he didn’t care about her, he should have respected the strong oaths he made.
Device: Dramatic irony – the audience knows the ring was given to Portia in disguise.
Theme: Respect in relationships, The weight of vows.
💬 Gave it a judge’s clerk! No, God’s my judge, / The clerk will ne’er wear hair on ’s face that had it.
Explanation: Nerissa mocks the “clerk” (really her in disguise), saying he’s too young to even grow facial hair.
Device: Sarcasm, Verbal Irony.
Theme: Deception, Feminine cleverness.
💬 GRATIANO: He will, an if he live to be a man.
Explanation: Gratiano jokes back that the clerk will grow up eventually.
Tone: Playful banter, unaware he’s talking about Nerissa.
Theme: Gender roles, Appearance vs. reality.
💬 NERISSA: Ay, if a woman live to be a man.
Explanation: Nerissa teases—because she is that “boy” in disguise.
Device: Double meaning (audience gets the joke).
Theme: Disguise, Empowerment.
💬 GRATIANO: Now, by this hand, I gave it to a youth… a prating boy that begged it as a fee.
Explanation: Gratiano defends his actions, saying he gave the ring to a talkative boy who asked for it.
Device: Irony – again, it was his wife all along.
Theme: Appearances can deceive, Trust and truth.
💬 PORTIA: You were to blame… / A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger…
Explanation: Portia tells Gratiano he was wrong to give away something so symbolic – tied to deep promises.
Device: Metaphor – “riveted with faith unto your flesh.”
Theme: Symbolism of rings, Sanctity of marriage vows.
💬 I gave my love a ring and made him swear / Never to part with it, and here he stands.
Explanation: Portia now turns to Bassanio, reminding everyone he also made a similar vow.
Theme: Loyalty, Testing love, Marriage and fidelity.
💬 I dare be sworn for him… not for the wealth / That the world masters.
Explanation: She pretends to believe Bassanio would never give the ring away – testing him further.
Device: Dramatic irony, Foreshadowing.
Theme: Loyalty, Temptation, Deception.
💬 BASSANIO, aside: Why, I were best to cut my left hand off / And swear I lost the ring defending it.
Explanation: Bassanio regrets his mistake and wishes he had lied or made up a heroic story instead.
Device: Hyperbole, Aside – shows inner guilt.
Theme: Shame, Consequences of choices.
💬 GRATIANO: My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away… / And neither man nor master would take aught / But the two rings.
Explanation: Gratiano reveals Bassanio gave away his ring to the “judge” (Portia), and Gratiano followed suit.
Theme: Pressure and guilt, Irony of justice.
💬 PORTIA: What ring gave you, my lord? Not that, I hope, which you received of me.
Explanation: Portia confronts Bassanio—pretending to suspect, but she already knows the truth.
Tone: Controlled sarcasm, Testing loyalty.
Theme: Truth and confession, Moral lesson.
💬 BASSANIO: If I could add a lie unto a fault… It is gone.
Explanation: Bassanio confesses honestly. He won’t lie to cover his mistake.
Theme: Repentance, Truthfulness in love.
💬 PORTIA: Even so void is your false heart of truth… / Until I see the ring!
Explanation: Portia declares that just as his finger is empty, so is his heart—lacking truth. She refuses to sleep with him until she gets the ring back.
Device: Metaphor, Conditional vow.
Theme: Female agency, Justice in relationships.
💬 NERISSA: Nor I in yours / Till I again see mine!
Explanation: Nerissa joins in, echoing Portia’s stance.
Theme: Solidarity between women, Power shift in marriage.
💬 BASSANIO: Sweet Portia… You would abate the strength of your displeasure.
Explanation: Bassanio pleads, explaining he gave the ring under pressure, not by choice.
Theme: Excuses vs. accountability, Emotional persuasion.
💬 PORTIA: If you had known the virtue of the ring… / You would not then have parted with the ring.
Explanation: Portia insists that if he truly valued her and the meaning behind the ring, he would’ve never given it away.
Device: Tricolon (repetition in groups of three: “virtue… worthiness… honour”)
Theme: Symbolism, Meaning of gifts, Value of women.
💬 What man is there so much unreasonable… / To urge the thing held as a ceremony?
Explanation: She says any man who valued loyalty would have defended the ring, seeing it as a sacred symbol.
Device: Rhetorical question.
Theme: Ceremony and tradition, Loyalty as sacred.
💬 Nerissa teaches me what to believe: / I’ll die for ’t but some woman had the ring!
Explanation: Portia now jokes—she’s learned from Nerissa and claims she’d bet her life that some other woman has the ring (meaning herself).
Device: Dramatic irony, Play on identity.
Theme: Disguise and Revelation, Wit and Trickery.
💬 BASSANIO
“No, by my honor, madam, by my soul,”
👉 I swear on my honor and soul,
- Analysis: Bassanio uses repetition and solemn language (“honor,” “soul”) to convince Portia of his sincerity.
- Theme: Loyalty and Deception — He’s trying to justify a betrayal.
“No woman had it, but a civil doctor,”
👉 No woman took the ring — it was a well-mannered lawyer (doctor of law).
- Language Device: Euphemism — calling Portia (who was disguised as the doctor) a “civil doctor” adds to the dramatic irony.
- Theme: Disguise and Identity.
“Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me”
👉 He refused to take money — even a huge amount like 3,000 ducats.
- Shows the “doctor’s” integrity and suggests that the ring was the only reward asked.
“And begged the ring, the which I did deny him”
👉 He asked for the ring, and I initially said no.
- Bassanio attempts to show he tried to honor Portia’s request.
- Theme: Promises and Honor.
“And suffered him to go displeased away,”
👉 He left feeling hurt and unappreciated.
- Tone: Justifies his later change of heart as a response to guilt.
- Character Insight: Bassanio is trying to show he was caught in a moral dilemma.
“Even he that had held up the very life of my dear friend.”
👉 This man had saved Antonio’s life—my dearest friend.
- Emotional Appeal: Bassanio uses friendship and gratitude to gain forgiveness.
- Theme: Sacrifice, Loyalty, Male Bonds.
“What should I say, sweet lady? I was enforced to send it after him.”
👉 What else could I do, my dear? I felt compelled to send it.
- Rhetorical Question: Used to defend his actions.
- Theme: Internal Conflict.
“I was beset with shame and courtesy.”
👉 I felt torn between shame and politeness.
- Language Device: Juxtaposition of “shame” and “courtesy” creates emotional tension.
“My honor would not let ingratitude so much besmear it.”
👉 I couldn’t let myself be seen as ungrateful—it would ruin my honor.
- Shows how social expectations of masculine honor guide his actions.
- Theme: Reputation and Social Pressure.
“Pardon me, good lady, for by these blessèd candles of the night,”
👉 Please forgive me. I swear by the stars (the candles of night).
- Metaphor: “Blessèd candles” = stars. Poetic, romantic imagery.
- Language Device: Swearing by nature is a classical way of showing sincerity.
“Had you been there, I think you would have begged the ring of me to give the worthy doctor.”
👉 If you had seen what happened, I believe you would’ve asked me to give him the ring too.
- Flattery: He’s trying to turn the blame around gently.
- Theme: Gender and Persuasion.
💬 PORTIA
“Let not that doctor e’er come near my house!”
👉 That doctor better never step into my house!
- Irony: She is the doctor. The audience knows this.
- Theme: Disguise, Female Cleverness.
“Since he hath got the jewel that I loved,”
👉 He took something precious that I loved (the ring).
- Metaphor: “Jewel” = the ring, but also suggests something more intimate.
- Foreshadowing of the joke that’s about to come.
“And that which you did swear to keep for me,”
👉 You promised to keep that ring—but broke your word.
- Highlights betrayal.
“I will become as liberal as you:”
👉 I’ll be as generous and open-minded as you were.
- Tone: Sarcastic and biting.
- Theme: Power Reversal.
“I’ll not deny him anything I have, No, not my body, nor my husband’s bed.”
👉 I won’t deny the doctor anything—not even my body or our marriage bed.
- Shock Value: She’s pretending she’d sleep with the doctor.
- Theme: Jealousy, Loyalty.
- Device: Hyperbole for comedic and emotional effect.
“Know him I shall, I am well sure of it.”
👉 I’m sure I’ll recognize him again.
- Dramatic Irony: She already knows him—it’s herself!
“Lie not a night from home. Watch me like Argus.”
👉 Don’t ever leave me alone. Watch me like Argus (a mythological creature with 100 eyes).
- Allusion: Argus from Greek mythology—used to stress loyalty and suspicion.
- Theme: Fidelity, Distrust.
“If you do not, if I be left alone, Now by mine honor, which is yet mine own, I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.”
👉 If you ever leave me alone, I swear on my honor (which is still intact), I’ll sleep with that doctor!
- Mock Threat: It’s all a setup for the joke.
- Theme: Trust, Gender Power.
💬 NERISSA
“And I his clerk. Therefore be well advised How you do leave me to mine own protection.”
👉 And I’ll go to bed with the clerk too. So you better think twice before leaving me alone.
- Parallelism: Nerissa mirrors Portia’s tone.
- The women team up to mock their husbands and highlight their wit.
💬 GRATIANO
“Well, do you so. Let not me take him, then, For if I do, I’ll mar the young clerk’s pen.”
👉 Alright then. But if I catch that clerk, I’ll break his… pen.
- Sexual Innuendo: “Pen” = phallic joke. This is bawdy Elizabethan humor.
- Theme: Masculine Ego and Jealousy.
💬 ANTONIO
“I am th’ unhappy subject of these quarrels.”
👉 I’m the reason you’re all fighting. I feel bad.
- Antonio shows humility and sorrow.
- Theme: Friendship and Sacrifice.
💬 PORTIA
“Sir, grieve not you. You are welcome notwithstanding.”
👉 Don’t worry, sir. You’re still welcome.
- Portia softens and shows grace.
- Her tone shifts, ready to reveal the truth.
💬 BASSANIO
“Portia, forgive me this enforcèd wrong…”
👉 Portia, please forgive me for this wrong I felt forced to commit…
- He continues to plead, trying to restore trust.
“And in the hearing of these many friends I swear to thee, even by thine own fair eyes, Wherein I see myself—”
👉 In front of all these witnesses, I swear by your beautiful eyes, where I see my reflection…
- Imagery: Her eyes as mirrors, symbolizing intimacy.
- Theme: Love, Reflection, Trust.
💬 PORTIA
“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.”
👉 Did you hear that? He sees himself twice—in both eyes. So he should swear by his “double self” — that’s a more trustworthy oath!
- Wit: Portia uses logic and wordplay to tease him.
- Theme: Truth and Illusion.
💬 BASSANIO
“Nay, but hear me. Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear I never more will break an oath with thee.”
👉 Please hear me out. Forgive me, and I swear on my soul I’ll never break another promise.
- Tone: Humble and honest.
💬 ANTONIO
“I once did lend my body for his wealth…”
👉 I once offered my life for him to get money.
- Refers to Antonio’s earlier risk (the pound of flesh).
- Theme: Sacrifice and Brotherhood.
“…Which but for him that had your husband’s ring Had quite miscarried.”
👉 And if not for the doctor who now has your ring, I would’ve died.
- He emphasizes how important the doctor’s help was.
“I dare be bound again, my soul upon the forfeit, that your lord Will never more break faith advisedly.”
👉 I swear again, with my soul as guarantee, Bassanio will never break your trust again.
- Repetition: Antonio steps in as a moral guarantor.
💬 PORTIA
“Then you shall be his surety. Give him this,” (gives Antonio a ring)
👉 Then you’ll be his guarantee. Give him this ring…
- The moment of reveal begins.
💬 ANTONIO
“Here, Lord Bassanio, swear to keep this ring.”
👉 Here, Bassanio—swear you’ll keep this ring safe this time.
- Irony: He’s handing back the same ring Bassanio already gave away.
💬 BASSANIO
“By heaven, it is the same I gave the doctor!”
👉 Wait—this is the exact ring I gave to the doctor!
- Shock and Realization: The joke is revealed.
💬 PORTIA
“I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio, For by this ring, the doctor lay with me.”
👉 I got it from him. Sorry, but according to the ring, the doctor slept with me.
- Double Meaning: She’s mocking him.
- Theme: Reversal of Power, Comedy through Irony.
💬 NERISSA
“And pardon me, my gentle Gratiano, For that same scrubbèd boy, the doctor’s clerk, In lieu of this, last night did lie with me.”
👉 And forgive me, Gratiano. That scruffy boy—the clerk—was in bed with me too, in exchange for this ring.
- She shows her ring too, proving they pulled the same trick.
- Theme: Cleverness, Deception, Loyalty, and Marriage Dynamics.
GRATIANO
“Why, this is like the mending of highways / In summer, where the ways are fair enough!”
🟡 Meaning: Gratiano is comparing what’s happening to a situation where roads are being repaired in summer, even though they’re already in good condition.
🔍 Analysis: He implies that Portia and Nerissa’s actions were unnecessary or overly dramatic.
🎭 Device: Simile – comparing the situation to fixing something that isn’t broken.
💡 Theme: Misunderstanding, gender roles – men feeling tricked or challenged by clever women.
“What, are we cuckolds ere we have deserved it?”
🟡 Meaning: He jokes about being made a cuckold (a man whose wife has cheated on him) even though he hasn’t done anything wrong yet.
🔍 Analysis: He feels mocked or emasculated by the clever trick the women played.
🎭 Device: Hyperbole – exaggerates his situation for comedic effect.
💡 Theme: Marriage, trust, power dynamics between husband and wife.
PORTIA
“Speak not so grossly.—You are all amazed.”
🟡 Meaning: Portia scolds Gratiano for his vulgar joke and notes that everyone is surprised.
🔍 Analysis: She’s redirecting the attention to what truly matters and trying to calm the playful chaos.
💡 Theme: Intelligence, composure – Portia consistently takes charge and controls the scene.
“Here is a letter; read it at your leisure. / It comes from Padua from Bellario.”
🟡 Meaning: She gives Bassanio a letter supposedly from the doctor (Bellario), explaining everything.
🔍 Analysis: Portia cleverly frames the reveal to let the letter speak the truth, keeping her authority while remaining humble.
💡 Theme: Deception, identity, revelation.
“There you shall find that Portia was the doctor, / Nerissa there, her clerk.”
🟡 Meaning: The letter reveals the truth—Portia and Nerissa disguised themselves as the doctor and clerk.
🔍 Analysis: The letter acts as proof and a dramatic unmasking moment.
💡 Theme: Appearance vs. reality, intelligence of women, role reversal.
“Lorenzo here / Shall witness I set forth as soon as you, / And even but now returned.”
🟡 Meaning: Portia confirms her story with Lorenzo as a witness; she left when Bassanio did and just came back.
🔍 Analysis: She provides an alibi, reinforcing the cleverness of her plan.
💡 Theme: Loyalty, manipulation of truth for good causes.
“I have not yet / Entered my house.—Antonio, you are welcome,”
🟡 Meaning: Portia hasn’t even been home yet, emphasizing her urgency and care.
💡 Theme: Selflessness, mercy.
“And I have better news in store for you / Than you expect. Unseal this letter soon.”
🟡 Meaning: Portia has good news for Antonio too—she hands him another letter.
🔍 Analysis: Builds suspense and surprise.
💡 Theme: Fortune, grace, salvation.
“There you shall find three of your argosies / Are richly come to harbor suddenly.”
🟡 Meaning: Antonio’s ships, once thought lost, have actually returned full of riches.
🔍 Analysis: A reversal of fortune—his luck has completely changed.
🎭 Device: Irony – earlier, he was near ruin; now he’s saved.
💡 Theme: Providence, hope, material wealth vs. spiritual reward.
“You shall not know by what strange accident / I chancèd on this letter.”
🟡 Meaning: Portia won’t reveal how she got the letter—keeping a little mystery.
🔍 Analysis: Keeps the power of the moment with her, reinforcing her clever control.
💡 Theme: Secrets, surprise, female agency.
ANTONIO
“I am dumb.”
🟡 Meaning: He’s speechless—too overwhelmed by joy and surprise.
💡 Theme: Gratitude, emotional release.
BASSANIO
“Were you the doctor and I knew you not?”
🟡 Meaning: He’s shocked he didn’t recognize Portia in disguise.
💡 Theme: Disguise and recognition, love and blindness.
GRATIANO
“Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold?”
🟡 Meaning: He again jokes about being tricked by his wife and feeling emasculated.
🎭 Device: Repetition for humor.
💡 Theme: Trust and misunderstanding in relationships.
NERISSA
“Ay, but the clerk that never means to do it, / Unless he live until he be a man.”
🟡 Meaning: Nerissa claps back with wit, saying Gratiano has nothing to worry about unless her “clerk” becomes a man—which won’t happen.
🔍 Analysis: A witty way of restoring honor and showing her own cleverness.
💡 Theme: Gender roles, playful love, wit.
BASSANIO (to Portia)
“Sweet doctor, you shall be my bedfellow. / When I am absent, then lie with my wife.”
🟡 Meaning: Bassanio turns the joke on himself—Portia can lie with his wife (herself) only when he’s away.
🔍 Analysis: This clever paradox highlights the confusion caused by disguise.
💡 Theme: Love, forgiveness, wit.
ANTONIO
“Sweet lady, you have given me life and living; / For here I read for certain that my ships / Are safely come to road.”
🟡 Meaning: He thanks Portia, who saved both his life and his fortune.
🔍 Analysis: He sees her as a figure of divine mercy.
💡 Theme: Gratitude, salvation, divine justice.
PORTIA
“How now, Lorenzo? / My clerk hath some good comforts too for you.”
🟡 Meaning: Portia hints that Nerissa has something good for Lorenzo and Jessica too.
💡 Theme: Generosity.
NERISSA
“Ay, and I’ll give them him without a fee.”
🟡 Meaning: She jokes that unlike lawyers, she won’t charge for the good news.
🎭 Device: Irony and wordplay.
💡 Theme: Justice, generosity, humor.
“There do I give to you and Jessica, / From the rich Jew, a special deed of gift, / After his death, of all he dies possessed of.”
🟡 Meaning: Shylock has been forced to sign over all his wealth to Lorenzo and Jessica upon his death.
🔍 Analysis: A final act of poetic justice—but ethically complex.
💡 Theme: Mercy, justice, punishment, conversion.
LORENZO
“Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way / Of starvèd people.”
🟡 Meaning: He compares their generosity to manna from heaven—divine nourishment for the starving.
🎭 Device: Biblical allusion (Exodus).
💡 Theme: Mercy, salvation, divine intervention.
PORTIA
“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.”
🟡 Meaning: Portia suggests they go inside and ask all their questions—she and Nerissa will explain everything.
🔍 Analysis: Closure—the truth will be told, balance restored.
💡 Theme: Truth, resolution, harmony.
GRATIANO
“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.”
🟡 Meaning: Gratiano jokes about whether Nerissa wants to go to bed now or wait two more hours till daylight.
🔍 Analysis: He’s really asking if they can go make love now.
🎭 Device: Innuendo, wordplay.
💡 Theme: Lust, playfulness in marriage.
“But were the day come, I should wish it dark / Till I were couching with the doctor’s clerk.”
🟡 Meaning: Even if morning came, he’d want it dark so he could be intimate with his “clerk” (Nerissa).
🔍 Analysis: More cheeky humor and rhyming couplets to end the scene.
💡 Theme: Romance, reconciliation, comedy.
“Well, while I live, I’ll fear no other thing / So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.”
🟡 Meaning: The only thing he’ll fear now is making sure he doesn’t lose the ring again.
🔍 Analysis: He’s learned his lesson—the ring represents love, trust, and honesty.
💡 Theme: Fidelity, symbolic objects in love, happy endings.
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