The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library)

by William Shakespeare

“Further Reading,” and especially in each play’s “Modern Perspective,” an essay written by an outstanding scholar who brings to the reader his or her fresh assessment of the play in the light of today’s interests and concerns.

In sooth I know not why I am so sad. 1 It wearies me, you say it wearies you. 2 But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, 3 What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, 4 I am to learn.

I'm sad, I don't know why, I'm tired of it and so are you.

That I have much ado to know myself.

Sadness makes it difficult to know myself.

By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is aweary 1 of this great world.

I stg, I'm tired of the world-1

If you had as many bad things as you have good things, you would be. You are privelleged, and will be happier if you accept that-1 CD: dismissive

the twenty to follow mine own teaching.

(so far) Easier said than done-1

But this reasoning is not in the fashion to 21 choose me a husband. O, me, the word “choose”! I 22 may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I 23 dislike. So is the will of a living daughter curbed by 24 the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that 25 I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?

I want to choose my own husband, and this isn't helping.

meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be 31 chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly

The system your father devised is best for you - 1 This is still dismissive - 3

But what warmth is there in your affection 33 towards any of these princely suitors that are al- 34 ready come? 35 PORTIA I pray thee, overname them, and as thou

Sort of a mother/child dynamic; perhaps N is a maternal figure for P? - 3

rather be married to a death’s-head with a bone in 51 his mouth than to either of these. God defend me 52 from these two!

Hate both of them/reasons - 1

He is every man in no man.

him, I 62 should marry twenty husbands!

"full of himself" ? - 2

I would forgive him, for if he love me to 64 madness, I shall never requite him.

Better that he hates me, since I could never love him. (used sparknotes)

he is suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, 74 his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany, 75 and his behavior everywhere.

She still judges him despite--litteratly--not undertanding him -- 2/4

That he hath a neighborly charity in him, for 79 he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman, 80 and swore he would pay him again when he was

I interpreted this as literal money instead of revenge (sparknotes); how would this make him a good person? Also the first positive description from P we have. -- 2

If he should offer to choose, and choose the 92 right casket, you should refuse to perform your 93 father’s will if you should refuse to accept him.

Cares more about the "plan" than her well-being -- 3/CD

Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set 95 a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary 96 casket, for if the devil be within and that tempta- 97 tion without, I know he will choose it. I will do 98 anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge.

SAVAGE

I am glad this parcel of wooers 108 are so reasonable, for there is not one among them 109 but I dote on his very absence. And I pray God

Still polite - 1/2

I remember him well, and I remember him 120 worthy of thy praise.

Forshadowing: most of this scene was for context and contrast. - 3

If he have the condition of 129 a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather 130 he should shrive me than wive me.

Value of looks?

Have you heard any imputation to the con- 13 trary?

Does B suspect he's being sarcastic? - 2

is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition

Aren't these oppisites?

rats and water rats, water thieves and land 23 thieves—I mean pirates—and then there is the 24 peril of waters, winds, and rocks. The man is, 25 notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats.

As long as their aren't (lists likely perils that would make him broke), then yeah, he's doing great! - 1

I will buy with you, sell with you, talk 35 with you, walk with you, and so following; but I 36 will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with

State of religous devisions - 2

But more for that in low simplicity 43 He lends out money gratis and brings down 44 The rate of usance here with us in Venice.

Religious divides + compition - 1 The two types of hate influence each other - 3

If I can catch him once upon the hip, 46 I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. 47 He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, 48 Even there where merchants most do congregate, 49 On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift, 50 Which he calls “interest.” Cursèd be my tribe 51 If I forgive him!

Shylock starts with grudge/bad intentions - 2

> Rest you fair, good 60 signior!

Sudden demeanor change -- 2

And in the doing of the deed of kind 93 He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, 94 Who then conceiving did in eaning time 95 Fall parti-colored lambs, and those were Jacob’s. 96 This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; 97 And thrift is blessing if men steal it not.

Antonio interprets this in the opposite way -- 2

Anyone can use scripture; doesn't make them good - 1 Subtle anti-semitism? - 3

You're always complaining about me - 1

You insult me, then I give you money? Doesn't seem logical. - 1

I'm forgiving you

Possible revenge through friendship - 3

It doesn't actually give him anything - 1

"Jews can't be kind"--AS - 4

Mislike me not for my complexion, 1 The shadowed livery of the burnished sun, 2 To whom I am a neighbor and near bred.

"Don't be a racist piece of shit" - 1

And let us make incision for your love 6 To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. 7 I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine 8 Hath feared the valiant; by my love I

See who's braver - 1 For Portia?

Have loved it too. I would not change this hue 11 Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

Would only change my skin for you - 1

As any comer I have looked on yet 21 For my affection.

I can't choose, but if I could you'd be chill - 1

May turn by fortune from the weaker hand; 35 So is Alcides beaten by his <page,> 36 And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,

Fortune is fair; personification - 1/3

Never to speak to lady afterward 43 In way of marriage. Therefore be advised. 44 MOROCCO

Can't marry if you fail - 1

Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.

Shows his commitment - 2

Conscience vs. instincts: stay vs. run away - 1

Personification/angel vs. deviled trope - 3

honest woman’s son,

Is he likely to anti-Semitic as a servant? - 2

Who?

This is him, though? Is he in some sort of disguise?

Talking about himself, why? - 1