The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library)

by William Shakespeare

Lancelet? 56 GOBBO Of Lancelet, an ’t please your mastership. 57 LANCELET Ergo, Master

Arguing about whether lancelot is a master - 1

Trying to say he's died in order to run away - 2

Literal: in disguise Figurative: know nature - 2/3

Nay, indeed, if you had your eyes, you might 73 fail of the knowing me. It is a wise father that 74 knows his own child. Well,

this gets more metaphorical

Is he just finding this out now?

Gobbo likes Shylock (?) - 2

Why is he now describing Shylock as cruel, when earlier kind? 1/2

To him, father, for I 111 am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer.

Antisemitism/common misconception (?) - 2

This will likely make B sympathetic - 2/3

Irony: religion being used for religious intolerance - 3

Bassiano makes good impressions

I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so.

Genuin?

Adieu. Tears

lying

Jew. If a Christian do not 11 play the knave and get thee, I am much deceived.

"you're good enough for a christian" - 1 Antisemitism - 4

Alack, what heinous sin is it in me 16 To be ashamed to be my father’s child? 17 But though I am a daughter to his blood, 18 I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo, 19 If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife, 20 Become a Christian and thy loving wife.

CD

To furnish us.

(so far) talking about preparations for masq - 1

Marry, sir, to bid my old master the Jew to 19 sup tonight with my new master the Christian.

This is a very Shakespeare-esc plot device (member of old master's family and relation of new master are in love) - 3

I am provided of a torchbearer.

Does this have some kind of symbolism of him being in love, or is it literal? - 2

What page’s suit she hath in readiness. 36 If e’er the Jew her father come to heaven, 37 It will be for his gentle daughter’s sake;

He'll try to prevent the marriage, so Lorenzo wants him to die - 1

Unless she do it under this excuse,

Personification of misfortune; "shylock is the only thing that could stop her (?)" - 1

faithless Jew.

Oxymoron that reflects his beliefs - 3

Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer.

sex pun

Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, 1 The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio.—

Is he claiming himself better or worse?

Why, Jessica, I say!

Is this scolding or advice?

I am not bid for love. They flatter me. 14 But yet I’ll go in hate, to feed upon 15 The prodigal Christian.—Jessica, my girl, 16 Look to my house.—I am right loath to go.

This seems like it could be his possibly fake "offer of friendship" in the other direction - 2

To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces,

"I might be giving into the idiocy, but you shouldn't" - 1

There will come a Christian by 43 Will be worth a <Jewess’> eye.

Is L making fun of this?

that fool of Hagar’s offspring,

Shylock often seems to describe goyim in insulting terms, perhaps shakespeare writing the stereotype that all jews hate all non-jews, even though it could be seen as simply a reaction to what's been done to him - 4

I have a father, you a daughter, lost.

She know he would disown her (?) - 1

And it is marvel he outdwells his hour, 4 For lovers ever run before the clock.

lovers are usually early (sparknotes)

Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind!

Gratiano goes on tangents - 1 (sparknotes)

Here dwells my father Jew.

Is he non-antisemitic enough to accept this? - 2

<dressed as a boy.>

my exchange.

not relatable - 5

But love is blind, and lovers cannot see 37 The pretty follies that themselves commit,

Being in love makes people impulsive - 1

For if they could, Cupid himself would blush

Personification of love - 2/3

What, must I hold a candle to my shames? 42 They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. 43 Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love, 44 And I should be obscured.

"I don't want anyone to see me like this" - 1

Now, by my hood, a gentle and no Jew!

proved herself.

by stealing? or something else?

How shall I know if I do choose the right?

All of the statements are useless - 1

I will survey th’ inscriptions back again.

It's the only "clues" he has - 1/2

If thou beest rated by thy estimation, 31 Thou dost deserve enough; and yet enough 32 May not extend so far as to the lady.

human rights vs. luxery - 2

“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men 42 desire.” 43 Why, that’s the lady! All the world desires her.

This is, by definition, assuming that most men will have the same thoughts and desires that he does; a vast generalization that humans are prone to making - 3

To stop the foreign spirits, but they come 52 As o’er a brook to see fair Portia.

He is one of many - 1

To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. 57 Or shall I think in silver she’s immured,

comparing her to the values of the metals - 1

All that glisters is not gold—

If this test actually *does* have deeper meaning, then maybe choosing the gold indicates being too attached to money/material objects? - 3

A gentle riddance! Draw the curtains, go. 86 Let all of his complexion choose me so.

Racism, or his personality? - 3/5 (sparknotes)

villain Jew

He's a villain in the story, but here he is literally being referred to as a villain - 3

Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.

Looking for Jessica - 1

O my Christian ducats!

Worse than either of the separate facts is that his money is essentially being given to a Christian - 2