The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library)

by William Shakespeare

Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpracticed; 163 Happy in this, she is not yet so old 164 But she may learn; happier than this, 165 She is not bred so dull but she can learn;

Is this a love metaphor, or does she literally want to learn?

Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours 170 Is now converted.

And be my vantage to exclaim on you.

Is this a comment about gender norms?

O, then be bold to say Bassanio’s dead!

"I'll keep it on until I die" - 1

The bargain of your faith, I do beseech you

Contract trope

With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife.

"Good luck with that" - 1

And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith?

He knows gratanio well, and therefore doubts his intentions - 2

We’ll play with them the first boy for a 218 thousand ducats.

Did people actually do this?

Not sick, my lord, unless it be in mind, 243 Nor well, unless in mind.

And I must freely have the half of anything 259 That this same paper brings you.

Empathy; also could be literal, if she knows the situation - 2

I have engaged myself to a dear friend, 272

The movie's gonna have some fun with this - 5

He would not take it. Never did I know 286 A creature that did bear the shape of man

This is partially a comment on Shylock's personality, but no doubt influence by his Jewishness - 3

When I was with him, I have heard him swear

She has no loyalty to her father now - 2

With an unquiet soul.

She can tell how much this is troubling him - 2

But till I come again, 337 No bed shall e’er be guilty of my stay, 338 Nor rest be interposer ’twixt us twain. 339 They exit.

This is both about sex and not

This is the fool that lent out money gratis.

Will the jailer view this as a problem/is the jailer Jewish? - 3

Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, 7 But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.

Revenge/irony of insults - 2

I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, 15 To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield 16 To Christian intercessors. Follow not! 17 I’ll have no speaking. I will have my bond.

He knows he's likely to give in to Antonio if he lets him speak - 2

I oft delivered from his forfeitures 24 Many that have at times made moan to me.

Does Antonio feel any remorse about this? - 3

To see me pay his debt,

Does he want bassiano to feel guilty, or does he want to see him again before he dies? - 2

lover

This double-meaning again

Being the bosom lover of my lord,

This is getting out of subtext - 5

This comes too near the praising of myself;

"Selfish act" - 1

Not to deny this imposition

"Don't tell the truth" (?) - 1

And use thou all th’ endeavor of a man

Personality traits are based on gender - 3

That they shall think we are accomplishèd 64 With that we lack. I’ll hold thee any wager,

"They'll never guess we don't actually have penises" - 1 God I wish it were that easy - 5

When we are both accoutered like young men, 66 I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two,

Possibly also a friend/teasing relationship? - 3

Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies

I find this hilarious, "so, what do men do? Well, they lie. I'll do that." - 1 This is interesting given my own experiences with trying to pass--oversimplified, sure, but there are grains of truth - 5

that you are not the Jew’s daughter.

Would the sins thing still carry over?

the sins of my mother should be visited upon me!

Death/some loyalty to her father? - 2

I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made 18 me a Christian.

Yeah, not good representation - 4

e’en as many as could well live

Even though the religion itself is in favor of proselytizing, individual people and communities might not be - 2/5

Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo. Lancelet 30 and I are out. He tells me flatly there’s no mercy for 31 me in heaven because I am a Jew

This seems to be in a joking tone - 1

than you can the getting up of the Negro’s 37 belly! The Moor is with child by you, Lancelet.

This is...messed up on multiple levels - 5

How every fool can play upon the word! I 42 think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into 43 silence, and discourse grow commendable in none

Basically saying that Lancelet isn't smart for being a smartass - 1

sir, why, let it be as humors and conceits 62 shall govern.

Sarcasm

Pawned with the other, for the poor rude world 81 Hath not her fellow.

"Too good for this world" - 1

Nay, let me praise you while I have a stomach! 87 LORENZO No, pray thee, let it serve for table talk. 88 Then howsome’er thou speak’st, ’mong other things 89 I shall digest it. 90 JESSICA Well, I’ll set you forth.

All an extended pun - 2

The moon shines bright. In such a night as this,

All examples are bad things; is he fearful of the myth, or does he actually think something bad will happen? - 2

In such a night 18 Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, 19 And with an unthrift love did run from Venice

Is he equating this as bad too? - 1

Stealing her soul with many vows of faith, 24 And ne’er a true one.

A friend.

This seems like a bad way to get someone to trust you - 5

Within the house, your mistress is at hand, 60 And bring your music forth into the air.

Go get the musicians - 1

Such harmony is in immortal souls,

yay music

But whilst this muddy vesture of decay 72 Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.

???that got dark fast - 1

The reason is, your spirits are attentive. 78 For do but note a wild and wanton herd 79 Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,

Your mind doesn't wander - 1

Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.

This is an interesting thing to base trust on - 2

Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day.

Music in the night is better - 1

The nightingale, if she should sing by day 113 When every goose is cackling, would be thought

Music is equal?

Go in, Nerissa. 131 Give order to my servants that they take 132 No note at all of our being absent hence— 133 Nor you, Lorenzo—Jessica, nor you.

This isn't shady at all - 5