in The Merchant of Venice (The Jew of Venice) — Shakespeare, William
Metadata
Play
The Merchant of Venice (The Jew of Venice)
Author
Shakespeare, William
Year (catalogued)
1600
First performance
1596
Decade
1600s
Genre
Comedy
Play type
Adult Professional
Company
Lord Chamberlain's (Hunsdon's) Men
Speech prefix(es)
Arra. | Arr. | Arrag.
Words
497
Characters
2581
Typicality
0.21 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A68727
BritDrama no.
1047
Cluster
Cluster 21 — Old fathers & plain counsel
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
I am enjoined by oath to observe three things, First, never to unfold to any one which casket it I chosen; next, if I fail of the right casket, never in my life to woo a maid in way of marriage: lastly, if I do fail in fortune of my choice, immediately to leave you, and be gone. And so have I addressed me, fortune now To my hearts hope: gold, silver, and base led. Who chooses me, must give and hazard all he hath. You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard. What says the golden chest, would, let me see, Who chooses me, shall gain what many men desire, What many men desire, that many may be meant by the fool multitude that choose by show, not learning more then the found eye does teach, which pries not to thinteriour, but Like the Martlet Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why then to thee thou silver treasure house, Tell me once more what title thou dost bear; Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves, And well said to; for who shall go about To cousin Fortune, and be honourable without the stamp of merit, let none presume To wear and undeserved dignity: Oh that estates, degrees, and offices, were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour were purchased by the merit of the wearer, How many then should cover that stand bore? How many be commanded that command? How much low peasantry would then be gleaned From the true seed of honour? and how much honour Picked from the chafed and ruin of the times, To be new varnist; well but to my choice. Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves, I will assume desert; give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my Fortune's here. What's here, the portrait of a blinking idiot Presenting me a shedule, I will read it: How much unlike art thou to Portia? How much unlike my Hope's and my deservings. Who chooses me, shall have as much as he deserves? Did I deserve no more then a fools head, Is that my prize, are my deserts no better? What is here? The fire seven times tried this, Seven times tried that judgement is, That did never choose amiss, Some there be that shadows kiss. Such have but a shadows bliss: There be fools alive Iwis Siluerd over, and so was this. Take what wife you will to bed, I will ever be your head: So be gone, you are sped. Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here, With one fools head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet adieu, isle keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroath.
Plot summary
Plot — The Merchant of Venice (The Jew of Venice)
Bassanio plans to woo the heiress Portia, hoping that, if successful, her wealth will get him out of debt. His friend and principal creditor, the melancholy merchant Antonio, agrees to finance the venture, but all his money is tied up in commercial activity. He seeks a loan from the Jew Shylock, who himself raises the money by borrowing from his co-religionist Tubal. ===== PAGE 342 ===== 342 |. 1047. The Merchant of Venice Shylock is resentful of Antonio’s attacks on him for taking interest on loans, but frames a ‘merry bond’ which will entitle him only to a pound of Antonio’s flesh should the money not be repaid on the due date. Lancelot Gobbo leaves Shylock’s service and is hired by Bassanio, who is planning a going-away feast. Lancelot brings a letter from Shylock’s daughter Jessica to Lorenzo, whom she wishes to marry. Shylock is invited to the supper, and, while he is away, Lorenzo helps Jessica to escape from her father’s house; afterwards, it is unclear whether Shylock is more distressed by the loss of his daughter or the money she took with her. Bassanio leaves for Belmont, accompanied by Gratiano. Portia’s marital prospects are regulated by the will of her dead father: her suitors must choose which of three caskets contains her picture, and she may only wed the suitor who gets it right, while suitors who get it wrong must remain unmarried ever after. The Prince of Morocco chooses the golden casket, signifying a much-desired object, but gets only a death’s head. The Prince of Aragon chooses silver, signifying the suitor’s desert, and gets a fool’s head. Bassanio chooses lead, signifying that the suitor must risk everything, and gets Portia. She gives him a ring, which he promises never to remove. oo Rumours circulate in Venice that Antonio is ruined by the loss of all his ships. Unable to pay his debt to the vindictive Shylock, he writes to Belmont for Bassanio’s help. Lorenzo also comes to Belmont with Jessica, and, leaving her household in their care, Portia. secretly follows her new husband to Venice. Having acquired a disguise and a testimonial from a lawyer kinsman, she takes part in the hearing of Antonio’s case before the Duke. Shylock refuses either to accept the repayment of his money or to be merciful; but Portia points out that the bond entitles him to take no blood with his pound of flesh. Having plotted to kill a Venetian citizen, his life and goods are forfeit, but he is spared, on condition that he becomes a Christian and makes over…