The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare takes us to a story that is set mainly in Venice, and also in Belmont, a spot that is imagined to be near Venice. Thus he gives us one of his well-known comedy plays: “The Merchant of Venice”.
Act IV, Scene i (The Court Scene)
An Introduction
and Summary:
(This may be
used as response to essay type questions. Answers to other questions may be taken
from this essay.)
“The Merchant of Venice”
is a brilliant play by William Shakespeare. It gives to us stories of love,
hate, greed and generosity. The play is mainly about Antonio, a rich merchant
of Venice, and Shylock, a Jew who tries to destroy Antonio. On one occasion,
Antonio had to borrow money from Shylock. Shylock made Antonio sign a bond,
which gave Shylock the right to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if the
money is not paid on time. Unfortunately Antonio is unable to pay the money. So
Shylock takes him to the court of the Duke of Venice. In Act 4 Scene 1 we have
the legal battle. This scene is known as “The Court Scene”.
Antonio signed the
bond with Shylock out of his love for Bassanio. Now when Antonio is in danger,
Bassanio tries hard to help him. He is willing to pay double the money or even
more to Shylock. blood, bones and all to But Antonio says that he is ready to
die. He wants Bassanio to live and write an epitaph for Antonio.
The Duke requests
Shylock to be kind to Antonio. Shylock says that he has sworn by the holy
Sabbath to have his due and forfeit of the bond. He hates Antonio. Since
Shylock and Antonio have agreed to the terms of the bond, Shylock can claim the
pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. In the Court of the Duke of Venice, he
explains that he is justified. His hate for Antonio is natural. Humans are of
different natures. People hate many things without reason. Just like that, he
hates Antonio. When you purchase a slave, you will not give him every good
thing. Here, he has purchased Antonio’s pound of flesh. He need not show mercy.
According to the decrees of Venice, no one can deny that.
The Duke had
requested the help of the scholar Bellario from Padua to help him in the case.
Bellario was not able to come, and so he sent a letter to the Duke that another
learned person, Balthasar, will offer help. No one in the court realizes that
Balthasar is Portia, Bassanio’s wife, in disguise.
Balthasar asks if
Antonio is able to pay the money. Bassanio comes forward offering twice, or
even ten times, the money to Shylock. Bassanio says that Shylock should not be
permitted to execute the bond if he is not willing to take the money. It is
proper to do a little wrong for a great right – that is, to save a life. But
Balthasar says that it will set a bad example. Hearing this, Shylock declares
that Balthasar is “a Daniel come to judgement”. Daniel is a Biblical hero who
did justice. As per the bond, Shylock claims a pound of flesh of Antonio. It
should be from nearest to the heart of Antonio, as is said in the bond.
Balthasar asks
Shylock to be merciful. Mercy is like a gentle rain. It blesses both the giver
and the taker. A King’s scepter shows his temporal power. But mercy is above
that, and is the best quality in a king. Mercy is an attribute of God himself.
When justice develops with mercy, earthly power is seen as God’s power. Without
mercy, no one of us will see salvation. We pray for mercy, and this prayer
should teach us to be merciful.
Portia, appearing
as Balthasar, stands for the law, and declares that Shylock should get the
pound of flesh. When Shylock refuses the offer of more money by Bassanio,
Portia again supports Shylock’s right. She asks Shylock to arrange a surgeon,
but he doesn’t. Thus Portia, in her intellect, proves before the court the
merciless nature of Shylock. But when Shylock is about to cut the flesh, Balthasar
says that he should not shed a drop of blood because the bond does not permit
that.
She does not
permit Shylock to accept the money from Bassanio, saying that he has already
refused that in court. She further announces that Shylock’s life is at the mercy
of the Duke, because he has attempted murder upon a citizen of Venice.
Shylock’s arguments fail him through a legal flaw.
Shylock had called
Balthasar “a Daniel come to judgement” when the lawyer supported his claim.
Daniel is a Biblical character who gave just verdicts. When Balthasar said that
Shylock cannot shed a drop of Antonio’s blood, Gratiano is happy. He uses
Shylock’s own words to say that Balthasar is “a second Daniel”, and he mocks
Shylock.
The Duke declares
that he pardons Shylock. But half his wealth should go to Antonio. The other
half, which should go to the state, is reduced to a fine. Antonio shows mercy
to Shylock on two conditions. Shylock should become a Christian, and he should
make a record that all his possessions should go to his daughter and son in law
after his death.
Balthasar requests
Bassanio to give his gloves for the services. When the gloves are removed,
Balthasar sees the ring on Bassanio’s hand, and asks for the ring too, as a
sign of love. But Bassanio is not happy to give the ring. The ring is given to
Bassanio by his wife with the promise that he will not sell, give or lose it.
But now this ring is the only reward asked by Balthasar, for saving Antonio’s
life. Bassanio cannot refuse this. So, the ring is a symbol of conflicting
loyalties. The scene ends with Bassanio’s decision to give the ring to the
lawyer, because of Antonio’s request.
Act IV Scene 4 of
“The Merchant of Venice” is significant in the play as it brings the story to
its peak, and also keeps the audience wait for more. When the scene starts, we
all are kept in tension. We are made to feel that Antonio is going to be killed
by Shylock. But the entry of Portia changes the story into a new path. The
interpretation of the bond by Portia is a point of great dramatic skill. We get
a sense of the spirit of justice where literal and logical meanings of words
enhances our appreciation of the story and action.
Answer in two or three sentences:
1. How does the Duke address Shylock in the court?
Act 4 Scene 1 of “The Merchant of Venice” opens in the Duke’s Court of Justice at Venice. The Duke asks to call “the Jew” Shylock. When Shylock enters, the Duke calls him by name and asks him to show mercy.2. Shylock will show no mercy to Antonio. Why?
Shylock says that he has sworn by the holy Sabbath to have his due and forfeit of the bond. He hates Antonio. The pound of flesh is his as per the bond.3. Who is Balthasar? Who sent him to the court in Venice?
The Duke had requested the help of the scholar Bellario from Padua to help him in the case. Bellario was not able to come, and so he sent a letter to the Duke that another learned person, Balthasar, will offer help. No one in the court realizes that Balthasar is Portia, Bassanio’s wife, in disguise.4. What does Shylock claim as per what is written in the bond?
As per the bond, Shylock claims a pound of flesh of Antonio. It should be from nearest to the heart of Antonio, as is said in the bond.5. Why does Shylock exclaim “A Daniel come to judgement!”?
Bassanio says that Shylock should not be permitted to execute the bond if he is not willing to take the money. It is proper to do a little wrong for a great right – that is, to save a life. But Balthasar says that it will set a bad example. Hearing this, Shylock declares that Balthasar is “a Daniel come to judgement”. Daniel is a Biblical hero who did justice.6. How is Shylock defeated by Balthasar?
Portia, appearing as Balthasar, stands for the law, and declares that Shylock should get the pound of flesh. But when Shylock is about to cut the flesh, Balthasar says that he should not shed a drop of blood because the bond does not permit that.7. What is the verdict of the Duke at the end of the trial?
The Duke declares that he pardons Shylock. But half his wealth should go to Antonio. The other half, which should go to the state, is reduced to a fine.8. Antonio is ready to forgive Shylock on two conditions. What are they?
Antonio shows mercy to Shylock on two conditions. Shylock should become a Christian, and he should make a record that all his possessions should go to his daughter and son in law after his death.9. What reward does Balthasar claim from Bassanio for saving Antonio’s life?
Balthasar requests Bassanio to give his gloves for the services. When the gloves are removed, Balthasar sees the ring on Bassanio’s hand, and asks for the ring too, as a sign of love.10. How does the ring act as a symbol of conflicting loyalties?
The ring is given to Bassanio by his wife with the promise that he will not sell, give or lose it. But now this ring is the only reward asked by Balthasar, for saving Antonio’s life. Bassanio cannot refuse this. So, the ring is a symbol of conflicting loyalties.Answer in 100 words:
1. How does Shylock justify his claim on the bond?
Shylock says that he has sworn by the holy Sabbath to have his due and forfeit of the bond. The pound of flesh is his as per the bond. People hate many things without reason. Just like that, he hates Antonio. When you purchase a slave, you will not give him every good thing. Here, he has purchased Antonio’s pound of flesh. He need not show mercy. According to the decrees of Venice, no one can deny that.2. Examine the selfless friendship of Antonio and Bassanio.
Antonio signed the bond with Shylock out of his love for Bassanio. Now when Antonio is in danger, Bassanio tries hard to help him. He is willing to pay double the money or even more to Shylock. He even declares that Shylock can have Bassanio’s flesh, blood, bones and all to save Antonio. But Antonio says that he is ready to die. He wants Bassanio to live and write an epitaph for Antonio.3. Discuss the significance of mercy as explained by Balthasar.
Balthasar asks Shylock to be merciful. Mercy is like a gentle rain. It blesses both the giver and the taker. A King’s scepter shows his temporal power. But mercy is above that, and is the best quality in a king. Mercy is an attribute of God himself. When justice develops with mercy, earthly power is seen as God’s power. Without mercy, no one of us will see salvation. We pray for mercy, and this prayer should teach us to be merciful.4. Shylock is triumphant on all the general charges that are levelled against him, but fails through a legal flaw. Examine.
Since Shylock and Antonio have agreed to the terms of the bond, Shylock can claim the pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. In the Court of the Duke of Venice, he explains that he is justified. People hate many things without reason. Just like that, he hates Antonio. When you purchase a slave, you will not give him every good thing. Here, he has purchased Antonio’s pound of flesh. He need not show mercy. According to the decrees of Venice, no one can deny that. But all arguments fail him through a legal flaw. But when Shylock is about to cut the flesh, Balthasar says that he should not shed a drop of blood because the bond does not permit that.5. Describe the circumstances which led Gratiano to cry out in delight “A second Daniel! A Daniel, Jew!”?
Shylock had called Balthasar “a Daniel come to judgement” when the lawyer supported his claim. Daniel is a Biblical character who gave just verdicts. When Balthasar said that Shylock cannot shed a drop of Antonio’s blood, Gratiano is happy. He uses Shylock’s own words to say that Balthasar is “a second Daniel”, and he mocks Shylock.6. Portia’s resourceful intellect saves Antonio. How?
Portia, appearing as Balthasar, stands for the law, and declares that Shylock should get the pound of flesh. When Shylock refuses the offer of more money by Bassanio, Portia again supports Shylock’s right. She asks Shylock to arrange a surgeon, but he doesn’t. Thus Portia, in her intellect, proves before the court the merciless nature of Shylock. But when Shylock is about to cut the flesh, Balthasar says that he should not shed a drop of blood because the bond does not permit that. She does not permit Shylock to accept the money from Bassanio, saying that he has already refused that in court.
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