Act 2 Flashcards
Quote from Lancelet that refers to Shylock as the devil. Use of religious imagery presents him as damned
Quote: “Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnated”
Device: Religious Imagery
Quote from Lancelet which presents Shylock as a cruel exploitative employer, who underpays and exploits Lancelet’s good nature.
Quote: “In very brief, the suit is impertinent to myself”
Quote which highlights Gratiano’s view that marriage is an entrapment, by using an extended metaphor of a ship (Lorenzo) being swept away by the wind (love). It is also ironic since he gets married later on.
Quote: “All things that are, Are with more spirit chased than enjoy’d”
Devices: Extended Metaphor, Irony
Quote which presents Jessica’s actions as strange, since she is planning to steal her fathers ducats. She could use them to make her more appealing for marriage, seek revenge against her father or fit in with Shakespeare’s faulty stereotypes.
Quote: “I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats”
Quotes which highlights Lorenzo’s genuine love for Jessica as he puts her character and beauty first. This contrasts Bassanio who seems to only want Portia for her money.
Quotes: “Beshrew me but I love her heartily”, “For she is wise”, “And fair she is”
Quote from Morocco which loosely echoes how Bassanio describes Portia in Act 1. It also confirms that Portia’s wealth is famous and coveted, links to the golden fleece simile.
Quote: “All the world desires her; From the four corners of the earth they come”
Quote from Solanio which mocks Shylock. A Shakesperian audience would find this funny as it is at a Jew’s expense. However, a more accepting, modern audience would find this cruel and unacceptable.
Quote: “Justice the law! my ducats, and my daughter!”
Quote which illustrates how Aragon believes his royal blood gives him wisdom and judgement which is superior to the average citizen.
Quote: “I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes”
Quote which highlights Aragon’s disbelief that he cannot marry Portia, conveyed by the use of rhetorical questions, repetition and exclamatives. The dialogue shows he genuinely believes that he deserves Portia since he has royal blood.
Quote: “Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?”
Devices: Triple question
