Merchant of Venice Flashcards
Well, tell me now what lady is the same to whom you swore a secret pilgrimage, that you today promised to tell me of - Antonio
- shows that Antonio and Bassanio trust each other with their secret 2. they are not willing to share this conversation with Salerio, Solanio, Gratiano or Lorenzo since they are not as close to them as they are to each other
‘Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, how much I have disabled mine estate, by something showing a more swelling port - Bassanio
Bassanio spends more than he can actually afford
To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love, - Bassanio
he constantly borrows money from Antonio and does not pay back
Within the eye of honor, be assured, my purse, my person, my extremest means, lie unlocked to your occasions. - Antonio
he is willing to trust Bassanio with his most valuable assets including his own life, as long as Bassanio’s intention is morally upright
Then do but say to me what I should do that in your knowledge may by me be done, and I am pressed unto it. Therefore speak. -Antonio
will give Bassanio whatever he asks for
In Belmont is a lady richly left - Bassanio
he describes Portia as “a lady richly left” first which shows that he wants to marry her for her money to pay off his debts to Antonio
Neither have I money nor commodity to raise a present sum. - Antonio
- Salerio and Solanio do not know that Antonio is actually not very rich
- Antonio wants to give off a good impression by acting rich
- a secret between Bassanio and him shows that they trust each other with their secrets; close friends
Good sentences, and well pronounced. - Portia
- She praises Nerissa for her wise words despite Nerissa being a maid
- Portia respects Nerissa despite their difference in status
Portia: I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.
Nerissa: Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their
death have good inspirations.
Nerissa tries to reassure Portia that her father had good intentions. By making the caskets, Portia can find the suitor who truly loves her
- If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. (Describing the Prince of Morocco)
- How oddly he is suited! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany, and his behavior everywhere. (Describing Falconbridge)
Portia is judgemental as she judges her suitors’ complexion
He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice. -Shylock
it is against Jewish religion to lend money freely
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. -Shylock
Shylock is vengeful and wants revenge on Antonio because he thinks Antonio hates him for Shylock is Jewish
On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, -Shylock
- Shylock’s POV: his money is his “well-won thrift” which means he worked hard for it
-Antonio’s POV: he lends out money freely out of sincerity
-by lending out money freely, Shylock has to lower the interest rates that people loan from him; < money
You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, and spet upon my Jewish gaberdine - Shylock
Antonio lacks respect for Shylock
Mislike me not for my complexion, - Prince of Morocco
I would not change this hue, except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
he is very proud of his skin colour and wants Portia to not judge him based on his skin colour, which is why he mentions to not dislike him for his complexion at the start of his introduction
