ESSAY CEMETERY

Summary Lorenzo and Jessica are at Belmont, telling a love story together, beginning with that of Troilus and Criseyde and ending with their own. Nerissa enters as Stephano and announces that Portia will be back during the night. Lancelot enters and announces that Bassanio will also arrive during the night. Portia and Nerissa arrive, and then Bassanio, Antonio and Gratiano arrive. Nerissa admonishes Gratiano for parting with her ring. Bassanio hears this and shrinks. Portia confronts him and promises to never bed him until she sees the ring. Portia gives him hell about the ring and he tries to defend himself. Antonio whines that he is the cause of the quarrels. Nerissa and Portia present their rings to their husbands and say that they got them when they slept with the doctor and his clerk the night before. Gratiano grows angry and Portia reveals the trick. Portia also brings Antonio the news of three of his ships having made it safely and richly to harbor. She tells Lorenzo and Jessica...

Summary They are in court. The Duke expresses pity for Antonio because he is up against Shylock who is monstrous. The Duke has tried to convince Shylock not to take the bond but he insisted. Shylock enters. The Duke tells him they all hope that he will remove the bond at the last minute in a show of mercy. Shylock replies that he intends to exact the bond, and that if the duke cancels it, it collides with freedom of trade. He says that the reason is no more than hatred for Antonio. Antonio says arguing with Shylock is futile because cruelty is in his nature. He asks the duke to hasten his sentence. Bassanio offers more money and Shylock refuses. Shylock points out that he has a right to Antonio's flesh just as they have a right to retain their slaves – both are property. Antonio expresses love for Bassanio. Nerissa enters with a letter from Doctor Bellario. More Shylock bashing ensues. The Duke reads the letter, in which Bellario recommends Balthazar as a doctor. Portia enters, dis...

Summary Salarino and Solanio discuss gossip that they heard of one of Antonio's ships capsizing. Shylock enters. He mourns his daughter's behavior and the other two mock him. The subject changes to Antonio's losses. Shylock assures them that he will take Antonio's flesh if only for revenge for all the ridicule he endured from Antonio (if you prick us speech). Tubal, another Jew, enters and informs Shylock he couldn't find Jessica, though he heard of her. Shylock says he'd rather have her dead, with the jewels she stole, in his presence than alive with the diamonds elsewhere (with a Christian is implied, I think). Tubal has heard that she spends money recklessly and this scandalizes Shylock. Tubal also brings news that a ship of Antonio's has wrecked, and Shylock rejoices. Main events Shylock says he will be taking the pound of flesh for revenge Jessica is rumored to be spending a lot Antonio's ships are rumored to have sunk Participating Characters Salar...

Summary Nerissa and Portia enter with the Prince of Morocco and their own trains. He asks her not to judge him by his dark skin color. She reassures him that had she been able to choose freely, he would have stood an equal chance. He thanks her, and remarks that the method of man choosing is not the soundest. He announces that he wants to play the casket game and exits. Main events Morocco announces he wants to choose a casket Participating Characters Nerissa Portia Morocco Themes appearance and reality (prince's speech); change of appearance Analysis and Discussion this is a generally racist play- against moors too, not just jews. Also, the following words echo Shylock's "if you prick me do I not bleed" speech MOROCCO Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun, To whom I am a neighbour and near bred. The name of the character is also racist "morocco" as if they are all alike Nerissa lies to Morocco about his complexio...

Summary Antonio is sad, but not sure why. His friend Salarino suggests that he is preoccupied with his trade business and the fate of his ships at sea. Solanio says that he too would be worried in Antonio's stead. Antonio answers that since he does not depend for his success on any one venture, it is not his business that makes him sad. He is not in love, either.  Bassanio, Lorenzo and Gratiano enter and Salanio and Solarino exit. Gratiano expresses concern for Antonio's welfare. Antonio feels doomed to be sad. Gratiano counters this notion of predestination and says he chooses to be a happy fellow, and that people can choose how to be. Gratiano cautions him against being serious and silent just to appear wise. They jest about the value of silence. Gratiano and Lorenzo exit. Bassanio now shares with Antonio that due to his extravagant lifestyle he is direly in debt, mostly to Antonio. Bassanio asks for more money and assistance so that he can regain what he once had. Antonio gl...