Act IV Scene I

1
Act IV Scene I

• In court in Venice, Shylock demands that the
  terms of his bond be fufilled. Portia enters as a
  doctor of laws (lawyer), with a letter of
  introduction from Dr. Bellario. We learn the fate
  of Antonio and Shylock, as well as get a surprise
  with the ring plot!

2
The Duke warns Antonio

• The Duke of Venice warns Antonio, the defendant,
  that the plaintiff (Shylock) is "a stony
  adversary . . . incapable of pity . . . and
  void . . . of mercy."
• Antonio explains that he is ready to suffer and
  that he will do so quietly. He has accepted that
  "no lawful means will be able to save him now.

3
Should Shylock be more lenient?

• The duke says that everyone thinks that he should
  relent at the last moment and spare Antonio,
  taking "pity on his losses.
• Shylock is adamant he prefers the penalty of a
  pound of flesh to repayment of three thousand
  ducats. Why? Shylock says, "it is my humor."
• In other words, Shylock wants the pound of flesh
  for no rational reason. He wants it only because
  of "a lodged hate and a certain loathing" for
  Antonio.

4
Bassanio tries to help.

• Bassanio tries to reason with Shylock, but it is
  clearly a waste of time. He offers Shylock 6,000
  ducats, but its no use because it will not
  change Shylocks mind.

5
The Dukes question for Shylock

• "How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?"
• What does the Duke mean by this?
• Shylock cites the mistreatment of many Venetian
  slaves by the Venetians themselves, justified by
  the fact that they bought the slaves and can
  treat them as they please.
• In the same way, the pound of flesh which he has
  "dearly bought" belongs to him, and he can do
  with it as he pleases.
• Shylock demands an immediate judgment confirming
  his right to justice.

6
The Duke is waiting

• for Dr. Bellario to come, because he cannot
  render such a big decision on his own. So Shylock
  has to wait

7
Bassanio tries to cheer Antonio up

• Bassanio wants to give up his own life for
  Antonios
• Antonio, however, is pessimistic and tells
  Bassanio to live still, and write my own
  epitaph.

8
And here comes Nerissa

• She is dressed like a lawyers clerk and delivers
  a letter from Bellario to the Duke.
• When the letter is read aloud, it explains that
  Balthazar will come in his place since he is ill.

9
And who is Balthazar?!

• Thats right. Its Portia!

10
So here we go

• Portia asks Antonio if his bond is a valid one,
  and he admits that it is. She then tells him that
  Shylock must be merciful.
• Shylock is shocked Why should he be merciful?
• Portia answers with her famous mercy speech which
  illustrates and supports why the idea of having
  mercy upon someone is a favorable one.

11
The infamous Mercy Speechp. 155

• No one shows mercy because he has to. It just
  happens, the way gentle rain drops on the ground.
  Mercy is a double blessing. It blesses the one
  who gives it and the one who receives it. Its
  strongest in the strongest people. It looks
  better in a king than his own crown looks on him.
  The kings scepter represents his earthly power,
  the symbol of majesty, the focus of royal
  authority. But mercy is higher than the scepter.
  Its enthroned in the hearts of kings, a quality
  of God himself. Kingly power seems most like
  Gods power when the king mixes mercy with
  justice. So although justice is your plea, Jew,
  consider this. Justice wont save our souls. We
  pray for mercy, and this same prayer teaches us
  to show mercy to others as well. Ive told you
  this to make you give up this case. If you pursue
  it, this strict court of Venice will need to
  carry out the sentence against the merchant
  there.
• http//nfs.sparknotes.com/merchant/page_178.html

12
Shylock doesnt care

• He craves the law and the penalty and forfeit of
  the bond.
• He could care less that Bassanio has offered him
  3 times the sum HE WANTS THE PENALTY!
• Since Venetian law is binding, Shylock is
  entitled to what he wants.

13
The time has come

• Shylock produces a scale to weigh the flesh, and
  Antonio says goodbye to Bassanio.
• What does Antonio tell Bassanio?
• Antonio hopes that death will come quickly.
• Both Bassanio and Gratiano tell Antonio they
  would sacrifice EVERYTHING they have (including
  their wives) in order to help him.
• How did Nerissa and Portia feel about this?

14
Patient is a virtuethat Shylock does not have.

• Before Shylock can begin, Portia stops him and
  tells him he cannot take a single drop of blood.
  Why? He is entitled to a single pound of flesh
  AND NO MORE!
• If a single drop of blood is shed, his land and
  goods will be confiscated by the state of Venice.

15
Shylock was played

• Now Shylock tries to take the money Bassanio
  offered him.
• Portia tells him he will have nothing but the
  penaltyjust a pound of flesh.
• Then, Shylock tries to take the money from the
  bond, but Portia points out that the court was
  witness to his rejection of that as well.

16
Shylock gets more than he bargained for.

• Portia reminds Shylock that one of the laws of
  Venice forbids an alien from directly or
  indirectly attempting "to seek the life of any
  citizen" of Venice.
• She tells Shylock that she has seen sufficient
  proof that Shylock seeks Antonio's life both
  directly and indirectly.
• She commands him to "beg mercy of the Duke.
• The duke speaks and pardons Shylock, sparing his
  life and adding that the penalty of the state's
  taking half of Shylock's goods will be reduced if
  Shylock evidences some "humbleness." Shylock is
  adamant at such a proposal "Nay, take my life
  and all," he declares.
• Antonio gets half of his estate, unless he shows
  some mercy.

17
And what does Antonio do?

• Antonio says that he will take only half of
  Shylock's goods which are due to him (Shylock can
  have the other half) in trust in order to give
  them to Lorenzo (Shylock's son-in-law) upon
  Shylock's death.
• This will occur under 3 conditions
• Shylock must become a Christian
• He must deed everything to Jessica and Lorenzo.
• He must pay a fine
• Quietly, Shylock agrees to the settlement "I am
  content," he says, and asks permission to leave
  the court.

18
Portia saves the day!!!!

• Bassanio offers Portia 3000 ducats as a legal
  fee, but she declines.
• Antonio and Bassanio urge her to take something,
  so she finally concedes and says will take
  Bassanios ring and gloves.
• Bassanio says he will give up ANYTHING but the
  ring, as it was a gift from his wife and he
  promised her he would never part with it!

19
NOT THE RING!!!

• Portia wants nothing else, but the ring.
• She walks away, and Antonio pleads with him,
  saying that she deserves the ring.
• Finally, he sends Gratiano after the lawyer to
  give the ring.
• The scene ends with Bassanio talking to Antonio
  about how they will leave for Belmont early in
  the morning.