Free The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

verbosity, he tells Portia that he is “too grieved” to “take a tedious leave,” and departs. Portia is pleased and expresses the wish that all of his “complexion” make a similar choice.
ACT 2 SCENE 8
    Shylock has discovered the disappearance of Jessica and his money. We learn about his response through the biased, unsympathetic report of Salerio and Solanio. Shylock and the Duke of Venice went to search Bassanio’s ship, which had already sailed. Antonio assured them that Lorenzo and Jessica were not on it. Solanio jeeringly reports Shylock’s confused rage and shouts of “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!,” suggesting that he values them equally. Solanio observes that unless Antonio can “keep his day” for repaying Shylock financially, he will pay for these events. Salerio has heard that one of Antonio’s ships may have been lost. They speak of Antonio’s kind and generous nature, in direct contrast with the characterization of Shylock.
ACT 2 SCENE 9
    The Prince of Aragon has come to take the test for Portia’s hand. The process is repeated: the prince selects the silver casket and finds “The portrait of a blinking idiot,” holding another scroll. He protests. Portia’s observation that “To offend and judge are distinct offices / And of opposèd natures” emphasizes the theme of justice. The prince leaves, and Portia instructs Nerissa to “draw the curtain” on the caskets. A messenger brings news of the imminent arrival of a Venetian lord, who has sent greetings and gifts “of rich value.” Portia is eager to see the visitor, and Nerissa hopes it is Bassanio.
ACT 3 SCENE 1
    In Venice, Solanio and Salerio discuss the reported loss of another of Antonio’s ships. Shylock approaches and Solanio observes that “the devil” “comes in the likeness of a Jew.” Shylock accuses them of having a part in Jessica’s elopement, and they torment him, before asking if he has heard about Antonio’s losses at sea. Shylock recalls how “smug” Antonio has been in the past, and tells them that he must now “look to his bond.” Salerio asks what good taking Antonio’s flesh will do, to which Shylock replies “To bait fish,” adding that it will “feed” his “revenge,” showing his callousness. He argues that Antonio has “disgraced,” “hindered” and “mocked” him, solely because he is Jewish. He makes an impassioned speech, pointing out that he is “hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is.”
    This plea for tolerance highlights the complexities of the play in terms of the representation of the Jewish faith and of Shylock, intrinsically and separately, and the degree of the audience’s sympathies for various characters, complicated here by Salerio and Solanio’s evident prejudice and Shylock’s evident desire for “revenge.” They are interrupted by Antonio’s servant, who asks Salerio and Solanio to go to his master. As they leave, Tubal arrives. Shylock asks for news of Jessica, but Tubal has not found her, although he reports that she is spending Shylock’s money. He also reports that Antonio has lost another ship, and Shylock wavers between pleasure at Antonio’s misfortune, and rage at his own losses.
ACT 3 SCENE 2
    Lines 1–222: Portia asks Bassanio to wait “a day or two” before undertaking the task, as she does not want to lose him but he wants to choose immediately. He confesses his love and Portia agrees, calling for music to play while Bassanio is making his decision. As a song is sung, Bassanio considers the three caskets. Unlike the other suitors, he recognizes that “the outward shows be least themselves.” Rejecting gold as “food for Midas” and silver as the money that passes“’Tween man and man,” Bassanio selects the lead casket. Portia’s aside reveals her happiness as he opens it to reveal her portrait. Portia makes Bassanio