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Act 4 Scene 1
Act 4 Scene 1
Reference 1
1. Where does the scene take place? What has the Duke said before this
extract about the hard-hearted adversary?
This scene takes place in a court of justice in Venice.
Before this extract the Duke has described the hard-hearted adversary (Shylock) as
an inhuman wretch, who is incapable of pity, is void and empty of any dram of mercy.
2. What rigorous course is referred to in the extract? Why does Antonio say that
no lawful means can carry him out of his enemy’s reach?
Here ‘rigorous course’ refers to the severeness of Shylock’s cruel plan of action ie.
To forfeit a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.
Antonio says that no lawful means can carry him out of his enemy’s reach as
Shylock was obdurate (obstinate) of having a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.
4. From the speech of the Duke, after the extract, give an example to show that
the Duke was annoyed with Shylock.
In the Duke’s next extract, the Duke tells Shylock that everyone present in the room and
even he believes that Shylock will keep up to the act of cruelty and hatred till the last
moment of the case. Then it is expected that he will show his mercy and remorse
towards Antonio. Thus, at that time he will not only leave the penalty but also forgive
half of the original money lent to Antonio. The Duke shows his annoyance by also
telling him that his act of mercy will be even more strange than his act of cruelty,
which he was showing at that time.
Reference 2
1. In what way does the Duke expect Shylock to mitigate his stand towards
the forfeiture?
The Duke wants Shylock to notice the heavy losses suffered by Antonio in the hands
of fortune. The Duke tells Shylock that he is sure that Shylock will be moved by
tenderness, sympathy and pity for Antonio if he pays attention to Antonio’s grave
losses.
2. What is meant by ‘a moiety of the principal’? Why does the Duke request
Shylock to have mercy on Antonio?
“A moiety of the principal’ means a part of the principal.
The Duke requests Shylock to have mercy on Antonio because Antonio’s losses are so
grave and severe that they are tragic enough to press a royal merchant down and
pluck commiseration from brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint and even from the
stubborn Turks and Tartars, who never knew how to express sympathy to others.
i) So huddled on his back- That have fallen upon his shoulders as a burden
ii) Never train’d/ To offices of tender courtesy- who have never been taught
to express sympathy and kindness.
4. Who are the Turks and Tartars? What is said about them in the extract?
The Turks are the people of Turkey and the Tartars are the people of Tartary. They are
certain Asiatic races which the Elizabethans believed to be uncivilised and uncouth.
Reference 3
He tells the Duke that he will not give an exact reason to him for asking a pound of
flesh from Antonio’s body except that it is his humour or fancy to have a pound of
human flesh than to receive three thousand ducats. He further adds to it by saying that
how does it matter to anyone if his house is infested with rats and he gives ten
thousand ducats to have them poisoned. He also justifies his position by saying that
there are men who cannot tolerate the sight of a gaping pig, sight of an innocent cat or
the sound of a woollen bag-pipe. These people have no strong reason for such an
attitude and they have to put up with the shame of giving strong expression to their
feelings of dislike because these things irritate them. In the same way, he cannot give
any reason for his hatred towards Antonio.
5. Show how tense the scene has become as Shylock fights for his legal
right against the rest.
This is the trial scene or the climax of the play. The scene grows tense when we see
Shylock insisting the Duke to do justice by allowing him to take a pound of flesh from
Antonio’s body. On the other hand, the Duke and Bassanio pleads Shylock
repeatedly to show mercy and compassion on Antonio. The stage is all set for a legal
battle between Shylock and the rest present in the court.
Reference 4
2. Give two examples from the extract to show that it is useless to plead with
the Jew to show mercy.
In this extract Antonio is telling Bassanio that it is useless to plead with the Jew to
show mercy. Antonio tells Bassanio that he might as well stand on the beach and
request the high tide to remain lower than its usual height. Bassanio might also ask the
wolf that why he made the mother sheep weep for her lamb by eating it. But it is very
difficult to mould Shylock’s heart and it is even more difficult to expect any kind of
mercy or compassion from him.
4. What reason does Shylock give for his hatred for Antonio?
He tells the Duke that he will not give an exact reason to him for asking a pound of flesh
from Antonio’s body except that it is his humour or fancy to have a pound of human
5. Bassanio offers Shylock six thousand ducats. What is Shylock’s reaction to the
offer?
Shylock tells Bassanio that if every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts, and
if every part was a ducat in itself ie. If he was even offered thirty six thousand ducats,
he would still not accept the money but would have his bond forfeited.
Reference 5
Here Shylock is referring to the slaves’ beds to be made as soft as the Duke’s.
If Shylock is not given justice then the justice system of Venice will be disrupted,
foreigners will lose their faith in the Duke and the trade and business of the city will
be adversely affected.
6. How can you conclude from the given extract that Shylock is good at
giving relevant arguments to prove his case.
The given extract proves that Shylock is good at giving relevant arguments to prove his
point. He answers word by word to the questions put forward by his enemies. When
asked to give a noble response on having mercy on Antonio, Shylock says that
Christians are no better. They treat their slaves as they treat their asses, dogs and
mules. He questions the Duke that would he allow his slaves to marry his heirs and
allow them to have comfortable beds and tasty food like his. He further adds that just as
some people have no specific reason why they cannot tolerate the sight of a gaping
pig, a harmless domestic cat or a bagpipe, he has no definite reason to give for taking a
pound of Antonio’s flesh.
Reference 6
1. How did Bassanio encourage Antonio assuring him of every help? Bassanio
encourages Antonio by telling him to cheer up and to have courage. He assures
Antonio by saying that he would sacrifice his flesh, blood, bones and all that he has to
Shylock before Antonio loses even one drop of his blood.
Antonio calls himself as that sick sheep of the herd, which is ready to be slaughtered.
He also compares himself to a diseased fruit, which will fall from the tree to the ground.
Hence, in this way he is meetest for death.
3. What is an epitaph? Why does Antonio talk about the epitaph at this
time? An epitaph is an inscription written on the tomb of a dead person.
4. State the generous offer made by Bassanio to save his friend just before
the extract.
Bassanio offers a generous amount of six thousand ducats to Shylock to set his
dear friend free from his clutches but Shylock denies to accept the offer.
5. Who comes to the scene immediately after Antonio’s speech? Why does
the person come?
Nerissa enters the court immediately after Antonio’s speech.
She comes to the court to deliver a letter to the Duke sent by Dr. Bellario of Padua.
6. Describe Antonio’s mood in the context. How does his such attitude shape him
to be an important character in the comedy?
Antonio is passive against Shylock’s rage and villainy and he resigns himself to his
inevitable fate. His love towards his dear friend is also seen in this extract. This
attitude of his makes him a tragic hero and he wins everybody’s love and sympathy of
the audience.
Reference 7
2. Who was Pythagoras? What was the theory about rebirth according to
him? Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher and mathematician.
Pythagoras believed that souls of men and animals appeared several times on the
earth assuming sometimes higher and sometimes lower forms of life. He taught
the doctrine of transmigration of souls.
ii) The gallows did his fell soul fleet- his wolfish soul fled from the gallows
and entered his body when he was inside his unholy mother’s womb.
4. How did the spirit of the wicked wolf enter into Shylock?
When the wolf was hanged for slaughtering men, then its spirit fled from the gallows
and entered Shylock’s body when he n he was still inside his unholy mother’s womb.
Hence his desires are wolfish, bloody and ravenous.
5. How can it be concluded from Shylock’s tendencies that he has the spirit of
the wolf?
Shylock’s tendencies make us conclude that he has the spirit of a wolf because all his
desires are wolfish, blood thirsty and ravenous. It is certain that his spirit earlier resided in
the body of a wolf and when that wolf was hanged for killing men, his spirit fled from the
gallows and entered his body when he was still in his unholy mother’s womb.
Reference 8
The quality of mercy cannot be forced on people. It is like that gentle rain that falls
from heaven down on earth. It is beyond the earthly power of man and is regarded as
the highest attributes to God.
A sceptre symbolises the earthly power, which is the main characteristics of a king,
who commands power and grandeur. It gives him supreme majesty and produces fear
and terror in the hearts of his subjects for him.
5. Why does Portia say that if strict justice is followed none of us would
have salvation?
Portia says that if strict justice is followed none of them would have salvation because
we all pray to God for mercy. That same prayer teaches us to be merciful on others.
So, if we don’t show mercy on others then how can we ask for mercy in return. Hence,
Portia tells Shylock that she has spoken about the divine quality of mercy to soften the
harsh justice of his claim.
7. Why does Portia later say, ‘We do pray for mercy’? What does this prayer
teach us about mercy?
Portia later says that we do pray for mercy only to give rise to the feeling of mercy in
Shylock’s heart towards Antonio.
This prayer teaches us that when we ask God for mercy to be bestowed on us, we
should also show mercy on people who trespass against us. If we do not show
mercy on others then it is wrong on our part to expect mercy in return.
Reference 9
1. What is meant by ‘this bond is forfeit’? How is the bond now forfeit?
‘This bond is forfeit’ means that the penalty mentioned in the bond has been incurred
(the agreement has been broken)
The bond is now forfeited because Antonio failed to pay back the 3000 ducats he
had borrowed from Shylock.
3. Why does Shylock call Portia a worthy judge? Why was she compared to
Daniel earlier?
Shylock calls Portia as a worthy judge because her understanding and interpretation
of the law has been quite correct and it shows that she is learned in her field and is
wise too.
Earlier, he had compared Portia to Daniel, who was a wise Jewish prophet in the Old
Testament. He was known for his wisdom and judgement. Here a reference has been
drawn to the story of Susana and the Elders of Apocrypha. During a skilful cross
examination, Daniel the prophet demonstrated that Susana, who had been falsely
accused and condemned by two Elders, was innocent. So, Shylock compares Portia to
Daniel because of her denial of breaking the law on the ground that bad precedents
will be created in future.
4. What was Shylock’s reaction when Portia offered him thrice the due amount
for the first time?
When Portia offered him thrice the due amount for the first time, Shylock refuses to
accept it by saying that he had already taken an oath in the name of God not to
accept money but to have the penalty of the bond. By accepting money he will commit
a sin upon his soul. So, he will not break his oath even if he was offered all the wealth
of Venice.
5. State why Shylock was confident that no one could take away his right
to forfeiture.
Shylock was confident that no one could take away his right to forfeiture because
if justice was not rendered to him then it would mean to go against the strict law of
Reference 10
1. To whom is Antonio speaking these words? What is meant by “Grieve not that
I am fallen to this for you”?
Antonio is speaking these words to Bassanio.
Through the line, “Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you” , Antonio asks Bassanio
not to blame himself for his misfortune.
4. What request does Antonio make to Bassanio to tell Portia about him?
Antonio requests Bassanio to give his regard to the latter’s honourable wife and to
tell her the process of his death. He also requests Bassanio to tell Portia of his true
and faithful friendship for him and to speak good about him after his death.
6. What offer does Bassanio make after this extract to save Antonio? What
does this proposed offer reflect on Bassanio’s love for Antonio?
Bassanio tells Antonio that he is married to a woman whom he loves dearly as his own
life. But he also tells him that he values Antonio’s life more than his own, above his
beloved wife and above everything else in the world. He is willing to sacrifice
everything for Antonio in order to free him from the cruel grip of the Jew.
Bassanio’s anxiety to save Antonio’s life shows his sincere love for him and it also
tells us that he values relationships more than money.
Reference 11
2. “Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.’ What kind of justice is
Shylock going to have?
Portia tells Shylock that he will definitely have justice as he is pleading for it
so insistently but the form of justice will be stricter than he has wished for.
Reference 12
Shylock: I am content.
1. State in your own words the ‘pardon’ referred to in the extract? Sate the
conditions under which the pardon is granted. Why does the Duke threaten
to recant the pardon?
The ‘pardon’ here refers to the Duke’s granting Shylock his life.
The Duke grants Shylock his life on certain conditions. Half of Shylock’s riches would
go to Antonio, the other half would come to the state for plotting against an innocent
Venetion. The Duke also says that he would forgive Shylock by giving him the half
that was supposed to come to the state only if repents and humbly begs for mercy
The Duke threatens Shylock by saying that he should abide by all the conditions put forth
by Antonio otherwise he would withdraw the forgiveness he has extended to him.
2. What two conditions did Antonio impose on Shylock for being allowed to
retain half of his wealth?
Antonio tells that he would forgive Shylock if he agrees to sign a bond, stating that
half of his wealth would go to his son-in-law, Lorenzo and his daughter, Jessica after
his death and also if he agrees to convert himself into a Christian.
4. What would Gratiano do if he were the judge? What comic effect does
Gratiano’s offer make in the context?
Gratiano says that if he were the judge then he would have set a jury of twelve
people, who would have sentenced Shylock to death and would have him hanged in
the gallows.
5. How can you conclude that Shylock is in a frustrated mood at this scene?
What are your feelings for Shylock at the end of this scene?
Shylock is in a frustrated mood as he realizes that he has been defeated and it was
impossible for him to have Antonio in his grip. The Tables have turned and he had to
take a decision. He seeks permission from the Duke to go back home for he was not
feeling well after hearing all the accusations against him and the conditions to which
he had to abide.
We the readers are left with pity for Shylock as he makes a sad exit with the crowd
ridiculing him. But at the same time we also feel happy for Antonio because he
was finally saved from the cruel intentions of Shylock.
Reference 13
1. What does Portia say about the payment for her services? How does
Bassanio insist that Portia should take something as a token of gratitude?
Portia tells Bassanio that one, who is satisfied with his work, is already sufficiently
paid. Here she is happy as she able to set them free from the cruel grip of the currish
Jew so she considers her success as her reward.
3. Why does Bassanio say that it is shame to give Portia what she has asked?
Bassanio says that it is shame to give Portia what she has asked because he not
willing to part with the ring, which his wife had given him at their time of marriage as a
seal of their love. He calls the ring paltry only to discourage Portia from asking it as a
token of gratitude.
4. What is the reality that makes Bassanio hesitant to comply to Portia’s request?
What does he offer to do instead?
Bassanio was not ready to accept Portia’s request of giving her the ring as it was a
wedding gift to him from his dear wife. Moreover, his wife had made him swear that
he would never part with his ring.
5. How does Portia react to his hesitation even after Bassanio tells her of
his promise made to his wife?
Portia remarks that many, who want to avoid giving gifts make such an excuse. She
further adds that if his wife was not a mad woman and if she knew how much she
(Balthazar) deserves the ring, she (Bassanio’s wife) would not remain his
(Bassanio’s) enemy for giving away the ring to the lawyer.
6. What makes Bassanio change his mind and part with the ring?
Antonio forces bassanio to give the ring to the lawyer by saying that let the
lawyer’s deservings and his (Antonio’s) love for him (Bassanio) be valued against
his (Bassanio’s) wife’s commandment.