Act 3
Group members: Arvinder, Antonio, Theo
Summary:
Act 3 begins with Solanio and Salerio discussing how they have heard that Antonio's ships were wrecked. Shylock enters and confirms this. He also says that he wants Antonio's flesh and he will have his revenge for all of the suffering he has been forced to endure at the hands of the Christians. He says that the others only have a problem with the wager because he is a Jew that wants the flesh of a Christian. If the situation were reversed, it would not appear to be such a big deal. Then, Tubal enters and informs Shylock that Antonio's ships have indeed crashed and Shylock is happy about this. Tubal also tells Shylock that he cannot find Jessica but a creditor showed him a ring that Jessica traded him for a monkey. Shylock says that he wishes his daughter were dead because she has taken so much of his money and other jewels.
In Scene 2, Portia wants Bassanio to delay choosing a casket so that they can spend more time together just in case he guesses wrong. However, Bassanio just wants to get it over with. As Bassanio makes his decision, he basically discusses how one should not judge something by its outward appearance and that is why he correctly chooses the lead casket. Portia is happy and gives Bassanio a ring that she wants him to keep forever. Then, Nerissa and Gratiano reveal that they have also fallen in love and wish to marry. Salerio brings a letter for Bassanio from Antonio. The letter reveals that all of Antonio's ventures have failed and Shylock fully intends to collect Antonio's debt. Antonio's only request is that he see Bassanio one last time before he dies. Portia says that she is willing to pay twenty times the amount that Antonio owes but Jessica says that her father only cares about revenge and will not accept this. Bassanio then leaves for Venice to be with Antonio.
Scene 3 is about Antonio pleading with Shylock and Shylock refusing to acknowledge Antonio's requests. Shylock is certain that the duke will grant him justice. Solanio says that he is sure the duke would never allow something like this to pass but Antonio disagrees and says that Venice has a history of upholding the law and if the duke breaks this tradition, the city's economy will suffer. At this point, the only thing Antonio seems to care about is Bassanio seeing him pay his debt.
Scene 4 begins with Lorenzo assuring Portia that Antonio is a great person and is worthy of the help that she is sending him. Portia says that Bassanio and Antonio are so close that helping Antonio is just like helping her husband. She then tells Lorenzo that she and Nerissa will be staying in a nearby monastery until Bassanio's return and that he and Jessica are in charge of her estate. Portia then sends her servant Balthazar to Mantua with a letter to give to her cousin Doctor Belario and take whatever notes and clothes Belario gives him and bring them to Venice where she will be waiting. Portia informs Nerissa that they are going to dress as men and go see their husbands.
In the last scene of act 3, Launcelot tells Jessica that he fears for her soul because of the sins of her father. Jessica responds that she will be saved by her husband because he has made her a Christian. Launcelot says that with all these Jews becoming Christians, the price of pork will go up. Lorenzo enters and scolds Launcelot for impregnating a moor. Launcelot responds by joking about the moor's belly getting larger. He then asks Jessica what she thinks of Portia. Jessica basically says that Portia is an "angel" because she compares her to being like "heaven on earth".
The most significant moment of act 3 is Shylock's monologue on why he wants Antonio's flesh. He argues that Jews are just as human as Christians. The questions that Shylock asks at this point force the audience to reconsider the malice that they must be feeling towards him. However these feelings of doubt are almost completely erased in scene 3 when the audience witnesses Shylock's manic pursuit of a pound of Antonio's flesh.
Another noteworthy moment is when Portia instructs Balthazar to go to Belario and bring back the clothes that he gives him. This is the first the audience hears of Portia's plan to free Antonio. Up to this point, Portia has adhered to her father's wishes even though he is not there to see this. But now, it seems that she feels free to display the full capacity of her intelligence, which seems to be a lot more than that of the men that surround her.
Summary:
Act 3 begins with Solanio and Salerio discussing how they have heard that Antonio's ships were wrecked. Shylock enters and confirms this. He also says that he wants Antonio's flesh and he will have his revenge for all of the suffering he has been forced to endure at the hands of the Christians. He says that the others only have a problem with the wager because he is a Jew that wants the flesh of a Christian. If the situation were reversed, it would not appear to be such a big deal. Then, Tubal enters and informs Shylock that Antonio's ships have indeed crashed and Shylock is happy about this. Tubal also tells Shylock that he cannot find Jessica but a creditor showed him a ring that Jessica traded him for a monkey. Shylock says that he wishes his daughter were dead because she has taken so much of his money and other jewels.
In Scene 2, Portia wants Bassanio to delay choosing a casket so that they can spend more time together just in case he guesses wrong. However, Bassanio just wants to get it over with. As Bassanio makes his decision, he basically discusses how one should not judge something by its outward appearance and that is why he correctly chooses the lead casket. Portia is happy and gives Bassanio a ring that she wants him to keep forever. Then, Nerissa and Gratiano reveal that they have also fallen in love and wish to marry. Salerio brings a letter for Bassanio from Antonio. The letter reveals that all of Antonio's ventures have failed and Shylock fully intends to collect Antonio's debt. Antonio's only request is that he see Bassanio one last time before he dies. Portia says that she is willing to pay twenty times the amount that Antonio owes but Jessica says that her father only cares about revenge and will not accept this. Bassanio then leaves for Venice to be with Antonio.
Scene 3 is about Antonio pleading with Shylock and Shylock refusing to acknowledge Antonio's requests. Shylock is certain that the duke will grant him justice. Solanio says that he is sure the duke would never allow something like this to pass but Antonio disagrees and says that Venice has a history of upholding the law and if the duke breaks this tradition, the city's economy will suffer. At this point, the only thing Antonio seems to care about is Bassanio seeing him pay his debt.
Scene 4 begins with Lorenzo assuring Portia that Antonio is a great person and is worthy of the help that she is sending him. Portia says that Bassanio and Antonio are so close that helping Antonio is just like helping her husband. She then tells Lorenzo that she and Nerissa will be staying in a nearby monastery until Bassanio's return and that he and Jessica are in charge of her estate. Portia then sends her servant Balthazar to Mantua with a letter to give to her cousin Doctor Belario and take whatever notes and clothes Belario gives him and bring them to Venice where she will be waiting. Portia informs Nerissa that they are going to dress as men and go see their husbands.
In the last scene of act 3, Launcelot tells Jessica that he fears for her soul because of the sins of her father. Jessica responds that she will be saved by her husband because he has made her a Christian. Launcelot says that with all these Jews becoming Christians, the price of pork will go up. Lorenzo enters and scolds Launcelot for impregnating a moor. Launcelot responds by joking about the moor's belly getting larger. He then asks Jessica what she thinks of Portia. Jessica basically says that Portia is an "angel" because she compares her to being like "heaven on earth".
The most significant moment of act 3 is Shylock's monologue on why he wants Antonio's flesh. He argues that Jews are just as human as Christians. The questions that Shylock asks at this point force the audience to reconsider the malice that they must be feeling towards him. However these feelings of doubt are almost completely erased in scene 3 when the audience witnesses Shylock's manic pursuit of a pound of Antonio's flesh.
Another noteworthy moment is when Portia instructs Balthazar to go to Belario and bring back the clothes that he gives him. This is the first the audience hears of Portia's plan to free Antonio. Up to this point, Portia has adhered to her father's wishes even though he is not there to see this. But now, it seems that she feels free to display the full capacity of her intelligence, which seems to be a lot more than that of the men that surround her.
posted by Arvi at
6:11 PM
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