The Duke then asks Antonio to reward them. You can simply go through the answer from the images displayed below. Antonio says that he must keep half of Shylock’s property and after Shylock’s death, give it to his son-in-law. • As Shylock is about to start cutting again, Portia says that the bond does not give him permission to shed Antonio's blood. SCENE 1. Portia announces that in that case the must be allowed to take a pound of flesh off Antonio’s chest as the terms of the bond claimed. Because, Portia answers, “mercy is . She asks Antonio if his bond is a valid one, and he admits that it is. Portia decides otherwise. This explains her surprisingly legal coldness; Portia knows exactly what she is doing. Share. Shakespeare\'s original The Merchant of Venice text is extremely long, so we\'ve split the text into one Scene per page. It depicts the victory of … Send the deed after me, / And I will sign it.” This is a masterstroke of simple, understated pathos. Antonio was ready to get slaughtered. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Merchant of Venice, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. She asks if thrice the money would suffice but Shylock says that he had taken an oath and would not break it. Since this is the central scene of the play and since it turns on our interpretation of Shylock, it follows that the way we see Shylock here determines the way we see the whole play. That is, Shylock may not take even a single “jot of blood.” She then gives Shylock leave to begin his surgery, warning him that if “one drop of Christian blood” is shed, Shylock’s “lands and goods” will be confiscated by “the state of Venice.”. Both Portia and Nerissa — the Doctor of Law and her clerk of law — comment on this; they doubt that the wives of these loyal friends would “give little thanks” for that offer. Portia then asks for a surgeon lest Antonio bleed to death. Bassanio is reluctant to give away the ring and seeing that, Portia acts as if offended and leaves. She points out to Shylock that all people “pray for mercy” and “that same prayer” should teach us all to “render the deeds of mercy.”. “Say,” says Shylock, “it is my humor.” In other words, Shylock wants the pound of flesh for no rational reason. What he can have is a pound of flesh, no less and no more, and no drop of Antonio’s blood should be shed. Thus the judgment was imposed, quite literally, for the good of Shylock’s soul. He “crave[s] the law” and “the penalty and forfeit of [his] bond.” He does not care that Bassanio has offered him “thrice the sum” of the bond or even “ten times o’er”; Shylock demands the penalty. Act 4 : Scene 1 Summary – The Merchant of Venice. Shylock cries that his life should be taken instead. The barrier to the true fulfillment of love has been removed. Shakespeare is manipulating, with genius, the sympathy of the audience. The Merchant of Venice - Act 4 Scene 1 - The Courtroom Scene! Portia’s voice, still calm, cuts through the silence. If he is played as a near- tragic figure, the conflict between mercy and justice is to some extent obscured. Antonio tells Bassanio that he is wasting his time. The Merchant of Venice: Act 4, Scene 1 Shylock spends the first half of act 4, scene 1 insisting on obtaining that pound of flesh promised him in the contract. Shylock and Antonio appear before the Duke of Venice. ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions. . This engaging and informative lesson enables students to make clear, detailed and well-informed interpretations of Act IV Scene I of The Merchant of Venice. The law that he believed to be so solid crumbles before him, and he realizes that his case is now absolutely, irrevocably reversed. Merchant of Venice, Act 1 scene 3, Act 2 scene 5 Essay 901 Words | 4 Pages. This study note summarises the events of Act 4 and Act 5 of the Merchant of Venice. Why? Shylock realizes that he has been foiled. Portia pronounces that Venetian law is indeed binding, and whenever decrees are established, alterations set a precedent and “many an error” has been the result. He curses Shylock and hopes that he lives to get old enough to see poverty. Antonio tells Bassanio to stop arguing for his cause as he was in a quarrel with a Jew. Her question “Do you confess the bond?” emphasizes once more that no avenue of escape is possible for Antonio. Shylock’s last appearance before us, in total defeat, can, in some cases, depending on the actor, win back some of the sympathy lost earlier in this scene. English Maths Physics Chemistry Biology. He then turns to Antonio and tells him that early the next morning they will “fly toward Belmont.”. Next. The letter said that Balthasar was well acquited with the case and must be relied upon. Shylock replies that he had done nothing wrong. Thus she proceeds with methodical legality — until the last moment, when she says, understatedly, “Tarry a little; there is something else,” words which will reverse the whole situation. Portia’s delay demonstrates this and shows us Shylock’s insistence on the absolute letter of the law, for it will be in accordance with the law that Shylock will punish Antonio. Bassanio says that he was ready to give twice the sum but Shylock was not ready to accept it. Antonio’s seemingly last speech at line 263 has a dignified nobility; he declares once more his love for Bassanio; he asks him neither to grieve nor repent. The trial scene of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is the most famous and powerful scene of the play in the whole of English dramas. . The doctor is ill, but he has sent in his place “a young doctor of Rome,” named Balthasar, whose wisdom in the law belies his youth. He makes some  more statements and then Bassanio calls him an unfeeling man. Through Shylock’s extreme behavior, Shakespeare dramatizes the way in which the laws of justice and property on which society is based can be, without charity and mercy and humanity, as ferocious as the law of any jungle. Gratiano also makes such a statement and Nerissa is also quick to show contempt. . Thus, Antonio’s bond is legal, and Shylock can collect the pound of flesh. Here, the whole answer is being described point wise so that all the students can remember easily. It is hard to tell whether the audience were supposed to find Shylocks fate at the end of act 4 scene 1 amusing. Structured Questions from Act 4 Scene 1 of the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Second, Shylock’s money, which he had hoarded for himself, is to go to Lorenzo and Jessica, two of the play’s lovers. He wants it only because of “a lodged hate and a certain loathing” for Antonio. In The Merchant of Venice, Act 4 Scene 1 is the climax of the play and is one of longest dramatic scene to ever been written by Shakespeare; it is filled with tension, suspense, irony, sarcasm and power. Shylock replies that it was not mentioned in the bond and he cannot do anything about it. Portia replies that his wife would not be happy to hear of such an offer. The Duke informs the court that Bellario is not able to come and has instead sent another colleague, Balthasar. The Duke of Venice warns Antonio, the defendant, that the plaintiff (Shylock) is “a stony adversary . uncapable of pity … [and] void … of mercy.” Antonio declares that he is ready to suffer quietly. ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions. Translation. The “quality of mercy” speech that follows is a last plea; seemingly, Portia sees no other hope for Antonio. Meanwhile, Bassanio asks Antonio to have courage but Antonio replies that he is ready to accept his fate. When Shylock says, “the pound of flesh … is dearly: bought, is mine, and I will have it,” he is not speaking of “rights” anymore; he is demanding his enemy’s blood. Thus, she’commands him to “beg mercy of the Duke.” At this point, 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. Her speech is lost on Shylock. English Maths Physics Chemistry Biology. Annotated, searchable text of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Act 4, Scene 1, with summaries and line numbers. Summary of Merchant of Venice Act 4, Scene 1 ICSE Class 10, 9 English. Featuring commentary, analysis and quotes from the Courtroom Scene and the final acts as Antonio is freed, lovers are re-united and Shylock considers his fate. The trial of Antonio in a Venetian court of justice begins. He cannot be denied as it will be against the law and it should be followed. The Duke was about to adjourn the court as he wanted to wait for learned doctor of law, Bellario, to arrive. Portia then says that nothing could be done as laws must be followed. He has shown us, however, how hate breeds hate, and Shakespeare has demonstrated how hate is finally, ultimately, defeated. A court of justice. Act 1 scene 3, introduces Shylock for the first time in 'The Merchant of Venice' as the plays villainous Jew. She tells Shylock that mercy was the greatest thing that he could have at such a time. Click to copy Summary. The duke invites Portia to dinner, but she declines; she also declines Bassanio’s offer of three thousand ducats as her legal fee. Shylock demands fulfillment of the letter of their contract, and Antonio believes it is pointless to argue or try to reason with Shylock. Shylock says that even six times the amount would not satisfy him. Original Text Act IV Scene I. . But he is given little to say in comment upon the judgment passed upon him. Act 4, scene 2. Read our modern English translation of this scene. ACT 4. He therefore demands an immediate judgment confirming this right. Antonio thinks that his end has come and he takes Bassanio’s hand to bid him goodbye. Bassanio pales; she can ask for anything, he says, but ask not for his ring. 'Tis not in the bond" (4.1.257). Merchant of Venice: Novel Summary: Act 4 Scene 1 This is the scene where Shylock is to take his forfeiture from Antonio. This, then, rather than the legal quibbles, is what is important in this scene. We now reach the dramatic high point of the play. The Merchant of Venice - Act 4, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis William Shakespeare This Study Guide consists of approximately 167 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Merchant of Venice. 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