Status Updates From Merchant of Venice (Pocket ...

Launcelot states Bassanio has the grace of God and Shylock has enough. More inner versus outer: Bassanio looks rich but he’s really poor. Shylock is supposed to be a jerk but he’s already arranged matters about Launcelot.

Old Gobbo is bringing a present for Shylock which I wonder about--he’s supposed to be so bad. The gift is a dish of doves. Is Shakespeare referring to a burnt offering or a sin offering? He offers it to Bassanio since his son wants to change employers. Bassanio is surprised because Launcelot is better off working for a rich man, at least financially. Father and son interrupt each other, confusing Bassanio.

He wants to go. It reminds me of CM. His will has decided to go so his fiend gives him reasons to go. The angel does, too, but the will has made its choice. Then he meets his aged, nearly blind father and pranks him, which is also funny because he does fess up. There are several Biblical references. There is a clear one about Jacob and his nearly blind father Abraham. He talks about murder not being hid long (Abel).

AIISII Launcelot Gobbo is comic relief. He is hilarious, especially when you see him acted. What I find interesting is that the angel on his shoulder is arguing with the devil. Portia has already talked about knowing the right thing but not doing it. Here, the fiend wins and Launcelot decides to leave Shylock. What is fascinating is that, with the hatred of the Jews in this play, it is the fiend tht tells him to go.

He compares himself to Hercules in trying to use his scimitar to do brave deeds to win her but acknowledges that relying on forturne is the only way. She warns him that he cannot talk about marriage once he makes his choice if he loses. It would be interesting if he picks gold because on the outside he is all gold but he’s also vain and pompous so the inside would be death. Morocco might be the gold casket! WOW

AII SI The Prince of Morocco meets with Portia and Nerissa. He is stuck up and compares himself to Phoebus, Apollo, the sun god. I wonder if he will pick gold because of his connection to the sun. He refers to the sunny land where he lives and the cold sunless land where she lives. He talks about complexion and hue (just as she did earlier) and I wonder if Shakespeare is cautioning about inner versus outer.

Antiono has complete confidence that he will have three times three the value of the bond (27,000 ducats) in three months. He calls the offer kindness. After Shylock leaves, Antonio takes Shylock’s offer as kindness but Bassanio is suspicious. I wonder how the play would change had Antonio truly reconciled. However, then there would be no play. LOL

Antonio refuses. He will probably continue to spit on him and call him names. He says to treat him like an enemy and, if he doesn’t pay his debt, then he must pay the penalty. Apparently, he did so with an angry outburst because he must not like how Shylock called him out. I can see Goddard’s point here. Shylocks acts nice (but we know his hatred) and sets up a merry sport. The interest is a pound of flesh.

Antonio has called him names (including dog) and spit on Shylock’s wool clothing and beard and Shylock has born it patiently. Shylock asks if this now voids Antonio’s spit and name-calling. He asks if a dog can lead money. Should he grovel while lending Antonio money. This could be acted two ways: genuine or fake. He is full of hatred but would he forgive if Antonio took the next step in reconciliation.

Shylock uses this as an opportunity to teach Antonio that what Jacob did with the ewes and rams is an indirect form of interest. His point is that thrift is a blessing if theft was not involved. Antonio says that blessings are in the hands of heaven and he does not think gold and silver can multiply like sheep. Before calculating the interest, he reminds Antonio of how he’s been treated by Antonio.

His words are measured but his asides are not. He says Antonio is a fawning publican. He hates him for two main reasons: Antonio lends money for free, cutting into Shylock’s business, and Antonio rails (complains violently) at him in front of others for charging interest and for being a Jew. We can see why Shylock hates him in kind. Then Shylock asks Antonio why he is borrowing because it’s against his principles.

Act I introduces the three key players in three acts: Antonio, Portia, and Shylock. The first thing Shylock says three thousand ducats, plus it’s in three months! Shylock says Antonio is good (sufficient) while Bassanio assumes it means good (ie, versus evil). Here is third example of hazard: having all the ships at sea. Shylock refuses to dine with Bassanio and Antonio because he implies he is a Jew.

Nerissa brings up a 7th and that is Bassanio. I love that! However, she is rejecting everyone from another land and accepting one most like her land (technically Italy was not united in this time). She is looking at exteriors and some are odd. She does know Bassanio much better. Maybe knowing him prevents her from seeing beyond the surface of others. She outright rejects Morocco for his complexion. Superficial.

The right man will know how to read the clues and pick the right casket. It’s like passing a test of wisdom. It’s all about the outer versus the inner of the casket pointing to the outer versus the inner of the soul. She even admits that she can teach 20 to do the right thing but can’t follow her own advice. She can teach the letter but cannot follow the spirit. She mocks 6 suitors (for good reason).

Portia (golden curls) is the golden casket. She like Antonio has melancholy but hers is due to her father’s casket situation. She reminds me of Elizabeth for finding it fun to mock her suitors. She does not want to follow the will of her dead father but I can’t help but wonder if it is like US not wanting to follow the will of our father in Heaven. Nerissa says to trust him because he is virtuous.

He is a bit like the prodigal son, going to the father for money, only he does it more than once. Antonio has a huge fortune and he is willing to give freely what he has. His issue is cash flow: it’s all tied up elsewhere. He says how his purse is unlocked to Bassanio (hat tip to the casket story). Bassiano uses the word hazard foreshadowing the lead casket. He hopes that by marrying a rich lady he can pay his debt.