"In both my eyes he doubly sees himself: / In each eye one. Swear by your double self, / And there's an oath of credit!" (Shakespeare V.i.244-246).
Portia is mocking Bassanio because his words are misleading. By saying that he will give her an oath while looking in both of her eyes, he is presenting a dual image of himself. Portia is considering Bassanio to be two-faced. This reiterates that Portia cannot trust Bassanio, otherwise she would not have read into his words. While Portia claims that her husband is insincere, it is important to note her joking tone. Although Portia seems to be making a joke, she also seems to be serious. Portia is in complete control of Bassanio and her relationship.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
MOV 4.1, lines 242-453
"I'll pay it instantly with all my heart" (Shakespeare IV.i.277).
Antonio asks Bassanio to speak well of him after Shylock is to remove the pound of flesh from around his heart. Antonio wants Bassanio to tell Portia about him because Antonio wants Portia to know that Bassanio has already had a lover. Antonio asks Bassanio to "Tell [Portia] the process of Antonio's end, / Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death, / And when the tale is told, bid her be judge / Whether Bassanio had not once a love" (IV.i.270-273). Antonio wants Bassanio to remember him as a lover previous to Portia. Antonio is willing to pay Bassanio's debt with his flesh that he is bound to because he loves Bassanio. Antonio will "pay it instantly with all [his] heart" literally and figuratively (IV.i.277). The removal of Antonio's flesh will most likely cause him to die, therefore stopping his heart. Antonio will figuratively pay Bassanio's debt with all of his heart because his love for Bassanio makes him willing to sacrifice his life for him.
Antonio asks Bassanio to speak well of him after Shylock is to remove the pound of flesh from around his heart. Antonio wants Bassanio to tell Portia about him because Antonio wants Portia to know that Bassanio has already had a lover. Antonio asks Bassanio to "Tell [Portia] the process of Antonio's end, / Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death, / And when the tale is told, bid her be judge / Whether Bassanio had not once a love" (IV.i.270-273). Antonio wants Bassanio to remember him as a lover previous to Portia. Antonio is willing to pay Bassanio's debt with his flesh that he is bound to because he loves Bassanio. Antonio will "pay it instantly with all [his] heart" literally and figuratively (IV.i.277). The removal of Antonio's flesh will most likely cause him to die, therefore stopping his heart. Antonio will figuratively pay Bassanio's debt with all of his heart because his love for Bassanio makes him willing to sacrifice his life for him.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
MOV 4.1, lines 1-241
"Therefore I do beseech you / Make no moe offers, use no farther means, / But with all brief and plain conveniency / Let me have judgement, and the Jew his will" (Shakespeare IV.i.80-83).
During his trial, Antonio is impatient and no longer willing to argue with Shylock because Antonio feels as though he will not win the trial, and he has nothing left to live for. Antonio has no desire to win the trial because if he does, he will have no economic means to sustain his lifestyle, and Bassanio and Antonio will not be as involved as they were in the past. Antonio lost all of his wealth in the unsuccessful investments in his ships, and he has lost Bassanio as well. Now that Bassanio is married to Portia, Antonio and Bassanio's relationship has changed. Antonio assumes that Bassanio's marriage will restrict Bassanio's ability to reciprocate his love. Antonio is willing to accept his punishment because he's heroically dying for Bassanio's sake, and his death will relieve him from a life of debt and loneliness.
During his trial, Antonio is impatient and no longer willing to argue with Shylock because Antonio feels as though he will not win the trial, and he has nothing left to live for. Antonio has no desire to win the trial because if he does, he will have no economic means to sustain his lifestyle, and Bassanio and Antonio will not be as involved as they were in the past. Antonio lost all of his wealth in the unsuccessful investments in his ships, and he has lost Bassanio as well. Now that Bassanio is married to Portia, Antonio and Bassanio's relationship has changed. Antonio assumes that Bassanio's marriage will restrict Bassanio's ability to reciprocate his love. Antonio is willing to accept his punishment because he's heroically dying for Bassanio's sake, and his death will relieve him from a life of debt and loneliness.
Monday, January 23, 2012
MOV 3.3-3.5
"Madam, with all my heart / I shall obey you in all fair commands" (Shakespeare III.iv.35-36).
Lorenzo responds to Portia as if he has no choice but to obey what Portia says. Portia is manipulative and takes advantage of the weak willed people that surround her. She knew that Lorenzo would not say no to her request, so she imposes "The husbandry and manage of [her] house" on Lorenzo and Jessica (III.iv.25). Although Jessica and Lorenzo probably do not mind being in charge of Portia's house, it seems a bit rude of her to make that demand without asking for their thoughts.
Lorenzo responds to Portia as if he has no choice but to obey what Portia says. Portia is manipulative and takes advantage of the weak willed people that surround her. She knew that Lorenzo would not say no to her request, so she imposes "The husbandry and manage of [her] house" on Lorenzo and Jessica (III.iv.25). Although Jessica and Lorenzo probably do not mind being in charge of Portia's house, it seems a bit rude of her to make that demand without asking for their thoughts.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
MOV 3.1-3.2
"To bait fish withal; if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge" (Shakespeare III.i.42-43).
Shylock's purpose for making Antonio repay the bond with his flesh is to express his hatred of Antonio. Shylock despises Antonio because he is a Christian and because he has mistreated him (I.iii.34). Shylock uses the bond to inflict cruelty on Antonio. Shylock wants to make it known that he would like to have the same rights as a Christian. Shylock argues that if a Christian can take "revenge" on a Jew, then a Jew has every right to act in the same way towards a Christian (III.i.46-57).
Shylock's purpose for making Antonio repay the bond with his flesh is to express his hatred of Antonio. Shylock despises Antonio because he is a Christian and because he has mistreated him (I.iii.34). Shylock uses the bond to inflict cruelty on Antonio. Shylock wants to make it known that he would like to have the same rights as a Christian. Shylock argues that if a Christian can take "revenge" on a Jew, then a Jew has every right to act in the same way towards a Christian (III.i.46-57).
Thursday, January 19, 2012
MOV 2.5-2.9
"A gentle riddance! Draw the curtains, go. / Let all of his complexion choose me so" (Shakespeare.II.vii.78-79).
Portia is pleased when Morocco picks the wrong casket because she was disappointed by his race. She is happy to see him leave because she knows that if he had chosen the right casket and they were to be married, she would not have been able to love him. Portia would have been giving Morocco the "worthless" version of herself (II.ix.17). Morocco would have gained Portia as his wife, but the relationship would have been emotionless. Morocco's quick departure is a sign that he was disappointed, but also that he was beginning to sense Portia's disinterest in him.
Portia is pleased when Morocco picks the wrong casket because she was disappointed by his race. She is happy to see him leave because she knows that if he had chosen the right casket and they were to be married, she would not have been able to love him. Portia would have been giving Morocco the "worthless" version of herself (II.ix.17). Morocco would have gained Portia as his wife, but the relationship would have been emotionless. Morocco's quick departure is a sign that he was disappointed, but also that he was beginning to sense Portia's disinterest in him.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
MOV 2.1-2.4
"The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you, sir: you have the grace of God, sir, and he hath enough" (Shakespeare II.ii.124-26).
Lancelot would like to become Bassanio's servant for fear of his reputation. Lancelot recognizes that Shylock is disliked in society, so he does not want to be associated with him. Lancelot tells his father, "I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer" (II.ii.91-92). Lancelot does not want the discrimination Shylock faces to be reflected on to him. Lancelot views Shylock as an outcast in Venetian society, and therefore he seeks to become Bassanio's servant. Bassanio seems to be surprised by this desire, however, because he says, "Shylock thy master spoke with me this day, And hath preferred thee, if it be preferment To leave a rich Jew's service to become The follower of so poor a gentleman" (II.ii.120-123). Lancelot would rather work for a "poor gentleman" than for a "rich Jew" because he does not want to subject himself to damnation. Lancelot believes that working for Bassanio will provide him with "the grace of God," and he will be able to work in conjunction with his Christian faith.
Lancelot would like to become Bassanio's servant for fear of his reputation. Lancelot recognizes that Shylock is disliked in society, so he does not want to be associated with him. Lancelot tells his father, "I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer" (II.ii.91-92). Lancelot does not want the discrimination Shylock faces to be reflected on to him. Lancelot views Shylock as an outcast in Venetian society, and therefore he seeks to become Bassanio's servant. Bassanio seems to be surprised by this desire, however, because he says, "Shylock thy master spoke with me this day, And hath preferred thee, if it be preferment To leave a rich Jew's service to become The follower of so poor a gentleman" (II.ii.120-123). Lancelot would rather work for a "poor gentleman" than for a "rich Jew" because he does not want to subject himself to damnation. Lancelot believes that working for Bassanio will provide him with "the grace of God," and he will be able to work in conjunction with his Christian faith.
MOV 1.3
"I would be friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stained me with, Supply your present wants, and take no doit Of usance for my monies, and you'll not hear me" (Shakespeare I.iii.131-34).
Shylock wishes to befriend Bassanio and Antonio by changing the penalty if their bond is not repaid on time. Shylock alters his usual practice of charging interest in hopes that his "kindness" (I.iii.136) will stop them from discriminating him in public. Shylock has been called a dog, been spat on, and feels rejected by society. He is hoping that his act of "kindness" will prevent this type of discrimination from continuing. However, Shylock seems to have other intentions in mind as well. By insisting that Antonio's punishment if he does not pay back the bond on time shows Shylock's unrevealed intentions. Shylock says, "If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him" (I.iii.38-39). Shylock's outer intensions do not match his inner intentions. Shylock's dual personality is evident.
Shylock wishes to befriend Bassanio and Antonio by changing the penalty if their bond is not repaid on time. Shylock alters his usual practice of charging interest in hopes that his "kindness" (I.iii.136) will stop them from discriminating him in public. Shylock has been called a dog, been spat on, and feels rejected by society. He is hoping that his act of "kindness" will prevent this type of discrimination from continuing. However, Shylock seems to have other intentions in mind as well. By insisting that Antonio's punishment if he does not pay back the bond on time shows Shylock's unrevealed intentions. Shylock says, "If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him" (I.iii.38-39). Shylock's outer intensions do not match his inner intentions. Shylock's dual personality is evident.
Monday, January 9, 2012
MOV 1.2
"If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will. I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence; and I pray God grant them a fair departure" (Shakespeare I.ii.87-91).
Portia's descriptions of her suitors are very negative due to her unwillingness to accept her father's will. Portia should have faith in the plan that her father has made for her future. Nerissa tells her, "the lottery that he hath devised in these three chest of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but on who you shall rightly love" (I.ii.24-7). Nerissa is advising Portia to trust her father's method of selecting Portia's husband. Portia is still apprehensive, however, because she fears that she will end up marrying a man with whom she has no interest in.
Portia's descriptions of her suitors are very negative due to her unwillingness to accept her father's will. Portia should have faith in the plan that her father has made for her future. Nerissa tells her, "the lottery that he hath devised in these three chest of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but on who you shall rightly love" (I.ii.24-7). Nerissa is advising Portia to trust her father's method of selecting Portia's husband. Portia is still apprehensive, however, because she fears that she will end up marrying a man with whom she has no interest in.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
MOV pg. 171-187
"Antonio voices his mistrust of Shylock and his motives in agreeing to the 'bond' by calling him 'a villain with a smiling cheek,' outwardly benign but inwardly malevolent" (180).
In this instance that is referenced in the notes in the back of the book, Antonio addresses Shylock's "appearance versus reality." The theme of appearance versus reality was reoccurring throughout the first semester. Most notably, we found the theme of dual personality in The Awakening. Edna initially conformed to society's standards while internally questioning her decisions. In The Merchant of Venice, we are likely to see this theme through Shylock's personality because he seems kind and generous on the surface, but he is actually wishing to deceive others.
In this instance that is referenced in the notes in the back of the book, Antonio addresses Shylock's "appearance versus reality." The theme of appearance versus reality was reoccurring throughout the first semester. Most notably, we found the theme of dual personality in The Awakening. Edna initially conformed to society's standards while internally questioning her decisions. In The Merchant of Venice, we are likely to see this theme through Shylock's personality because he seems kind and generous on the surface, but he is actually wishing to deceive others.
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