We meet Launcelot in this scene, who is a servant of Shylock’s, who is considering running away from him because he no longer wishes to be his servant. He is unsure whether or not he should go and is conflicted by this decision. The fact that Shylock is a Jew seems to play a big role in his decision making.
His father, a blind man, named Gobbo, enters and and is looking for his son. Launcelot plays a trick on the old man, who doesn’t recognise his voice and tells him that Launcelot is dead. He eventually reveals the deception, Gobbo is unsure if this is really his son. When he finally comes around to the idea, Launcelot tells him that he is leaving Shylock and is hoping to serve a man named Bassanio, who enters shortly afterwards. He tells his father that, ‘”I am famished in his service,” and “I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer.” He means that Shylock does not feed him and that he is worried that he will become a Jew if he stays in his employment any longer. Bassanio arrives and Launcelot asks his father to get him a job with Bassanio.
Despite the fact that Bassanio finds it hard to understand the two men, he accepts the offer of Launcelot’s and tells him to go get his stuff and that he will be a servant of his.
He then tells Gratiano that he can only come to Belmont if he is on his best behaviour. Bassanio tells Gratiano that he is, “too wild, too rude and bold of voice.” It is clear that Bassanio wants to make a good impression in Belmont and is scared that Gratiano will embarrass him.
Questions:
- Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock?
- Why does Bassanio not want Gratiano to go to Belmont?
Key Quotes:
“I am famished in his service,” and “I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer.” Launcelot
“too wild, too rude and bold of voice.” Bassanio about Gratiano