We go back to Venice, where Salerio and Salanio give an update on the happenings in the Italian city. They tell us how Shylock went to Bassanio’s ship to search for his daughter but that the ship had already set sail. He wakened the Duke to help him search for Jessica.
But he was too late, as Bassanio’s ship has already set sail but the Duke discovered that Jessica and Lorenzo were seen together in a gondola and Antonio convinced the Duke that they were not on board the ship.
They laugh as they talk about Shylock’s reaction to the disappearance of his daughter. They say that he ran through the streets, shouting, “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!” Not only is he mad about losing his daughter but he is mad because she has taken his money, which he says is not Christian money. Salerio tells us that the men of Venice followed him, mocking and jeering him.
Solanio says, “Let good Antonio look he keep his day, / Or he shall pay for this.”. Shakespeare is using foreshadowing here highlighting the danger of Antonio not paying his debt, as Shylock will be intent on revenge.
Salerio tells Salanio that he heard from a Frenchman about a ship that was shipwrecked in the English channel and that his first thought was of Antonio. He then says that he was there when Antonio said goodbye to Bassasio. He says that Antonio’s eyes were ‘big with tears,’ as he told him not to worry about Shylock’s bond. Salanio says that Antonio’s friendship with Bassanio is the only thing that makes him happy. “I think he only loves the world for him.”
The two men depart, their gossiping over but this was used as a useful device by Shakespeare to give the audience information on what is happening in the play. The foreshadowing of Antonio’s ships getting into difficulty would raise the tension in the play, while the audience would delight in the downfall of Shylock.
Questions:
- How did Shylock react to the disappearance of Jessica? Explain with reference to the text.
- Do you feel sorry for Shylock? Why/Why not?
- How does Shakespeare employ foreshadowing in this scene? Explain the effect of this.
- Describe how Bassanio and Antonio depart. Does this surprise you? Explain why.
Key Quotes:
“My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!” Shylock
“Let good Antonio look he keep his day, / Or he shall pay for this.”. Salanio