After the drama of Bassanio appearing in Belmont, Shakespeare moves the focus of the play back to Venice, where Salerio has confirmed that one of Antonio’s ships has been wrecked ‘on the narrow seas.’
Shylock interrupts Salanio and Salerio, accusing them of knowing the whereabouts of his daughter. They mock the fact that his daughter has fled with a Christian and tell him that she is not like Shylock in any way. “There is more difference between they flesh and hers/ than between jet and ivory.”
Salerio brings the conversation back to news of Antonio’s ships and Shylock responds that this is another bad deal that he has done. He repeats the phrase, “let him look to his bond,” three times, which is said in a threatening manner and he appears to be happy that Antonio’s ship has sunk. Salerio asks Shylock if he really would take a pound of Antonio’s flesh, saying that it is not useful for anything.
Shylock responds and says that, “If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.” He goes on to list all the things Antonio has done to him. “He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends and heated mine enemies-and what’s his reason? -I am a Jew” This quote highlights the harsh treatment that Jews like Shylock were subjected to in these times.
Shylock goes on to give an impassioned speech highlighting how Jews are human just like Christians. “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? What is Shakespeare trying to highlight through this speech? Is he trying to show how ridiculous it is that we label people of different religions or skin colour as something different, when in fact, we are all the same? You should also note that Shylock is saying that Christians looked for revenge when they were wronged and now he is simply doing the same.
Tubal, another Jew enters to tell Shylock that he hasn’t found Jessica. Shylock explains that a jewel that she stole and how much they cost him. He says he wishes she was dead and he had his jewels back. “I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear!”
Shylock is also angry that his daughter is spending his money in Genoa, in a frivolous manner and is incensed when he hears that she exchanged a ring for a monkey. The only piece of good news that Shylock has gained from Tubal is that another of Antonio’s ships has sunk in Tripolis and the chances of him paying back the debt are slim. Shylock thinks that if gets rid of Antonio, he can charge whatever interest he wants in future.
Questions:
- Shylock makes a very passionate speech in this scene. Do you agree with what he is saying? Could this speech be used in modern times? Explain your answer.
- Why does Shylock think that revenge is appropriate? Back up with quote from scene.
- How does Shylock react to news of his daughter? What does this tell us about his character? Reference the text.
- What good news does Shylock receive? How does this affect the play?
- Learn off the key quotes below
Key Quotes:
“There is more difference between they flesh and hers/ than between jet and ivory.” Salerio on Shylock and Jessica
“If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.” Shylock
“He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends and heated mine enemies-and what’s his reason? -I am a Jew” Shylock
“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? Shylock
“I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear!” Shylock
Next Scene: Act 3, Scene 2