Month: November 2023

This scene is very short and happens just after Bassanio has sent Gratianio with the ring for Portia. He catches up with Portia and tells her that Bassanio has given her the ring and wants her to join them for dinner. Nerrissa, seeing that Bassanio has parted with the ring decides to test Gratiano to … Read more

This scene is known as the trial scene and is the most important scene of the play. The balance of power shifts throughout this scene and it is a scene that you should be able to direct for exam paper questions. The scene begins with the duke apologising to Antonio for the situation that he … Read more

Act 4 Scene 1 (The Trial Scene) NB: Most important scene in the play Act 4 Scene 2

Another short scene, with very little impact on the action of the play. This is a scene that lowers the tension of the play and gives the audience some respite before the action of the trial scene commences. Launcelot, who left Shylock’s service in order to serve Bassanio is now, ironically, serving his daughter Jessica … Read more

The scene moves back to Belmont again, where Portia asks Jessica and Lorenzo to rule in her absence. She tells them that she will go to a monastery along with Nerissa and stay there until their husbands return. Note that it is Lorenzo that is given the reins and not Jessica, highlighting the gender roles … Read more

This short scene takes us back to Venice, where Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh. He calls Antonio a fool that gave out interest free loans and it is clear that Shylock will take nothing but his bond. “I’ll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. Antonio asks Shylock to hear what he … Read more

We are back in Belmont, where Bassanio is about to pick his casket. Portia is asking him to take his time, as she could lose him, if he picks the wrong casket. It is clear that Portia wants Bassanio to pick the right casket. Bassanio ignores her pleas to wait and says that waiting like … Read more