In this scene, we are back in Venice and we meet Shylock, the Jewish moneylender for the first time. Bassanio is trying to get a loan from Shylock and Antonio will act as the guarantor. The terms of the loan are “three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.”
Shylock goes on to tell us that Antonio is a good guarantor as his credit rating is good, but he tells us that, “his means are in supposition,” meaning that there is a risk that his money could be lost at sea. We hear that he has ships in Tripolis, the Indies, Mexico, England and other ventures abroad. Despite the dangers of having so many ships at sea, Shylock agrees to the terms but insists that he must speak with Antonio.
When Antonio enters, Shylock speaks in an aside (only the audience can hear) He tells us that he hates Antonio. “I hate him for he is a christian.” He goes on to tell us that he also hates him because he lends money with no interest, which harms his money lending business. When he says, “If I can catch him once upon the hip,/I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him,” he is telling us that he only needs to catch him once to feed his hatred. This is an example of dramatic irony as Antonio is unaware that Shylock is planning to catch him out. We also see the level of religious extremism at play because Shylock tells us that Antonio “hates our sacred nation.” This means he hates the Jewish people. This hatred is a central theme in the play.
Shylock tells Bassanio and Antonio that he will need to go to Tubal, another Jew, to get the 3000 ducats. Antonio tells him that he never borrows money but is doing so in this case, to help his friend Bassanio. Shylock tells Antonio that he thought that he never borrowed or loaned money if there was interest, to which Antonio replies that he has never charged interest and hates the practise of money lending. Shylock uses the analogy of Jacob who had sheep and who gave birth to lambs, which gave profit in the same way as money lending. He says, ‘And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.’
Antonio replies, “The devil can cite scripture for his purpose,” which means we can use the bible for our own purposes and they are not always honourable.
Before giving Antonio the rate of interest, Shylock gives a long speech explaining how he is treated by Antonio on a daily basis in the city of Venice. He tells us that Antonio has often criticised him for money lending but like the rest of the Jewish people, he has put up with the insults. “You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,/And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine.” Shylock is highlighting the treatment of Jews in the city by Christians and now they have come to him looking for help.
“What should I say to you? Should I not say/ ‘Hath a dog money?” Shylock is basically saying you call me a dog, but now you want to take money from me. He also tells us that Antonio, “spat on me on Wednesday last,” to which Antonio cooly replies, “I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again,” which shows the level of hatred that Antonio has for Shylock. Antonio tells him not to lend the money as a friend, but as an enemy.
Shylock says that he will give the loan with no interest. Instead there will be a different bond. “Let the forfeit/ Be nominated for an equal pound/ of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me.” This means that if Antonio doesn’t repay the money, Shylock can take a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
Antonio instantly agrees to this but Bassanio is not happy with the terms. “You shall not seal to such a bond for me.” Antonio waves off Bassanio’s fears and says that he will have nine times the amount a month before the term expires.
Bassanio is still unsure about the terms and is wary of Shylock’s intentions, but Antonio replies, “In this there can be no dismay, my ships come home a month before the day.”
Questions:
- Describe the terms of the loan that Antonio has taken out.
- What does Shylock reveal to us in his ‘aside?’
- How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in this scene?
- Why do you think Shylock gives out the loan without interest?
Key Quotes:
“three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.” (Shylock)
“three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.” Shylock
“If I can catch him once upon the hip,/I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.” Shylock
“You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,/And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine.” Shylock
“I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again,” Antonio
“In this there can be no dismay, my ships come home a month before the day.” Antonio