Duke: I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.
1. Who is 'thee' in the first line? Where are they and why?
Answer
he 'thee in the first line refers to Antonio. They are right now in the...
Duke: I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.
1. Who is 'thee' in the first line? Where are they and why?
Answer
he 'thee in the first line refers to Antonio. They are right now in the court for the case between Antonio
and Shylock. Antonio has forfeited the bond so Shylock is liable to take a pound of flesh from
Antonio's body.
2. Who is being spoken about? Why is this person being described in such a manner?
Answer
The duke is talking about Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. As Shylock is an unfeeling and ruthless
Jew and his hatred for Antonio is so strong that he has forgotten humanity, and in spite of the duke
begging for mercy for Antonio he is not ready to give up his bond. His heart is filled with hatred with no
place for mercy.
3. Who is the 'adversary' referred to here? What does the Duke mean by 'stony adversary' and
'in human wretch'?
Answer
The adversary referred to here is Shylock. By 'stony adversary' and 'inhuman wretch' the Duke means
that Shylock is stone hearted and he does not possess the feelings of humanity.
4. Who are the other people present? Who enters the scene next? What are his demands and
why?
Answer
The other people present are Bassanio, Gratiano, Salerio and the officers of the court. Shylock enters
the scene next. He only wants his bond and nothing else. He was offered twice the amount due, but
he only wants a pound of Antonio's flesh. His hatred for Antonio is so deep that nothing else can
satisfy him but his life.
5. Whose arrival is awaited? Does this person turn up? Why?
Answer
The duke is awaiting the arrival of a learned doctor, Bellario, from Padua whom he has called to
determine the case. Since Doctor Bellario is unable to come he sends a letter stating that he is
sending a learned lawyer in his place. Therefore instead of Bellario comes the learned lawyer.
6. Give details of the person who comes. How does this person change the present situation?
Answer
The person who comes in place of Bellario is actually, Portia dressed as a lawyer. With her wit and
intelligence, she turns the tables against Shylock. Antonio wins the case and he also gets half of
Shylock's property. As per the bond, Shylock can have a pound of flesh, nothing less and nothing
more and while cutting this pound of flesh he has to make sure that he doesn't shed even a single
drop of blood. This, of course was not possible, therefore, Shylock has to accept what the state of
Venice decides.
Antonio:
, I am a tainted wether of the flock,
Meetest for death : the weakest kind of fruit
Drops earliest to the ground, and so let me.
1. Under what circumstances does this dialogue take place?
Answer
This dialogue takes place when Shylock's case against Antonio seems to be going against Antonio.
The Duke's personal appeal to Shylock has produced no effect on Shylock; and Bassanio's pleading
with Shylock has also failed to serve any purpose.
2. The listener has been given a task by the speaker. What is it? Why does he say that?
Answer
Antonio asks Bassanio to write his epitaph because that would be the most suitable task for him as he
is his best friend and no one can understand him better than Bassanio.
3. Why is Antonio willing to die?
Answer
Antonio thinks himself to be a useless man now when he was bankrupt, and has completely lost his
flourishing business. He compares himself to a sheep, which gets infected with some disease, and his
continued presence in the flock of sheep can prove to be dangerous to the other sheep as well. It
would be better if the infected sheep dies. In the same way, Antonio would like to die instead of
continuing to live and cause endless anxiety to his friends like Bassanio.
4. What feelings does this piece of dialogue arouse in your heart?
Answer
This piece of dialogue provokes sympathy for Antonio and respect for Bassanio. A deep pity has been
aroused at the fate, which Antonio is on the edge of meeting: and we certainly admire Bassanio for his
sincerity towards his friend who is in profound dilemma.
5. Who enters the scene next? What news does this person bring?
Answer
Nerissa, dressed as the lawyer's clerk, enters the scene next. Nerissa has come with a letter from
Bellario, a renowned Doctor of law. The letter states that since Bellario is unwell he is sending a
learned lawyer by the name of Balthazar to handle the case.
Portia :
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
Shed thou no blood; nor cut thou less, nor more,
But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more,
Or less, than a just pound, be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance,
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.
1. Who are the two people in conversation? The speaker lays down a condition, what is it?
Answer
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