The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 3 Summary

The audience is taken back to Venice. We come to know about Antonio’s miserable state, He
has been allowed to leave jail for a short time. Shylock tells the jailor to guard Antonio closely.
Antonio’s mercy pleas have been completely ignored by Shylock. The Jew is very keen to
avenge all the wrongs done to him.

He repeatedly says, ‘I’ll have my bond!’ He says that earlier Antonio had called him a dog
without reason. Since he is considered a dog, Antonio will now have to face his fangs. Shylock
complains that Antonio is shown favoritism, as he is allowed to come out of the jail.

He is not ready to listen to Christian pleaders. Antonio decides not to plead further. Solanio
hopes for some mercy from the Duke. But the duke is also duty bound to follow the strict rules of
Venice. Venice depends on the prosperity from the International trade which, in turn, depends
on impartial treatment towards all. If the laws are violated and justice is denied, Venice will lose
its credibility. It will surely affect its trade.

Antonio says that the worries and griefs of the past few days have made him lose weight that he
doubts whether there will be enough flesh to be cut off the next day. He only prays that
Bassanio comes to see him discharge his debt; he wishes for nothing else.
The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 3 Summary Word Meanings

fangs – teeth
naughty – good for nothing
abroad – outside the prison
dull – eyed – stupid
relent – show pity
intercessors – pleaders
impenetrable cur – hard hearted dog
kept with – lived among
bootless – futile
delivers – rescued
forfeiture to hold – to be enforced
commodity – rights
strangers – foreigners
impeach – questioned or accused
bated – affected
bloody – blood thirsty.

The Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 3 Summary Questions and Answers

1. Shylock:
I’ll have my bond; speak not against my bond :
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause,
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs :
The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request.

Antinio : I pray thee, hear me speak.

Shylock : I’ll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak :
I’ll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.
I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
To Christian intercessors. Follow not;
I’ll have no speaking; I will have my bond.

Question 1.
To whom are these words spoken? When? Who else is with the characters? Where are they?
Answer:
These words are being spoken to Antonio, when he requests Shylock to listen to him. Solanio
and the jailor are with them. They are in a street in Venice.

Question 2.
In what state of mind is Shylock, now? What has he accused the jailer of, a little while earlier?
Answer:
Shylock is excited and very keen to take his revenge against Antonio. He keeps on repeating,
‘I’ll have the bond’. He has accused the jailor of showing partiality towards Antonio by allowing
him to come out of the jail.

Question 3.
Explain ‘I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool, to shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
to Christian intercessors’. Earlier he tells the listener to be beware of his fangs. Why?
Answer:
The line means that Shylock will not become a soft and stupid fool to shake his head and relent
to forgive Christian pleaders. Earlier he says that Antonio had called him a dog and now he
must suffer the dog’s bite.

Question 4.
Why and when does the listener say, ‘Let him alone’?
Answer:
When Solanio comments that the Jew is the most heartless dog, Antonio says that there is no
use pleading in front of the blood-thirsty Shylock.

Question 5.
Why is Shylock after his life, according to the speaker?
Answer:
According to Antonio, Shylock is after his life as he had rescued many people from the Jew’s
clutches by helping with his money. So Shylock has been deprived of his forfeiture many a time:
therefore, the Jew hates him and he is after his life to take revenge.

Question 6.
Why can’t the Duke save the speaker?
Answer:
The Duke can’t save the speaker, as he has to abide by the strict laws of Venice. If he goes
against justice, Venice will lose its credibility among foreign traders and this will affect its trade
and prosperity.

Question 7.
How does the scene end? Bring out the significance of the scene.
Answer:
The scene ends on a sad note with Antonio losing all hope for his life. His last wish is to meet
Bassanio, his best friend. This is the preparation for the trial scene that follows. The audience is
prepared for Antonio’s tragedy. This also gives a time gap for Bassanio to reach. The scene
emphasizes the theme of friendship in which Antonio without any complaint submits to his fate.