ACT 1

“In sooth, I know not why I am so sad: Opening Line The human experience is an emotional one that is then linked  Sadness
It wearies me; you say it wearies you;  Melancholic through a clear metaphor to commercial competitiveness that is
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, protagonist the experience of competition and the experience of commerce.
What stuff ‘tis made of, whereof it is born, defies comedic
I am to learn; expectations.
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself.”
(Antonio, 1.1.1-7)
“Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, Word Choice Solanio uses the word affections, which commonly has  Wealth
The better part of my affections would connotations of love and romance, to describe Antonio’s ships.
Be with my hopes abroad.” (Solanio, 1.1.15- This portrays the monetary values within society, as Solanio
18) refers to ships (which hold Antonio’s wealth) as an item of
affection.
“I hold the world but as the world, Metaphor Describing the false nature of the world – everyone has a role to  Sadness
Gratiano: play in the world, in society.
A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one.” (Antonio, 1.1.77-79)
“As I will watch the aim, or to find both Anecdote + Extended Encouraging Antonio to repay the debt by getting himself into  Wealth
Or bring your latter hazard back again Metaphor more debt.
And thankfully rest debtor for the first.”
(Bassanio, 1.1.149-151)
“In Belmont is a lady richly left, Syntax Emphasis on her material value before any other qualities –  Wealth
And she is fair, and – fairer than the word – monetary based society.  Love
Of wonderous virtues.” (Bassanio, 1.1.160-  Class
162) Division
“Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued Financial Jargon Objectifying Portia and again placing greater emphasis on her  Wealth
To Cato’s daughter, Brutus’ Portia wealth than any of her other qualities.  Love
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her
worth” (Bassanio, 1.1.164-166)
“Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation Biblical Allusion Biblical allusion highlights the intensity of hatred – comparing  Racial
which your prophet the Nazarite conjured him to the devil. Prejudice
the devil into.” (Shylock, 1.3.27-28)
“I hate him for he is a Christian” (Shylock, Aside Mirroring the anti-Semitic views of the Christian characters.  Racial
1.3.34) Prejudice
“If I can catch him upon the hip, Metaphor + Aside Highlights the ongoing growth of Shylock’s anger – wishes to  Racial
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear make the Christians feel like he has. Prejudice
him” (Shylock, 1.3.38-39)  Revenge
“The devil can cite scripture for his Comparison + Simile Comparing Shylock devil – highlights the extent of his hatred.  Racial
purpose, Similes refer to the outside not reflecting the inside. Prejudice
An evil soul producing holy witness  Deception
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart”
(Antonio, 1.3.90-93)
“Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday Sarcastic Tone + Highlighting the extensive prejudice Shylock has experienced at  Wealth
last, Direct Speech the hands of Antonio, and highlights the irony of Antonio’s  Racial
You spurned me such a day, another time wealth depending on Shylock’s mercy. Prejudice
You called me dog: and for these courtesies
I’ll lend you thus monies” (Shylock, 1.3.118-
121)

ACT TWO
“Mislike me not for my complexion” Emphasising the racist nature of the society.  Racial
(Morocco, 2.1.1) Prejudice
“I shall end this strife, Rhyming Couplet Racial expectations in society – Jessica cannot marry a Christian  Gender
Become a Christian and thy loving wife.” without becoming one herself. Gender inequality – Lorenzo Inequality
(Jessica, 2.3.19-20) doesn’t have to change himself.  Racial
Prejudice
“Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed, Rhyming Couplet Treatment of women – women belong to their fathers until they  Love
I have a father, you a daughter, lost.” are married, and then they belong to their husbands. Jessica is  Gender
(Jessica, 2.5.54-55) willing to deny her father and become a Christian for Lorenzo – Inequality
complexities of romantic v. familial love.
“’Who chooseth me, shall gain what many Hyperbole Discussing the complexities of choice – what is on the outside  Deception
men desire.’ does not always reflect what is on the inside. Objectification of  Gender
Why, that’s the lady; all the world desires women – an object to be desired and gained. Inequality
her.
From the four corners of the Earth they
come
To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing
saint.” (Morocco, 2.7.37-40)
“’All that glisters is not gold; Rhyme + Metaphor Deception – what is on the outside doesn’t match the inside –  Wealth
Often you have heard that told. materialistic and arrogant values result in disappointment –  Deception
Many a man his life hath sold warning.
But my outside to behold.’” (Morocco,
2.7.65-68)
“’My daughter! O my ducats! O my Direct Speech + Mocking Shylock – valuing the money over his daughter.  Love
daughter! Repetition  Racial
Fled with Christian! O my Christian ducats! Prejudice
Justice! The law! My ducats and my
daughter!’” (Solanio, 2.8.15-17)  Wealth

ACT THREE
“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you Repetition + Comparing Jews to Christians – justifying his desire for revenge.  Racial
tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, Rhetorical Questions Prejudice
do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall  Revenge
we not revenge?” (Shylock, 3.1.50-52)
“So, may the outward shows be least Metaphor Bassanio critiques the materialistic and deceptive nature of  Deception
themselves: society.
The world is still deceived with ornament.”
(Bassanio, 3.2.73-74)

“In religion, Rhetorical Question Relates back to Antonio & Shylock’s conversation in Act 1 Scene  Racial
What damned error but some sober brow 3. Prejudice
Will bless it and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair
ornament?”(Bassanio, 3.2.77-80)
“ ‘You that choose not by the view Rhyme, Metaphor Bassanio chose based on what was inside  wasn’t distracted by  Deception
Chance as fair, and choose as true.” gold/silver. This highlights his genuine values.  Love
(Bassanio, 3.2.131-132)
“Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours - Highlights the patriarchal values of society  a rich women’s  Gender
Is now converted.” (Portia, 3.2.166-167) property become shared with her husband upon marriage. Inequality
 Love
“A creature that did bear the shape of man, Metaphor It is revealed that Antonio will not be able to pay the bond he set  Racial
So keen and greedy to confound to a man.” up with Shylock, and Shylock is unwilling to wavier the pound of Prejudice
(Salerio, 3.2.274-275) flesh he was promised. Due to this desire for flesh, Salerio
describes Shylock as a beast.
“That he would rather have Antonio’s flesh - Expresses Shylock’s value of revenge being more important than  Wealth
Than twenty times the value of the sum.” his value of money.  Revenge
(Jessica, 3.2.285-286)
“Since you are dear bought, I will love you Pun, Financial Jargon Displaying the intertwined nature of money and love.  Wealth
dear.” (Portia, 3.2.312)  Love
“I’ll have my bond; I will not hear thee Repetition, Highlights Shylock’s intense hatred and desire for revenge.  Revenge
speak; Imperative,  Racial
I’ll have my bond, and therefore speak no Demanding tone Prejudice
more.” (Shylock, 3.3.12-13)
“The duke cannot deny the course of law; - Showing the lack of justice seen in the courts.  Justice
For the commodity that strangers have  Racial
With us in Venice, if it be denied, Prejudice
Will much impeach the justice of the state,
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations.” (Antonio, 3.3.26-
31)
“How little is the cost I have bestowed Financial Jargon Money can be used to escape peril. Portia is willing to help  Wealth
In purchasing the semblance of my soul Antonio because he is Bassanio’s friend, Bassanio & Portia’s love  Love
From out the state of hellish cruelty!” transcends social construct.
(Portia, 3.4.19-21)
“We’ll see our husbands - Disguise is a convention of Shakespearean comedy. The  Deception
Before they think of us.” husbands care more about their male friendships than their  Gender
marriages  human experience of gender, gender inequality. Inequality
Portia & Nerissa are willing to sacrifice themselves – reinforces
the message of the lead casket, it’s only in taking risks that one
can discover the truth about themselves and others.
ACT FOUR
“This poor merchant’s flesh,” (Duke, 4.1.23) Irony The Duke is suggesting that Antonio is being persecuted by  Racial
“That have of late so huddled on his back” Shylock, when in reality Shylock has been persecuted by the Prejudice
(Duke, 4.1.28) entirety of Venice the whole play.  Justice
“If you deny it, let the danger light Personification of Commenting on the unjust and corrupt law system – Shylock has  Justice
Upon your charter and your city’s Danger not done anything illegal.
freedom!” (Shylock, 4.1.38-39)
“A weight of carrion flesh than to receive - Highlights the extent of his hatred and revenge – flesh is more  Wealth
Three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer to important to him than money.  Justice
that –“ (Shylock, 4.1.41-42)  Revenge
“This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, Irony Refers to Shylock as ‘unfeeling’ and ‘cruel’ when Shylock has  Racial
To excuse the current of thy cruelty.” been treated so cruelly throughout the play. Prejudice
(Bassanio, 4.1.63-64)
“The pound of flesh which I demand of him Imperative language + Shylock is expressing no mercy as he has continued to have been  Revenge
Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I shall have Financial jargon/pun persecuted by the Christians and this is his chance to take his  Wealth
it.” (Shylock, 4.1.99-100) revenge.  Justice
Enter Nerissa [disguised as a lawyer’s Comedic Features Disguise is a common feature of Shakespearean comedies – also  Gender
clerk] Nerissa has to be dressed as a man in order to be involved in the Inequality
trial.
“I acquainted him with the cause in Prose Shylock doesn’t have any other identity than being a Jew,  Racial
controversy between the Jew and Antonio whereas Antonio is named and given his job title. Prejudice
the merchant” (Duke, 4.1.153-154)
“This bond doth give thee here no jot of - Portia is an intelligent, perceptive woman – an anomaly of the  Gender
blood. usual women of the time. Inequality
The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh’.”
(Portia, 4.1.302-303”
“He presently become a Christian; Imperative Language Antonio is given the power to strip Shylock of his job, religion  Racial
The other, that he do record a gift, and wealth and consequently Shylock has no identity. Prejudice
Here in the court, of all he dies possessed
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.”
(Antonio, 4.1.383-386)
ACT FIVE
“Well, while I live I’ll fear no other thing Rhyming Couplet The closing line of the play revolves around the importance of  Wealth
So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.” material symbols of love – appropriate for the emerging  Love
mercantile world.