Act I: Scene 3

Venict. Apublic place

TEXT PARAPHRASE
Enter Bassanio and Shylock Enter Bassanio and Shylock

Shylock Shylock
Three thousand ducats- well. So you need three thousand ducats ..
.I se
your point.

Bassanio Bassanio
Ay' sir, for three months. Yes, sir : for three months.

Shylock Shylock
For three months,- well. For three months, all
right!
Bassanio Bassanio
For the which' as I told you, Antonio shall be As I have already told you, Antonio will
5 bound stand surety for it.

Shylock Shylock
Antonio shall become bound,- well
You mean to that Antonio shall signa
say
bond. I quite follow you.
Bassanio
Bassanio
May you stead' me? Will you pleasure me Can you help me? Will you give me
shall I know your answer?
pleasure by giving the loan? May I kno

your answer.

Shylock
Three thousand ducats, for three Shylock
months, Three thousand ducats and for three
10 and Antonio bound.
months and Antonio will stand surety:

1. a golden-coin
3. the loan
yes shall sign a bond help
6. oblige
A a l :Some3

Bassanio
Bassanio
to that, I want your
Your
answer

response to this proposal.

Shylock Shylock
man.
Antonio
is a good Antonio is a good man.

Bassanio Bassanio
heard any imputation' to the Have you ever heard any allegation
Have you
contrary? (charge) against him?

Shylock Shylock
15 Ho, no, no, no, no; my meaning in saying Oh, no, no, when I say that Antonio is a

good man is to have you understand

he is a good man, I want you to understand that

me that he
is sufficient. Yet his means are in his name is enough as a surety. Yet his

supposition: he hath an argosy" bound to" means are in doubt because one of his

Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand, ships is on way to Tripoli, and another is
20 moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third bound for the Indies. Besides, I have

atMexico, a fourth for England,- and learnt at the Stock Exchange that his third
other ventures" he hath, squandered" abroad" ship is in Mexico and the fourth ship is
Butships are but boards, sailors but men: bound for England. Besides, he has many
there be land-rats and water-rats, water- more ships spread out in different
17
25 thieves, and land-thieves- I countries. But ships are no better than
mean pirates;
and then there is the peril" of waters, winds, wooden boards, and sailors are only
and rocks. The mortal men. Furthermore, just as there
man is, notwithstanding."
sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I are land rats and water rats, so there are
may take" his bond. land robbers and sea-robbers. And then
there is the danger from water, winds and
rocks. But regardless of these things,
Antonio himself is suficient as a surery.
For the amoiunt of three thousand ducats,
I think that I can take his surety.
.
sound 16. wooden boards
8.charge, allegation 12. going to
ships carrying goods, Cargoes,
17. sea robbers, buccaneers

.dependable security 13. 18. danger

business risks.
resources
11. ship in doubt 14. scattered
19. despite that
15 in forcien countries 20. accept
 mt of Venice

Bassanio Bassanio
30 Be asured you may. Surely, you may do so.

Shylock Shylock
I will be assured I may; and, that I may be I want to be assured that. I
may take his
assured, bond: in orderto be sure, I
shall
I will bethink me May I speak with Antonio ? myself
think over. May I speak with Antonin
Bassanio Bassanio
Ifit please you to dine with us. You can meet him at dinner. If it will
please you to dine with us.

Shylock Shylock
Yes, to smell pork;" to eat of the habitation IfI dine with you, I shall have to smell
35 which your prophet the Nazarit'conjured pork (pig's flesh), and to eat the flesh of
the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with the animals into whose bodies your
you, talk wich you, walk with you, and so prophet, Jesus Christ, put the devil. Iwill
following"; but I will not eat with you, drink buy things from you, I will sell things to
with you, nor pray with you. What news on you. I will discuss matters of trade with
40 the Rialto?-Who is he comes here? you, walk with you and so on, but I will
not eat with you, nor pray with you.
What is the news on the Stock Exchange?
Who is that man that comes here?
Enter Antonio Enter Antonio

Bassanio Bassanio
This Signior Antonio. It is Mr. Antonio.

Shylock Shylock
(Aside) How like a fawning" publican'" he looks!
(Aside) How very much like a flattering
I hate him for he is Christian;
a
tax-collector does he look! I hate him
But more, for that in
low simpliciry* because he is a Christian. But I hate
him
A o t 1 :S e n

He lends out money gratis and brings down

even more
45
The rate of usance here with us in Venice. because, due to his foolishness,
he lends out money without interest, and
IfI can catch him once upon the hip,"
thus brings down the rate of interest
Iwill feed far the ancient grudge I bear him.
among us in Venice. If only once I could
He hates our sacred nation; and he rail, have him in my
trap, I will take my full
Even there where merchants most do
s0
9
revenge and thus feed my ancient grudge
congregate, against him. He hates our sacred
On me, my bargains , and my well-won"
community of the Jews. He abuses and
thrif," criticises me at the Rialto, the Stock
Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe," Exchange which is the meeting place of
IfIforgive him! the merchants. There he expresses
contempt for my business dealings and
my well-deserved gains which he calls
interests. May ill-luck fall upon my race if
I forgive him!

Bassanio Bassanio

Shylock, do you hear ? Shylock are you listening?

Shylock Shylock
55 I am debating" of my presentstore
45 I am thinking about the money that I
have at the moment. As far as I can
And, by the near guess of my memory,
I cannot
47 remember, I know that I cannot raise up
instantly" raise up the gross
this much amount immediately. But what
Of full three thousand ducats. What of that"?
difference does it make? Tubal, a rich
Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew'" of my tribe
60 Will furnish" me. But sofi,"! how many months Jew of my race, will provide me the
money. But wait for a moment. For how
Do you desire? [To Antonio] Rest you fair, good
many months do you want money?
S1gnior;

47. full amount

33. free of 40. business dealings
34 interestcharge
48. It does not matter
41. honestly made
49. Jew
35. at a 42. gain, profit
disadvantage
36. fully satisfy 43. race
50. provide, supply
51. wait a moment
37. long standing 44. assessing, calculating
52. God rest you
38. criticises 45. hard cash
39. gather 46. immediately
 rChan
ant of Venice
Your worship was the last man in our To Antonio) May God keep
you
mouths" lucky,
good sir, you were the person we wer
talking about.

Antonio Antonio
Shylock, albeit," I neither lend nor borrow Shylock, although I never lend or borto
By taking nor by giving of exces,"
money by taking or giving interest, yet to
65 Yet, to
supply" the ripe" wants of my friend, meet the immediate needs
I'l break a
of my friend,1
custom.-[To Bassanio] Is he yet will break my usual practice. (To
possessed"
Bassanio) Has Shylock been told how
How much ye would much money you wish to have?

Shylock Shylock
Ay, ay, three thousand ducats. Yes, yes, three thousand ducats.

Antonio Antonio
And for three months. And for a
period of three months.
Shylock Shylock
70 I had forgot; three months; you told me so.
I had forgotten this: three months, you
Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear had told me that. Well then, I want
your
you;
guarantee. Let me think. But listen to me.
Methought" you said you neither lend nor T thought you said that you neither lend
borrow nor borrow money on interest.
Upon advantage.
Antonio Antonio
I do never use it. I never use
money in this way.

53. your honour 57. meet 61. I thought

54. last person talked about you 58. urgent 62. interest
55. Although 59. told
56. interest 60. you need
 Shylock
Shylock
When Jacob
grazed his uncle Laban's sheep,- When Jacob grazed the sheep for his
75
from holy Abraham was,
our
Uncle Laban and this Jacob who
ThisJacob

wise mother wrought in his behal descended from our holy Abraham, was
(As his
ay, he was the third as his wise mother Rebecca had skilfully
The third possessor":
worked to get him this position) the third
in the line of succession. Yes, he was the
third.

Antonio Antonio
Andwhat of him? did he take interest? And what about him ? Did he charge
interest?

Shylock Shylock
80 No, not take interest; not, as you would say, No, he did not take interest, not directly,

Directly interest; mark what Jacob did. as you would call interest. You must note
67
When Laban and himself werecompromied what Jacob did. Laban and Jacob made an

That all the eanling which were streak'd and agreement that all new-born lambs with
pied lines and spots of colour on their bodies,

Should fall as Jacob's hire." would belong to Jacob as the payment for

85 This was a way to thrive," and he was blest; his services. This was the way to succeed,

and he was blessed. All profit is a blessing

And thrif" is blessing. if men steal it not
if men do not steal.

Antonio Antonio
This was a venture," sir, that Jacob served" for; This was a business dealing, sir, for which

63. worked, manipulated 68. new-born lambs 73. rewarded

64. for his benefit 69. having lines 74. gain
65. inheritor 70. having spots 75. business undertaking
66. note 71. wages 76. served
67. had made an agreement 72. prosper
 7
A thing not in his power to bring to pass, Jacob worked. It was not in his
But swayd and fashion d by the hand of make such a thing happen. It waspowet to
heaven. designed and made to happen
of God. But did you insert this
the wil
90 Was this inserted" to make interestgood"?
story to
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? show that interest is
good? Or did n
tell it because your gold and silver is
sheepand ram?

Shylock Shylock
I cannot tell; I make it breed" as fast: I cannot say anything about that. But I do
But note me," signior. make my money grow as quickly. But
listen to me, dear sir.

Antonio Antonio
Mark you this, Bassanio, Take note of this, Bassanio that even the
95 The devil" cite Scripture for his purpose.
can devil can quote from a holy book when it
An evil soul, producing holy witness, suits his purpose. An evil-minded person
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; who thus quotes from a holy book for his
A goodly apple rotten at the heart: purpose is ike a villain with a smile on his
O what a goodly" outside falsehood hath! face, an apple which appears attactive but
is in fact rotten inside. Falsehood has an

attractive external appearance.

Shylock Shylock
100 Three thousand ducats; tis a
good round sum. Three thousand ducats is a good large
Three months from twelve : then, let or
me see, the Sum. You need it for three months out
the rate or
rate twelve in a year. Let me see

interest.

77. happen 82. to justify interest 87. holy books

78. governed 83. grow 88. good-looking
79. made, moulded 84. pay attention to me 89. big
80. will of God 85. Shylock
81. mentioned in the holy books 86. quote
A t l :SomeJ JI7

A n t o n i o

Antonio
Wel, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
Well, Shylock, will you oblige us?

Shylock Shylock
many a time and oft
Signior Antonio, Mr. Antonio, many times, on the Rialto,
Rialto you have raed me
you have criticised me about my money
In the
my moneys
and my usances" and about the interest that I charge from
105 About

Sll have I borne

it with a patient shru people on the loans given to them. Even

For suyfferance
is the badge" of all our tribe" then, I have tolerated your harsh words

You call me misbeliever," cut-throat dog, with a patient shrug of the shoulders
"

And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
110 And for all use of that which is mine own.
Well then, it now appears you need my help:
Go to then; you come to me, and you say,
Shylock, we would have moneys: you say so;
102
You, that did void your rheum
because toleration is the chief qualiry of
our race. You call me a misbeliever and a
murderous dog. You spit upon my Jewish
clothes. You have done this because I use
my money in my own way. Well, now it
upon my appears that you need my help. You come

beard, to me and say, "Shylock, we would like to

a stranger c u r105
15 And foor103 me as you s p u r n
have your money". It is you who say so,

you who spat upon my beard and kicked

07
Over your threshold;106 moneys is your sui.

What should I say to you? Should I not say, me as you would like a strange dog that

"Hath a dog money? Is it possible comes to the door-step of your house.

Money is what you require. What reply
Acur can lend three thousand ducats? or

120 Shall I bend low, and in 108 do you expect to get from me? Shouldn't
a bondman's key"
I ask you, "Does a dog have money ? Is it
With bated breath and whispering
humbleness, possible for a dog to lend three thousand

90. thankful 103. kick

. rebuked 96. mark, spcial qualiry
97. race
104. driveaway
92. interest 105. unknown dog
98. follower of a false religion
106. door-step
endured, tolerated 99. greedy 107. request
move shoulders to show 100. gown 108. in the tone of a slave
indifference 101.emit 109. low breath
apacity to suffer 102.spitcle
 t of Venice
LDante

Say this,- ducats?Or, should I bend low, and

"Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; speaking humbly in the low voice of a
You spurn d me such a day; another time slave, with controlled breath and humhl.
125 "You call'd way say to you, "Good Sir, you spit on
dog; and for these courtesies
me

T'l lend you thus much moneys" me on last Wednesday, you kicked
me on
such a day and you called me a dog at
another time: and for these courtesies I
will lend you this much money?"
Antonio Antonio
I am as like to call thee so again, I am as likely to call you a dog again, to
To spit on thee again, to 112 thee too.
spit on you again, and to kick you too. If
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not you are ready to lend us this money, do
130 As to thy friends-for when did friendship take not lend this to us as if you are
lending to
A breed" for barren metal" of this friend a friend, because when did a friend ever
But lend it rather thine enemy; make
to
profit over the money that he lent
Who, if he break, thou mayest with better face to another friend. But, lend the money as
Exact the penalty. you would lend it to an enemy so that if
the enemy fails, you may take the
penalty.

Shylock Shylock
135 Why, look you, how you storm"! Look, you are talking very angrily.
I would be friends with you and have
your love, I want to be friendly with you and
Forget the shames" that you have stain'a" me have your love. I want to forget the
with, shame that you have heaped upon me.
Supply your present wants, and take no doit I would like to meet your present needs,
Of usance" for my moneys, and
you'll not hear without charging even a penny as interest
me
on
my money. I am making a generous
140 This is kind I offer.
offer.

110. kicked me 115. greater

111. polite behaviour courage, withour feeling 119. degraded
shame 120. a coin of small value
112. kick l16. demand, take
113. interest 121. interest
117. how angrily you
114. lifeless coins speak
118. insults
Atl

Bassanio Bassanio
This were kindness.
This is actually a kind offer.

Shylock Shylock
This kindness will I show; I am willing to show this kindness. Come
122 23
Go with me to a notarny, seal me there with me to a notary ( an officer of the
and, in mery sport," court of law) and sign a single bond there,
Your single bond;
a

me not on such a day, and, as if in joke, say it in the bond that if

145 Ifyou repay
such sum or sums as are you fail to repay me the money
In such a place,
Express d in the condition, let the forfeis mentioned in the bond on a particular

Be nominated for an equal" pound day and at a particular place, let the
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken penalty be exactly one pound of your fait
flesh. I will have the right to cut off and
150 In what part of your body pleaseth
me.

take this pound of flesh from any part of

your body that I like.

Antonio Antonio
Content, i' faith:" Ill seal to such a bond, You may be content. I will put my
And say there is much kindness in the Jew. signature on such a bond, and I will also
say that the Jew is kind.

Bassanio Bassanio
You shall not seal to such a bond for me: I will not allow you to sign such a bond
32
rl rather duwel in my necesity. for me. I would prefer to live in my need.

Antonio
155
Why, fear not, man; I will notforefeit
Within these two months, that's a month before
This bond expires, I do expect return
Antonio
133 Do not be afraid, Bassanio. I will not
forfeit it. Within the next two months,
that is, a month before the expiry of this

Ot thrice three times" the value of this bond. bond, I expect to get back nine times the
value of this bond.

122. alawyer 132. need

123. sign 127. penalry
an 128. specified for 133. won't pay the penalty
agreement
24. bond signed 134. nine times
125. as a only by you 129. exact
joke
126. mentioned 130. I agree
131. continue
 Shylock Shylock
O father Abram, what these Christians are, Ofather Abraham, what
kind
160 Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect these Christians? Their own harof m.

The thoughs of others ! Pray you, tell me this; business dealings make them harsh
If he sheuld break his day" what should I gain motives of others. I susne
uspect the
By the aaction of the forfeiture? request you
this. Even if Antonio were toto tell t me
to fail
A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man the money in time, to n
what would I pay
165 Is not so estimable,"
profitable neither, insisting upon taking the al gaigan by
pound of man's flesh, whenpenalty?
As flesh of muttons,"
beef," or
goats. I say,
it is
A
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship: taken
from the body of a man, is
Ifhe will take it, not
so; if not, adieu;" valuable or as profitable as the even as
And, for my love, I pray you wrong me lot.
sheep, cow, or goat. fleshof
I I extend
say,my
hand of friendship o win
favour. If takes it, it i:
Antonio's
If good. not, 1bid
you goodbye. But for the sake of
my love
do not
misjudge me.
Antonio
170 Yes, Antonio
Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Yes, Shylock, I will
sign this bond.
Shylock
Then meet me
forthwith" at the notary's; Shylock
Give him direcion for this Then meet me soon at the
merry bond; Notary's office
And I will go and Give him the
purse" the ducats necessary instructions abour
See to my house, left in
the fearful
straight" this merry bond. I will and the
go put
175 Of an guard* ducats in my purse
unthrify"
I'l be with
knave," and presenth" immediately. I will
have a look at my house which has ben
you.
lett in the care of an
unreliable person,
and soon I will be with
Exit Shylock you.

(Shylock goes)
135. what type of
136. movies people 140. sheep
137. fail to repay the 141. cows or 146. custody
fixed day money on the 142. farewell oxen 147. careless
138. realisation of the 143. at once 148. servant
139. useful penalty 144. put into a 149. soon
145. at once bag
 Antonio Antonio
Hi thee, gentle Jew. Hury up, gentle Jew. This jew will soon
This Herbrew will turn Christian : he grows become a Christian. He is becoming kind.
kind.

Bassanio Bassanioo
I like not fair terms" and a villain's mind. I do not like these apparently kind terms

from a man who has a villain's mind.

Antonio Antonio
180 Come on : in this there can be no dismay;" Come on, there is no risk in this bond.

My ships come home a month before the day. My ships will come back a month before
the last date of the bond.

[Exeunt They leave