ACT II, SCENE 6

Plot Development

succeeds in eloping witl

ith
In this scene,
Jessica finally
the m a s q u e ,
outside Shylock's house
wait outside Lorenzo. Grab
se for Lore
dressed for
Salarino, at his delay
and wonder why
hy,
is late. They
are surprised
he out-dwells his hour, Tem
e v e r r u n before
the clock.
For lovers
and apologises
for being late, H
finally arrives c a s k e t of money and ieu
calls
Lorenzo

appears in disguise of
a boy
with a
m a s c u l i n e disguise. She
satro Jessie
her
and also of
of her thievery would blush
Cupid himself
s e e me
thus transformed to a boy.
To
embarrassment when Lorenzo tells her o f L: s plan oi
her
Jessica expresses a candle to (her) shomlan
shames o
The idea of holding
because that could expose her identity. However, she agrees to d s0 nigh
her his
torch-bearer.
Out
Jessica makes s u r e
to lock the dooro
Before leaving, and fetch
for Lorenzo.
money. In her absence, Lorenzo tells Gratiano that Jessica is ithful and

enters the s c e n e looking for e

Bassanio hasGratia
Lorenzo and Jessica leave. Antonio
informs Gratiano that the masque has been cancelled as decik
Gratiano expresses his
than the scheduled time. excte
leave for Belmont earlier
to Belmont s o o n .
at the thought of sailing

Characterisation

Jessica
embarrassed in the beginning
disg
of the s c e n e at being
Jessica appears to be
a torch-bearer. 'Cupid himself,
she tells Lorenzo woulii
a s a boy and being
she is reassured by Lorenzothi
her dressed as a boy. But a s s o o n a s
seeing her shyness and
of a boy, she forgets
looks beautiful even in the guise
ducats. This shows that Sir
stealing more of her father's
to her pettiness, but also robs ner
unreliable daughter,who not elopes with Lorenzo,
only
of his wealth.

Critical Comments
oul

Cancellation of the Masque: The masque is planned

but not
ca ction
of thc
saves a lot of time in the play and allows further progress Jessicd
main purpose of planning the masque was to enable the elope dispenselnsed
dispenst
it is
the masque has served its purpose,
rpose,

herhouse. So, as soon as

enice-Workboo

110 XX X The Merchant of Venice

aEnd of Jessica's blopement: This scene puts an end to the rapid sequence
of five scenes which defined and traced the elopement of Jessica with Lorenzo.
Antonio's statement about the ships being ready to sail to Belmont, temporarily
resolves the Lorenz0-Jessica sub-plot and prepares the audience for a new location
and new themes. Further, Antonio's appearance reminds us of Bassanio's trip
to Belmont, of the fatal bond, of chance-taking and the hazard of a sea-voyage.
Gratiano's statement that the wind is favourable strikes a note of optimism.

Shylock's Vindictiveness: This scene serves a dual purpose. First, it hardens

Shylock's desire for revenge. His own daughter elopes with Lorenzo and renounces
her religion to mary him. In all these acts, Jessica is helped by Shylock's enemies
and this embitters Shylock and makes him more hostile to Christians. Second, it
arouses audience's sympathy for Shylock. Shylock trusts his daughter and hands
over the keys of his house and fortune to her. But she betrays the trust
of her
is
father. Launcelot too leaves Shylock and joins Bassanio. As such, Shylock
Wronged by his daughter. This provides some justification for his vindictiveness.

Context Questions

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Gratiano
And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour,
For lovers ever run before the clock.

Salarino
O, ten times faster Venus' pigeons fy
To seal love's bonds new-made, than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited!

Gratiano
That ever holds: who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down?
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first? All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoyd.

Where does this scene take place? Who has out-dwelt his hour? Normally
()
what do the lovers do as far as the appointed time is concerned?

Act I,Scene6K> XXXKOXOKO<d 111 KXO

 (ii) Who is Venus? How do the Venus's pigeons behave as far as love is concer
erned?

**

******ess

(iii) How does Gratiano explain in the extract the state of people inlove?

******ss

(iv) Give the meaning of:

(a) he out-dwells his hour.

(b) To seal love's bonds new-made.

(v At the end what happens to the

masque? Why?

112 < C <K> The Merchant of Venice-WorkbookS

* * * *

Lorenzo
2 Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode.
Not I, but my affairs, have made you wait:
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives,
I1l watch as long for you then. Approach;
Here dwells my father Jew. Ho! who's within?

Where is Lorenzo and who are his sweet friends?

(i)

..

What did his friends say about the anxiety of those in love?
(ii)

iii) What were the affairs that kept the speaker away so long?

oo

***** ..

v) What is meant by to play the thieves for wivesP How apt are these remarks
in the context?

Act I, Scene 6 OKK9<9KDKX 113KXS

 in the scene What is Jessi.
(v) What does Lorenzo ask
Jessica to do later sicas
reaction to his request?

**
****g*y

** *******s

** ***

3 Jessica
the pains.
Here, catch this casket; it is worth
I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me,
For I am much ashamed of my exchange:
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit;
For if they could, Cupid himself would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy.

Lorenzo
Descend, for you must be my torch-bearer.

Jessica
What, must I hold candle to my shames?
a

They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light.

Why, 'tis an office of discovery, love;
And I should be obscured.
that
(i) What do you think is sent down in the casket? How can you conclude u
the contents in the casket are valuable?

***

ok K
114 114 D OK9KDKOOThe Merchant of Venice-Workboo
 ismnenususeuessbweseseovanasasoybeeeepd0*

What is meant by I am much ashamed of my exchange'? Why is the exchange

(il) needed?

****** ****

*********

**

is love blind in the context? Who is referred to as "Cupid'? Why

(ii) In what way
would he blush?

*********

* ******

****

highlighted in the extract?

(iv) How is Jessica's feminine nature

***

**o****

torch-bearer? In what way would Jessica hold a candle

(v) What is meant by a
torch-bearer?
to her shames, if she were a

***

* ****

Act I, Scene 6 KO KXX 115 KX