GCE A/L English Literature - Made Easy - Drama -

The Merchant of Venice - by William Shakespeare

ACT 2 SCENE 6 - GENERAL SUMMARY

Waiting for Lorenzo's arrival, Gratiano and Salarino "This is the pent house under which Lorenzo Desired us to make stand." Lorenzo's delay puzzles them.

And it is marvel he out dwells his hour for lovers ever run before the clock."

Lorenzo runs in with apologies and Jessica too comes dressed as a boy and hands over a casket of money and jewels. Eloping in a boy's suit Jessica feels rather uncomfortable. But she wants to make sure that "make fast the doors" as instructed by her father and at the sametime bring some more ducats.

Antonio's anxiety "The wind is come about Bassanio presently will go abroad" Gratiano commenting "I am glad on't. I desire no more delight than to be under sail and gone to-night."

Commentary

There's hardly "a real break between this scene the preceding one" Shylock leaves the stage and Jessica too exits. Gratiano and Salarino carrying and Gratiano recalls to the love scene in Romeo and Juliet Lorenzo and Jessica appear setting up the "ROMANTIC ELEMENT" , the lovely girl Jessica reminding the audience of Viala in Twelfth Night dressed in boy's attire and falling in love with the duke.

This DISGUISE CONVENTION is commonly used by Shakespeare. Jessica "deserting her father's house and robbing it" creates a different angle in the character of shylock, whether he's a real villain demanding the pound of flesh. His remark "A proverb never stale in thrifly mind." Creating a different angle in judging his true character - passions daughter.

ACT 2 SCENE 7

Summary:

At Belmont - A room in Portia's house. The arrival of the Prince of Morocco to choose the right casket in order to win Portia's hand and Portia warning him saying that only one casket contains Portia's picture.

"The one of them contains my picture prince. If you choose that then I am yours withal." After pondering for a while he chooses the golden casket hoping to find "an angle in a golden bed" Thus he's destined to depart with labour lost "to take a tedious leave."

The scene preceding this one is in contrast. Another rich suitor, the Prince of Arragon arrives, having observed the three caskets he opens the silver casket "who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves" The Prince finding the "portrait of a blinking idiot" and thus he's compelled to leave "with one fool's head I came to woo, But I go away with two."

The inscriptions on the caskets are important. They not only reveal the character of the person who chooses them but also will win or loose the game. (This is a romantic comedy).

Portia herself is unaware of the right casket. There's the "dramatic moment" in the scene in which Prince Morocco "postponing the moment of choice" for he is a proud and powerful prince. The skull in the golden casket reflects clearly Shakespeare's moral. "Wealth and sensory being symbolised here by gold are merely transitory." The caskets may also suggest the material wealth, gold and silver. Shylock's god is gold and tends to embrace "the tragic flaw."

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ACT 2 SCENE 8

Summary:

Solanio and Salerio discuss the "recent developments in Venice" Shylock having realised that Jessica has eloped requested the Duke of Venice to get Bassanio's ship searched thinking that Jessica is in the ship with her lover. Shylock raving in the streets followed by boys mocking him. "My daughter, O'my ducats Oh! my daughter fled with a Christian." Hearing news about a ship wreck, an Italian ship that had sunk in the English channel, Salanio and Salerio hasten to meet Antonio (doubting whether it is Antonio's ship)

Commentary

Salario and Solanio are concerned about Antonio's fate since Shylock is in terrible temper and the "Mercy bond is no longer merry." Shylock's anger is introduced in Solario's speech, his loss of wealth and his only daughter. His determination to revenge, his only daughter running away with a christian and in addition, a friend of Antonio. Shakespeare tries to stimulate the audience to pity the man, shylock chased by the young boys howling after him. The audience on the other hand, is apprised with the fact that the moneylender is more concerned, more attached and more grieved over the loss of his wealth, while his only daughter claims a second place in his heart. Shylock, thereby has failed to realize the strength of human values.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher English, St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.