GCE A/L English Literature - Made Easy - Drama

The Merchant of Venice

- by William Shakespeare

Act 2 Scene 3

Shylock's house. The audience is introduced to Jessica, Shylock's only daughter. Speaking to Lancelot her plight.

"Our house is hell, and thou a merry devil Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness. But fare thee well, there is a ducat for thee."

She gives him a letter to be handed over to her lover Lorenzo "Who is thy new master's guest" Jessica is planning to elope with Lorenzo and become a christian.
-Commentary

This short scene unfolds the "final piece of plot exposed" and the opinion of Jessica regarding her father and his house "our house is hell." Her Love letter to Lorenzo, the second Love Affair in the play. (Gratiano and Nerissa's will be the third). In this scene Shylock is "cast in the clich‚d role of the villain." Usually in a romantic comedy one character becomes the sort of a villain and in Merchant of Venice Shylock is the sort of villain portrayed in the comedy for Jessica herself invites the sympathy and attention of the audience.

"...Alack, what heinous sin is it in me. To be ashamed to be my father's child. Though I am a daughter to his blood. I am not to his manners..."

Act 2 Scene 4 - General Summary -

Lorenzo, Salario and Gratiano are engaged in a conversation regarding Bassanio's dinner party and masque. There's much to be done hiring young men as torch bearers to make sure about the lighting system. It's going to be a special evening. Shylock too is invited to the party. Lorenzo gets a letter from Jessica, who is hoping to get disguised as a page tonight and elope with Lorenzo she'll be carrying enough gold and jewels. Jessica would act as a torch bearer and nobody would recognize her.

Act 2 Scene 4 contd.

Commentary

The 'masque' which the characters discuss hardly occurs though the audience anticipates such procedure. A romantic background is created for the development of the play. Jessica in a page's suit and eloping with Lorenzo. Back to Venice and importance given to Lancelot Gobbo Shylock's servant. Gobbo is in a state of uncertainty. A reflection of the comedy of the "ring story" ending in a light hearted and joyful manner.

Act 2 Scene 5 - General Summary -

Shylock, having accepted the invitation to Bassanio's party, gets ready to leave the house entrusting the keys to Jessica, saying that he had to accept the invitation to "feed upon the prodigal Christian." "...Jessica my girl look to my house. I am right loath to go." Jessica's anticipation of her elopements and the scene ends with a prediction. "Fare well and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter lost."

Act 2 Scene 5 contd.

Commentary:

Shylock's character is elaborately highlighted. His feelings and suspicion of ill omen brewing, awaiting him. "There is some ill brewing, awaiting towards my rest.

For I did dream of money bags to night." Though Jessica is anxious to hasten Shylock's departure so that early arrangements could be made for the planned elopement. But Shylock balancing in his thoughts whether to go or not and condemns the Christians. "Nor thrust your head into the public street to gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces. But stop my house's ears, I mean my casements."

The central idea in this scene is Shylock's anxiety to save his possessions. Protection of his wealth, his possessions is emphasised clearly warning Jessica that he might even return early. Thus inviting the emotions of the audience for he is going to lose his daughter and it is to her he is entrusting his possessions. Thus highlighting the dramatic irony prevailing.

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