Shylock
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your single bond, and in a merry sport
If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum or sums as are
Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body it pleaseth me.
A notary is a clerk or secretary who draws up legal documents and contracts.
Why do you think Shylock calls the deal a ‘merry sport’ at this stage? Do you think he does see it as a game or is this a deliberate tactic to hide his true intentions?
Do you think this is a fair deal?
Antonio
Content, in faith, I’ll seal to such a bond
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
4 Why do you think Antonio agrees to this deal so immediately and without questioning Shylock’s motives?
Bassanio
You shall not seal to such a bond for me.
I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.
Don’t agree to this on my account. I would rather remain poor than for you to put yourself in danger on my behalf.
Antonio
Why, fear not, man, I will not forfeit it.
Within these two months — that’s a month before
This bond expires — I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
Don’t worry about it! I won’t have to give him my flesh as a month before the time expires I should have received goods worth three times the amount I owe Shylock.
Shylock
O father Abram, what these Christians are,
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this:
If he should break his day, what should I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs or goats. I say
To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:
If he will take it, so, if not, adieu.
And for my love, I pray you wrong me not.
A pound of a man’s flesh is of far less value than that of edible animals.
Antonio
Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Shylock
Then meet me forthwith at the notary’s,
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and purse the ducats straight,
See to my house, left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave, and presently
I’ll be with you.
(Exit)
A ducat was a coin used across Europe when Shakespeare wrote the play.
A knave is a male servant.
Bassanio
I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.
Antonio
Come on, in this there can be no dismay.
My ships come home a month before the day.
(Exeunt)