Act IV Scene IAct IV Scene IIn court in Venice, Shylock demands that the terms of his In court in Venice, Shylock demands that the terms of his

bond be fufilled. Portia enters as a doctor of laws (lawyer), bond be fufilled. Portia enters as a doctor of laws (lawyer), with a letter of introduction from Dr. Bellario. We learn the with a letter of introduction from Dr. Bellario. We learn the fate of Antonio and Shylock, as well as get a surprise with fate of Antonio and Shylock, as well as get a surprise with

the ring plot!the ring plot!

The Duke warns AntonioThe Duke warns Antonio

The Duke of Venice warns Antonio, The Duke of Venice warns Antonio, the defendant, that the plaintiff the defendant, that the plaintiff (Shylock) is "a stony adversary . . . (Shylock) is "a stony adversary . . . incapable of pity . . . [and] void . . . of incapable of pity . . . [and] void . . . of mercy." mercy."

Antonio explains that he is ready to Antonio explains that he is ready to suffer and that he will do so quietly. suffer and that he will do so quietly. He has accepted that "no lawful He has accepted that "no lawful means“ will be able to save him now.means“ will be able to save him now.

Should Shylock be more lenient?Should Shylock be more lenient?

The duke says that everyone thinks that The duke says that everyone thinks that he should relent at the last moment and he should relent at the last moment and spare Antonio, taking "pity on his losses.“spare Antonio, taking "pity on his losses.“

Shylock is adamant; he prefers the penalty Shylock is adamant; he prefers the penalty of a pound of flesh to repayment of three of a pound of flesh to repayment of three thousand ducats. Why? Shylock says, "it is thousand ducats. Why? Shylock says, "it is my humor." my humor." In other words, Shylock wants the pound of In other words, Shylock wants the pound of

flesh for no rational reason. He wants it only flesh for no rational reason. He wants it only because of "a lodged hate and a certain because of "a lodged hate and a certain loathing" for Antonio. loathing" for Antonio.

Bassanio tries to help.Bassanio tries to help.

Bassanio tries to reason with Bassanio tries to reason with Shylock, but it is clearly a waste of Shylock, but it is clearly a waste of time. He offers Shylock 6,000 ducats, time. He offers Shylock 6,000 ducats, but it’s no use because it will not but it’s no use because it will not change Shylock’s mind. change Shylock’s mind.

The Duke’s question for ShylockThe Duke’s question for Shylock "How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering "How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering

none?" none?" What does the Duke mean by this?What does the Duke mean by this?

Shylock cites the mistreatment of many Shylock cites the mistreatment of many Venetian slaves by the Venetians themselves, Venetian slaves by the Venetians themselves, justified by the fact that they justified by the fact that they bought bought the the slaves and can treat them as they please.slaves and can treat them as they please.

In the same way, the pound of flesh which he In the same way, the pound of flesh which he has "dearly bought" belongs to him, and he has "dearly bought" belongs to him, and he can do with it as he pleases. can do with it as he pleases.

Shylock demands an immediate judgment Shylock demands an immediate judgment confirming his right to justice. confirming his right to justice.

The Duke is waiting…The Duke is waiting…

……for Dr. Bellario to come, because for Dr. Bellario to come, because he cannot render such a big decision he cannot render such a big decision on his own. So Shylock has to wait…on his own. So Shylock has to wait…

Bassanio tries to cheer Antonio upBassanio tries to cheer Antonio up

Bassanio wants to give up his own Bassanio wants to give up his own life for Antonio’slife for Antonio’s Antonio, however, is pessimistic and Antonio, however, is pessimistic and

tells Bassanio to “live still, and write my tells Bassanio to “live still, and write my own epitaph.”own epitaph.”

And here comes Nerissa…And here comes Nerissa…

She is dressed like a lawyers clerk She is dressed like a lawyers clerk and delivers a letter from Bellario to and delivers a letter from Bellario to the Duke. the Duke.

When the letter is read aloud, it When the letter is read aloud, it explains that Balthazar will come in explains that Balthazar will come in his place since he is ill.his place since he is ill.

And who is Balthazar?! And who is Balthazar?!

That’s right. It’s Portia!That’s right. It’s Portia!

So here we go…So here we go… Portia asks Antonio if his bond is a valid one, and Portia asks Antonio if his bond is a valid one, and

he admits that it is. She then tells him that he admits that it is. She then tells him that Shylock must be merciful. Shylock must be merciful.

Shylock is shocked: Why should Shylock is shocked: Why should he he bebe merciful?merciful? Portia answers with her famous mercy speech Portia answers with her famous mercy speech

which illustrates and supports why the idea of which illustrates and supports why the idea of having mercy upon someone is a favorable one. having mercy upon someone is a favorable one.

The infamous Mercy Speech…The infamous Mercy Speech…p. 155p. 155

No one shows mercy because he has to. It just happens, the No one shows mercy because he has to. It just happens, the way gentle rain drops on the ground. Mercy is a double way gentle rain drops on the ground. Mercy is a double blessing. It blesses the one who gives it and the one who blessing. It blesses the one who gives it and the one who receives it. It’s strongest in the strongest people. It looks receives it. It’s strongest in the strongest people. It looks better in a king than his own crown looks on him. The king’s better in a king than his own crown looks on him. The king’s scepter represents his earthly power, the symbol of majesty, scepter represents his earthly power, the symbol of majesty, the focus of royal authority. But mercy is higher than the the focus of royal authority. But mercy is higher than the scepter. It’s enthroned in the hearts of kings, a quality of God scepter. It’s enthroned in the hearts of kings, a quality of God himself. Kingly power seems most like God’s power when the himself. Kingly power seems most like God’s power when the king mixes mercy with justice. So although justice is your king mixes mercy with justice. So although justice is your plea, Jew, consider this. Justice won’t save our souls. We pray plea, Jew, consider this. Justice won’t save our souls. We pray for mercy, and this same prayer teaches us to show mercy to for mercy, and this same prayer teaches us to show mercy to others as well. I’ve told you this to make you give up this others as well. I’ve told you this to make you give up this case. If you pursue it, this strict court of Venice will need to case. If you pursue it, this strict court of Venice will need to carry out the sentence against the merchant there.carry out the sentence against the merchant there.

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/merchant/page_178.htmlhttp://nfs.sparknotes.com/merchant/page_178.html

Shylock doesn’t care…Shylock doesn’t care…

He craves the law He craves the law and the penalty and and the penalty and forfeit of the bond.forfeit of the bond.

He could care less He could care less that Bassanio has that Bassanio has offered him 3 times offered him 3 times the sum: HE WANTS the sum: HE WANTS THE PENALTY!THE PENALTY!

Since Venetian law Since Venetian law is binding, Shylock is binding, Shylock is entitled to what is entitled to what he wants.he wants.

The time has come…The time has come…

Shylock produces a scale to weigh the Shylock produces a scale to weigh the flesh, and Antonio says goodbye to flesh, and Antonio says goodbye to Bassanio. Bassanio. What does Antonio tell Bassanio?What does Antonio tell Bassanio?

Antonio hopes that death will come Antonio hopes that death will come quickly.quickly.

Both Bassanio and Gratiano tell Both Bassanio and Gratiano tell Antonio they would sacrifice Antonio they would sacrifice EVERYTHING they have (including their EVERYTHING they have (including their wives) in order to help him.wives) in order to help him. How did Nerissa and Portia feel about this?How did Nerissa and Portia feel about this?

Patient is a virtue…that Shylock Patient is a virtue…that Shylock does not have.does not have.

Before Shylock can begin, Portia Before Shylock can begin, Portia stops him and tells him he cannot stops him and tells him he cannot take a single drop of blood. Why? He take a single drop of blood. Why? He is entitled to a single pound of flesh is entitled to a single pound of flesh AND NO MORE!AND NO MORE! If a single drop of blood is shed, his land If a single drop of blood is shed, his land

and goods will be confiscated by the and goods will be confiscated by the state of Venice.state of Venice.

Shylock was played…Shylock was played…

Now Shylock tries to take the money Now Shylock tries to take the money Bassanio offered him. Bassanio offered him.

Portia tells him he will have “nothing Portia tells him he will have “nothing but the penalty”—”just a pound of but the penalty”—”just a pound of flesh.”flesh.”

Then, Shylock tries to take the Then, Shylock tries to take the money from the bond, but Portia money from the bond, but Portia points out that the court was witness points out that the court was witness to his rejection of that as well. to his rejection of that as well.

Shylock gets more than he Shylock gets more than he bargained for.bargained for.

Portia reminds Shylock that one of the laws of Venice Portia reminds Shylock that one of the laws of Venice forbids an alien from directly or indirectly attempting forbids an alien from directly or indirectly attempting "to seek the life of any citizen" of Venice. "to seek the life of any citizen" of Venice.

She tells Shylock that she has seen sufficient proof She tells Shylock that she has seen sufficient proof that Shylock seeks Antonio's life both directly and that Shylock seeks Antonio's life both directly and indirectly.indirectly.

She commands him to "beg mercy of the Duke.“She commands him to "beg mercy of the Duke.“ The duke speaks and pardons Shylock, sparing his The duke speaks and pardons Shylock, sparing his

life and adding that the penalty of the state's taking life and adding that the penalty of the state's taking half of Shylock's goods will be reduced if Shylock half of Shylock's goods will be reduced if Shylock evidences some "humbleness." Shylock is adamant evidences some "humbleness." Shylock is adamant at such a proposal: "Nay, take my life and all," he at such a proposal: "Nay, take my life and all," he declares.declares.

Antonio gets half of his estate, unless he shows Antonio gets half of his estate, unless he shows some mercy. some mercy.

And what does Antonio do?And what does Antonio do?

Antonio says that he will take only half of Antonio says that he will take only half of Shylock's goods which are due to him Shylock's goods which are due to him (Shylock can have the other half) in trust in (Shylock can have the other half) in trust in order to give them to Lorenzo (Shylock's son-order to give them to Lorenzo (Shylock's son-in-law) upon Shylock's death.in-law) upon Shylock's death.

This will occur under 3 conditions: This will occur under 3 conditions: Shylock must become a ChristianShylock must become a Christian He must deed everything to Jessica and Lorenzo.He must deed everything to Jessica and Lorenzo. He must pay a fineHe must pay a fine

Quietly, Shylock agrees to the settlement: "I am Quietly, Shylock agrees to the settlement: "I am content," he says, and asks permission to leave content," he says, and asks permission to leave the court.the court.

Portia saves the day!!!!Portia saves the day!!!!

Bassanio offers Portia 3000 Bassanio offers Portia 3000 ducats as a legal fee, but she ducats as a legal fee, but she declines.declines.

Antonio and Bassanio urge her to Antonio and Bassanio urge her to take something, so she finally take something, so she finally concedes and says will take concedes and says will take Bassanio’s ring and gloves.Bassanio’s ring and gloves.

Bassanio says he will give up Bassanio says he will give up ANYTHING but the ring, as it was ANYTHING but the ring, as it was a gift from his wife and he a gift from his wife and he promised her he would never promised her he would never part with it!part with it!

NOT THE RING!!!NOT THE RING!!!

Portia wants nothing else, but the ring.Portia wants nothing else, but the ring. She walks away, and Antonio pleads She walks away, and Antonio pleads

with him, saying that she deserves the with him, saying that she deserves the ring.ring.

Finally, he sends Gratiano after the Finally, he sends Gratiano after the lawyer to give the ring.lawyer to give the ring.

The scene ends with Bassanio talking The scene ends with Bassanio talking to Antonio about how they will leave for to Antonio about how they will leave for Belmont early in the morning.Belmont early in the morning.