Thirty-five reproducible activities per guide reinforce basic reading and comprehension skills while teaching high-order critical thinking. Also included are teaching suggestions, background notes, summaries, and answer keys. The guide is digital; simply print the activities you need for each lesson.
Molly Mahood pays special attention to the expectations of the play's first audience, and to our modern experience of seeing and hearing the play.
In a substantial new addition to the Introduction, Charles Edelman focuses on the play's sexual politics and recent scholarship devoted to the position of Jews in Shakespeare's time. He surveys the international scope and diversity of theatrical interpretations of The Merchant in the s and s and their different ways of tackling the troubling figure of Shylock.
As a dramatic comedy, The Merchant of Venice displays themes like friendship and unrequited love, as well as religious persecution. Moreover, the text conveys the perspective of Renaissance Christians, particularly the obligation they felt to convert those who did not believe in Jesus as Christ. This Bright Notes Study Guide explores the context and history of Shakespeare's classic work, helping students to thoroughly explore the reasons it has stood the literary test of time.
This set of study guides encourages readers to dig deeper in their understanding by including essay questions and answers as well as topics for further research. It's a moving speech that is often over looked because, let's face it, it's old! Now you can at last understand the profound wisdom and humor of this classic Shakespeare comedy.
If you don't understand Shakespeare, then you are not alone. My young master expects your reproach. And I expect his. I will not say you And they've been planning together. I'm not saying you will shall see a masque, but if you do then it was not for definitely see a masquerade party, but if you do then it 2 Nosebleeds were considered 25 nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black Monday really was a true omen when my nose started bleeding 2 ominous, especially on church feast last at six o'clock i' th' morning falling out that year last Black Monday at six o'clock in the morning, just like Ash days.
Wednesday four years ago in the afternoon. Hear you me, Jessica. What, is there a masquerade party planned? Listen to me, Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum Jessica. Lock up my doors, and when you hear the party 30 And the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife, drum and the vile squealing of the thin flute, don't look out Clamber not you up to the casements then, of the balconies or put your head out into the street in order Nor thrust your head into the public street to look at the foolish Christians with masked faces.
Shut up To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces. By Jacob's staff 3 I left for Padan-arum a poor man with 35 Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter swear that I have no intention to feast and party tonight. My sober house. Go ahead of me, Launcelot. Tell Oxford's World Classics, I have no mind of feasting forth tonight. But I will go. Say I will come. Mistress, look out at window, for all this. There will come a Christian by [To Jessica] Mistress, despite your father's warnings, look Will be worth a Jewess' eye.
You'll see a Christian come by who's worth your Jewish eye. What did that foolish Christian tell you? He said, "Farewell, mistress. He works Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day as slowly as a snail and sleeps more than a cat during the More than the wildcat. Drones hive not with me. I'll have worker bees only for my hive. So I'll let him go, 4 This is a strange wish, considering Therefore I part with him, and part with him and send him to go use up all that man's money, which he that creditors would want their 50 To one that would have him help to waste borrowed from me.
Maybe I'll be debtors to have enough money to pay His borrowed purse. Well, Jessica, go in. Do as I tell you. Shut all the doors after you.
Perhaps I will return immediately. Keep safe what you want to keep, as they say. That saying is Do as I bid you.
Shut doors after you. Fast bind, fast find. Desired us to make stand. He's nearly late. Who riseth from a feast That's always true. Who leaves a meal as hungry as when he 10 With that keen appetite that he sits down? What horse retraces its steps with as much Where is the horse that doth untread again eagerness as when it went forward?
The chase is always the His tedious measures with the unbated fire most exciting part. When a ship leaves its native bay its sails That he did pace them first? All things that are, are hugged and embraced by the loving wind! How like the prodigal doth she return, With overweathered ribs and ragged sails 20 Lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet wind! More of this hereafter. Here comes Lorenzo. We can talk about this more later.
My sweet friends, forgive me for being late. I didn't keep Not I but my affairs have made you wait. Come Here dwells my father Jew. This the house of the Jew that will be my father-in- law.
Who's there? Tell me for more certainty, Who are you? It is Lorenzo, your love. Who do I For who love I so much? And now who knows love as much as you? And who other than yourself knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? Heaven and you yourself both know that you are mine. It is worth the pains. Here, catch this box. It's worth the effort. I'm very ashamed of how I look in For I am much ashamed of my exchange. But love is blind and lovers cannot see the But love is blind, and lovers cannot see little faults in their relationships.
If they could, Cupid The pretty follies that themselves commit, himself would blush at how ridiculous I look disguised as a For if they could Cupid himself would blush boy. Come down. You must be my torchbearer. What, I'm supposed to hold up a candle so you can see my They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. The torchbearer brings things to 45 And I should be obscured. But Even in the lovely garnish of a boy.
The night is going by quickly, and But come at once, they're waiting for us at Bassanio's feast. I swear, she's too gentle to be a Jew. Call me crazy, but I love her with all my heart. If I'm any 55 For she is wise, if I can judge of her. And if my eyes are And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true.
Moreover, she has proven And true she is, as she hath proved herself. And since she is wise, beautiful, and And therefore, like herself--wise, fair and true-- loyal, she will always be in my heart. Are you here now? Gentlemen, let's go! Our fellow party- Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. Sir Antonio? Where are all the rest? Ah, Gratiano! Where is everyone else?
It's nine o'clock. Our 65 'Tis nine o'clock. Our friends all stay for you. There's not going to be a No masque tonight. The wind is come about. The wind is blowing, so Bassanio presently will go aboard.
Bassanio is going to get on his sailboat right away. I have I have sent twenty out to seek for you. I desire no more delight I'm glad. I don't want a party. All I want is to be on our way 70 Than to be under sail and gone tonight. I choose the right casket? One of them has my picture inside, Prince. If you choose If you choose that, then I am yours withal. May some god help me make my choice! Let's see. I will I will survey th' inscriptions back again.
What does the lead casket What says this leaden casket? For some lead? Risk everything Must give--for what? For lead? Hazard for lead? This casket's inscription doesn't bode well. If I am This casket threatens. Men that hazard all going to risk everything, it must be in hope of a big reward. Do it in hope of fair advantages. A golden mind doesn't stoop to trash.
I won't risk or give up A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross. But I do myself a 30 If thou beest rated by thy estimation, disservice in underestimating what I deserve. I deserve her Thou dost deserve enough, and yet enough by my noble birth and my wealth, by my good graces and May not extend so far as to the lady, good breeding.
But even more than this, I deserve her And yet to be afeard of my deserving because of my love for her. What if I didn't consider the Were but a weak disabling of myself. Let's see the saying 35 As much as I deserve! The In graces, and in qualities of breeding. They come from the four corners But more than these, in love I do deserve.
The deserts of the What if I strayed no further, but chose here? All the world desires her. They From the four corners of the earth they come cross the sea as if it is a little stream to see beautiful Portia.
To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint. One of these three caskets contains her heavenly picture. Is 45 The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds it likely that ugly lead would contain her? I'd be damned if I Of wide Arabia are as thoroughfares now thought such a horrible thought.
It would be too terrible to For princes to come view fair Portia. Or is she in the silver The watery kingdom, whose ambitious head one, worth ten times less than gold? What a sinful thought!
Spits in the face of heaven, is no bar Such a rich gem as she is has never been set in anything 50 To stop the foreign spirits, but they come worse than gold. In England there's a gold coin that's As o'er a brook to see fair Portia.
Give me the key. I choose this one, and hope that my To think so base a thought. It were too gross choice will bring me joy! O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem Was set in worse than gold. But here an angel in a golden bed Lies all within. Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may! And if my There, take it, Prince.
And if my form lie there picture is within, then I am yours. Then I am yours. Oh hell, what is this? A skull, and inside the eye socket is a A carrion death, within whose empty eye scroll. I'll read what's written on it. Many a man has given up his life just to Often have you heard that told. But golden tombs contain nothing but Many a man his life hath sold worms.
If you had been as wise as you were bold, with the 75 But my outside to behold. Had you been as wise as bold, Fare well. Your attempt to get Portia is unsuccessful and all Young in limbs, in judgment old, wasted effort. Portia, goodbye. My heart is too sad to take long in 80 Fare you well.
Your suit is cold-- leaving. This is how losers depart. Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part.
Close the curtains back up. I hope everyone Let all of his complexion choose me so. The ship was under sail. He came too late. The ship had already set sail. But it was But there the Duke was given to understand explained to the Duke that Lorenzo and his loving Jessica That in a gondola were seen together were seen together in a gondola.
Besides, Antonio told the Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica. Duke that those two were not with Bassanio in his ship. Jew uttered in the streets. He was yelling, "My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter, Oh, my ducats! O my daughter, she ran away with a Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Oh, my ducats that now belong to a Christian!
Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter! Justice, and the law! My ducats and my daughter! And jewels--two valuable, 20 And jewels--two stones, two rich and precious stones-- precious stones--stolen by my own daughter!
Justice, I Stol'n by my daughter! Justice, find the girl! She has the jewels with her, and the She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats. Yes, indeed. I talked yesterday with a French person who I reasoned with a Frenchman yesterday, told me that there was a shipwreck in the narrow waters Who told me, in the narrow seas that part that separate England and France involving a ship from our 30 The French and English, there miscarried country carrying lots of riches.
I thought of Antonio when A vessel of our country richly fraught. I thought upon Antonio when he told me, And wished in silence that it were not his. But tell him 35 Yet do not suddenly, for it may grieve him. No gentleman is as kind as Antonio is. I saw Bassanio and I saw Bassanio and Antonio part. Bassanio told him he would come Bassanio told him he would make some speed back quickly and Antonio replied, "Don't rush.
Don't Of his return. And don't worry about the But stay the very riping of the time. And that was how they parted. As shall conveniently become you there. And so they parted. I think Bassanio means the world to Antonio. With some delight or other. Yes, let's do that. Draw the curtain straight.
Hurry, hurry, please. Close up the curtain right now. The The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath Prince of Aragon has sworn his oath and now comes to And comes to his election presently. Behold, there are the caskets, noble Prince. If you choose 5 If you choose that wherein I am contained, the one that contains a picture of me, we will get married Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized. But if you make the wrong choice, you must But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, leave here immediately, my lord, without saying another You must be gone from hence immediately.
And third, if I fail to make the To woo a maid in way of marriage; lastly, right choice, I must immediately be gone and leave you. If I do fail in fortune of my choice, 15 Immediately to leave you and be gone.
Fortune now I am prepared to take the risk. Gold, silver, and base lead. Gold, silver, and lowly lead. Ha, let me see. What does the golden chest say? Hm, let me see. But you can't see through to what's on the Which pries not to th' interior, but like the martlet inside. Those people are like martlet birds, who build their Builds in the weather on the outward wall, nests on the outer walls, obsessed with the outside.
I will Even in the force and road of casualty. Well, then, Because I will not jump with common spirits on to the silver casket. Let's see again what your inscription And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
I agree with this saying, because who should attain good Tell me once more what title thou dost bear. I And well said too--for who shall go about wish estates, degrees, and jobs were not gotten corruptly, To cozen fortune and be honorable and that honor was given out based on merit!
If that were Without the stamp of merit? How many nobleman would be Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor transformed into common peasants! And how many Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! But anyways, it's How many then should cover that stand bare! Give 45 How much low peasantry would then be gleaned me the key for this one, and I will unlock my fortune here From the true seed of honor!
And how much honor right away. Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times To be new varnished! Well, but to my choice. You've taken too much time for what you've found inside.
The portrait of a blinking idiot What's here? The portrait of an idiot holding something for Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How different this picture is from 55 How much unlike art thou to Portia! This is so unlike what I hoped for and what I How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! Do I deserve no better? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better? What does it say here? The kind of judgment that never chooses wrongly That did never choose amiss. Some people kiss shadows, Some there be that shadows kiss.
Take whatever wife you want to bed, but 70 Silvered o'er--and so was this. So go away. You must Take what wife you will to bed, leave. I came to woo Portia with the head of a fool, and now So be gone. You are sped.
I leave with two fool's heads. Goodbye, sweet lady. And he's gone, like a moth that's flown too close to the O these deliberate fools! When they do choose, flame. These fools think it over so much! And when they They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
The ancient saying is true: death and marriage are matters Hanging and wiving goes by destiny. Come on, close the curtain, Nerissa. Messenger Messenger Where is my lady? Where is my lady? What would my lord? I am here. He has A young Venetian, one that comes before gone ahead of his lord to tell you that his master is 90 To signify th' approaching of his lord, approaching.
He brings kind greetings and, in addition to From whom he bringeth sensible regreets, niceties and courteous manners, valuable gifts.
I haven't yet To wit--besides commends and courteous breath-- seen any ambassador of love as likely to succeed as this Gifts of rich value. Yet I have not seen one. This man coming ahead of his lord is sweeter than a So likely an ambassador of love. I am half afeard Enough, please. I'm worried next you'll tell me he's your Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, cousin, since you praise him so much. God of Love, please let it be Bassanio! What news is there from the Rialto now?
The has lost a ship carrying many riches on the English Channel. Goodwins I think they call the place--a very dangerous It supposedly happened on a very dangerous, deadly 5 flat, and fatal, where the carcasses of many a tall ship sandbar I think they call The Goodwins 1 , where the 1 The Goodwin Sands are off the lie buried, as they say, if my gossip report be an remains of many tall ships lie buried.
That is, if this gossip mouth of the Thames. But it is true, husband. But it is true, at the risk of talking your ear off, without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain that the good Antonio, the honest Antonio--oh, I wish I had highway of talk, that the good Antonio, the honest something to call him that was good enough to be next to Antonio--oh, that I had a title good enough to keep his his name!
Come on, get to the point. Why, the end is he hath lost a Hm, what are you saying? Oh, the point is that he has lost a ship. I hope this is the last of his losses. How now, Shylock?
What news among the merchants? How are you, Shylock? What's the news among the merchants? I, for my part, knew the tailor that That's for sure. For my part, I knew the tailor who made the 25 made the wings she flew withal. She is damned for running away. That's certain, if you, the devil, are her judge. I can't believe my own flesh and blood rebelled against me! Rebels it at these years? No way, you old thing! You can't control your flesh even at your age?
I mean my daughter is my own flesh and blood. SALERIO SALERIO There is more difference between thy flesh and hers There's a greater difference between your flesh and hers 35 than between jet and ivory, more between your bloods than between coal and ivory, and a greater difference than there is between red wine and rhenish.
But tell us, between your blood and hers than between red and white do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or wine. But tell us, have you heard whether Antonio has no? He is a bankrupt, reckless 40 who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto, a beggar with money, and he doesn't dare show his head in the that was used to come so smug upon the mart. Let him Rialto. He is a beggar who used to be smug in the market. He was wont to call me usurer; let him Let him pay attention to his obligations.
He used to always look to his bond. He was wont to lend money for a insult me for charging interest; well, let him pay attention to Christian courtesy; let him look to his bond. He used to lend money as a Christian favor; let him pay attention to his obligations. What would that be good for? If it will feed nothing else, it I could use it as bait for fish.
If it will feed nothing else, it will will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me and hindered at least feed my revenge. Half a million times he has 50 me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my disgraced me and hindered me.
Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, encouraged my enemies. And what's his reason for all this? I organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed am a Jew. Does a Jew not have eyes? Does a Jew not have 55 with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject hands, organs, senses, affections, passions?
Are we not fed to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed with the same food, hurt by the same weapons, affected by and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian the same diseases, healed by the same medicines, warmed is?
If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, and cooled by the same winter and summer as Christians? If you poison us, do we not die? And if If you stab us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not 60 you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
If we are like you laugh? And if you wrong us, in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew should we not take revenge? If we are like you in all the wrong a Christian, what is his humility?
If a other ways, we will resemble you in terms of revenge, too. If Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by a Jew wrongs a Christian, what does he do? He takes Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach revenge.
If a Christian wrongs a Jew, what should the Jew 65 me I will execute--and it shall go hard but I will do, following the Christian example? Why, he should take better the instruction. I will follow your own villainous example, and I'll probably outdo my teachers.
We've been all over the place looking for him. A third cannot be Here comes another Jew. There couldn't be a third to matched unless the devil himself turn Jew. What news from Genoa? Hast thou found How are things, Tubal? What's the news from Genoa? Have my daughter? A diamond gone cost me Well there you go! One of the diamonds she took cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfurt--the curse never fell two thousand ducats in Frankfurt 2. Our people are 2 Frankfurt, Germany was famous upon our nation till now!
I never felt it till now--Two cursed but I've never felt the curse until now! I think he bought his doublet in Italy, his round hose in France, his bonnet in Germany and his behavior every where. PORTIA That he hath a neighbourly charity in him, for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman and swore he would pay him again when he was able: I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another.
PORTIA Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast: and the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him. PORTIA Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee, set a deep glass of rhenish wine on the contrary casket, for if the devil be within and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.
I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable, for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence, and I pray God grant them a fair departure. Enter a Serving-man How now! Servant The four strangers seek for you, madam, to take their leave: and there is a forerunner come from a fifth, the Prince of Morocco, who brings word the prince his master will be here to-night.
PORTIA If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good a heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach: if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me. Come, Nerissa. Sirrah, go before. Whiles we shut the gates upon one wooer, another knocks at the door. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squandered abroad.
But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, I mean pirates, and then there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks.
The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond. May I speak with Antonio? I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.
What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here? I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, Which he calls interest.
Cursed be my tribe, If I forgive him! What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me. But soft! Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you; Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest: And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams? An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart: O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Should I not say Hath a dog money? If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not As to thy friends; for when did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend?
But lend it rather to thine enemy, Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty. Pray you, tell me this; If he should break his day, what should I gain By the exaction of the forfeiture? 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.
Exit Shylock The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind. Flourish of cornets. By this scimitar That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince That won three fields of Sultan Solyman, I would outstare the sternest eyes that look, Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady.
But, alas the while! If Hercules and Lichas play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw May turn by fortune from the weaker hand: So is Alcides beaten by his page; And so may I, blind fortune leading me, Miss that which one unworthier may attain, And die with grieving. PORTIA You must take your chance, And either not attempt to choose at all Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong Never to speak to lady afterward In way of marriage: therefore be advised.
Come, bring me unto my chance. Cornets, and exeunt. Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnal; and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew. The fiend gives the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at your command; I will run.
Can you tell me whether one Launcelot, that dwells with him, dwell with him or no? Aside Mark me now; now will I raise the waters. Talk you of young Master Launcelot? Talk not of Master Launcelot, father; for the young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased, or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.
Do you know me, father? Lord worshipped might he be! How dost thou and thy master agree? I have brought him a present. How gree you now? Father, I am glad you are come: give me your present to one Master Bassanio, who, indeed, gives rare new liveries: if I serve not him, I will run as far as God has any ground. O rare fortune! See these letters delivered; put the liveries to making, and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging. What would you? Go, father, with thy son. Take leave of thy old master and inquire My lodging out.
Well, if any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book, I shall have good fortune. But hear thee, Gratiano; Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice; Parts that become thee happily enough And in such eyes as ours appear not faults; But where thou art not known, why, there they show Something too liberal. Pray thee, take pain To allay with some cold drops of modesty Thy skipping spirit, lest through thy wild behavior I be misconstrued in the place I go to, And lose my hopes.
But fare you well: I have some business. Most beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! But, adieu: these foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit: adieu. But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners. Go, gentlemen, Exit Launcelot Will you prepare you for this masque tonight? I am provided of a torch-bearer. Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: Fair Jessica shall be my torch-beare r.
I do not bid thee call. But wherefore should I go? Jessica, my girl, Look to my house. I am right loath to go: There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money-bags to-night. Go you before me, sirrah; Say I will come. Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps I will return immediately: Do as I bid you; shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.
Where is the horse that doth untread again His tedious measures with the unbated fire That he did pace them first? Approach; Here dwells my father Jew. And now who knows But you, Lorenzo, whether I am yours? They in themselves, good-sooth, are too too light. LORENZO Beshrew me but I love her heartily; For she is wise, if I can judge of her, And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true, And true she is, as she hath proved herself, And therefore, like herself, wise, fair and true, Shall she be placed in my constant soul.
On, gentlemen; away! Our masquing mates by this time for us stay. No masque to-night: the wind is come about; Bassanio presently will go aboard: I have sent twenty out to seek for you. Now make your choice. Let me see; I will survey the inscriptions back again. What says this leaden casket? Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath. This casket threatens. What says the silver with her virgin hue? Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.
As much as I deserve! One of these three contains her heavenly picture. O sinful thought! Never so rich a gem Was set in worse than gold.
Deliver me the key: Here do I choose, and thrive I as I may! A carrion Death, within whose empty eye There is a written scroll! Reads All that glitters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms enfold.
Cold, indeed; and labour lost: Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost! Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart To take a tedious leave: thus losers part. Exit with his train. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stolen by my daughter!
I pray thee, let us go and find him out And quicken his embraced heaviness With some delight or other. Gold; silver; and base lead.
What says the golden chest? I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O, that estates, degrees and offices Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare! How many be commanded that command! Well, but to my choice: Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.
Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here. I will read it.
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