The Merchant of Venice Acts 4 and 5 By Aissata Kebe
Comments(6) Act 4 is important because that is when we see shylock’s downfall and the ridiculous offer the court gives him regarding his bond with Antonio.
In act 4 scene 1, the exchange between Portia and Shylock is important because I get the impression that Shylock uses the broken oath as an excuse to revenge. I think it’s not about the money he lost but something much deeper, which is his hate for Antonio, therefore this is his chance to pay him back all the nasty things that Antonio did to him. Portia says to him “Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee” (4.1.224) and he replies “an oath, an oath! I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice” (4.1.224-227). This shows that he is only interested in revenge and not the loss of the 3000 Ducats.
In the same act and scene, we also see more evidence that perhaps Antonio is hopelessly in love with Bassanio, which is the cause of his melancholy in the beginning of the play. When he thinks that Shylock is going to kill him, he says to Bassanio “give me your hand, Bassanio, fare you well…commend me to your honorable wife. Tell her the process of Antonio’s end. Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death…bid her be judge whether Bassanio had not once a love” (4.1.261-274). He mentions love again when the disguised Portia asks for Bassanio’s ring. He says “let his deserving and my love withal be valued against your wife’s commandment” (4.1.446-447).
Going back to Shylock, it is ridiculous when Portia tells him “take thou pound of flesh. But in the cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice” (4.1.305-309). It’s obvious that one cannot cut someone’s flesh without making them bleed, therefore limiting Shylock’s revenge to this, puts him in a position that he will lose this battle either way. It represents the unfair treatments Jews were exposed to in a world dominated by Christians.
This act is also where we see more similarities between Shylock and Barabas. After he learns that he cannot avoid shedding Antonio’s blood, he decides to take the offer he was proposed earlier, which is to take three times the money he gave to Antonio, but he learns that it’s too late for that because he has already refused the offer. ‘The Jew shall have all justice…He shall have nothing but the penalty” says Portia (4.1.318-319). “He hath refused it in open court. He shall have merely justice and his bond” (4.1.334-335). This is exactly what happened to Barabas when the government came to confiscate his wealth. When he refused the offer they gave him, he could not change his mind about it. The Jews in both stories are manipulated when it comes to their wealth and are asked to give up their religion. Poor Shylock converts, while Barabas does not, because he has better vengeance tactics, unlike Shylock who easily gives up to Antonio’s desires.
Finally, I believe that Shylock’s punishment is too harsh because after all, Antonio and Bassanio started this mess. He was minding his business until they came to him, borrowed his money, failed to pay him back on time and now ruin his life. He lost all of his money and converts to Christianity, which is probably the worst thing that could happen to him.
I don’t find act 5 to be important because it just a happy ending for all of them except Shylock. To me it’s an entertaining act but it has so significance.
Below is a clip of act 4. I found it interesting!
Act 5 is an important scene. It is not just a happy ending. It is very significant. The class is about sexuality. The ring in this scene plays a huge role. The ring is symbolic in terms of the human body. Therefore, the ring represents the anus. The ring goes on a finger and the finger represents a man’s penis. The ring keeps getting passed around so it plays a huge role in class in terms of sexuality.
Antonio and Bassanio do seem to be in love with each other. They care so much for each other as indicated with your quotes above. It’s more than just a friendship. They seem like a couple.
It is ridiculous that Portia told Shylock that there must be no blood in cutting his flesh. However, I do not blame her. What goes around, comes around. Karma is a bitch. Shylock wants to abide by the rules and takes every contract by the word. So by the word it goes. This bites him back in the ass.
I don’t think Shylock’s punishment is too harsh. Personally, I don’t like him. He is so unyielding. That may be a respectful trait to others, but I see it as annoying and taking business way too seriously.
I also believe that act 5 was important. It is the final resolution to the play, where it is discovered that it was Portia who acted as the judge’s clerk and, like Dominic said, the entire scheme with the ring is played out. For me, it is not simply the analogy of passing of the ring from hand to hand that demonstrates the relationship between Bassanio and Antonio. I think that Shakespeare makes an explicit commentary on their relationship when Antonio convinces Bassanio to give the ring to the judge. Although Bassanio was completely against the idea, as soon as Antonio insisted that he give it away, Antonio was placing their relationship before Bassanio’s marriage and his vow to Portia to never give it away. The action alone of Bassanio listening to Antonio is evidence of his word’s worth to Bassanio, and it being above his wife’s. This love triangle was very interesting to follow for me. It was also interesting to me to see Portia take on a role of authority and law once she put on the clothes of a man. It seems like cross dressing, in Shakespeare’s plays, often allows characters to take on roles of authority.
Oki guys thanks I got it…it wasnt important to me
I am a little biased because of my deep sympathy for Shylock but regardless,
I love your observation that Shylocks refuses Portia’s offer because of his “deeper…hate for Antonio.” The relationship between Shylock and Antonio was very fragile to begin with. Antonio’s lending habit of “lending money Gratis” (1.3) negatively affected Shylock’s business and was also insulted by Antonio in public referencing the times in the Rialto that he called him dog.
Shylock needs Antonio to pay for taking advantage of Shylock, it has to come out of his pocket or he must pay the consequences. Shylock is standing up for the fact that individuals are accountable for actions. Antonio cannot be bailed out but his sympathizers but must learn from his transgression against Shylock. I agree that the courts ruling is unfair towards Shylock, sure his the conduit of his motives are rather sinister, but Antonio should not walk away scott-free.
It is a failure of personal integrity from Antonio, not an example of stubbornness from Shylock.