Act 4 scene 1

• The scene begins with the duke apologising to Antonio for the situation that he finds himself in. It is clear that the duke is on Antonio’s side but is bound by the law governing bonds and loans. He also describes Shylock as, “an inhuman wretch uncapable of pity
• Start of the scene : (If directing the scene, you could have Shylock (When he enters) on one side of the stage, isolated and alone, but with a smug expression, highlighting that everything is going his way but that Antonio is surrounded by his supporters. This contrast would be a useful visual to the audience.)
• • Antonio has accepted his fate and Shylock enters the scene and is ordered by the duke to stand before him, as he once again pleads for Antonio’s life. Shylock responds by telling the duke that if he is denied his bond, it will have serious consequences for the city. “If you deny it, let the danger light upon your charter and your city’s freedom.” He also tells the audience that he has no reason for demanding his bond except that he hates Antonio. “So can I give no reason,
• Bassanio then criticises Shylock and engages in a debate with him, before Antonio tells him that it is pointless and that he needs to remember that he is arguing with a Jew. He describes Shylock as having a ‘Jewish heart,’ which makes him incapable of mercy. Antonio says that he does not want to argue you any further. “Let me have judgement and the Jew his will.”Bassanio then Offers Shylock 6000 ducats but he refuses.  
• • Nerissa enters dressed as a lawyer’s clerk with a letter from Bellario who was to preside over the hearing. While the duke is reading the letter, Shylock is busy sharpening his knife on stage. (This would be a good prop to use on stage and you could also add sound effects to heighten the tension, with the sharpening of the knife symbolising what is to come for Antonio.)
  • The Duke reads out the letter from Bellario, which says that he is sick and that he is sending a young doctor, named Balthasar who he recommends is allowed to oversee the trial. (This is Portia disguised as Balthasar)
• Portia gives a famous speech, in which she argues that mercy is something that benefits everyone. She begins with the famous line, “The quality of mercy is not strained,” meaning that it cannot be forced, but instead must come naturally. She pleads with Shylock to show mercy, Shylock is unmoved and says, “I crave the law,
• Bassanio asks Portia/Balthasar to bend the law in this case but she says that this is not possible. “There is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established.” Shylock is delighted with this judgement and compliments Portia saying, “O wise young judge, how I do honour thee.” (In terms of stage positioning, you could have Portia in the middle of the stage in an elevated position, highlighting her power. Shylock alone on one side and Antonio and his supporters on the other side, highlighting the adversarial nature of what is happening.)
• • Bassanio asks Portia/Balthasar to bend the law in this case but she says that this is not possible. “There is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established.”
  • Shylock is delighted with this judgement and compliments Portia saying, “O wise young judge, how I do honour thee.” (In terms of stage positioning, you could have Portia in the middle of the stage in an elevated position, highlighting her power. Shylock alone on one side and Antonio and his supporters on the other side, highlighting the adversarial nature of what is happening.)
• • She again pleads with him to be merciful and take the money, but Shylock replies, Portia tells Antonio to prepare his bosom, as Shylock jumps for joy (gasping)
  • Shylock is very smug at this point in the play, as Portia seems to be on his side and it appears that Antonio is going to die. Portia asks if there are weighing scales to measure the flesh and Shylock says that he has them ready. (This would be another very good prop to use and you could also use sound effects as it is being wheeled in, to highlight the scales coming onto the stage.)
• Portia asks Shylock if he has a surgeon on hand to stop Antonio bleeding to death, to which he responds, “Is it so nominated in the bond?” This is a very important quote as it highlights how Shylock wants to kill Antonio. He is not willing to have a doctor present, as it was not in the bond.
• • In Antonio’s final words, he asks for Bassanio’s hand and tells him not to be sorry for his role in the bond and to commend him to his new wife. He tells Bassanio to speak fondly of him and he ends by saying that if the cut is deep enough, he will die instantly.
  • Bassanio says he would sacrifice everything, including his wife to save his friend. (Dramatic Irony is at play here as he is unaware that Portia is in the courtroom ). Gratiano makes the same pledge and he too, is unaware that Nerissa is in the courtroom.  
• Just as Shylock is about to cut his pound of flesh, Portia asks him to ‘tarry a little,’ which means to slow down. She has discovered a legal loophole and tells the court that, “this bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.” She then goes on to say, “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.” This means that if Shylock spills one drop of blood, he will lose everything. It is impossible to cut flesh without spilling blood so Shylock is now in an impossible situation.
• • The tables have now turned and the smug expression of Shylock’s is replaced with confusion, as he says, “is that the law?”
  • Gratiano echoes the earlier thoughts of Shylock and is now praising Portia for her judgement. Shylock, knowing that he can’t cut off the flesh without dropping blood, says, “Pay the bond thrice and let the Christian go.” He now wants the money, but as Bassanio goes to hand it over, Portia tells him that he can’t have the money, he can only have his bond.
• She also tells him that if he cuts less or more than a pound of flesh, he will lose everything that he owns. Shylock then asks for his three thousand ducats back and he will leave, but again Portia refuses. “He hath refused it in the open court.  
• Shylock, who by now has been stunned into silence. He it told that if he tries to seek the life of any citizen that the state has the right to seize half his goods.There is a clever contrast between the beginning of the scene when the duke was begging Shylock for mercy and now Shylock is looking for mercy from the duke. The duke shows mercy to Shylock and tells him that he must give half his fortune to Antonio.
• Antonio says that he will also show mercy to Shylock. He asks the Duke to cancel Shylock’s fine and that he will give his half of his fortune to Jessica and Lorenzo. He also says that Shylock must give all his fortune to his daughter and he must also convert to Christianity. (If directing, Shylock would be almost on his knees at this point) .Shylock has no option but to accept the terms and says, “I am content.” He wants to leave immediately as he was embarrassed by Portia.  
• Before the scene ends, Bassanio and Antonio thanking Portia for everything that she has done. They ask her to take something as a token of their appreciation and Portia asks Bassanio for the ring on this finger.