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.)
• She again pleads with him to be merciful and take the moneÿ, but

  Shylock replies, Portia tells Antonio to prepare his bosom, as Shylock

  jumps for joy (gasping)

  O

  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

  Rose 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.
• 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.