Act 1 scene 3

• Bassanio is trying to get a loan from Shylock and Antonio will act as

  the guarantor. The terms of the loan are "three thousand ducats for three

  months and Antonio bound."

  • Shylock says that Antonio has a good credit rating, (easy to be a

  guarantor) "his means are in supposition," meaning that there is a risk

  that his money could be lost at sea. We hear that he has ships in Tripolis,

  the Indies, Mexico, England and other ventures abroad. Despite the

  dangers of having so many ships at sea, Shylock agrees to the terms

  but insists that he must speak with Antonio.
• When Antonio enters, Shylock speaks in an aside (only the audience can

  hear) He tells us that he hates Antonio. "I hate him for he is a christian."

  He goes on to tell us that he also hates him because he lends money

  with no interest, which harms his money lending business. When he says,

  "I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him," ( dramatic irony) We also

  see the level of religious extremism at play because Shylock tells us that

  Antonio hates our sacred nation." This means he hates the Jewish

  people. This hatred is a central theme in the play.
• Jew, to get the 3000 ducats.

  • Money is to help his friend Bassanio. Shylock tells antonio that he has

  decided not to charge interest despite his nature of doing so. Shylock

  uses the analogy of Jacob who had sheep and who gave birth to

  lambs, which gave profit in the same way as money lending. He says,

  Antonio replies, "The devil can cite scripture for his purpose," which means

  we can use the bible for our own purposes and they are not always

  honourable.
• He tells us that Antonio has often criticised him for money lending but

  like the rest of the Jewish people, he has put up with the insults. "You call

  me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,/ And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine." ill

  treatment but the Christians have now come to him looking for help.

  "'Hath a dog money?" Shylock is basically saying you call me a dog, but

  now you want to take money from me. He also tells us that Antonio, "spat

  on me on Wednesday last," to which Antonio cooly replies, "I am as like to

  call thee so again, to spit on thee again,"
• Let the forfeit/ Be nominated for an equal pound / of your fair flesh to be

  cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me." This means

  that if Antonio doesn't repay the money, Shylock can take a pound of

  Antonio's flesh.

  Antonio instantly agrees to this but Bassanio is not happy with the

  terms. "You shall not seal to such a bond for me." Antonio waves off

  Bassanio's fear

  Bassanio is still unsure about the terms and is wary of Shylock's

  intentions, but Antonio replies, "In this there can be no dismay, my ships

  come home a month before the day."