The Merchant of Venice Group
Question:
confused101
Student
High School - 10th Grade
What does the "pound of flesh" refer to in "The Merchant of Venice," and how does it prove to be the downfall of Shylock?
Answers:
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Posted by blazedale on Thursday June 12, 2008 at 4:17 PM
In the play, Shylock lends money to Antonio saying that he must pay a "pound of flesh" if he cannot pay back the money. When Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock demands his literal pound of Antonio's flesh, even though most people understood this to just be an expression.
Even when offered more money then he is owed, Shylock refuses. Later, however, Portia outwits Shylock by saying that the agreement called for a pound of flesh but no blood, which would be impossible to deliver. Thus, Shylock is denied his pound of flesh.
