Act 1, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
Scene 3
Bassanio enters with Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Bassanio has asked for three thousand ducats and promised that should Bassanio default, Antonio will pay Shylock back. Shylock is hesitant, because he knows Antonio’s assets are overseas at the moment and that bad weather or pirates could ruin Antonio’s fortunes. Still, Shylock recognizes that Antonio is wealthy, and after Bassanio assures Shylock that Antonio can guarantee the loan, Shylock asks to speak to Antonio in person. Bassanio suggests that they dine together, but Shylock says that he will only do business with them—not dine with them—as a result of personal differences.
Antonio enters, and Shylock, in an aside, comments on how he hates Antonio for being a Christian, for giving interest-free loans, and for bad-mouthing Shylock to others. He swears that he cannot forgive Antonio. He then greets Antonio, and they go over the terms of the loan: three thousand ducats for three months. Shylock then acknowledges that Antonio never lends or takes loans with interest, and they briefly argue over the ethics of interest.
Shylock defends himself by telling the Biblical story of Jacob and Laban. Laban owned a farm and worked Jacob like a slave, but he eventually agreed to pay Jacob by letting Jacob keep all of the spotted lambs born one year. Jacob dotted the landscape with speckled reeds while the sheep were breeding, and as a result, all of the lambs born were spotted. Thus, Shylock argues, Jacob was able to charge interest for the work he did on Laban’s farm by making it so that he would inherit all of the lambs. Antonio is skeptical that this counts as a story about interest and further argues that the lamb’s birth was God’s doing, not Jacob’s. Shylock responds that one way or the other, his money breeds fast like Laban’s sheep.
Antonio finds it disgusting that Shylock would quote Biblical scripture to justify his usury, but Shylock turns the conversation back to business, and he considers lending them three thousand ducats over the course of three months. Before agreeing, he notes that Antonio has insulted him, kicked him, and spat on him for being a Jew and for charging interest. In light of this, he wonders why he should help them at all.
Antonio acknowledges that they are enemies, but he believes that their mutual enmity should make it all the easier for Shylock to charge them interest. Shylock, however, says that he would like to be friends with them and offers the loan with no interest. Antonio is surprised by this, and Shylock suggests they go to a notary to sign a contract. However, Shylock, “in merry sport,” suggests that they add a clause to the contract stating that if Antonio does not pay the loan back on a given day at a given time, Shylock will be allowed to take a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.
Bassanio protests, but Antonio says that within two months, he should see triple the amount of money returning from his overseas investments. Shylock insists that it will be a silly joke to have such an addendum in the contract, and after all, human flesh is worth nearly nothing, so it would not benefit him to come for such a payment. Shylock leaves to get the money, and although Bassanio is suspicious of Shylock, they leave to meet Shylock at the notary’s office.
Analysis
In this scene, one of the major themes of the play becomes apparent: the problem of interpretation. Shylock attempts to justify his usury using a Biblical story, but both he and Antonio have different interpretations of the story. For Shylock, the story of Laban’s sheep proves that individuals have the agency to determine what they are owed, and clever men like Jacob can devise ways to make sure they receive what they believe to be just payment. Antonio, on the other hand, sees this as proof that only God can determine a man’s worth, and it is God that will mete out justice. This division between man’s agency and God’s will appears again, most notably in act 4.
In any case, each has a different interpretation of what the biblical story is supposed to teach. It may be that this problem of interpretation is why Antonio agrees to such a contract. Shylock does not make his motives entirely clear, suggesting that adding a pound of flesh to the contract is a joke after telling Antonio that he wants to be friends. Here, Antonio’s inability to understand Shylock’s intention sets him up for trouble.
Expert Q&A
What is the meaning of Shylock's words in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice?
"Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into! I will buy with you ....nor pray with you."
In Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock's words highlight the religious and cultural differences between Jews and Christians. He refuses to dine with Antonio and Bassanio because their Christian practices, such as eating pork, violate his Jewish beliefs. The reference to "the Nazarite" (Jesus) exorcising demons into pigs underscores his view that Christians disregard both Old and New Testament teachings.
Explain the stanza, "Mark you this, Bassanio, the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose..." in Act I, scene iii of The Merchant of Venice.
In Act I, scene iii of The Merchant of Venice, Antonio warns Bassanio that even evil people, like Shylock, can use Scripture for their own purposes. He implies that Shylock, although quoting holy texts, is deceitful and untrustworthy, much like a seemingly good apple that is rotten inside. Antonio highlights the danger of being misled by appearances.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, what insight do the lines "Is like a villain with a smiling cheek/A goodly apple rotten at the heart;/O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!" provide on Shylock's character?
The lines in question are within the stanza beginning with "Mark you this, Bassanio" and ending with "what a goodly outside falsehood hath!"
In Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice, the lines "Is like a villain with a smiling cheek/A goodly apple rotten at the heart;/O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!" reveal Antonio's view of Shylock as deceitful and evil. Antonio accuses Shylock of appearing good and pious outwardly but being corrupt and villainous inside, likening him to Satan using Scripture for deceptive purposes.
Explain the meaning of the stanza about Jacob and Laban's sheep in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice.
"When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep—This Jacob from our holy Abraham was, As his wise mother wrought in his behalf...This was a way to thrive, and he was blest: And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not."
In Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock uses the biblical story of Jacob and Laban's sheep to argue that wise and honest business practices are a blessing. Jacob cleverly ensures the birth of speckled lambs, which he is entitled to keep, demonstrating that success through wisdom and integrity is commendable.
What do the references to Jacob mean in act 1, scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice?
The references to Jacob in act 1, scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice are from the biblical book of Genesis. Shylock tells the story of Jacob using his wits to increase his herd, thus increasing his wealth, and says that God approves such "thrift." Shylock implies that his moneylending business, condemned by Christians as "theft" for charging interest, is as honorable as Jacob's—and, by implication, as honorable as Antonio's.
Explain the stanza in Act I, scene iii of The Merchant of Venice: "I am as like to call thee so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. ...Exact the penalty."
In Act I, scene iii of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock confronts Antonio about his past insults, highlighting their mutual animosity. Despite needing a loan, Antonio admits he would continue to insult Shylock, emphasizing their lack of friendship. He views Shylock's lending as unnatural, using "barren metal" to criticize Shylock's profession. Antonio suggests that if he defaults, Shylock can demand repayment without guilt, as it would be a justified penalty.
What is the meaning of this passage from Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice?
Shylock:
You, that did void your rheum upon my beard
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold: moneys is your suit
What should I say to you? Should I not say
'Hath a dog money? is it possible
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or
Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,
With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this;
"Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;
You spurn'd me such a day; another time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much moneys?
In this passage, Shylock expresses his resentment towards Antonio, who has mistreated him for being a Jewish moneylender. Shylock sarcastically questions why he should lend money to Antonio, who has insulted him and called him a "dog." The passage highlights the social tensions between Christians and Jews in Venice and foreshadows Shylock's desire for revenge against Antonio, who dismisses Shylock's serious intentions by agreeing to a bizarre penalty for loan default.
What does the line "I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him" mean in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice?
In Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice, the line "I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him" reflects Shylock's desire to exact revenge on Antonio. Shylock harbors a deep-seated resentment because Antonio lends money without interest, undermining Shylock's business, and because of Antonio's anti-Semitic behavior. Shylock sees the loan as an opportunity to exploit Antonio's financial vulnerability and potentially harm him by enforcing the harsh terms of their agreement.
What is the point of Shylock's story about Jacob and Laban in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice?
Shylock's story about Jacob and Laban in Act 1, Scene 3 illustrates a theme of cunning in business. While Antonio views it as a tale about earning interest, Shylock uses it to justify "thrift" or deceit. Jacob cleverly increases his wealth by manipulating the breeding of Laban's sheep. The story hints at the idea that shrewdness is acceptable in business, also foreshadowing Jessica's betrayal, paralleling Rachel's actions in the biblical narrative.
What does the stanza in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice mean?
"This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven... silver ewes and rams."
In Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice, Antonio and Shylock discuss a biblical story about Jacob to highlight their differing religious views. Antonio argues that Jacob's fortune was due to divine intervention, not his own actions, suggesting that wealth is determined by God's will. He questions whether Shylock uses this story to justify charging interest, likening Shylock's pursuit of wealth to valuing gold and silver over practical wealth, like sheep.
What is the meaning of this stanza from act 1, scene 3 in The Merchant of Venice?
"How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian; But more, for that in low simplicity...Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe, if I forgive him!"
This stanza reveals Shylock's deep animosity towards Antonio, primarily because Antonio is a Christian and lends money without interest, undermining Shylock's money-lending business. Shylock compares Antonio to a "fawning publican," a derogatory term for a tax collector, indicating contempt. He desires revenge for Antonio's disrespect towards Jews, feeling that forgiving Antonio would betray his own people. Shylock's hatred is fueled by both personal and religious grievances.
What is the meaning of Shylock's words in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice?
"Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand, moreover, upon Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, ...bond."
In this scene, Shylock evaluates Antonio's financial status before agreeing to lend him money. He notes that Antonio's wealth is uncertain or "in supposition" because it depends on the success of his trading ships, or "argosy," currently en route to various destinations like Tripolis and the Indies. Shylock expresses concern about the risks these ships face, including weather and pirates, yet acknowledges that Antonio remains a sufficient credit risk for the loan, or "bond."
What does the stanza in Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice mean: "This kindness will I show; Go with me to a notary, seal me there Your single bond...In what part of your body pleaseth me"?
In this passage, Shylock offers Antonio a loan under unusual terms. They will go to a notary to formalize the agreement, where Antonio must sign a bond. If Antonio fails to repay on time, Shylock will be entitled to take a pound of Antonio's flesh from any part of his body. Initially, this condition is seen as a jest, but it later becomes a pivotal plot point influencing the story's dramatic tension and Shylock's downfall.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice, what comment does Shylock make after Bassanio and Antonio's lines?
Bassanio: "You shall not seal to such a bond for more:
I'll rather dwell in my necessity."
Antonio: "Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it: ...
Of thrice three times the value of this bond."
After Bassanio expresses reluctance about the bond and Antonio reassures him, Shylock comments on the hypocrisy of Christians, criticizing their mistrustful nature. He sarcastically questions the value of a pound of human flesh compared to animal flesh and presents the bond as a gesture of friendship. Shylock insists he means no harm and hopes Antonio will not wrong him, highlighting the tension and irony in their relationship.
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