1. Vocab
1.1. Gaoler (jailer) Shylock tells the jailer to take Antonio away to court.
1.2. Masque (party-like event) It's a setting in the play in act II scene IV
1.3. Ducats (currency) Commonly used and high in value (made out of solid gold), Antonio owes Shylock 3000 back for a loan he took.
1.4. Gaberdine (cloth) Shylock refers to Antonio spitting on his Jewish cloths as an analogy to how Antonio hates him.
1.5. Scruple(small weight form) Portia explains to Shylock that if the scales are off by even a scruple (the wait of 20 grains) he'll be executed.
1.6. Penance(self-punishment) Antonio says that he deserves what happens to him and won't fight it.
1.7. Currish(doglike, inhuman) Repeatedly used to describe Shylock in the play by other characters.
1.8. Epitaph(writing on gravestone) Antonio tells Bassanio to write his after Shylock takes his life.
1.9. Viands(food) Shylock argues that owning slaves is just as despicable as him taking Antonio's flesh, and asks why they should not be able to eat the same food as their masters.
1.10. Amity(friendship, kindness) Lorenzo uses this while complimenting Portia.
1.11. Twain(two) Bassanio describing him and Portia.
1.12. Intercessor(someone who prays for another person's sake) Shylock says that he won't give in to people praying for him trying to get him to convert to christianity.
1.13. Prodigal(wasting money) Shylock uses this to insult Launcelot in front of Jessica, showing his disdain for him.
1.14. Demure(modest) Gratiano says he will try to become a modest person if he is to go to Belmont with Bassanio.
1.15. Ostent(appeerence) Gratiano says he will be serious at Belmont.
1.16. Cudgel(weapon) Launcelot asks his father if he looks like a wooden stick sarcasticly, as that's what it is.
1.17. Incarnal(enbodiment of) Launcelot describes Shylock as being the embodiment of the devil.
1.18. Rheum(mucus, that eye-crust stuff) Shylock uses it as an analogy to how Antonio hates him.
1.19. Gratis(freely) Shylock disaproves of how Antonio just gives away money to his friends.
1.20. Outface(To defeat by bold confrontation) Portia explains how she and Nerissa will shame Bassanio and Gratiano for giving away her ring.
2. Themes
2.1. Prejudice and hatred form a vicious cycle.
2.1.1. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances: Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need my help: Go to, then; you come to me, and you say 'Shylock, we would have moneys:' you say so; 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'?
2.1.2. Let me say 'amen' betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer, for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew.
2.1.3. This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there Your single bond; and, in a merry sport, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Express'd in the condition, 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.
2.2. Mercy is necessary to have and should be given freely.
2.2.1. The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this, That, in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
2.2.2. I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. (referring to Shylock)
2.3. It's hard for love/loyalty to overcome personal gain.
2.3.1. Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O, that estates, degrees and offices Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare! How many be commanded that command! How much low peasantry would then be glean'd From the true seed of honour! and how much honour Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times To be new-varnish'd! Well, but to my choice: 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.' I will assume desert. Give me a key for /this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here. / What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot, Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How much unlike art thou to Portia! How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! 'Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.' Did I deserve no more than a fool's head? Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?
2.3.2. I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin!
2.3.3. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it: Within these two months, that's a month before This bond expires, I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
2.4. (add three quotes per theme)
3. Acts
3.1. 1.
3.1.1. 1. Antonio is generally depressed, but he dosn't know why.
3.1.2. 2. Portia is weary of being courted constantly by suitors.
3.1.3. 3. Bassanio wants to marry Portia, but needs Antonio to ask Shylock for a loan.
3.2. 2.
3.2.1. The Prince of Morroco is courting Portia, but she's not interested in him.
3.2.2. Launcelot contemplates leaving Shylock's service while talking with Old Gobbo, his father.
3.2.3. Launcelot asks Jessica (Shylock's daughter) to run away with him and marry him, and she agrees.
3.2.4. The Prince of Morroco fails Portia's test.
3.2.5. Jessica And Launcelot steal some of Shylock's things and run away togeter
3.2.6. The Prince of Arragon fails Portia's test.
3.3. 3.
3.3.1. Shylock learns the extent of his daughter's flight, and becomes enraged.
3.3.2. Bassanio chooses the lead chest and wins the test and Portia's hand in marriage.
3.3.3. Portia gives Bassanio a ring and tells him never to lose it.
3.3.4. Antonio is unable to pay back Shylock the loan in time, so Shylock prepares to go to court to take Antonio's life.
3.3.5. Portia and Nerissa plan to dress as men and go to the trial to save Antonio.
3.4. 4.
3.4.1. Antonio and Shylock go to court, and Antonio resigns himself to death.
3.4.2. Portia and Nerissa come in, disguised as a lawyer and his clerk, and trick Shylock into giving up his bond, and also force him to give Jessica and Launcelot half of his money.
3.4.3. Portia and Nerissa, still disguised, get Bassanio and Gratiano to give them the ring and a pair of gloves respectively.
3.5. 5.
3.5.1. Jessica and Lorenzo talk at Belmont
3.5.2. Portia and Nerissa return to Belmont before Bassanio, Gratiano, and Antonio do, and after toying with Bassanio and Gratiano, they reveal that they were the lawyer and his clerk.
3.5.3. Portia tells Antonio that his trading ships returned safely and made him a lot of money.