Main Events
Bassanio offers Shylock twice the amount of money that Antonio owes Shylock, which is six thousand ducats, but Shylock still refuses to show mercy by not accepting the six thousand ducats.
- "For thy three thousand ducats here is six.
What judgment shall I dread, doing
Were in six parts and every part a ducat,
I would not draw them; I would have my bond.
How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?" (4.1.84-88)
Portia, disguised as Dr. Balthazar, tries to persuade Shylock to show mercy by giving a speech on the quality of mercy, but to no avail, Shylock still demands the penalty of his bond.
- "Do you confess the bond?
I do.
Then must the Jew be merciful.
On what compulsion must I? tell me that.
... 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.
My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond." (4.1.180-205)
Portia stops Shylock from having the forfeiture of his bond by revealing the loopholes in Shylock's bond. The bond only states a pound of flesh, no blood can be shed when Shylock cuts Antonio's flesh. Also, Shylock must cut exactly one pound of flesh, if more or less, Shylock will die and he will lose all his goods.
- "Tarry a little; there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;
The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh:'
Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;
But, in the cutting it, 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.
... Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more
But just a pound of flesh: if thou cut'st more
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance,
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate." (4.1.303-310, 322-330)
The Duke pardons Shylock's life, Antonio cancels his share of the half of Shylock's goods but requires Shylock to will it to Lorenzo and Jessica. Furthermore, Antonio requires Shylock to convert to Christianity.
- "I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it:
... So please my lord the duke and all the court
To quit the fine for one half of his goods,
I am content; so he will let me have
The other half in use, to render it,
Upon his death, unto the gentleman
That lately stole his daughter:
Two things provided more, that, for this favour,
He presently become a Christian;
The other, that he do record a gift,
Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd,
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.' (4.1.367, 378-388)
Bassanio is at first reluctant to give his ring to Balthazar (Portia in disguise) but changes his mind later. He sends Gratiano to deliver the ring to Balthazar.
- "My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring:
Let his deservings and my love withal
Be valued against your wife's commandment.
Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him;
Give him the ring, and bring him, if thou canst,
Unto Antonio's house: away! make haste." (4.1.447-452)