ACT 3, SCENE 2


100. real thing (i.e. Portia) 101. imitation (i.e. the portrait) 102. understating


103. container


99. And leave one incomplete (without the other eye).


130


And leave itself unfurnished.99 Yet look how far The substance100 of my praise doth wrong this shadow101 In underprizing102 it, so far this shadow Doth limp behind the substance. Here’s the scroll, The continent103 and summary of my fortune.


[Reads.] 104. by appearance


105. (lines 131–132) Those who do not make choices based on appearances deserve good luck


135


‘You that choose not by the view104 Chance as fair105 and choose as true. Since this fortune falls to you, Be content and seek no new. If you be well pleased with this, And hold your fortune for your bliss, Turn you where your lady is, And claim her with a loving kiss.’


106. At the instructions of the note 107. competing in a contest


140 108. shouts 145


109. (lines 147–148) I won’t believe it is true until you confirm it.


A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave, I come by note106 to give and to receive, Like one of two contending in a prize,107 That thinks he hath done well in people’s eyes, Hearing applause and universal shout, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt Whether those peals108 of praise be his or no. So, thrice-fair lady, stand I even so, As doubtful whether what I see be true, Until confirmed, signed, ratified by you.109


150 155 110. possessions


111. (lines 150–157) Portia is saying that she wishes she were better, richer and more beautiful to impress Bassanio.


112. to describe fully 113. I am uneducated, untrained and inexperienced


114. Fortunate 115. more fortunate


116. She has not been raised/reared 122 The Merchant of Venice 160


PORTIA You see me, lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am. Though for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish To wish myself much better, yet for you I would be trebled twenty times myself, A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich, That only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings,110 friends, Exceed account.111 But the full sum of me Is sum of something, which, to term in gross,112 Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractisèd,113 Happy114 in this, she is not yet so old But she may learn; happier than this,115 She is not bred116 so dull but she can learn;


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