ACT 5, SCENE 1 OVERVIEW OF ACT 5, SCENE 1 l


This is a scene of calm at the end of a turbulent (unsettled/chaotic) play. The setting, the idyllic (perfect) garden paradise of Belmont under the starry night sky, establishes a tranquil, romantic tone at the start of the scene. The music also contributes to the serene (calm) atmosphere.


l


Lorenzo refers to lovers from mythology such as Troilus and Cressid and Dido and Aeneas. It is interesting that all the lovers he mentions experience great misfortune. He includes Jessica in his list of unfortunate lovers:


In such a night


Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew, And with an unthrift love did run from Venice As far as Belmont. (lines 14–17)


l


Soon Stephano, a servant, comes to inform Lorenzo of Portia’s imminent (about to happen) return. Launcelot also has news that Bassanio will be back in Belmont before morning.


l


Lorenzo, at first, decides to go in to prepare for Bassanio and Portia’s return, but changes his mind, preferring to listen to the musicians in the open air. Lorenzo’s language is quite poetic as he gazes at the night sky and meditates on (thinks about) the harmonious music:


How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears. (lines 54–56)


l


He also paints very clear visual imagery of the night sky: Look how the floor of heaven


Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold. (lines 58–59) l


Lorenzo praises music and its power to tame wild animals. He argues that wild herds or horses that hear music become gentle and docile because of the healing power of music:


Their [the animals’] savage eyes turned to a modest gaze By the sweet power of music. (lines 78–79)


l


Lorenzo is suspicious of anyone who does not like music, claiming that such a person is capable of treason (betrayal), plotting and destruction:


The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. (lines 83–85)


l


As Portia and Nerissa arrive back in Belmont, Portia notices a candle burning in her house. This causes Nerissa to remark that they didn’t even notice the candle when the moon was shining brightly. Portia responds by saying:


So doth the greater glory dim the less. (line 93) This means that something brighter, or more powerful can outshine or eclipse something ‘less’ than it. l


Next, Portia and Nerissa hear music emanating (coming) from Portia’s garden. Nerissa observes how the silence of the night enhances the music. Portia agrees, commenting that the nightingale would not sound as nice by day when other more raucous (harsh/loud) sounds are competing with it, such as ‘When every goose is cackling’ (line 105). It is at this point that Lorenzo becomes aware of Portia’s voice and welcomes her home.


l


Portia tells Nerissa to instruct the servants to say nothing of their absence when Bassanio returns home. Lorenzo and Jessica also vow to keep their absence a secret:


We are no tell-tales, madam; Fear you not. (line 123) 212 The Merchant of Venice


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196  |  Page 197  |  Page 198  |  Page 199  |  Page 200  |  Page 201  |  Page 202  |  Page 203  |  Page 204  |  Page 205  |  Page 206  |  Page 207  |  Page 208  |  Page 209  |  Page 210  |  Page 211  |  Page 212  |  Page 213  |  Page 214  |  Page 215  |  Page 216  |  Page 217  |  Page 218  |  Page 219  |  Page 220  |  Page 221  |  Page 222  |  Page 223  |  Page 224  |  Page 225  |  Page 226  |  Page 227  |  Page 228  |  Page 229  |  Page 230  |  Page 231  |  Page 232  |  Page 233  |  Page 234  |  Page 235  |  Page 236  |  Page 237  |  Page 238  |  Page 239  |  Page 240  |  Page 241  |  Page 242  |  Page 243  |  Page 244  |  Page 245  |  Page 246  |  Page 247  |  Page 248  |  Page 249  |  Page 250  |  Page 251  |  Page 252  |  Page 253  |  Page 254  |  Page 255  |  Page 256  |  Page 257  |  Page 258  |  Page 259  |  Page 260  |  Page 261  |  Page 262  |  Page 263  |  Page 264  |  Page 265  |  Page 266