EXAMINING THE PLAY This means that she will cover herself with more gold coins before descending to Lorenzo.


As Antonio’s money is tied up in his ships, Bassanio’s only option is to borrow the money from someone else. Antonio will be Bassanio’s guarantor, or security for the loan. They approach Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to secure the funds they need.


The conflict between Shylock and Antonio stems from their different attitudes to lending money. Antonio, as a Christian, does not charge interest on loans, whereas Shylock charges interest, a practice known as usury.


He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. (Act 1, Scene 3, lines 39–40)


Shylock believes that Antonio undermines his business as he believes it is right to charge interest on loans:


And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not. (Act 1, Scene 3, line 85)


However, it is clear that Shylock is not motivated by money or interest when lending Bassanio the sum he needs. He lends the money interest-free and, as a ‘merry sport’ (line 141), sets the penalty for not repaying the loan as a pound of Antonio’s flesh:


If you repay me not on such a day, … 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. (Act 1, Scene 3, lines 142–147)


It appears that Shylock has been waiting for such an opportunity to get revenge on Antonio for his over-generous lending practices.


It is clear that Shylock wants only revenge. This is obvious since Shylock, someone who is so interested in money, does not seem to care that his money has not been repaid. Shylock is overjoyed when he finds out that Antonio’s ships have been destroyed, indicating that the loan cannot be repaid.


Shylock is even more intent on seeking revenge on the Christian, Antonio, when he learns that his daughter has fled with a Christian, Lorenzo, and has stolen gold and valuable jewellery. Shylock tells Tubal in Act 3, Scene 1:


I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear! (Act 3, Scene 1, lines 80–81)


It would appear that Shylock values money above all else, including family, but later in the scene when he learns that his daughter exchanged a ‘turquoise’ ring for a monkey, he is devastated. This is not because of the value of the ring, but because of its association with his late wife, Leah:


Thou torturest me, Tubal… I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. (Act 3, Scene 1, lines 107–109)


In the Trial Scene, Shylock flatly refuses to take any money insisting on the terms of the bond. Bassanio offers to repay the full amount and later Shylock is offered three times the original sum of money Bassanio borrowed:


Shylock, there’s thrice thy money offered thee. (Act 4, Scene 1, line 225) Junior Cycle English 241


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