ACT 2, SCENE 5 OVERVIEW OF ACT 2, SCENE 5 l


This is a domestic scene where we observe the interaction between Shylock and his daughter, Jessica. Launcelot has come to take his leave of his old master, Shylock, and invite him to supper with his new master, Bassanio. Shylock warns Launcelot that Bassanio might not be as accommodating a master as he is:


Thou shalt not gormandize, As thou hast done with me (lines 3–4) l


Shylock has reservations about accepting the invitation to go to supper with Bassanio, but his desire to feast at Bassanio’s expense outweighs his fears about going:


But wherefore should I go?


I am not bid for love. They flatter me, But yet I’ll go in hate, to feed upon The prodigal Christian. (lines 12–15)


l


Shylock expresses his insecurities and worries about leaving his house. He reveals that he had a dream about money-bags which seems to indicate that his chief concern is for the safety of his wealth. The dream is oddly portentous (sinister/predictive) as it also reminds us that Jessica is planning to desert her father and steal his money and jewels.


l


When Launcelot reveals that there will also be a masque, Shylock becomes quite protective of his daughter. He warns her not to put her head out of the window ‘To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces’ (line 33). He does not want his daughter to be contaminated by the ‘shallow fopp’ry’ (line 35) or revelries (celebrations) of the Christians who will be involved in the celebrations. This idea is reinforced by Shylock’s use of personification when describing his house:


But stop my house’s ears (line 34) l


Shylock instructs Jessica to close the ‘ears’, or windows, of the house so that they do not admit (let in) any sounds. This warning to Jessica is sadly ironic as we are aware that she is planning to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian, that very night. Shylock’s absence from the house will make her escape easier. This is an example of dramatic irony as the audience is aware of something that Shylock is not. In this case, dramatic irony can increase the tension or suspense of the play, or even cause us to sympathise with Shylock knowing the fate that is about to befall (happen to) him (i.e. he is about to lose his riches and his daughter).


Junior Cycle English 73


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