The Merchant of Venice

The Trial Scene- Quotes

Duke: “a stony…”

Gratiano: “Can no…”

Duke: “a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch”

(The Duke is showing prejudice toward Shylock)

Gratiano: “Can no prayers peirce thee?”

(Shylock will not change his mind)

(Key Moment)

Portia: “it blesseth..”

Portia: “Be…”

Portia: “It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes”

( Portia, disguised as a lawyer named Balthazar says that Mercy benefits both the person who gives and receives it)

Portia: “Be merciful”

(Portia begs Shylock to show mercy to Antonio)

Shylock: “O noble…”

Portia: “A pound of that…”

Shylock: “O noble judge, O excellent young man!”

(Shylock is praising Portia because the court case is going his way)

Portia: “A pound of that same merchants flesh is thine”

( Portia explains that Shylock is entitled to a pound of Antonio’s flesh)

Portia: “This bond…”

Portia: “Thou diest…”

Portia: “This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood”

(Portia explains that Shylock is not entitled to a single drop of Antonio’s blood)

Portia: “Thou diest, and all thy goods confiscate”

(Shylock will not get his 3000 doucats, and all his goods will be taken)

Portia: “Down, therefore…”

Antonio: “Render it upon…”

Portia: “Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke”

(Portia tells Shylock to beg the Duke for mercy, as his life is now in the Dukes hands)

Antonio: “Render it upon his death unto the gentleman that lately stole his daughter”

(Antonio says Shylock can keep his goods but when he dies, they will be given to Lorenzo)

Antonio: “for this favour…”

Shylock: “i am…”

Antonio: “for this favour, he presently become a Christian”

(In return, Shylock must become a Christian)

Shylock: “i am not well”

(Shylock begs for permission to leave, devistated)

Portia: “I’ll take…”

Bassanio: “Go, Gratiano,…”

Portia: “I’ll take this ring from you”

(Portia wants Bassanios ring in return for saving Antonio’s life)

Bassanio: “Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him; Give him the ring”

(Bassanio tells Gratiano to run and give the lawyer the ring)