Merchant of Venice

Act 3 Scene 2

Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.

Enter Bassanio, Portia, Gratiano, Nerissa, and all their servants enter along with a singer.

Portia

I request you to wait for a day or two before you undertake the risk. It is so because if you
choose the wrong casket, I am all set to lose your company. Therefore, hold back awhile
for there is something that tells me—though it is not Love but something else—that I do
not intend to lose you. It is not Hate that makes me think in such a way, for hate doesn’t
counsel /advises you in such manner or to such extent, and this is something that you
know very well.

But I want to put it very clearly considering you fail to understand my intent and me. Just
to make it a little clear, though it is not worthy that a maiden should speak her thoughts, I
would like to prolong your stay for a month or two before you venture to take the test and
make your choice. I could teach you how to choose correctly, but then I would be
disregarding the oath I took. I will never tell you the right choice, so there's a chance you
will make the wrong choice. And if you do, you'll make me wish I had sinned and broken
my oath not to reveal the correct casket. Shame on your eyes—in looking upon me, they
have divided me in two. One-half of me is yours, and the other half is yours—I mean
mine. Well, if that half of me is mine, then it is yours, too, so all of me is yours. Oh, it's
wrong that you are kept from what is yours! Although I am yours, I am not yet officially
yours. Make it so I am. Let Lady Luck go to hell for this game of chance, not me. I'm
talking too much, but I'm doing that just to waste time, to draw out the minutes and
stretch out the seconds, keeping you from making your decision.

Bassanio

Let me choose a casket, for as it is right now I am in torture.

Portia

In torture, Bassanio? Then confess what treason you have committed out of your love.

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

(Here Portia is joking, as if Bassanio is being actually tortured to provoke a confession as if

Bassanio
I am guilty of nothing but some mistrust, which makes me worry I may never be able to
enjoy my love. Snow and fire go better together than any treason and my love. (They are
opposite as two extremities such as hot and cold)

Portia
Yes, but I am worried that you are only saying this because you are being tortured. Men
say anything when forced to by torture.

Bassanio
Promise me that you would spare my life and I'll tell you the truth.

Portia
Well then, confess the truth and you will live.

Bassanio
"Confess and love," yes, that's it. How pleasant torture can be, when my torturer tells me
the right thing to say to be let go! But now let me try my luck and go to the caskets.

Portia
Let's go, then. My picture is locked in one of the caskets. If you truly love me, you will find
it. Nerissa and everyone else, stand back. Let some music play while he makes his choice.
Then if he loses, he will at least have a swanlike end, dying with a song. To make him
really like a swan, I'll cry a river for him to swim and drown in. And if he wins, what will be
the point of the music? In that case, the music will be like the flourish that plays when
subjects bow to a newly crowned king. The sweet sounds that wake up a dreaming
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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

groom at dawn on his wedding day, and announce that his wedding is here. And now he
goes to the caskets looking as noble as Hercules, but more loving, when Hercules rescued
the Trojan princess from the sea monster. I am like that princess, awaiting death, and
these people standing by are like the Trojan wives looking on with teary eyes. Go, my
Hercules! If you live, then I live. I am much more troubled here watching you than you
are, doing the deed.
(In classical mythology, Hercules rescued the Trojan princess Hesione from a sea monster
sent by Poseidon, god of the sea.)

[The Singer sings a song, while Bassanio comments to himself about the caskets.]
Singer
[Singing]
Tell me where our desires come from:
The heart or the head?
How do they start, how do they grow?

All
Answer, answer.

Singer
[Singing]
Love starts in the eyes,
And grows with gazing, and it dies
In the cradle where it lies.
Let us all sound love's death knell.
I'll start—Ding, dong, bell.

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

All
Ding, dong, bell

Bassanio
The outward appearances of these may be deceiving. The whole world is tricked by fancy
appearances. In the court of law, a corrupt and false plea can hide its own evil with a
pleasant voice. In religion, a damned mistake can be covered over with the nice show of a
blessing and some scripture to justify it. Every vice has some outward appearance of
virtue. Many cowards with disloyal hearts have beards like brave Hercules and Mars, the
god of war, even though they have no guts and are easily frightened. And think of beauty,
which can be bought by the pound in the form of cosmetics, which work miracles on
nature, making the women that wear the most of it the most beautiful. The curly golden
locks that are tousled in the wind so nicely and seem beautiful often turn out to be a wig,
made from a dead person's hair. Appearances are like an inviting shore that leads to a
dangerous ocean, a beautiful scarf hiding an actually undesirable Indian "beauty." In
short, appearances can be tricky and often deceive even the wisest. Therefore, you gold,
the solid metal that Midas couldn't eat, I will have nothing to do with you. And I'll have
nothing to do with silver either, that pale metal that men pass between themselves as
currency. But you, humble lead, you who threaten more than you promise, your paleness
moves me more than I can say, and I choose you. I hope I will be happy with my decision!
(In classical mythology, everything that the king Midas touched turned to gold. While he
was initially happy with this gift, Midas soon found that he couldn't eat or drink anything,
because it would turn to gold. Thus, Bassanio describes gold as Midas's food.)

Portia
[To herself] All other emotions are flying away—doubt and rash despair, shuddering fear,
and green-eyed jealousy! I must moderate my love and restrain my ecstasy. I must
rejoice within good measure and not too much. I feel too overjoyed. I must be less
joyous, for I fear that I have an excess of happiness.

Bassanio
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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

[Opening the lead box] What do I find here? The picture of beautiful Portia! What godly
artist has rendered the image so close to real life? Do the eyes in this picture move? Or
do they just seem to as I look around? Here are her lips, parted by her sugary breath—
that such sweetness should part such sweet friends. Here in her hair, the painter has been
like a spider weaving a golden web to trap men's hearts faster than gnats are caught in
cobwebs. But her eyes—how could the artist have painted these? Once he made one of
them, I think its beauty would have distracted him so that he could not have painted the
other. But my praise wrongs this image because my words fall as short of its beauty as it
falls short of the real person it depicts. Here's a scroll that summarizes my fortune.
[he reads]
"You who choose not based on appearances have good luck and chose correct! Since you
have gained this fortune, be content and don't seek anything more. If this pleases you
well and you are happy with your good fortune, turn to your lady and claim her with a
loving kiss." What a nice scroll. Fair lady, if you will permit it, I come to give you a kiss
and thus receive you, as this note instructs me. I'm like someone who has competed for a
prize and thinks that everyone's applause and shouts are for his success, but isn't quite
sure because he's so stunned and isn't certain whether all this praise is for him or not.
That's how I feel now, beautiful lady, but three times more intense! I can't be sure of
whether what I see is true until it is confirmed, signed, and ratified by you.

Portia
You see me as I am, standing here, Lord Bassanio. I wish I were twenty times better than
myself. I wouldn't be so ambitious as to wish that just for myself, but for you I would, and
I would wish I were a thousand times more beautiful, and ten thousand times richer. I
wish I could be infinitely good in virtue, beauty, wealth, and friends only so that you would
think highly of me. But all you get in me is an inexperienced girl, unschooled, naive. But
at least you are getting a girl who is not too old to learn, and one who is not so stupid that
she cannot learn. Best of all for you, you are getting a girl whose gentle spirit is fully
committed to yours and is willing to be directed by you as if by her lord, her governor, or
her king. I and all that is mine are now yours. Just a minute ago I was in charge of this
beautiful mansion, all its servants, and myself, as well. And now this house, these
servants, and I are all yours. I give them to you along with this ring. Don't ever lose it or
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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

give it away, or else that will be the sign of the ruin of your love and will give me reason to
scold you.

[She gives Bassanio a ring.]

Bassanio

Madam, I don't know what to say, but the very blood in my veins speaks to you. And I am
as dumbfounded as a buzzing crowd, after listening to a brilliant speech by a beloved
prince, when everything seems to blend together in unexpressed and expressed joy.
When this ring leaves this finger, then life will leave me. When you see this ring off my
finger, feel free to say that Bassanio is dead!

Nerissa

My lord and lady, it is now time for those of us who have stood by here and seen our
wishes come true, to cry out, "Good joy, good joy, my lord and lady!"

Gratiano

My Lord Bassanio and my gentle lady, I wish you all the joy that I can wish you, so that
there's none left for you to wish for from me. And when you have your wedding ceremony
to solidify your union, I beg that I may be married at the same time.

Bassanio

With all my heart, I say yes, if you can find a wife.

Gratiano

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

I thank you, my lord, because you have found me one. My eyes are as quick as yours, my
lord. While you were looking at the mistress, I was watching her maid. You fell in love,
and so did I. Just like you, I don't want to wait. Your fortune depended on the casket
there, and so did mine, as it turns out. While we were standing here, I was wooing and
swearing oaths of love until at last this beautiful woman here promised me her love, so
long as your luck held out.

Portia

Is this true, Nerissa?

Nerissa

Madam, it is true, if you don't mind.

Bassanio
And are you being sincere and honest, Gratiano?

Gratiano
Yes, truly, my lord.

Bassanio
It will be our honour to celebrate your marriage, as well, at our wedding feast.

Gratiano
[To Nerissa] We can bet them a thousand ducats that we'll have a son before they do.

Nerissa

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

Do you want to stake down that money now?

Gratiano
No, we'll never win the bet if I stake down. But who is this coming here? Lorenzo and his
non-Christian friend? What's this, and Salerio, too, my old friend from Venice?

Enter Lorenzo, Jessica and Salerio, and a messenger from Venice

Bassanio
I welcome you Lorenzo and Salerio, if I can welcome you here so soon after winning
ownership of this place.
[To Portia] With your permission, I bid my friends and compatriots welcome, Sweet
Portia.

Portia
I also do the same. They are most welcome.

Lorenzo
[To Bassanio] Thank you, your honour. I didn't actually intend to come see you here, my
lord, but I ran into Salerio on the way, and he begged me to come with him and I couldn't
refuse.

Salerio
That's true, my lord, and I have good reason for making him come with me. Sir Antonio
sends this to you.
[He gives Bassanio a letter]

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

Bassanio
Before I open this letter, please tell me how my good friend Antonio is doing.

Salerio
He's not sick, my lord, unless his mind is sick, but he's not doing well either, unless his
mind is doing well. His letter there will show you how he is faring.
[Bassanio opens the letter and reads it.]

Gratiano
[To Jessica] Nerissa, cheer up that stranger. Welcome her here. Salerio let me shake your
hand. What's the news from Venice? How is good Antonio, that royal merchant, doing? I
know he'll be glad to hear about our romantic successes here. We are like the hero Jason
after retrieving the Golden Fleece.

Salerio
I wish you had won enough to replace what Antonio has lost.

Portia
There are some serious matters in that letter that are making Bassanio's face go pale.
Some close friend of his must have died. Nothing else in the world could affect such a
stoic man this much. What could it be, something even worse? If you'll allow it, Bassanio,
I am half of you now, and I must bear half of whatever this letter brings you.

Bassanio
Sweet Portia, these are some of the most unpleasant words that were ever written on
paper. Gentle lady, when I first told you of my love for you, I admitted that the only
wealth I had was the blood running through my veins: I was a nobleman by birth. And I
spoke truly then. And yet, even saying that I had no money was a bit of bragging, as you

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

will see. When I told you that my estate was worth nothing, I should have told you that it
was worth less than nothing, for I am in debt to a dear friend, and put him in debt to his
complete enemy in order to support me in coming here. This letter here is like the body of
my friend, and every word on it is like a gaping wound, spilling out blood. But is this true,
Salerio? Have all of his business ventures failed? Not one was successful? Not the one
from Tripoli, or the ones from Mexico and England, the ones from Lisbon, the African
coast, or India? Not one of his ships escaped the dreadful rocks that ruin merchants'
fortunes?

Salerio
Not one ship, my lord. And even if Antonio had the money to pay the Jew back, it seems
he wouldn't take it. I have never seen an animal in the shape of a man as greedy as him
and as eager to spite another man. He pleads his case to the Duke every morning and
every night, and says that if he were denied justice it would be a disgrace to the state.
Twenty merchants, the Duke himself, and the highest-ranking Venetian noblemen have all
tried to persuade him, but no one can change his mind about the matter of his loan, of
justice, and what Antonio must forfeit.

Jessica
When I was with Shylock I heard him swear to his fellow Jews Tubal and Chus that he
would rather have Antonio's flesh than twenty times the amount of money Antonio owes
him. And I am sure, my lord, that he will take the flesh of poor Antonio if the power and
authority of the law allow him to.

Portia
Is the man who is in such trouble your dear friend?

Bassanio
He is my dearest friend, and the kindest man. He has the best, untiring spirit of courtesy
and is a better example of ancient Roman honour than any man alive in Italy.
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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

Portia
What amount of money does he owe the Jew?

Bassanio
Three thousand ducats, on my behalf.

Portia
What, is that it? Pay him six thousand ducats and scrap the agreement! Double six
thousand, and triple it before allowing such a close friend to lose even a hair on account
of Bassanio. First go with me to the church so we can finalize our marriage, and then go
to Venice to help your friend. You will never lie by my side with a troubled soul. You will
have enough gold to pay twenty times this petty debt. Once it is paid off, bring your true
friend back with you. My maid Nerissa and I will be as chaste as maids and widows while
you are gone. Come on, let's go! You are going to leave me on our very wedding day.
Welcome your friends here, and show them a good time. Since it's going to cost me a lot
to have you, I will love you a lot. But first let me hear the letter from your friend.

Bassanio
[Reading the letter aloud] "Sweet Bassanio, all my ships have been wrecked. My creditors
have become cruel. I don't have much money. I cannot pay the Jew back. And since once
the Jew takes the flesh from me I will die, all your debts to me are cleared, if only I can see
you before I die. Regardless, enjoy yourself. If your love for me is not enough to make you
come to me, then my letter should not be either."

Portia
My love, forget about everything else and go!

Bassanio

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 Merchant of Venice
Act 3 Scene 2

Since I have your permission to go away, I will hurry. But until I come back, I will not sleep
a wink. I won't rest at all until we are reunited.

[Exeunt]

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