Merchant of Venice. - Repositories

174 NOTES [ACT IV,
written in verse ? What passage in this act seems to be the
most poetic in expression ? Is its poetry due chiefly to the use
of words suggestive of beautiful scenes or objects, to beautiful
comparisons, to the pleasing sound of the words, or to the
rhythm of the lines ?
ACT IV.
SCENE I
court of justice. On the modem stage the scene in the court
of justice would be in every detail royal and magnificent. The
marble walls of the court-room would be partly covered with
rich hangings, and the robes of the magistrates would furnish
color and luxuriance for this impressive gathering. The Duke's
costume may be conceived as made of heavy purple silk, with a
cape and trimmings of ermine. On tables at one side of the
Duke may be seen massive tomes, or law-books, containing the
statutes of the city of Venice.
Portia is usually represented as disguised either in long, fiowing
robes of black silk, or in heavy garments of rich, red cloth.
In either case she wears the lawyer's cap.
1. 1. What. Well. No surprise is expressed.
1. 6. From. What other preposition would be used to-day ?
1. 7. qualify. Modify. Where in the play have we already
learned that the Duke had been trying to pacify Shylock ?
1. 8. What word in this line has the accent nearer the end
than to-day ?
1. 10. envy. Hatred. Often used with this meaning in
Shakespeare.