Merchant of Venice. - Repositories
Merchant of Venice. - Repositories
Merchant of Venice. - Repositories
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SCENE 1.] NOTES 179<br />
1. 222. perjury on my soul. Is Shylock's horror <strong>of</strong> committing<br />
perjury sincere ?<br />
1. 235. on. On the strength <strong>of</strong>.<br />
1.240. intent. Intention.<br />
1. 240. purpose. Meaning.<br />
1. 241. Hath full relation to, etc. Has reference to, or allows<br />
the validity <strong>of</strong> the penalty.<br />
1. 244. more elder. Double comparatives are common in<br />
Shakespeare.<br />
1. 247. '* Nearest his heart." Were they " the very words"<br />
<strong>of</strong> the original bond as we heard it stated ? Booth says: *' Shylock<br />
takes the bond eagerly from Portia, and, when returning<br />
it to her after ' those are the very words,' looks at Antonio,"<br />
1. 248. balance. This word is used here either as a plural,<br />
or else, for the sake <strong>of</strong> euphony, the final " s " is not sounded,<br />
or even written.<br />
1.261. use. Custom.<br />
1. 268. speak me fair in death. Speak well <strong>of</strong> me when I<br />
am dead. In lines 257-274 note the passages that exhibit the<br />
courtesy <strong>of</strong> Antonio, those that show his kindness <strong>of</strong> heart, his<br />
courage, and his princely dignity. In line 274 a pun for once is<br />
both dignified and pathetic.<br />
1. 289. Barrabas. A leader <strong>of</strong> rebellion and a murderer,<br />
who, at the request <strong>of</strong> the Jews, was pardoned instead <strong>of</strong> Jesus.<br />
See Luke xxiii. 18-21. What feelings as a father does Shylock<br />
show here ?
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