Skip to main content

What are Bassanio's motives for inviting Shylock to dinner in Act II, Scene 5 of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice?

First of all, in Act 1, Scene 3, Bassanio meets with Shylock in order to secure 3,000 ducats on Antonio's credit so he can court and marry Portia. The contract is drawn up at that time, but Bassanio needs to meet with Shylock again to obtain the money. Before leaving to meet up with Bassanio, Shylock tells his daughter, Jessica, to lock up for the night after he leaves. During this discourse, Shylock speaks aloud...

First of all, in Act 1, Scene 3, Bassanio meets with Shylock in order to secure 3,000 ducats on Antonio's credit so he can court and marry Portia. The contract is drawn up at that time, but Bassanio needs to meet with Shylock again to obtain the money. Before leaving to meet up with Bassanio, Shylock tells his daughter, Jessica, to lock up for the night after he leaves. During this discourse, Shylock speaks aloud his concerns aloud about lending money to Christians who despise him. He wonders why he is even going to the dinner with Bassanio because he could just as well hand the money to Bassanio without socializing with him at dinner. Shylock concludes that the only reason that Bassanio has invited him to dinner is the mere fact that Bassanio flatters him. Shylock sees the invitation as one backed by an ulterior motive—probably to soften his heart so he won't demand a pound of Antonio's flesh if he can't pay the debt in three months. As a result, Shylock says that he will go to the dinner "in hate, to feed upon / The prodigal Christian" (II.v.14-15).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more