Important-Extracts-The Merchant of Venice ( 9 to 11)

Extract 9.

If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge.

If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by
Christian example? why, revenge. The villainy you teach
me I will execute; and it shall go hard but I will better
the instruction.

Context: The above lines have been taken from The Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare, Act III, Scene (i) Salarino asks Shylock what good he would do with Antonio’s flesh in case he does not pay him loan on time. Then Shylock speaks the above lines to him. Shylock continues explaining why a Jew should not take revenge on Antonio by taking a pound of his flesh.

Explanation: He tells Salarino that if a Jew wrongs a Christian, then he is severely punished. But when a Christian does the same type of harm to a Jew, in that case, the same treatment should be given to a Christian also. He further adds that Shylock must take revenge on Antonio because he has also been wronged by Antonio, a Christian. Since the Christians have taught him to do cruelty, he would prove crueler to them.

Thus, Shylock justifies his revenge on Antonio in the above lines.

Extract 10.

How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,
Who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk;
And these assume but valour's excrement(90)
To render them redoubted! Look

Context: These lines have been taken from The Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare, Act III, Scene (II). The speaker is Bassanio. He is thinking deeply to make a decision about the right casket. He is giving logic upon logic to reach the right decision.

Explanation: Bassanio speaks that there are so many fake people in the world. They wear a false look on their faces. They try to show that they are as courageous a Hercules and as powerful as Mars were. They pretend to look fierce and brave just to frighten others. But, when they face real danger, they turn out to be chicken-hearted. Bassanio just wants to say that outward appearances are often deceptive in this world. So he reaches the conclusion that the gold casket has an outward shine to deceive people.

Extract 11.

First go with me to church, and call me wife,
And then away to Venice to your friend;
For never shall you lie by Portia's side
With an unquiet soul.

Reference to the Context: These lines have been taken from The Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare, Act III, Scene (II).Bassanio has won Portia’s hand by choosing the right casket. Both of them are extremely happy. But at the same time, Bassanio receives a message that his friend Antonio is in great trouble. Shylock has filed a case against him in the Duke’s court to take revenge on him. Bassanio tells everything about the loan case to Portia. At that time, she utters the above lines to Bassanio.

Explanation: Portia also feels shocked and sad as Bassanio tells her all the reality about the loan and Antonio. She at once advises Bassanio to help his friend at once. But before that, they would go to Church and marry each other. After that, Bassanio would go to Venice to help Antonio. She also says that her husband, Bassanio, would never be peaceful as long as his friend Antonio is in difficulty. So their unmarried life would be disturbed until or unless Antonio comes out of his difficult time.