Act+Two

Post analysis for Act 2 on this page:

Sara V. L.


 * Portia: **
 * "Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince.**
 * If you choose that wherein I am contained,**
 * Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized;**
 * But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,**
 * You must be gone from hence immediately. " (2.9, Lines 4-8).**

Vocabulary : solemnized: duly perform (a ceremony, that of marriage). Text to World: Having arrange marriages is still common except instead of the parents arranging it the men have to pick the right box in order to win Portia. Summary: Portia is saying that if the Princes choose the right casket than they will win her hand in marriage


 * Aragon: **


 * "What here? The portrait of a blinking idiot,**
 * Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.**
 * How much unlike art thou to Portia!**
 * How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!**
 * "Who chooseth me shall have as much as he**
 * deserves."**
 * Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?**
 * Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?" (2.9, Lines 54-61).**

Summary: He is upset after not choosing the right casket and even more disappointed by what he ended up having to get. Text to World: Everyone gets upset when they don't get something they want.

Grace H.
 * ACT 2 SCENE 5**


 * Shylock: “Hear you me, Jessica:**
 * Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum**
 * and the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife,**
 * Clamber not you up to the casements then,**
 * Nor thrust your head into the public street**
 * To gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces,” (Act 2 Scene 5 Line 29-34)**

In this quote, Shylock is telling his daughter, Jessica, to lock the doors when he leaves. Shylock then goes on to tell her that when she hears the festivities in the streets, to not climb up to the windows, and gaze outside them, looking at the streets and the Christians who‘re wearing painted masks.


 * Shylock: “The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder,**
 * Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day**
 * More than the wildcat. Drones hive not with me;**
 * Therefore I part with him, and part with him**
 * To one that I would have him help to waste.” (Act 2 Scene 5 Line 47-51)**

In this quote, Shylock is telling his daughter, Jessica, that their servant, Lancelot, eats a tremendous amount and is very slow in profitable labor. Shylock then goes on to tell her that he sleeps a lot too, even more than a cat. Lastly, Shylock says he is going to get rid of Lancelot.

2.6 Sawyer S.

Jessica
 * Here, catch this casket. It is worth the pains.**
 * I am glad ‘tis night, you do not look on me,**
 * for I am much ashamed of my exchange.**
 * But love is blind, and lovers cannot see**
 * The pretty follies that themselves commit,**
 * For if they could, Cupid himself would blush**
 * To see me thus transformed to a boy.** **(2.6, 34-40)**

In this scene of act two it appears that Jessica is talking to her lover from an open window or balcony. Jessica informs her lover on the street that she is glad he can’t see her because she is dressed or disguised as a boy. She tosses down a small case or chest which seems to contain something of value or importance.

Lorenzo
 * Beshrew me but I lover her heartily,**
 * For she is wise, if I can judge of her,**
 * And fair she is, if that mine eyes be true,**
 * And true she is, as she hath proved herself;**
 * And therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,**
 * Shall she be placèd in my constant soul. (2.6, 53-58)**

In this passage Lorenzo describes his heart throb Jessica. By the way he speaks of her and states, “if i can judge of her,” it seems he idolizes her and thinks of her as if she is a goddess. It’s obvious that he has a deep amount of respect for Jessica and thinks very highly of her.

Isiah B.
 * Act 2 Scene 5**


 * LANCELOT**
 * “Mistress, look out at window, for all this;**
 * There will come a Christian by,**
 * Will be worth a Jewess’ eye.” (2,5,41-44)**

In these lines, Lancelot is telling Jessica that when her father is gone, Lorenzo will come by to take her, and she will like him. This is disobeying Shylock, because as we know later that Jessica takes the money from Shylock, and she is leaving him for good.


 * JESSICA**
 * “Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed,**
 * I have a father, you a daughter, lost.” (2,5,57-58)**

Jessica says this after Shylock exit’s the scene. She is saying if everything goes as planned, she will be gone. And she will have a lost father, and he will have a lost daughter. These are the last words Jessica says before leaving Shylock’s house for good.

Act 2 Scene 2 Brooke H.

Why does Gratiano need to go to Belmont with Bassanio? They are going to see Portia. Are they going to open the lead casket in which Portia's portrait lies in?
 * Gratiano**
 * "You must not deny me. I must go with you to Belmont." (2.2, 169-170)**

This quote implies that Bassanio and Gratiano have a relationship. At the time it was normal for men to have relationships with each other. A woman was a whole different story.
 * Gratiano**
 * "Nay, but I bar tonight. You shall not gauge me by what we do tonight." (2.2, 190-191)**

__**Act 2 Scene 4.**__

Kelsey W.


 * Lorenzo:**
 * "Hold here, take this. [He gives money.] Tell gentle**
 * Jessica**
 * I will not fail her. Speak it privately." (2, 4, 18-20)**

Lorenzo is asking Lancelot to go to Jessica's house to reassure her that Lorenzo is not going to bail on her. He will stick with trying to transfer her from Jew to Christian before her father finds out. He may want her to know he's not going to leave to increase trust in him and prove that he sticks to his words.


 * Lorenzo:**
 * "I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed**
 * How I shall take her from her father's house,**
 * What gold and jewels she is furnished with,**
 * What page's suit she hath in readiness.**
 * If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,**
 * It will be for his gentle daughter's sake…." (2, 4, 29-34)**

vocabulary: must needs; must gentle; With pun on "gentile" Lancelot is planning on removing Jessica from her father, Shylock's, house. He plans on doing this by disguising Jessica as a torchbearer of Lorenzo. He plans on having Jessica take all of Shylock's money, jewelry, and other precious possessions. He gives the letter to Gratiano and asks him to read it. I'm predicting that when Jessica does leave, Shylock will be more worried about the loss of his money rather than his daughter.

Act 2 Scene 3 :Brittany Lapointe


 * Jessica:**
 * Alack, what heinous sin is in it for me**
 * To be ashamed to be mu fathers child!**
 * But though I am a daughter to his blood,**
 * I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,**
 * If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,**
 * Become a Christian and thy loving wife.** (16-21)

Here, Jessica is saying that she is being a sinner because she is shamed to be a child of her father. She states that she is only a daughter to him by blood and she is no way related to his behavior. Jessica also says that she is converting to become a Christian and Lorenzo’s wife if he keeps his promise. will become a Christian. I also think that Shylock is going to find out and be very mad.
 * Prediction:** I think that Lorenzo will keep his promise. Jessica and Lorenzo will get married and Jessica


 * Lancelot:**
 * Adieu! Tears** //exhibit// **my tongue. Most**
 * beautiful pagan, most sweet Jew! If a christian did not**
 * play the knave and** //get// **thee, I am much deceived. But,**
 * adieu! These foolish drops do something down my**
 * manly spirit. Adieu!** (10-14)

Here, Lancelot is saying goodbye to Jessica. He starts crying and says that the christian was dishonest to get you. Lancelot finally says his last goodbye, with the statement that its not manly to cry. get: beget
 * Vocabulary:** Exhibit: (Blunder for “inhibit,” “restrain”)

Act 2 Scene 8 Seth T.


 * SALARINO**
 * Why, man, I saw Bassanio under sail:**
 * With him is Gratiano gone along;**
 * And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not.**

Salario is saying that he saw Bassanio sail away and Gratiano was with him, but he didn't see Lorenzo in the ship.


 * SOLANIO**
 * The villain Jew with outcries raised the Duke,**
 * Who went with him to search Bassanio’s ship.**

Solanio is saying that Shylock got the Duke of Venice to try and search Bassanio for his daughter.

Act Two Scene Seven Krystal B.

MOROCCO Oh, hell! What have we here? A carrion Death, within whose empty eye There is a written scroll! I’ll read the writing. [He reads.]
 * “All that glisters is not gold;**
 * Often have you heard that told.**
 * Many a man his life hath sold**
 * But my outside to behold.**
 * Gilded tombs do worms infold.**
 * Had you been as wise as bold,**
 * Young in limbs, in judgement old,**
 * Your answer had not been inscrolled.**
 * Fare you well; your suit is cold.”**
 * Cold, indeed, and labor lost.**
 * Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost!**
 * Portia, adieu. I have too grieved a heart**
 * To take a tedious leave. Thus losers part.** (Act Two Scene Seven lines 62-77)

Response: (connection-text to world) I think that this poem is a great lesson that all people should know and remember. We’ve all heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” and this text is saying the same thing. “All that glisters is not gold” (line 65), just because something looks good on the outside doesn’t necessarily mean that its anything nice on the inside. Both people and objects alike.

Act Two Scene Seven Krystal B.

PORTIA
 * Go, draw aside the curtains and discover**
 * The several caskets to this noble prince.**
 * Now make your choice.** (Act Two Scene Seven lines 1-3)

Response: (connection-text to world) Everybody at some point in life will have to make some decision that may change their life drastically. For the Prince of Morocco, his decision that could have changed his life (and the whole story) was which chest to pick. By picking the gold chest he did not get the change to marry Portia, instead he had to go back to where he came from and wonder “what if”.

Rylee L.
 * Act 2 Scene 7**


 * Morocco**
 * "All that glisters is not gold;**
 * Often have you heard that told.**
 * Many a man his life hath sold." (2.7.65-67)**

This makes a clear point; all that glitters is not gold. Even though Morocco chose the best looking casket, it does not mean it will have the best prize. I think that if there is any lesson that is learned from opening this casket, it is that something can be so beautiful on the outside, yet so ugly and plain on the inside. Obviously, the caskets represent the love that Portia wants to receive. Someone that loves her for her, and not just her beauty.


 * Morocco**
 * "Must give- for what? For lead? Hazard for lead?**
 * This casket threatens. Men that hazard all**
 * Do it in hope of fair advantages." (2.7.17-19)**

Morocco is definitely judging the casket from just what he sees on the outside. Obviously, this decision is somewhat wise because first impressions are important for his task. However, Morocco just makes the assumption that just because the casket is made of lead, it is unworthy and dangerous. You can definitely tell that this man only looks for the outer beauty of things and doesn't take the time to see within.

Salena B.
 * ACT TWO SCENE NINE**


 * Portia:**
 * “Thus hath the candle singed the moth.**
 * Oh, these deliberate fools! When they do choose,**
 * They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.” (2.9. 79-81)**

Analysis: Portia is expressing her disappointment in the wisdom of her callers. She doesn’t like that they are smart men but their sense of choice is shaded by ill thinking.


 * Aragon:**
 * “What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot,**
 * Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.**
 * How much unlike art thou to Portia!**
 * How much unlike my hope and my deservings!” (2.9 54-57)**

Analysis: The Prince of Aragon is upset that he has chosen the wrong casket. He believes he deserved Portia, and tries to flatter her by saying she is much unlike the “portrait of a blinking idiot.” He's obviously upset that his decision was incorrect.

Act 2: Scene 1


 * Morocco:**
 * Even for that I thank you.**
 * Therefor, I pray you, lead me to the caskets**
 * To try my fortune. By this scimitar**
 * That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince,**
 * That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,**
 * I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look,**
 * Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,**
 * Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,**
 * Yea, mock the lion when ‘a roars for prey,**
 * To win thee, my lady. (2.1.22-31)**

Text-to-Text This reminds me of Romeo and Juliet, where they could go to great lengths, (not minding the run-on sentences), to describe their love for each other. It seems like Shakespeare wanted to portray the Prince of Morocco as a man who truly cares about Portia. Either that or he is a truly dangerous man, with smooth talk that flows as quicksilver in a forge. -Patrick L

Act 2: Scene 1:


 * Portia:**
 * First, forward to the temple. After dinner**
 * Your hazard shall be made. (2.1.44-5)**
 * Morocco:**
 * Good fortune then!**
 * To make me blest or cursed’st among men. (2.1.46-7)**

Prediction This looks like Portia is almost able to bet currency that the Prince of Morocco would not be able to open the correct casket. He simply replies with, “wish me luck then”. He thinks that if he opens the correct casket then he will be the most blessed man on Earth, and if he opens one of the two incorrect, then he will be dreadfully cursed. He seems sort of nervous, and I predict that he is going to open the wrong chest, for his attitude portrays him as a selfish man with no good intent for Portia’s benefit, and people get what they deserve. -Patrick L

2.6 Jesse H.


 * Jessica,**
 * “What, must I hold a candle to my shames?**
 * They in themselves, good sooth, are too light.**
 * Why, ‘tis an office of discovery, love,**
 * And I should be Obscured.” (2.6 42-45)**

In this passage Jessica talks about how she does not wish to be the torchbearer for Lorenzo on the way down because she does not wish to put to light her disguise and show her love her shames.


 * Jessica,**
 * “I will make fast the doors, and** //gild// **myself**
 * With some more ducats, and be with you straight” (2.6 50-51)**

Vocabulary: Gild- Meaning to cover with a thin layer of gold.