Classic Literature
The Merchant of VeniceAct 3, Scene 3

Act 3

Scene III

Venice. A street.

Enter Shylock, Salarino, Antonio, and Gaoler.
Shylock

Gaoler, look to him: tell not me of mercy;
This is the fool that lent out money gratiswithout charge or interest:
Gaoler, look to him.

Antonio Hear me yet, good Shylock.
Shylock

I’ll have my bond; speak not against my bond:
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.
Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause;
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs:
The duke shall grant me justice. I do wonder,
Thou naughty gaoler, that thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request.

Antonio I pray thee, hear me speak.
Shylock

I’ll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak:
I’ll have my bond; and therefore speak no more.
I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool,
To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield
To Christian intercessors. Follow not;
I’ll have no speaking: I will have my bond. Exit.

Salarino

It is the most impenetrable cur
That ever kept with men.

Antonio

Let him alone:
I’ll follow him no more with bootlessuseless or without result prayers.
He seeks my life; his reason well I know:
I oft deliver’d from his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me;
Therefore he hates me.

Salarino

I am sure the duke
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold.

Antonio

The duke cannot deny the course of law:
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, if it be denied,
Will much impeach the justice of his state;
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations. Therefore, go:
These griefs and losses have so batedreduced or worn down me,
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
To-morrow to my bloody creditor.
Well, gaoler, on. Pray God, Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not! Exeunt.

Contents
Dramatis Personae1 min

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 16 minAct 1, Scene 25 minAct 1, Scene 36 min

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 12 minAct 2, Scene 27 minAct 2, Scene 31 minAct 2, Scene 41 minAct 2, Scene 52 minAct 2, Scene 62 minAct 2, Scene 73 minAct 2, Scene 82 minAct 2, Scene 93 min

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 15 minAct 3, Scene 211 minAct 3, Scene 31 minAct 3, Scene 43 minAct 3, Scene 53 min

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 116 minAct 4, Scene 21 min

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 111 min
Text settings

Size

Font

Page