What does Shylock say about the pound of flesh?

What does Shylock say about the pound of flesh?

Origin of Pound of Flesh In Act-IV, Scene-1, Portia concludes the conflict between Shylock and Antonio by saying to Shylock, “The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh. ‘/ Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh…”

What does Shylock say in his speech?

To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies, and what’s his reason?

What does Shylock say a pound of flesh will feed?

If you prick us do we not bleed? Before this speech Salerio asks Shylock why he wants a pound of Antonio’s flesh as he doesn’t understand what it’s ‘good for’. Shylock then explains that it will ‘feed’ his ‘revenge’. He wants revenge on Antonio for treating him so inhumanely in the past.

Why does Shylock ask for a pound of flesh?

Shylock insisted on having the pound of flesh because he was merciless. He hated Antonio because Antonio would insult him for cheating people with his high rates of interest. Therefore, he wished that Antonio would die. Shylock did not want to show mercy but wanted the law to take its course.

What is the purpose of Shylock’s speech?

Shylock’s following speech denotes his lack of sympathy towards Antonio’s current situation and how he now has to provide a pound of flesh to Shylock. Along with this, the speech provides a further understanding to the deep rooted history of Shylocks mistreatment by Antonio and other Christians.

What does the pound of flesh symbolize?

“A pound of flesh” is a figurative way of referring to a harsh demand or spiteful penalty—the consequences of defaulting on a desperate bargain. But the usurer Shylock demands a literal pound of flesh as security when the merchant Antonio comes to borrow money for a friend [see BATED BREATH].

What are Shylock’s last words?

thou shall never taketh mine, my blood shall forever remain Jewish.

Where is Shylock’s speech?

As mentioned last time, Act 3 contains the most famous speech (monologue) in the play. Shylock has lost everything: his servant, his daughter, the jewels/ money taken by his daughter and the money he is owned by Antonio (who cannot pay him back now that his ships have been wrecked).

What does Shylock say Antonio’s flesh is good for?

Essentially, Shylock wants Antonio’s flesh to satisfy his revenge and punish Antonio for the numerous times the merchant has wronged him. The reason he actually gives in demanding it is “to bait fish withal”. Shylock wants to use Antonio’s flesh as fish bait–though one rather hopes we are to take him with some irony!

What is the meaning of pound of flesh?

Definition of pound of flesh : a payment or penalty exacted to fulfill a deal or punishment loan sharks taking their pound of flesh.

How does Shylock’s speech reflect his character?

Shylock wants that the Christians let the poor Jews whom he represents live with more self respect. His tone and style vary as per the need of the moment. Often his speech grows very colourful and his tone pampering. His rhetoric is powerful and he remains in control of the situation till the arrival of Portia.

How does Shylock’s speech contribute to your understanding of justice and mercy?

Shylock’s unrelenting sense of justice is his way of seeking revenge on everyone who has wronged him in the past (and there have been many). It is the other members of this melodrama who continue to bring up the theme of mercy throughout the trial. They beg for it, and they cannot believe that Shylock has none.

What light does Shylock’s speech throw on his character?

What light does the above passage throw on the character of Shylock? Answer: The above mentioned passage shows that Shylock is a strictly religious Jew. He is shocked to hear that there will be masques in the street.

Why do you think Shylock was so eager to cut off Antonio’s flesh?

Ans. I think Shylock was so eager to cut off a pound of Antonio’s flesh because he hated the merchant and wanted to put an end to him. Antonio had always been a thorn in his flesh because he disliked the Jew’s mean ways and his hard hardheartedness.

What is the story of a pound of flesh?

It appears in his play Merchant of Venice, from the year 1596. In this play, a moneylender has a contract with merchant that demands the merchant give him a pound of his flesh, or body, in payment. Obviously, for the merchant to pay with part of his body would harm him greatly, although it is in their contract.

How was cruel Shylock to demand his pound of flesh?

Expert-verified answer It was very cruel of Shylock to demand one pound of Antonio’s flesh. It was exceedingly cruel of Shylock to demand one pound of Antonio’s flesh. It was outrageously cruel of Shylock to demand one pound of Antonio’s flesh.

What characteristics trait does Shylock reveal in his speech?

In this monologue, Shylock reveals his resentment toward Antonio. First, he states that he hates Antonio for his religious beliefs, or simply because he is not Jewish. Shylock also hates Antonio because he is honest: Antonio doesn’t lend money at interest.

What does Shylock point out in his speech about revenge?

Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction. Shylock concludes his speech by pointing out that, thus, it is the same for a Jewish person when they are wronged by a Christian: they are merely following the example set by Christians.

Why does Shylock say I stand for Judgement?

Why does Shylock keenly say, ‘I stand for judgment? Shylock thinks that since the pound of flesh has been bought by him at a high price, it is his and therefore, insists on having it. He demands justice from the Duke as per the bond agreement.

How does Shylock take his pound of flesh?

Shylock is very upset and can’t wait to take his pound of flesh. He takes out his knife to cut the flesh from the area close to Antonio’s heart and Portia stops him and reminds him that it is against the law for anyone to shed even a drop of Christian blood.

What is the opening sentence of Shylock’s speech?

Shylock’s opening sentence is in response to Salerio’s question concerning what Shylock would use Antonio’s ‘pound of flesh’ for, should he succeed in getting what he is owed.

How would you describe Shylock’s cruelty to the merchant?

With the extreme cruelty of Shylock the Jew towards the said merchant, in cutting a just pound of his flesh. . . .” Clever marketing, but false advertising.

How does Shylock respond to Antonio’s spiteful penalty?

Shylock expresses spiteful penalty from Antonio, and then Portia repeats his lines with a solution in Act-IV, Scene-I of Shakespeare’s play, Merchant of Venice: “Most learned judge, a sentence! Come prepare!”