The Merchant of Venice - Act I
Poetry Showcase
Volume 2, Issue 7
June 14
Prefatory Remarks
The Title
The Merchant of Venice is a somewhat strange title for this play considering that the merchant, Antonio, has a relatively small part. It has been originally known as:
The Comical Historie of the Merchant of Venice, or Otherwise Called the Jew of Venice.
and
The most excellent Historie of the Merchant of Venice with the extreame crueltie of Shylock the Jewe towards the sayd Merchant, in cutting a just pound of his fleshe and the obtayning of Portia by the choyse of three chests.
The latter being more descriptive for the theater-goers, because they wanted to know if the entry fee was worth it. One might be tempted to say that they were discerning people. What follows is Act I, the remaining acts will be posted later.
Concerning Elision and Contraction
I have often considered whether elision or contractions are appropriate in poetry. I will admit that in some instances they are appropriate, and this depends upon the poem. In others they are distracting, and often used to keep perfect meter. Frequently it is the anapest that will become the substitution for the iamb. It is a matter of pre-reading that will have the rhythm come true. In the following, I have chosen to remove all elided forms and contractions, but they are listed below for reference with respect to the original version.
Stanza 2, Verse 3; diff'rent → different
Stanza 3, Verse 3: what's → what is
Stanza 3, Verse 8: comp'ny → company
Stanza 4, Verse 6: shan't → shall not
Stanza 5, Verse 5: n'er → never
Stanza 5, Verse 6: e'er → ever
Stanza 6, Verse 3: they're → they are
Stanza 6, Verse 6: he'll → he will
Stanza 13, Verse 5: doesn't → does not
Stanza 13, Verse 5: e'en → even
Stanza 13, Verse 6: he'll → he will
Stanza 13, Verse 7: he's → he is
Stanza 13, Verse 7: n'er → never
Stanza 14, Verse 1: int'rest → interest
Stanza 14, Verse 3: int'rest → interest
Stanza 14, Verse 7: he's → he has
Stanza 14, Verse 8: hon'rable → honorable
Stanza 15, Verse 2: there'll → there will
Stanza 15, Verse 6: carr'on → carrion
Pronunciation of Names
Where possible, the name have been used according to their pronunciation with the major stress on the first syllable of the name. In some cases, there will be a minor promotion or demotion of stress in the remaining syllables if a stricter iambic pentameter is required. One should not purposely malform names to suit the meter, but allow them as a minor variation to the rhythm.
Scansion
As an example for scansion after removal of any elided forms or contractions, consider stanza 13, verse 7:
From
For friend he's not, revenge is n'er too late
Fŏr friēnd | hĕ's nōt | rĕvēnge | ĭs n'ēr | to͝o lāte
to
For friend he is not, revenge is never too late,
Fŏr friēnd | hĕ ĭs nōt | rĕvēnge | ĭs nēvēr | to͝o lāte
The original verse has been kept to (technically) strict iambic pentameter which may be reasonable due to the form. However, the amended verse has a pleasant rhythm to it. We find the anapest at the second foot and bacchic at the fourth. Some may prefer the amphibrach at the fourth foot which does have some merit, but the stressing of never (in this position) demonstrates no great distinction between the syllables.
Form of the Transcription
The form chosen for this transcription is that of ottava rima which is written in iambic pentameter. The corresponding rime scheme is
Act I
Scene i
1
These men, three friends have met in Venice fair;
⠀ Antonio, a merchant with a doubt,
Solanio, Salerio are there
⠀ To quiz Antonio, his sadness pout
(With melancholia of heart's despair)
⠀ And try to find what cause this is about.
Antonio is sure he does not know,
With all in such fine order— Why such woe?
2
Perhaps the reason is the merchant's sails
⠀ Are on the sea with goods that come afar.
But no, from different parts each fine ship hails
⠀ And thus his wealth is safe and they that are
Dependent on their passage that entails,
⠀ A journey guided by the evening star.
Hence, this is not the reason for the way
He feels so down on such a pleasant day.
3
"So is it love?" Solanio lets out.
⠀ In jest, Antonio refutes the fact.
"If so my friend", he says, "What is this about?"
⠀ "If not so sad, then merry you must act!"
Bassanio doth come! Another bout?
⠀ Perhaps another way, another tact.
They greet, politely start to part their way
To seek each other's company in the day.
4
Gratiano and Lorenzo come too,
⠀ Another three to greet Antonio.
How strange it is. Why did the other two
⠀ Depart so quickly? Good morning sir, I go.
And they had tasks, so many, much ado
⠀ But of their work Bassanio shall not know.
Salerio, Solanio depart
And leave Antonio a lighter heart.
5
Bassanio does greet his learnèd friend,
⠀ And Gratiano speaks his worth away,
And for Antonio, his feelings send
⠀ Him to a sort of melancholic day.
But Gratiano's wisdom will never end
⠀ With all his words unending, ever they say.
So Gratiano leaves, Lorenzo too,
To finish business pending they must do.
6
Bassanio, Antonio agree
⠀ That Gratiano speaks of anything.
Yet what they are worth each wonder, yet to see
⠀ What sensibility his words will bring.
They talk in jest, for he a friend will be
⠀ No matter what absurdities he will sing.
Now what's this dear Bassanio might say?
Antonio could help him, if he may.
7
Bassanio doth court a woman fair,
⠀ But lacks the wealth that she might well require,
For suitors many, love is in the air
⠀ And now he feels his chances are quite dire.
Now even in their youth, a faithful pair
⠀ To help each other in their heart's desire.
Bassanio entreats Antonio
To help him win this girl whom he doth know.
8
Bassanio recounts the days of past,
⠀ For him Antonio was always there,
And now he rivals suitors to the last
⠀ To win fair Portia, one beyond compare.
Antonio's fortune on seas we cast,
⠀ But he will help unite this lovely pair.
Now in Venice Bassanio inquires
To borrow by the name that he admires.
Scene ii
9
With Portia fair, Nerissa by her way,
⠀ A weary one for she is worried so,
For suitors come to visit on this day
⠀ And it is purely chance, which way they go.
The one who chooses right will surely stay,
⠀ Within the cask, a portrait they will know.
Choose lead, silver, or gold, that is the test
And they will thus receive what is the best.
10
Nerissa tries to brighten up her mind,
⠀ To tell of good and what rewards there be
In each of those, their purpose and their kind
⠀ Who comes to Portia, beauty doth to see.
But tarry no, for some this love is blind
⠀ And suitability could never be.
Nerissa reads names, for the list is done,
And Portia states her thoughts about each one.
11
Now of these suitors eager to arrive,
⠀ Fair Portia gives her little quips and sneers,
And of the six, her fate must soon survive
⠀ As time for them to choose from three, it nears.
Though none of these, the thought of love derive,
⠀ And hopes to bid them off with solemn cheers.
A horse, a drunk and one with tales of woe,
A debt, a pony, many - Off you go!
12
But there's another one who comes to court,
⠀ Bassanio, Venetian, as the one
Whose presence did remain in Portia's thought,
⠀ And secretly desires, and naught for fun,
That he would be the one for whom she sought
⠀ And with success, their marriage would be done.
Bassanio come, and make your choice right
And hold fair Portia's portrait in your sight.
Scene iii
13
Bassanio has found a man to lend
⠀ Three thousand ducats gold for three months long.
Shylock the Jew pretends to friendships mend
⠀ By lending money, money ties are strong,
But Shylock does not seem to even pretend
⠀ To like Antonio, he will do some wrong.
For friend he is not, revenge is never too late,
And Shylock's plan is one of Jewish hate.
14
Now Shylock's vested interest is his gold
⠀ And for this three thousand gold ducat loan
Does not require interest, he is bold,
⠀ Instead, a pound of flesh for him to own.
This is the bond, Antonio is told,
⠀ And he agrees to this, the seed is sown.
For Shylock thinks he has hatched a merry plan,
To take revenge on this honorable man.
15
"Bassanio, there is no need to fear,
⠀ There will be no need to forfeit, mark my word.
My ships will come before the date comes near,
⠀ Regardless of the way Shylock has heard.
So fear ye not, my mindset, it is clear,
⠀ Ignore this Jewish dog and carrion bird."
And so they leave for matters to attend,
But one has feelings of a bitter end.