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No. It was OK for Christians like Antonio to spit on and mistreat Jews like Shylock, but it was not at all OK for the Jews to try to harm the Christians. Shylock had never tried to get back at Antonio (and through him all of the Christians who had mistreated him) because he had never before figured out a way to do it which would not backfire on Shylock. He thought he had figured out such a method with the pound-of-flesh bond, but he was wrong. It backfired, big time.

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Does Shylock lend the money to Antonio or Bassanio?

Bassanio initially approaches Shylock requesting the loan. And the money is for Bassanio's use, to be sure. However, in agreeing to the loan, Shylock says,Go with me to a notary. Seal me thereYour single bond; and, in a merry sport,If you repay me not on such a day,In such a place, such sum or sums as areExpressed in the condition, let the forfeitBe nominated for an equal poundOf your fair flash, to be cut off and takenIn what part of your body pleaseth me.Who is he talking to? It is Antonio who answers "Content, in faith." It is not necessary that Bassanio should do so. Shylock says "if you repay me not" to Antonio, so clearly it is Antonio that is bound to repay the loan. And in fact, Shylock demands repayment, not from Bassanio, but from Antonio. Bassanio only hears about it after Antonio has defaulted.Clearly, then, Antonio is the real borrower.


How bond story and the casket story are independent in merchant of Venice?

The link between the two stories arises as a result of the relationship that Bassanio has with characters in the two plot streams. The association is created when Bassanio, who is out of pocket, approaches his friend and confidante, Antonio, a wealthy Christian merchant, for financial assistance so that he may woo the beautiful Portia, a wealthy heiress from Belmont. Bassanio wishes to stand an equal chance against a number of other suitors, who come from privileged backgrounds and the money will give him such an opportunity. Antonio does not have the ready cash that Bassanio needs but asks him to seek a loan in Venice by using his name as guarantee. He is a person of good standing and assures Bassanio that he will also seek a loan. Bassanio soon encounters Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, who is prepared to extend him a loan of 3 000 ducats should Antonio sign as surety to the bond. Antonio agrees to Shylock's harsh terms which state that the loan should be settled in three months without any interest charged. If he should forfeit, Antonio has to allow Shylock to cut out a pound of his flesh. Bassanio asks his friend not to agree to these terms but Antonio, confident that he will be able to settle the debt comfortably, signs the agreement. Bassanio takes the money and goes off to try his luck in winning Portia's hand in a lottery, in which a suitor should choose the right casket from three, that her deceased father had concocted. It is through these actions that an association between the two stories is created. It is important to note that Antonio and Shylock despise each other. Antonio believes that Shylock is committing a grave sin by lending out money and profiting from the interest he charges. Shylock hates Antonio for having severely criticized him openly and humiliating him by spitting on his gaberdine, kicking him and calling him a dog. He seeks revenge against the Christian. Bassanio is successful in choosing the right casket and wins Portia's hand. He does, however, receive an unsettling message from Antonio in which he states that he has been imprisoned for forfeiting on the bond. He had suffered a number of mishaps with his ships and could not settle the debt. The vengeful Shylock has been insistent that he should have his pound of flesh. Bassanio is utterly distraught. Portia notices his distress and after discovering the reason for this, offers to help. She urges Bassanio to rush to his friend's aid immediately after their marriage and offers to repay the debt many times over. She formulates a plan to further assist the traumatized Antonio by going to Venice disguised as a doctor of law with Nerissa as her assistant. It is in this manner that the two plots achieve a confluence.


Who demanded a pound of flesh in a shakespeare play?

From the play The Merchant of Venice: Bassanio a gentleman of Venice requires 3000 ducats to pay for his travel expenses to Belmont. Bassanio wishes the money as he is seeking to wed the Heiress Portia. Bassanio turns to his good friend Antonio, who is a wealthy merchant.Unfortunately, Antonio's money is tied up on Ships doing business. He, however has offered to be Guarantor, they attempt to borrow money from a wealthy Jew, Shylock. Shylock reluctantly agrees, but on the condition that if he doesn't pay the 3000 Ducats by three months then Antonio has to give up a pound of his flesh, closest to the heart. They agree to the Bond. And then Antonio fails to pay on the date stated in the contract.


Describe the bond story in the play The Merchant of Venice?

Antonio borrows some money from Shylock the moneylender and promises that if it is not repaid on time, Shylock can have a pound of flesh from anywhere on Antonio's body. They have this written up and notarized in the form of a bond.


How does portia and nerissa's relationship differ from that of antonio's and bassanio?

Portia and Nerissa's relationship is one of equals, with mutual respect and understanding. They support each other and share a deep bond. In contrast, Antonio and Bassanio's relationship is more hierarchical, with Antonio providing support and Bassanio receiving it. Their dynamic is one of mentorship and reliance.


What is the Rising action in merchant of Venice?

In "The Merchant of Venice," the rising action begins with Bassanio seeking financial help from Antonio to court Portia. Antonio, unable to provide the money himself due to his ships being at sea, borrows 3,000 ducats from Shylock, agreeing to a bond that could cost him a pound of flesh if he fails to repay. As the stakes rise, the tension escalates with Shylock's animosity towards Antonio and the impending peril of the bond, setting the stage for the climax of the play. This series of events builds anticipation and conflict, leading to the dramatic courtroom scene.


What was Antonio's bond?

Antonio signed and sealed a legal document saying that if he did not repay his loan from Shylock, Shylock could as a penalty take a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio's body. This legal document was called a "bond", a term still used for certain commercial documents (think "stocks and bonds").


How is the bond made in The Merchant of Venice?

shylock goes to a notary to get the bond ceritifies. 3000 ducats for three months or one pound of antonio's flesh fromw hatever part of his body shylock desires.


What bond is agreed to in The Merchant of Venice?

Shylock agrees to lend Antonio three thousand ducats for three months without interest, provided that if Antonio fails to pay on the stated day, Shylock may take a pound of flesh from whatever part of Antonio's body he pleases.


Why is portia seen as a perfect heroine in merchant of Venice?

Portia is clearly the heroine of The Merchant of Venice, since she takes action which foils Shylock's plan and saves Antonio's life, while being at the same time the object of Bassanio's adoration. But she is far from perfect: her comments about her suitors are mean and petty and occasionally racist. She does not content herself with foiling Shylock's plan; she has to destroy Shylock's life into the bargain. Her cruelty towards him goes far beyond what justice would require (he loses the money he loaned to Antonio because he insisted upon the unenforceable bond), far from showing him the mercy which she hypocritically praises then fails to practise. She intentionally pressures Bassanio into giving up his wedding ring and then criticises him for doing so, another example of her hypocrisy.


How does portia and nerissa relationship differ from that of antonio and bassanio?

Portia and Nerissa share a close, supportive friendship characterized by loyalty and mutual respect, often collaborating in their schemes, such as when they disguise themselves as men to aid their husbands. In contrast, Antonio and Bassanio's relationship is defined by deep emotional bonds and financial reliance, with Antonio often sacrificing for Bassanio's well-being. While Portia and Nerissa's bond is more about partnership and wit, Antonio and Bassanio's dynamic is rooted in sacrifice and devotion. Overall, their relationships reflect different aspects of love and loyalty in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice."


What is the climax of the play Merchant of Venice?

The climax of the play the Merchant of Venice, is in Act IV Scene I, When the court is deciding if Shylock is legally entitled to the bond of a pound of Antonio's flesh.