Why does Antonio say he will surrender one pound of flesh if the money is not paid when surely Bassanio could have taken responsibility for the bond himself?
2006-11-30 06:31:14 · 3 answers · asked by warren4184 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Bassanio doesn't have any money and Antonio does (they are very good friends...some critics even suggest they are lovers). Antonio doesn't have the money readily available but he is so sure that his ships carrying his goods will make it to harbor in time that he accepts the ridiculous offer.
2006-11-30 06:35:22 · answer #1 · answered by jcresnick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just finished reading it! Totally agree! Bassanio is out for the main chance. How far would I get if I proposed on the basis 'All the wealth I had ran in my veins'! I think also you gotta remember that WS was rather thin on the plot, for which he compensated by characterisation. I think the play is about the contrast between cold lifeless metal (monetary value) and blood (human warmth,emotion). The true tragedy of Shylock is that constrained as he is by the authorities to live by usury (the Elizabethan audience would be well aware of that), he is doomed to worship gold as his food of life, instead of real flesh and blood. 'Oh my ducats, Oh my daughter!', and therefore perceives they can be transacted at a fixed (pound of flesh) rate of exchange.
I do hear that the version where the ships don't arrive and Shylock gets his cut from Antonio is currently playing to packed houses in Tel Aviv...
2006-11-30 15:59:02 · answer #2 · answered by troothskr 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You will also notice, in reading the play, that Bassanio is a bit of a wuss (I never figured out what Portia saw in him).
There's no way he'd risk a pound of flesh if he can get someone else to do it for him.
2006-11-30 15:01:28 · answer #3 · answered by blueprairie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋