The Merchant of Venice Act 2 - Plot

The Merchant of Venice - Act 2

Merchant Act 2 (binary/octet-stream)

• The Merchant of Venice - Act 1 - Plot
• The Merchant of Venice Act 3 - Plot
• The Merchant of Venice Acts 4 & 5 - Plot

Act 2 Scene 1

Back to Belmont, where Portia meets with a new suitor - the prince of Morocco. The scene opens with trumpets and fanfare which gives us a clue as to the fabulous wealth which is Portia's inheritance. Morocco is a proud warrior-prince, who immediately brings up the subject of race as a barrier to marriage. He knows his skin is dark, but claims his blood is as red as any - a testament to his virility. Portia dismisses the subject of race and tells him he has as fair a chance as other suitors, but he must still take her father's test. She suggests that they have dinner first.  

Morocco (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 2

Back in Venice, we meet Launcelot Gobbo, the 'clown' of The Merchant of Venice, a staple of Shakespearean comedies. Launcelot performs slapstick and plays a prank on his blind father, Old Gobbo, by pretending he his dead.  His father has brought a gift of doves for Shylock, Launcelot's employer. The son calls Shylock a 'fiend' and hatches a plan to find a new patron. When Bassanio enters, Launcelot gives him the doves and petitions for a job. Bassanio, who is on his way to a 'masque', agrees. Gratiano enters and asks to join Bassanio on his trip to Belmont. Bassanio relents on condition that Gratiano promises to curb his excesses.   

Masque (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 3

Continuing to paint Shylock as the villain, this scene takes place in the house of Shylock, where we meet Jessica, his daughter. As she talks with Launcelot, she is sad to hear that he his leaving, but understands as she also finds her father to be overbearing. Unknown to Shylock, Jessica has began an affair with Lorenzo. She gives Launcelot a letter to take to her lover, which indicates her desire to marry him and convert to Christianity.  Once again, Shylock is positioned as a demonic figure, as Jessica describes her house as a 'hell'. 

Letter (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 4

In a continuation of the last scene, the focus moves to Lorenzo who, with Salarino, Salanio and Gratiano are making final preparations for Bassanio's farewell dinner and masque.  They discuss the need for torch-bearers as Launcelot enters with Jessica's letter. Launcelot tells his freinds of their plan to elope. Jessica will later arrive dressed as a page-boy, hired to hold the torches. She promises to take a good portion of Shylock's fortune with her as a dowry. Lorenzo passes a message back, through Launcelot, that he will not 'fail her'.  Again, Shylock's faith is mocked, as a Christian plan to abscond with both his daughter and his savings.  Jessica's plan to disguise herself is later mirrored by Portia and Narissa. 

Jessica (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 5

Shylock, against his better instincts, has agreed to attend Bassanio's celebrations. His reasons are unclear, as he is loathe to go.  He first talks with Launcelot, explaining that he will regret his decision to take a new master. Shylock tells Jessica to watch the house carefully and guard his possessions, unaware that she intends to do the exact opposite and become the next to betray his trust.  Shylock feels 'some ill a brewing', indicating an imminent catastrophe.  Jessica is left alone to explain his portent -  'I have a father, you a daughter, lost.'

Shylock And Launcelot (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 6

Gratiano and Salarino are seen discussing Lorenzo's tardiness - they describe how uncharacteristic it is of young lovers to be late. Lorenzo rushes on stage and calls to Jessica. In a corrupted balcony scene, Jessica appears, dressed as a boy, and carrying the treasure she has stolen from her father. She throws it to Lorenzo, as they profess their love to one another. He tells her that she must stay in disguise and light the evening at the masque. Jessica fears to be in the light, dreading exposure, but Lorenzo reassures her. She tells him she must return home to lock up her house - as she had promised her father - but also to take more coin.  Antonio enters to tell Gratiano that the masque is cancelled. the wind has turned and he and Bassanio must sail for Belmont that night.   

Jessica Balcony (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 7

Back to Portia's household, where Morocco looks upon the three caskets he is to choose from. The correct box holds Portia's picture.  They read: Lead - 'Who chooseth me shall give and hazard all he hath' Silver - 'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves' Gold - 'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire' Morocco ponders a long time over the puzzle and eventually chooses Gold, assuming Portia's father identified her as such. 'All that glitters is not gold', the consolation note informs him. Morocco leave Belmont upset and in a hurry.  The lesson for Morocco is just as poignant for Shylock, who also values gold above all else. 

Gold Toilet (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 8

Through Salarino and Salanio, we learn what has happened in Venice. When Shylock discovered Jessica missing, he demanded that the Duke hold Bassanio's ship. Antonio told the Duke that this was impossible as the ship had sailed, but reassured the Duke that Lorenzo and Jessica were not on board. A furious Shylock who has been screaming through the streets of Venice about the theft of both his ducats and his daughter, now knows that Antonio is somehow involved.  The friends worry for Antonio, not only because of Shylock's wrath, but also because they have heard news of a ship sinking in the English channel, which they fear may be Antonio's. 

Sinking Ship (binary/octet-stream)

Act 2 Scene 9

At Belmont, The Prince of Arragon tries his luck with the three caskets. He is more pompous than Morocco, believing himself to be worthy, by virtue of his birthright.  He agrees to the conditions that, if he fails, he will promise never to reveal the casket he has chosen. If he succeeds, he will never court another woman, if he fails, he will leave immediately. He dismisses Lead as unworthy, and Gold for the inscription, which he believes place that choice with the masses. Opening silver, he finds a fool's head staring back.  Arragon leaves as promised, and Portia is left to lament the fools that choose foolishly.  A messenger arrives heralding the arrival from Venice. Portia hopes that it may be Bassasio.  

Silver 02 (binary/octet-stream)