No Fear Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 1, Scene 3, Page 6
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125 |
“Fair sir, you spet on me on Wednesday last;
You spurned me such a day; another time
You called me ’dog'—and for these courtesies
I’ll lend you thus much moneys?”
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“Sir, last Wednesday you spit on me. You insulted me on this day, and
another time you called me a dog. And out of gratitude for these favors, I’ll be
happy to lend you the money?”
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130 135 |
ANTONIO
I am as like to call thee so again,
To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too.
If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not
As to thy friends, for when did friendship take
A breed for barren metal of his friend?
But lend it rather to thine enemy,
Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face
Exact the penalty.
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ANTONIO
I’ll probably call you those names again and spit on you, and reject you again
too. If you’re going to lend us this money, don’t lend it to us as if we
were your friends. When did friends charge interest? Instead, lend it to me as your enemy.
If your enemy goes bankrupt, it’s easier for you to take your penalty from
him.
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140 |
SHYLOCK
Why, look you how you storm!
I would be friends with you and have your love,
Forget the shames that you have stained me with,
Supply your present wants and take no doit
Of usance for my moneys—and you’ll not hear me!
This is kind I offer.
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SHYLOCK
Look at you getting all riled up! I want to be friends with you, and forget all the
times you’ve embarrassed and humiliated me. I want to give you what you need, and
not charge a penny of interest—but you won’t listen to me! I’m
making a kind offer—zero percent financing.
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BASSANIO
This were kindness.
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BASSANIO
That really would be kind.
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145 |
SHYLOCK
This kindness will I show.
Go with me to a notary, seal me there
Your 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 are
Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me.
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SHYLOCK
I’ll show you how kind I am. Come with me to a notary and we’ll make
it official. And let’s add a little clause just for a joke. If you don’t
repay me on the day we agree on, in the place we name, for the sum of money fixed in our
contract, your penalty will be a pound of your pretty flesh, to be cut off and taken out of
whatever part of your body I like.
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150 |
ANTONIO
Content, in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond,
And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
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ANTONIO
It’s a deal. I’ll agree to those terms and even say that Jews are
nice.
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