No Fear Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 1, Scene 3, Page 7
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BASSANIO
You shall not seal to such a bond for me!
I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.
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BASSANIO
No, you can’t sign a contract like that for me! I’d rather go without
the money.
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ANTONIO
Why, fear not, man. I will not forfeit it.
Within these two months—that’s a month before
This bond expires—I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
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ANTONIO
Don’t worry about it, man, I won’t have to pay any penalty. In two
months—a month before this loan is due—I expect to earn more than
three times that much from my investments.
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160 165 |
SHYLOCK
O Father Abram, what these Christians are,
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others!—Pray you, tell me this:
If he should break his day, what should I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favor I extend this friendship.
If he will take it, so. If not, adieu.
And for my love I pray you wrong me not.
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SHYLOCK
Oh father Abraham, what kind of people are these Christians? Their own meanness teaches
them to suspect other people!—Please tell me this. If he fails to repay me by
the deadline, what would I get out of such a penalty? A pound of human flesh taken
isn’t even as valuable as a pound of mutton or beef. I’m just offering
this as a favor to a friend. If he agrees, great. If not, goodbye. And I hope you
won’t think badly of me.
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ANTONIO
Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
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ANTONIO
Yes, Shylock, I’ll sign the contract and agree to its terms.
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170 175 |
SHYLOCK
Then meet me forthwith at the notary’s.
Give him direction for this merry bond,
And I will go and purse the ducats straight,
See to my house left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave, and presently
I will be with you.
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SHYLOCK
Then meet me right away at the notary’s. Give him the instructions for our
amusing little contract, and I’ll go get the money for you right away. I need to
check in at home first, because one of my careless servants is in charge right now.
I’ll see you soon.
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ANTONIO
Hie thee, gentle Jew.
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ANTONIO
Hurry up, my Jewish friend.
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Exit SHYLOCK
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SHYLOCK exits. |
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The Hebrew will turn Christian. He grows kind.
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He’s so kind you’d think the Jew is turning Christian.
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