威尼斯商人英文舞台剧剧本the_merchant_of_venice.doc

The Merchant of Venice Act IV Scene I Venice. A court of justice Duke: Go one and call the Jew to the court. Make room and let him stand before our face. Solanio: He is come, my lord. Duke: Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so, too, that you but leadst this fashion of your malice to the last hour of the act and then tis thought youll show your mercy and remorse, more strange than is your strange apparent cruelty. What say you, Jew? We all expect a gentle answer. Shylock: I have informed your grace of what I purpose and by our holy Sabbath have I sworn to have the due and forfeit of my bond. If you deny it, let the danger light upon your charter and your citys freedom. Youll ask me why I rather choose to have a weight of human flesh than to receive three thousand ducats. Ill not answer that. But, say, it is my humor - is it answered? What if my house be troubled by a rat and I am pleased to give ten thousand ducats to have it killed? - What, are you answered yet? - (Crowd) No. Some men don’t love a gaping pig; some are mad if they see a cat and others cannot contain their urine when they hear the bagpipe. - For affection, master of passion, controls one’s likes and dislikes. Now for your answer. As there is no firm reason to be given why he cannot abide a gaping pig, why he, (cannot bear) a harmless, necessary cat, why he (cannot endure) a woolen bagpipe, but of force must yield to such inevitable shame as to offend himself being offended, so can I give no reason, nor will I not. I bear so deep and fixed hate against Antonio that I follow thus this losing suit against him. - Are you answered? - (All) No! Bassanio: This is no answer, you unfeeling man, to excuse your cruelty. Shylock: I am not bound to please you with my answers. Bassanio: Do all men kill the things they do not love? Shylock: Does any man hate the thing he would not love? Bassanio: Every offence is not a hate at first. Shylock: You would have a serpent sting you twice? (Crowd shout in derision