Merchant of Venice Act 2, Scene 1 Modern English Translation Meaning Annotations – ICSE Class 10 & 9 English
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Original Text
Act II Scene I
Modern English Reading
Act II Scene I
MOROCCO : Don’t dislike me for my- complexion, The dark clothing of the polished sun, To whom I am a neighbor, and bom near it. Bring me the fairest creature bom in the north, Where the sun’s fire hardly thaws the icicles, And let’s make a cut for your love To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell you, lady, this face of mine Has feared the valiant; by my love, I swear The best-regarded virgins of my country Have loved it too. I would not change this color, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
PORTIA : In terms of choice, I am not only led By the nice direction of a maiden’s eyes; Besides, the lottery of my destiny doesn’t give me the right to choose voluntarily; But, if my father had not restricted me and controlled me by his wit, to give myself as his wife to the one who wins me by that means I told you, you yourself, renowned Prince, would then Stand as fair as any other man I have looked on yet For my affection.
Word Meaning With Annotation
Complexion : colour, the shadowed livery of the burnish’d sun : “The dark colour which the fierce sun bestows.” “livery” is the uniform which a rich man uses for all his servants. Hence a “shadowy” or sun burnt skin is said to be the distinctive uniform or dress which the sun bestows on those who live in hot countries, neighbour, and near bred : the hot countries are near to the sun, and hence may be regarded as closer neighbours to it than cold countries, fairest : whitest; of lightest skin. Phoebus’ fire : “the heat of the sun”. Phoebus is the Greek name for the sun-god. icicles : long pointed spikes of ice. make incision : the old surgical term for the opening of a vein, to prove whose blood is reddest : the old idea was that the most courageous man had reddest blood. The blood of a coward was always supposed to be of a pale colour, best regarded : “most respected.” except to steal your thoughts : “unless it were to attract your thoughts of love.” nice direction of a maiden’s eyes : dislikes which arise when a maiden looks on a suitor, scanted : deprived me of free choice, hedg’d me by his wit : artfully surrounded me with restrictions, then stood as fair : “would then have had as good a chance.” It will be observed that Portia is impressed by the soldierly speech and straightforward honesty of the Prince, and hastens to assure him that she does not think his oriental origin places him in the least below his European competitors.
Original Text
Modern English Reading
MOROCCO : I thank you, even for that: So, please, lead me to the chests so I may try my luck. By this sword, —that killed the Shah, a Persian prince, that won three battles with Sultan Solomon,— I would out stare the angriest eyes that look, out brave the most daring heart on the earth, pluck the young, sucking cubs from their mother, yes, taunt the lion when he roars for prey, to win you, lady. But, pity the time! If Hercules and Lichas threw dice to decide Who was the better man, the best throw May be turned by luck to come from the weaker hand: So Alcides was beaten by his boy servant; and I might too, with blind Fortune leading me, Miss that treasure which a more unworthy man may get, and I’ll die from grieving.
PORTIA : You must take your chance,And either don’t attempt to choose at all,Or swear before you choose that, if you choose wrong, You will never to speak to me after ward About marriage; so be advised.
MOROCCO : I will not. Come, bring me to my chance.
PORTIA : First, forward to the temple: after dinner Your choice shall be made.
MOROCCO : Good fortune then I To make me blessed or cursed among men!
[Comets and exeunt]
Word Meaning With Annotation
Scimitar : sword. Sophy : the Shah or emperor of Persia. Sultan Soiyman : was a Turkish Ruler; probably Shakespeare is thinking of Soiyman the Magnificent, who was defeated by the Persians in 1535. but, alas the while! : An exclamation of regret: “But it is sad that it should be the case that, etc.” Hercules and Lichas play at dice : Hercules was the Greek god of strength, and is always used as the type for manly courage and physical energy. Lichas was the servant who brought Hercules a poisoned ; shirt, and was immediately thrown into the sea by his angry master. The sense is that a strong and brave man has no better chance than a weak man in a gambling competition, such as Morocco concluded this choice between the caskets to be. which is the better man : to decide which of the two is the better man. so is Alcides beaten by his page : Alcides is another name for Hercules, and the page is Lichas. The idea is simply a continuation of the above. There is no story to the effect that Hercules and Lichas ever did indulge in a game of chance, but Morocco says that if they had done so, the page would have had quite a good chance of beating his master, blind Fortune leading me : with nothing to help me save pure chance. Be advis’d : think it over carefully. The temple : it was necessary for the Prince to go to the sacred building, in order to take the oath that he would observe the conditions, your hazard shall be made : you shall take your chance.
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