Page 22 - William_Shakespeare_-_The_Merchant_of_Venice_191

43 44
Germany, and his behavior from everywhere.
45
—Nerissa
[What think you of the Scottish lord, his neighbor?

—Portia
That he shows himself as a charitable neighbor: for he borrowed a punch in the ear from the
Englishman, and swore that he would pay him back when he was able. I think the
Frenchman secured° the debt, saying he would punch the Englishman on behalf of the Scott
if the Scott were unable to do so himself.] 46
secured: / {became his surety} / underwrote
—Nerissa
How do you like the young German, nephew to the Duke of Saxony?

—Portia
47
48
With much vile in the morning when he is sober; and with great vile in the afternoon when he
is drunk. When he is best, he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst, he is little better
than a beast. Should the worst fate that ever fell, now fall +and I ne’er see his face again,, I hope
49
I shall make do to live° without him. to live: {to go} / to go on living

—Nerissa
If he should decide° to choose, and should he choose the right casket—you would refuse to
perform° your father’s will should you refuse to accept him. decide: {offer}
perform: / carry out
—Portia
50
51
¢’Tis a fate of which I am well aware.¦ Therefore, for fear of the worst, I pray thee set a full°
glass of white° wine on the contrary° casket; for if the devil be within, and that temptation
52
without, I know he will chose it. I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge.°

43. {and his behaviour everywhere} / from who knows where.
> He procures his manners from all those around him, just like his clothes.
behaviour: manners / mannerisms / affection
Compare Greene, Farewell to Follie (1591): ‘I have seen an English gentleman so diffused in his suits, his
doublet being the wear of Castile, his hose from Venice, his hat from France, and his cloak from Germany.’
44. speaks: {hath} got: {bought} stockings: {round hose} / tights round hat: {bonnet}
45. This outdated political reference is somewhat obscure (and confusing) and should be deleted. Hence, the
deletion of Nerissa’s question about the Scottish Lord, and Portia’s response to it would make for a more cogent
exchange and not tax the audience with something it clearly recognizes as being partial to another time and place. It
is likely that this reference, as well as the previous one, were later additions to the original text—perhaps to suit the
temperament of a specific audience. [See Additional Notes, 1.2.75]
46. {That he hath a neighborly charity in him: for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman and swore he
would pay him again when he was able. I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another.}
47. {very vilely} / with disgust / with much vile
48. {most vilely} / with loathing
49. make do: {make shift} / make the needed adjustments
50. / A thing of which I am too well aware.
51. / to prevent my worst fears from coming true
52. ‘I will do anything,’ says Portia—anything short of going directly against her father’s will. In her playful
suggestion that Nerisaa dupe the German suitor into picking the wrong casket, Portia is expressing her unspoken
wish that Nerissa somehow intervene. Nerissa, as a loyal servant, may feel the need to act upon this unspoken wish
and alter the outcome of lottery in favor of Portia’s choice (and allow someone whom Portia loves to win her). Thus,
Portia can have her wish and remain faithful to her father’s will.