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ACT Two, Scene One, A 2.1A

Venice. Enter Shylock and Tubal

—Tubal
Three thousand ducats, with no profit—and to Antonio?

—Shylock
Indeed he loathes me, my means, my presence. He spits upon my face; he calls me usurer, a cut-
throat, a dog. And why? Because I loan money to those who need it. Well, now Antonio is the
one who needs it.

—Tubal
But you are tying up so many ducats?

—Shylock
Let him revile me at the mart. Let him peddle his Christian virtue. Then, how will I respond? I
will politely ask: ‘Antonio, did you not once borrow money from me? Did you not need the
money which I had? Did I not loan you money, gratis, as a friend, which you requested of me?’
What then could he say to that? Would he open his mouth to speak? Would he spit on me
again? Nay. The moment Antonio seals this bond we are equals. He will never again have
anything over me.

—Tubal
And what will come if he forfeits? What then?

—Shylock
Nay, nay, Antonio will not forfeit. Nay, there is no chance that Antonio will forfeit. The only
thing he will forfeit is his Christian arrogance—and he will forfeit that the moment he seals unto
my bond.

—Tubal
But why a pound of flesh? Such terms are strange and most unseemly?

+—Shylock
What use are gold and ducats to a dog? Would not a dog prefer a pound of flesh over a case
of ducats? Well then, if he would see me as a dog, then give me something of value—a
pound of flesh.

—Tubal
You are no dog, ay, Shylock take the gold.,