Scenes 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6
Scene 2.4 – Street in Venice
In the streets
of Venice, Graziano and his friends seem to be making a secret plan. Lancelot
enters with a letter for Lorenzo, who tells Lancelot to tell Jessica that he
will keep his promise. Lancelot leaves. The friends continue their planning –
it turns out that they’re simply planning to show up disguised at that
evening’s supper-party. Their plans completed, the friends leave – Graziano
and Lorenzo remain on stage. Graziano asks about Jessica. Lorenzo tells him that
the couple is planning for him to come and take Jessica away from her father’s
house, and also to take his gold and jewels. He gives Graziano the letter to
read.
Scene 2.5 – Outside Shylock’s house
Angry with
Lancelot for leaving his service, Shylock enters, scolding him. Shylock calls
his daughter Jessica, and instructs her that he is going to dine with Christians
tonight, and gives her the keys to the house to keep guard. He instructs her to
be particularly careful, since he dreamt of moneybags earlier, and fears that
someone is out to rob him – further, Shylock tells her not to listen or look
out the windows at the party that will be happening in the streets. Lancelot
departs, whispering to Jessica that Lorenzo will come tonight.
Shylock
remarks that Lancelot is kind but lazy, and tells Jessica once more to guard the
house carefully. She promises, swearing that, if she fails to, she will have
lost a father, and Shylock a daughter.
Scene 2.6 – Outside Shylock’s house
Graziano and
Salerio are in the streets, waiting for Lorenzo to show up. Graziano, remarking
on his delay, suggests that, like a diner at a feast or a horse on a journey, a
lover most enjoys a woman before he has attained her. Lorenzo enters,
apologizing for his delay. Jessica shows up at the window, disguised in boy’s
clothes. Jessica asks who it is, and Lorenzo assures her it’s him. Jessica
tosses down a casket full of riches, remarking that she is ashamed but, being in
love, cannot help herself. Lorenzo calls her down to come with him. While
she’s on her way, Lorenzo tells Graziano how much he loves Jessica, who’s
smart, beautiful, and honest. Jessica enters from the house, and they all
prepare to go to the party in town. Antonio enters to tell them that the party
is cancelled – the winds are good for sailing, and they can all leave for
Belmont at once.
