The Comical History of The Merchant of Venice Quotation Workshop
For each of the quotations assigned, the groups in charge should determine the following:

1. Who is speaking to whom
2. When in the play the speech takes place (act, scene, line)
3. What it means in its immediate context
4. How it "resonates" with the play as a whole

The purpose of these quotations is to help you think about the play, both microscopically and macroscopically. Read these passages carefully. Identify where they come from in the play and who is speaking to whom. Then, determine what the passages mean within their specific location: what is the character saying, what does it mean at the moment? Last of all, think about what the passage means in terms of the play as a whole: does it have a larger significance when you think about those words against the backdrop of the whole play? Is the passage prophetic? Ironic? Illuminating? All of the above? Something else?

Quotation Two
How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots.

Group 2: P.C. Paul, Holly S. Daugherty, Robert Yu, Amber Shipp, Benjamin G. Field-Pickering, Minmin Bao
Questions:
1) who is speaking to whom
2) when in the play the speech takes place (act, scene, line)
3) what it means in its immediate context
4) how it "resonates" with the play as a whole.
5) Look up words

This quotation can be found on page 1127, (3.5.37-39)
Lorenzo is speaking to Lancelot. Lancelot is quickly playing on every word that comes out of Lorenzo's mouth to the point of angering Lorenzo. Lancelot's quick wit is all too much for him.

Andrea said, "In this quote he is responding to Lancelot who is telling Lorenzo that he is irresponsible to take Jessica as his wife, since she will never go to heaven since she is a Jew. Yes I agree this is what Lancelot has said. Meanwhile Lancelot got the Moor pregnant. Also agree. What Lorenzo is saying is that any fool (perhaps a fool like Lancelot, or a fool as in a person that does not have much knowledge) can play with language and move words around to make it sound a particular way, but the best sign of intelligence would be silence and that talking will only be good if it is coming from a parrot. This is a put down towards Lancelot cause he talks a lot without much to say. This is also ironic because at the trial it is the talking and persuasion of Portia that gets Antonio off the hook." It is a double irony if one examines what was said (1.1.79-94) where Graziano is speaking. Graziano in not so many words says that those who are silent are thought/considered by others to be wise/intelligent men/people, but they could be just as ignorant or more so that those who babble on like parrots. No one would know because they rarely speak. If these non-speakers did speak they may demonstrate their ignorance. In addition look at (1.1.111-112) The tongues that should be silent are ox-tongues on a dinner table and those of old maids. It seems that it is constantly moving tongues that demonstrate wit and intelligence in this play and silence is that of a fool. ~ P.C Paul

I think that maybe Lorenzo is trying to tell Lancelot that he often speaks without much meaning, much like a parrot. Parrots just imitate what they hear around them, thought they usually don't make much sense, much like Lancelot. Perhaps this is sarcasm on Lorenzo's part? -amber

Yes, I would agree that Lorenzo is sarcastic in his delivery and that he considers Lancelot's play on words as idle chatter, in other words, it's just noise. I did note that Lancelot uses word play as a defiance of authority.

(2.2.14-15) Lancelot mocks authority through the use of language. He says that his father cheated on his mother and that Shylock treats him like dirt. Who is to say that men in the position of authority are more wise than those who are without authority or conversely, that these authoritative men are not also fools like 'everyman'.

(2.2.60-63) Lancelot challenges authority with his quick wit and does so through sarcasm. Lancelot enjoys a good word game as though to say, 'So you think you're wise, see what you can come back with on my next twist of the language.'

(2.5.7-10) Here Lancelot challenges Shylock's authority by calling Jessica himself. Shylock quickly asserts, 'I don't need your help calling her. I didn't ask you to call her.' Lancelot responds sarcastically but differently from the way the question is framed. Lancelot speaking to Shylock seems to comment, 'I couldn't do anything without being told' meaning 'you' (Shylock) seem to think I can't 'think' for myself.

(3.5.18-22) Lancelot even takes a shot at Jessica about her religious conversion, 'If everyone converts to Christianity then the price of pork will go up.' Greater demand, lower supply, therefore the price goes up.

(3.5.27-40) Jessica reassures Lorenzo that he need not worry about Lancelot, there is nothing sexual going on behind his back with Lancelot. Lorenzo says he can justify the comment of converting Jews to Christians but how do you, Lancelot justify sleeping with a Moor servant girl? Lancelot's quick response is 'There's more of the Moor than there ought to be...' meaning, 'Yea, so there's two; mother with child--even if she's less than honest/chaste, at least she's more respectable than you Lorenzo for getting Jessica to convert.' The conversion is really some powerful stuff because Lorenzo is asking Jessica to change her religious convictions, to believe in Jesus Christ as the messiah that is completely contrary to Judaism that says that messiah was not Jesus and the messiah has not arrived. I think part of the problem is that getting a girl pregnant is more of an earthly matter (matter of the flesh), while religious conversion is more of a universal matter (spiritual) and that all spiritual matters (matters about the order of the universe) always have a higher priority in their view and social context.
Obviously, I am still playing with 'this.' ~P.C. Paul

I looked up a few words in the OED that may or may not be helpful here:
parrot: Any of numerous fruit- and seed-eating birds of the order Psittaciformes of the tropics and southern hemisphere, with a short, downcurved, hooked bill, grasping feet, a raucous voice, and often brightly colored plumage, many being kept as cage birds and some being able to mimic speech and other sounds.
- I found the word MIMIC interesting in this context of the play. Lorenzo is just mimicking those around him? Trying to sound intelligent?

fool: One deficient in judgement or sense, one who acts or behaves stupidly, a silly person, a simpleton. wit: he faculty of thinking and reasoning in general; mental capacity, understanding, intellect, reason. -amber

^^^^^Lorenzo = Lancelot? If so, Act2 Scene2, Gobbos can't speak English. I like and agree with Paul's idea of Lancelot as an anti-authoritarian. When I first read Lorenzo's comment, I wondered about how witty intelligence was valued in Shakespeare's day. Judging from the various writers of the period, it seems that wit was one of the most important judges of character, especially if you were upper-class. It is interesting to compare those values to today's. The tendency of the 21st century is to be able to spout a lot of "words" like Lancelot. Would Lancelot be considered wittier by today's standards? Where does wit occur? Comedy, Politics? It furthers the emphasis on how spoken language was the main tool in Shakespeare's England, not so much today.

I think that we are all forgetting what is actually going on at this moment in the play. Lorenzo has just told Lancelot important news that could adversely effect him greatly. He is going to be a father of a bastard child. He was just talking to Jessica about bastard hopes. Instead of facing this problem of the illegitimacy that he has caused he diverts the conversation. Lorenzo is justifiably frustrated because the really important issues aren't being discussed. -Holly

Group 5: Andrea D. Clarke, Laura M. Duffy, Gursimran K. Grewal, Jessica D. Richardson, Rebecca L. Stern
This quote is from Act 3.5 and is said by Lorenzo. In this quote he is responding to Lancelot who is telling Lorenzo that he is irresponsible to take Jessica as his wife, since she will never go to heaven since she is a Jew. Meanwhile Lancelot got the Moor pregnant. What Lorenzo is saying is that any fool (perhaps a fool like Lancelot, or a fool as in a person that does not have much knowledge) can play with language and move words around to make it sound a particular way, but the best sign of intelligence would be silence and that talking will only be good if it is coming from a parrot. This is a put down towards Lancelot cause he talks a lot without much to say. This is also ironic because at the trial it is the talking and persuasion of Portia that gets Antonio off the hook. ~Andrea

This quotation is from Act 3.5.37-39. Lorenzo, Jessica's new husband, is responding to Lancelot, the comic relief of the play. Lancelot has just gone on a rather long string of wit-to-wit responses with Lorenzo fighting about Jessica. Lancelot is saying she is damned either way, if she is a Jew or even if her mother slept with someone else because then she would be a bastard. Lorenzo responds to this by revealing that Lancelot has slept with the Moor of Portia's household and she has since became pregnant. It is after Lancelot plays on the word 'Moor' that Lorenzo responds with this quotation, and responds with a little angst. He exclaims how anyone can play with words and use them to their advantage but Lorenzo says that the best grace, or "favorable impression" (OED) will be in silence, and that discourse or "Communication of thought by Speech" (OED) will be commendable "praiseworthy, laudable" (OED) only by parrots. Saying such a statement such as that should get someone to shut up rather quickly, however when Lorenzo tells Lancelot to go prepare for dinner Lancelot gives him a little sass right back. This speaks volumes as to how much Lancelot actually respects Lorenzo. --Rebecca

So I got thinking about the whole Parrot reference and decided to research a little more. I knew that parrots have a way of hearing human speech and mimicking it but I wanted to make sure. I found a website provided by Howard Hughes Medical Institute that is actually located in Chevy Chase Maryland. It is a biology .edu website so it should be rather credible. Parrots

I loved this quote! I thought that since Lorenzo is talking to the overly exuberant Lancelot, there truly was no other words to describe the conversation other than UNNESSICARY. Lorenzo seems to be telling Lancelot in act 3.5 he ought to shut up or risk being considered a brainless parrot. Parrots are pets and can easily be replaced; possibly a warning meant for Lancelot to heed. Throughout the play, conversation is used either as a tool or a hindrance. During the scene at court, words are used to revoke Antonio's sentence. During this particular scene, Lancelot's words fall upon deaf ears. The BEST GRACE will be reduced to nothing: Lancelot's most pious words cannot save him from his status as a servant. Granted he enjoyed pretend to be important and educated, but he still provides for himself by attending to the needs of others! ~~Laura M. Duffy

This quote is taken from act 3, scene 5, lines 37 - 39. This quote is directed towards Lancelot by Lorenzo. He is basically saying that every fool can play with words, and make them seem something they aren't. But the ones who choose to be quiet are the ones who are the most wise. Lorenzo says this because Lancelot just told Lorenzo's girl that she will not go to heaven because she is a Jew. Lorenzo uses fools and language, silence and discourse and irony to make his point.

Quotation One
The world is still deceived with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being seasoned with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? In religion,
What damned error but some sober brow
Will bless it and approve it with a text,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.

Group One: Bryan D. Dalina, Christopher Fenlon, Adrienne V. Hawkins, Thomas Noble, Katherine M. Schmitt
Questions:
1) who is speaking to whom
2) when in the play the speech takes place (act, scene, line)
3) what it means in its immediate context
4) how it "resonates" with the play as a whole.
5) Look up words

I'll start this discussion this time...which quote is that? Oh, it's just Adrienne.
1) Bassanio is speaking in an aside as he is getting ready to choose one of the three caskets to win Portia
2) This takes place in Act 3, scene 2; lines 74-82
so...who wants to look words up?
3) I think its pretty clear that this quote is talking about deception- about how we can be deceived by pretty words and phrases. It gives two examples, law and religion.
4) Obviously, in connection to the second quote- the play upon the word, this is an excellent example. When the words things are couched in are pretty and flowery, we tend to forget what they really mean. Euphemisms are used for good reason. The Christians in Venice separate the Jews and insult them, but because they seek to convert them, that is why! A horrible thing enclosed in good reasoning or cover is still bad. The entire play is made up of people saying one thing and meaning another, and pretending to be something that they are not.
The last two lines are saying that every vice, every bad thing attempts to take marks of virtue upon it. Tries to justify itself as virtuous, cover itself. Every vice.
ornament: An accessory or adjunct, primarily functional, but often also fancy or decorative; (in pl.) equipment, trappings, furniture, attire. Obs.
plea: A suit or action at law; the presentation of an action in court.
gracious: Of a character likely to find favour; having pleasing qualities
sober: Moderate, temperate, avoiding excess, in respect of the use of food and drink; not given to the indulgence of appetite. -Katherine

I think this also goes back to the quote that we had to do for Hamlet...one flaw or bad characteristic will overshadow every other good virtue that a character has. By the same token, no matter what kind of "gracious voice" you use, it doesn't outdo your vices.

This quote, too, relates nicely to the whole appearance vs. reality question from the final. Here, as stated previously, Bassanio is speaking aside, perhaps to the audience, before choosing a casket. Yes, the gold and silver caskets look the most appealing, but hide vices on the inside and ultimately, defeat. Wisely, he chooses the lead casket, looking beyond the outer appearance to the possible greater qualities of what's on the inside of the casket. -Chris Fenlon

Group 4: Zachary M. Dow, Dorothy E. Garrett, Shanna M. Kibler, Sarah S. Sood, Fatimah Walee
This quote is from Act 3 scene 2, and it is Bassanio speaking. He is musing rather. Shakespeare once again is visiting the idea of appearance and what lies beneath that appearance. Bassanio thinks aloud saying that basically you can't judge on appearance alone, and that so many people are deceived because they do. This train of thought is a recurring theme in Shakespeare's plays. In Hamlet there is the Mousetrap, and Hamlet himself plays a part. In Henry IV the king has his colors on the field to trick and deceive the opposing side. In As You Like It Rosalind disguises herself as a man, and Portia does the same in The Merchant of Venice. Why was Shakespeare so fixated on this idea? -Zach

This quote was said right before Bassanio opens the caskets. In this quote he is commenting on the caskets to himself. In the immediate context, I think he's talking about how the appearances of the caskets is meant to deceive. That the world would be more likely to choose the gold or silver caskets, but those caskets were meant to distract from the real prize hidden in the lead casket. In the broader context, I agree with Zach about Shakespeare's theme of appearance and what lies beneath appearance. One reason why Shakespeare might have been so fixated on this idea was because of the irony of the actors on stage pretending to be someone pretending to be someone else. -Dorothy

It is Bassanio's internal thoughts on which casket to choose. I think the audience knows that he must get it right, but this is his opportunity to explain why and how he concludes to choose the lead one. It also is foreshadowing the characters who are hiding their true colors that will be revealed later, such as Portia and Shylock. -sarah s.

Quotation Three
Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O, that estates, degrees, and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare,
How many be commanded that command?
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honour, and how much honour
Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new varnished?

Group 3: Mark D. Denz, Holly L. Johnson, Shira M. Pilarski, Eric J. Smith, Arthur T. Williamson
This is from Act 2, Scene 9, lines 38-48. Aragon is the speaker.

*cracks knuckles* All right, yeesh, this quotation workshop is coming up fast on Thursday already. No time for dilly-dallying...says he, as he slinks off to bed. - Eric

"scratches head" Thursday is coming up faster... says she, as she stinks off to change a diaper. - Holly

For some reason, I can't access the Oxford English Dictionary on-line. Anyone else having trouble? I will try again later.
I think the name Aragon is a variation of arrogant.

In this quote I think he is saying, honor should be bestowed on people according to merit and not be purchased or won by corruption. "How many then should cover that stand bare" Could this line mean how many people who are considered meek would then be considered great? The next line seems to say that some of those who currently give orders would have to take orders. The last four lines seem to say, How many peasants would be gathered from the currently nobility and how much nobility would be gathered from the peasants.

Nobility is described through the word varnish. Varnish means Webster's Dictionary) a superficial appearance. This might show Shakespeare's opinion of the class system.--end for Holly

The context of this quote is immediately after Aragon has described the caskets and his reasons for not choosing lead and gold. He does not want to 'hazard all he hath' - he says that 'you shall look fairer' before he'll choose the lead, perhaps directed to Portia or the lead. He doesn't want the gold because he doesn't want to conform to the multitude.

This quote is more or less his reasoning for his choice of the silver - or lack of reasoning thereof. I seem to think that this little speech is compensatory - for Aragon's lack of dignity or honor. He really has no idea why he's choosing silver - other than the fact that he doesn't want lead or gold.

And because he 'shall get as much as he deserves', he'll receive as fake a Portia as his demeanor. - Eric

I didn't come in today because I'm sick (which somehow I think will hurt me more than it hurts you guys--you seem good with the quote, and I need to write a QR on this one so I was really hoping I got better by today, but oh well). Anyway, tomorrow I will look up ALL the words on the OED and post interpretations here. Good luck today, guys. - Shira

Group 6: Jasmine L. Curry, Meghan M. Fay, Heidi A. Harrison, Amy Lynn Herstein, Sarah A. Melchior, Emily H. Saltsman
Act 2 Scene 9 lines 38-48

I think it says: No one should assume to wear honor that they don't deserve. People should not be ranked based on property, official positions, because that is corrupt. How many would there really be then? How many would not be then? (Like who would hold their current status based on goodly things and who would not have those roles because they are corrupt.) How many noblemen would become peasants? And how many peasants would become nobility? -Emily Saltsman

I would definitely agree with what you are saying about what the quote means. I think it's interesting that after this long insightful speech about how don't always have to honor they think they do, Aragon simply says I believe I have enough honor to deserve her I'm going to open this casket. Also I think that its interesting that Bassanio, the man who isn't a peasant but also isn't a prince, is the one that gets Portia because he picks the lead case. It could also tie into the rest of the play when people think they have or should have when maybe they shouldn't. An example of this could be how everyone makes fun of Shylock for being a Jew, when in fact there are many things that are not honorable about them. Another example could be Shylock because he believes that people should treat him better and treat him with honor, I agree with treating him better, but he doesn't necessarily do honorable things. When his daughter runs away, he is not worried about her safety, he is worried about the jewels she took from him. Also, when Antonio has to repay his bond, Shylock is willing to kill this man for revenge, and is excited about it, when he could show mercy --Sarah Melchior

Hey everyone... its Fatimah
I think it is interesting that Shakespeare always seems to go for the balance between the two extremes. I agree with Sarah that Bassanio is the one that gets Portia because he isn't like either Shylock who feels he deserves respect but doesn't show any and Antonio who feels he doesn't need to show respect to others but still be treated with the same respect/ honor.

I think this quote says that honor (a mist all the corruption among the characters) is only an pretence and artificial (OED definition), because in reality no one in the play shows true honor. To the characters it is almost as though they forgot the meaning of the word.

Every class think they are superior to the next and I think this quote is more Shakespeare saying if true honor were shown all the characters would be considered mere peasants, having to bare their heads for their superiors. More later once I get my thoughts together.

I disagree that no one in the play is honorable. I think Portia is honorable, and I also think that Aragon probably has some idea of honor. I like this quote in general because I think it is cool that even Shakespeare was thinking, "Man, everyone in power is corrupt." I wonder if this quote is a jab at Shylock because he has the power of money, but he's not really a stand-up guy.

I want to look up some of the words in the passage. See you tomorrow. --Meghan Fay