footnote+a4s2

Summary: In this scene Portia is waiting to get Bassiano’s ring. Gratiano brings Portia the ring. She is very upset because he actually gave up the ring. She was testing him. He gave up the promise he made to her. She is dressed up in a doctor disguise. Nerrisa is planning to get her husband’s ring to him. She is also testing her husband. KM

Line 1: Enquire the Jew’s house out That means to go and find out where the Jew's house is. They need to find Shylock who is the Jew and get him to sign the document that Antonio wants him to. KM  [|personification]:This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. This is referring to the document that has Antonio’s last wish. In the previous scenes Shylock wanted a pound of flesh from Antonio and so Antonio made sure a couple of things happened after he died. Two of the wishes he made were for Shylock to become a Christian and to make Lorenzo and Jessica the heirs to his fortunes. This document is the proof of the deal. Antonio does not die but his wish is still kept. KM

 Line 5: well o’ertane This is the Shakespearean term of I’m glad I caught you. Gratiano is saying this to Portia but he does not know that this is Portia. Portia is still dressed in her doctor disguise. Gratiano wants to give the doctor (Portia) Bassiano’s ring. Portia is testing Bassiano to see if he will up his ring she gave him that he promised to keep. Nobody knows it is Portia except her and Nerissa. KM

Line 6: upon more advice This means to have more thought upon a matter. Gratiano is saying having more thought upon the matter of giving the doctor the ring he has come up with a decision. His decision is to give the doctor the ring. She is getting what she did not want. Portia was testing Bassiano all the time. KM

Line 10: pray you tell him This is saying I hope with all my heart you tell him that I accept his ring. Portia is still the doctor and has just accepted his ring. She wants Gratiano to tell him that the doctor has the ring. Right now she is very upset with Bassiano about the ring. KM

Line 15: old swearing: This is a [|hyperbole]. This means we will have extrodinary swearing. Portia is angry at Bassiano because he gave away the rings to somebody he did not know. KM

Line 18: Tarry Tarry is a fancy form of wait. Portia is telling Nerissa where she will be waiting. Portia already has Bassiano’s ring but Nerissa does not. Therefore, Nerissa is going to get Gratiano’s ring. KM