Making Sense of Shakespeare

I have often heard people groan when Shakespeare is mentioned. They seem to think he is beyond the comprehensible; his language is too far removed from the present age. Yes, there are uses of archaic vocabulary and references to Greek mythology that may not be familiar to generations of current readers spanning the globe. Then, there are all those cultural inferences immediately evident only to those who have lived in that age and in England and those who study the history of those times.

Yet, if you look closely and make some effort to visualise what is being said in the plays, one can appreciate the beauty of the language used. In the present age of limited vocabulary, often interspersed with `ah, yeah, like', `you know' and `whatever', Shakespearean language gives one an opportunity to go beyond the mundane and find expression in playing with the language.

Let's look at an extract from Act 1, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice.

Shylock:

This kindness will I show:

Go with me to the notary; seal me there

Your single bond, and - in a merry sport -

If you repay me not on such a day,

In such a place, such sum or sums as are

Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit

Be nominated for an equal pound

Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

In what part of your body pleaseth me.

The use of the term `merry sport' not only indicates that Shylock adds the following condition, "as a joke" but it gives an air of playfulness, an air of `look, let's just have some fun and include this preposterous condition as well." Those two words implies quite a bit, enabling Shylock to quite craftily make the whole proposition sound innocent.

Antonio:

Content, in faith. I'll seal to such a bond,

And say there is much kindness in the Jew.

Instead of a boring, "Alright, I agree to sign the bond", Antonio expresses his satisfied feelings too in merely saying, "Content, in faith."

Bassanio:

You shall not seal to such a bond for me!

I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

And I love this - "I'll rather dwell in my necessity"! What a wonderful use of the word `dwell' to mean that he would rather continue to be in his predicament of being in need of money.

Antonio:

Why fear not, man; I will not forfeit it.

Within these two months - that's a month before

This bond expires - I do expect return

Of thrice three times the value of this bond.

So what would be `thrice three times the value of this bond'?! A simple calculation would give us 3(3 X Bond). So, there is Math in there as well! In other words, Antonio is reassuring Bassanio that there is nothing to fear, because he expects to generate much more money than will be owed to Shylock within 2 months, and that is a month before payment is due.

Shylock:

O father Abram, what these Christians are,

Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect

The thoughts of others! Pray you tell me this:

If he should break his day, what should I gain

By exaction of the forfeiture?

A pound of man's flesh taken from a man

Is not so estimable, profitable neither,

As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say

To buy his favor I extend this friendship,

If he will take it, so; if not, adieu.

And for my love I pray you wrong me not.

Read through and observe closely the expressive language. What can you gain from such a mode of expression? There will be many perspectives from just this short dialogue. At the end of next week, on 15th February 2025, keep a lookout for my response to what Shylock is saying above.