The Merchant of Venice · Chapter
Scene IV explained
Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salarino, and Salanio plan a masque for the evening.
What happens
Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salarino, and Salanio plan a masque for the evening. Launcelot delivers a letter from Jessica to Lorenzo, revealing her plan to elope with gold and jewels from her father Shylock's house. Lorenzo resolves to take Jessica as his torch-bearer.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Friendship
Lorenzo and Jessica's secret correspondence and planned elopement highlight the theme of romantic love defying familial and religious boundaries.
Prejudice and Anti-Semitism
Lorenzo's comment about Jessica being 'issue to a faithless Jew' reflects the anti-Semitic attitudes of the Christian characters toward Shylock.
Characters to notice
- Lorenzo
Plans the masque and receives Jessica's letter detailing her elopement.
- Gratiano
Participates in the masque preparations and inquires about Jessica's letter.
- Launcelot Gobbo
Delivers Jessica's letter to Lorenzo and mentions his new master is a Christian.
- Jessica
Sends a letter to Lorenzo with plans to escape her father's house with gold and jewels.
- Shylock
Referenced as the Jewish father whose daughter plans to elope and take his wealth.
Key passages
“Nay, we will slink away in supper-time, Disguise us at my lodging and return, All in an hour.”
We'll sneak away during supper, put on disguises at my place, and come back within an hour.
Lorenzo outlines the plan for the masque, emphasizing secrecy and speed.
“I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand; And whiter than the paper it writ on Is the fair hand that writ.”
I recognize the handwriting; it's a beautiful hand, and the hand that wrote it is even fairer than the paper.
Lorenzo praises Jessica's handwriting and her beauty upon receiving her letter.
“She hath directed How I shall take her from her father's house, What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with, What page's suit she hath in readiness.”
She has instructed me on how to take her from her father's house, what gold and jewels she has, and what page's outfit she has prepared.
Lorenzo reveals Jessica's detailed plan for elopement, including taking her father's wealth.
“If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, It will be for his gentle daughter's sake.”
If her father the Jew ever gets into heaven, it will be because of his kind daughter.
Lorenzo suggests that Jessica's goodness might redeem her father in a religious sense, reflecting contemporary prejudices.