The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare | Act 2, Scene 2

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25 Oct 201903:06

Summary

TLDRIn Act 2 Scene 2 of 'The Merchant of Venice', Launcelot Gobbo grapples with his conscience over leaving his Jewish master, Shylock, whom he views as the devil. Despite his misgivings, he chooses to stay out of a sense of responsibility. Launcelot's conversation with his father and Bassanio reveals his desire for a new position. Bassanio, initially impatient, eventually hires him. Meanwhile, Bassanio agrees to let the boisterous Graziano accompany him to Belmont, on the condition of his good behavior. The play explores themes of loyalty, societal expectations, and the contrast between the heroic Sir Lancelot and the comical Launcelot Gobbo.

Takeaways

🤔 Launcelot Gobbo is a servant to Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' and is contemplating leaving his job.
🧐 Launcelot's internal conflict is between his dislike for Shylock and his sense of duty to remain with his master.
😈 Launcelot refers to Shylock as the devil, reflecting the play's portrayal of Shylock as a villainous character.
👨‍👦 Launcelot discusses his dilemma with his father, Old Gobbo, who is also portrayed as somewhat foolish.
🤝 Bassanio, a character seeking a new servant, encounters Launcelot and Old Gobbo and is informed of Launcelot's desire to change employment.
😌 Launcelot's decision to stay with Shylock is seen as an act of honesty and responsibility despite his personal feelings.
🤑 The script alludes to the stereotype of Jews as greedy and stingy through Launcelot's comments about Shylock.
📜 The name 'Launcelot' is a play on words, contrasting the heroic Sir Lancelot with the more comical and indecisive Shakespearean character.
🎭 The character's names and actions contribute to the play's themes of social hierarchy and the treatment of the 'other'.
🎉 Bassanio agrees to let Graziano accompany him to Belmont, with Graziano promising to behave, which adds a layer of comedy to the play.

Q & A

What is Launcelot Gobbo's initial dilemma in Act 2 Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice?
-Launcelot Gobbo is contemplating whether to leave his job serving Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, due to his negative perception of him, but also considering the moral implications of such an action.
What does Launcelot Gobbo ultimately decide to do regarding his employment with Shylock?
-Despite his dislike for Shylock, Launcelot decides to remain in his service because he believes it is the honest and responsible thing to do.
What does Launcelot Gobbo refer to as his 'conscience' when discussing his job with Shylock?
-Launcelot uses the term 'conscience' to describe his internal conflict between his dislike for Shylock and his sense of duty to remain in his service.
Who does Launcelot Gobbo speak with on the street, and what does he reveal to this person?
-Launcelot speaks with his father, Old Gobbo, revealing his unhappiness with his current job and his desire to seek employment elsewhere.
How does Bassanio become aware of Launcelot's desire to change employers?
-Bassanio learns about Launcelot's desire to leave Shylock's service when Old Gobbo tells him about it while they are talking.
What does Launcelot ask Bassanio, and how does Bassanio respond?
-Launcelot asks Bassanio for a job, to which Bassanio agrees, making Launcelot overjoyed.
What does Graziano want from Bassanio, and what is Bassanio's initial concern?
-Graziano wants to accompany Bassanio to Belmont. Bassanio is concerned that Graziano's wild and bold behavior might jeopardize his relationship with Portia.
What promise does Graziano make to Bassanio to ensure he can come along to Belmont?
-Graziano promises to put on a sober habit and behave himself, which convinces Bassanio to let him accompany him.
What is the significance of the name 'Launcelot Gobbo' in the context of the play?
-The name 'Launcelot Gobbo' is significant as it alludes to the heroic knight Sir Lancelot from King Arthur's legends, creating an ironic contrast with the indecisive and comical character in Shakespeare's play.
What does the term 'lancelet' refer to, and how does it relate to Launcelot's character?
-A 'lancelet' is a small sword or man-at-arms, which is descriptive of Launcelot's lower social position as a house servant.
How does the description of Shylock as a 'very Jew' and the portrayal of Old Gobbo's silliness reflect the play's themes?
-The description of Shylock and the portrayal of Old Gobbo's silliness reflect the play's themes of social hierarchy and the treatment of minorities, as well as the use of humor to explore complex societal issues.

Outlines

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🎭 Launcelot's Dilemma in 'The Merchant of Venice'

In Act 2 Scene 2 of 'The Merchant of Venice', Launcelot Gobbo, a servant to Shylock, contemplates leaving his job due to his master's Jewish identity and perceived greed. Despite his internal conflict, he decides to stay as it's the honest thing to do. He discusses his situation with his father, Old Gobbo, and expresses his desire to leave. Bassanio, a potential new employer, appears and is informed of Launcelot's discontent. Launcelot, seizing the opportunity, asks Bassanio for employment, which Bassanio agrees to. Launcelot is thrilled and reads a positive future in his palm before leaving to give notice. The text also mentions Graziano's request to accompany Bassanio to Belmont and his promise to behave. The paragraph explores themes of loyalty, identity, and social hierarchy, as well as the play's use of humor and stereotypes.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Conscience

Conscience refers to an individual's moral sense of right and wrong, which guides or prompts one's actions. In the script, Launcelot Gobbo's conscience is depicted as a struggle between his dislike for his master, the Jew, and his sense of duty to remain with him. This internal conflict highlights the theme of moral decision-making and the struggle between personal feelings and societal expectations.

💡Launcelot Gobbo

Launcelot Gobbo is a character in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' who is portrayed as a servant contemplating leaving his current master. His name, misspelled as 'Lancelot' in some versions, alludes to the legendary knight Sir Lancelot, creating an ironic contrast between the heroic figure and the comical, indecisive character. Launcelot's dilemma is central to the narrative, illustrating themes of loyalty, identity, and the search for self-worth.

💡Jew

In the context of the script, 'Jew' refers to Shylock, a character who is depicted with negative stereotypes, such as being greedy and stingy. Launcelot's reference to his master as a 'very Jew' plays into these stereotypes and reflects the historical and cultural prejudices of the time. The use of 'Jew' in this manner is significant as it underscores the theme of prejudice and the Othering of certain characters in the play.

💡Bassanio

Bassanio is a character in the play who appears in the script as a potential new employer for Launcelot. His interaction with Launcelot and Old Gobbo adds depth to the narrative by introducing themes of social mobility and the power dynamics between masters and servants. Bassanio's decision to hire Launcelot also reflects the theme of chance and opportunity in the play.

💡Old Gobbo

Old Gobbo, Launcelot's father, is a character that adds comic relief to the play through his silliness and the reading of a comic poem. His portrayal, along with the depiction of other 'foolish and uneducated men,' may be interpreted as a commentary on societal hierarchies, suggesting that even those deemed inferior have a place in the social order.

💡Graziano

Graziano is a character who requests to accompany Bassanio to Belmont. Bassanio's initial reluctance due to Graziano's wild behavior introduces themes of companionship, trust, and the potential for personal growth. Graziano's promise to behave himself and Bassanio's eventual agreement to let him come along highlight the complexities of friendship and the desire for acceptance.

💡Belmont

Belmont is the location to which Bassanio is traveling, and it is associated with Portia, one of the main characters in the play. Belmont symbolizes a place of love and wealth, and it is central to the play's exploration of themes such as love, wealth, and the nature of mercy.

💡Shylock

Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in the play who is portrayed with negative stereotypes, including being depicted as the 'very devil incarnate.' His character is significant as he represents the outsider and is used to explore themes of prejudice, justice, and the human capacity for cruelty and mercy.

💡Lancelet

Lancelet, a misspelling of 'Launcelot' in the first published versions of the play, refers to a small sword or man-at-arms, which is descriptive of Launcelot's lower social position as a house servant. This term is significant as it underscores the character's social status and the theme of social hierarchy within the play.

💡Famished

The term 'famished' is used by Launcelot to describe his condition in Shylock's service, suggesting that he is either not fed enough or not paid enough to feed himself. This word choice contributes to the portrayal of Shylock as a greedy character and highlights the theme of exploitation and the struggle for survival within the social hierarchy.

💡Sober habit

Graziano's promise to 'put on a sober habit' refers to his intention to dress and behave modestly, which contrasts with his usual wild and bold demeanor. This commitment is significant as it reflects the theme of personal transformation and the societal expectations of decorum and propriety.

Highlights

Launcelot Gobbo is a servant in The Merchant of Venice, contemplating leaving his job.

Launcelot's internal conflict between his conscience and his desire to leave his master, Shylock.

Launcelot's decision to stay with Shylock despite his dislike for him, due to a sense of responsibility.

Launcelot's conversation with his father, Old Gobbo, about his unhappiness and desire to leave his current position.

Bassanio's appearance and his initial impatience with Launcelot and Old Gobbo.

Launcelot's request for employment with Bassanio.

Bassanio's agreement to hire Launcelot, much to Launcelot's delight.

Launcelot's interpretation of his own palm as a positive omen before leaving to give notice.

Graziano's request to accompany Bassanio to Belmont.

Bassanio's concern about Graziano's wild behavior potentially jeopardizing his chances with Portia.

Graziano's promise to behave and Bassanio's agreement to let him join.

The allowance for Graziano to indulge in merriment without judgment for one night.

The misspelling of Launcelot's name as Lancelet in early editions of the play.

The significance of the name Lancelet as a small sword or man-at-arms, reflecting Launcelot's lowly status.

The modern use of the name Lancelot, contrasting the heroic knight with the Shakespearean character's indecisiveness and humor.

Launcelot's description of his master, Shylock, as a 'very Jew,' reflecting negative stereotypes.

The implication that Shylock does not provide for Launcelot adequately, either in food or wages.

Old Gobbo's silliness and the comic poem, highlighting the play's ambiguity.

The potential interpretation of the foolish and uneducated characters as superior to Shylock, underlining his societal inferiority.