The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare | Act 2, Scene 3

Summary

In Act 2 Scene 3 of 'The Merchant of Venice,' Jessica, Shylock's daughter, bids farewell to Launcelot Gobbo, who has brought laughter to her otherwise gloomy home. She entrusts him with a letter for Lorenzo, expressing her wish to marry a Christian and escape her father's oppressive household. Jessica's actions and feelings towards Shylock reveal a deeper character flaw in Shylock, beyond the Jewish stereotypes, as her desire to flee indicates a strained and unhappy relationship with her father.

Takeaways

• 🎭 In Act 2 Scene 3 of 'The Merchant of Venice', Jessica bids farewell to Launcelot Gobbo as he leaves her father's service.
• 😄 Jessica finds Launcelot to be a source of fun in an otherwise serious household.
• 💌 Jessica sends a letter to Lorenzo through Launcelot, indicating her desire to leave her father's house.
• 🕊️ Launcelot predicts that Jessica will marry a Christian, hinting at her future conversion.
• 😢 Both Jessica and Launcelot cry, showing a deep emotional bond between them.
• 🏠 Jessica describes her house as hell, indicating her unhappiness and desire to escape.
• 🤔 Launcelot's role as comic relief contrasts with Jessica's serious judgment of her father.
• 👨‍👧 Jessica's lack of prejudice against her father suggests her negative feelings stem from his actions, not his religion.
• 💔 Jessica's desire to leave is the strongest evidence against Shylock's character presented in the play so far.
• 📚 The script challenges the Jewish stereotypes by showing Jessica's complex feelings towards her father.

Q & A

What is the significance of Act 2 Scene 3 in The Merchant of Venice?

Act 2 Scene 3 is significant as it showcases Jessica's decision to leave her father Shylock's service, highlighting her desire for a life away from his oppressive influence.

Who is Launcelot Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice?

Launcelot Gobbo is a character in the play who serves as a clownish figure, providing comic relief. He is also a servant to Shylock and Jessica.

Why does Jessica bid Launcelot Gobbo goodbye?

Jessica bids Launcelot goodbye as he is leaving her father's service to work for Bassanio, and she is sending him with a letter for Lorenzo.

What does Jessica reveal to Launcelot about her father's house?

Jessica describes her father's house as a serious and unhappy place, suggesting it is akin to hell, and credits Launcelot with bringing some merriment into it.

What does Jessica's judgment of her father indicate about Shylock?

Jessica's judgment indicates that Shylock's actions towards her have not been good, as she is predisposed to love him but instead seeks to escape his influence.

What does Jessica hope will happen after Launcelot leaves?

Jessica hopes that Lorenzo will receive her message and come to take her away to marry her, indicating her desire to leave her father's house.

What is Launcelot's prediction about Jessica's future?

Launcelot predicts that Jessica will marry a Christian, which is a significant change from her current Jewish identity.

How does Jessica's desire to escape reflect on Shylock's character?

Jessica's desire to escape is presented as the clearest evidence against Shylock's character, suggesting that his negative qualities are not just based on Jewish stereotypes but also on his actual behavior.

What is the role of comic relief in The Merchant of Venice, as exemplified by Launcelot?

The role of comic relief, as seen with Launcelot, is to provide moments of humor that contrast with the serious and often dramatic elements of the play.

Why does Jessica's lack of prejudice against her father matter?

Jessica's lack of prejudice against her father is important because it shows that her negative feelings are based on his actions, not on his religious or ethnic identity.

What message does Jessica send to Lorenzo through Launcelot?

Jessica sends a message to Lorenzo, likely expressing her love and desire to be with him, hoping that he will come to take her away.