Original: I have possess’d your grace of what I purpose;
Modern: I have informed your honor of what I intend to do;

Original: And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn
Modern: And I have sworn by our holy day of rest

Original: To have the due and forfeit of my bond:
Modern: To collect what is owed to me according to my contract:

Original: If you deny it, let the danger light
Modern: If you refuse me this, let the consequences fall

Original: Upon your charter and your city’s freedom.
Modern: Upon your city’s charter and its rights to self-govern.

Original: You’ll ask me, why I rather choose to have
Modern: You’ll ask me why I would rather have

Original: A weight of carrion flesh than to receive
Modern: A pound of rotting flesh than accept

Original: Three thousand ducats: I’ll not answer that:
Modern: Three thousand gold coins: I won’t answer that:

Original: But, say, it is my humour: is it answer’d?
Modern: Just say it’s my whim or mood: does that satisfy you?

Original: What if my house be troubled with a rat
Modern: What if my house had a rat problem

Original: And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats
Modern: And I wanted to pay ten thousand gold coins

Original: To have it baned? What, are you answer’d yet?
Modern: To have it poisoned? Well, does that answer your question?

Original: Some men there are love not a gaping pig;
Modern: Some men can’t stand the sight of a roasted pig with its mouth open;

Original: Some, that are mad if they behold a cat;
Modern: Some people go crazy if they see a cat;

Original: And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ the nose,
Modern: And others, when the bagpipe makes its nasal sound,

Original: Cannot contain their urine: for affection,
Modern: Can’t control their bladders: because emotion,

Original: Mistress of passion, sways it to the mood
Modern: The ruler of our feelings, pushes us toward the attitude

Original: Of what it likes or loathes. Now, for your answer:
Modern: Of whatever we love or hate. Now, here’s your answer:

Original: As there is no firm reason to be render’d,
Modern: Just as there is no solid reason to be given

Original: Why he cannot abide a gaping pig;
Modern: Why one man can’t stand a roasted pig;

Original: Why he, a harmless necessary cat;
Modern: Why another man hates a harmless, useful cat;

Original: Why he, a woollen bagpipe; but of force
Modern: Why another man hates a wool-covered bagpipe; but by necessity

Original: Must yield to such inevitable shame
Modern: Must give in to such unavoidable embarrassment

Original: As to offend, himself being offended;
Modern: That he is disgusted even though the thing itself is harmless;

Original: So can I give no reason, nor I will not,
Modern: In the same way, I can give no reason, and I won’t,

Original: More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing
Modern: Beyond a deep-rooted hatred and a definite disgust

Original: I bear Antonio, that I follow thus
Modern: That I have for Antonio, which is why I pursue

Original: A losing suit against him. Are you answer’d?
Modern: This unprofitable lawsuit against him. Does that answer your question?

In Act IV, Scene 1 of “The Merchant of Venice,” the trial scene takes place in a Venetian court of justice where Antonio faces Shylock’s demand for his pound of flesh. The Duke of Venice presides over the proceedings, expressing hope that Shylock will show mercy at the last moment. Shylock remains unmoved by appeals to compassion, insisting on the strict letter of his bond with Antonio. Various characters, including Bassanio, attempt to dissuade Shylock by offering money far exceeding the original debt, but the moneylender refuses all monetary compensation, demanding only the flesh that was promised as collateral.

The young lawyer Balthazar (Portia in disguise) arrives to hear the case and delivers the famous “quality of mercy” speech, urging Shylock to be merciful. When Shylock continues to insist on his legal right, Portia appears to support the validity of the bond and instructs Shylock to proceed with taking his pound of flesh. However, she then reveals the crucial legal technicality: the bond allows for flesh but makes no mention of blood, and Shylock must take exactly one pound—no more, no less—or forfeit his life and goods. Trapped by this interpretation, Shylock attempts to accept Bassanio’s monetary offer instead, but Portia declares he must face the consequences of plotting against a Venetian citizen’s life. The scene concludes with Shylock losing his wealth, being forced to convert to Christianity, and agreeing to leave his estate to his daughter Jessica and her husband Lorenzo.

The Merchant of Venice centers on Bassanio, a young Venetian gentleman who needs money to court the wealthy heiress Portia in Belmont. His friend Antonio, a merchant, agrees to help but has no ready cash since his ships are at sea. Antonio borrows 3,000 ducats from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, with the unusual condition that if the loan isn’t repaid within three months, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Meanwhile, Shylock’s daughter Jessica elopes with the Christian Lorenzo, taking her father’s money and jewels.

In Belmont, Portia’s deceased father has decreed that her suitors must choose correctly among three caskets—gold, silver, and lead—to win her hand. The Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon both choose incorrectly and depart. When Bassanio arrives and selects the lead casket, he wins Portia, while his friend Gratiano wins her maid Nerissa. Their celebrations are interrupted by news that Antonio’s ships have been lost and Shylock demands his pound of flesh.

Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as a lawyer and clerk and travel to Venice for Antonio’s trial. In court, Portia grants Shylock his legal right to the flesh but warns he may take no blood and must cut exactly one pound—an impossible task. Defeated, Shylock loses his bond and, under Venetian law, must forfeit half his wealth and convert to Christianity. The disguised Portia requests Bassanio’s wedding ring as payment, which he reluctantly gives. Back in Belmont, Portia playfully scolds her husband for giving away his ring before revealing her disguise. The play concludes with news that Antonio’s ships have safely returned, restoring his fortune.