Merchant of Venice, I2r

I have chosen to remain faithful to the source text for my rendition of I2r. I have found, through examining versions of the text (an early modern version through Folger, Folger's modern digital transcription, and the third Norton edition), that altering the spellings and words to fit a modern understanding creates a loss of meaning from the original text. I have chosen to leave the j/i, v/u, and the long s (ſ).

On I1v, Jessica and Lorenzo discuss differing tales of ill-fated lovers from Greek tragedy, often the subject of betrayal or death, taking the position of the side of the pair that matches their gender roles. The first of which is Cressida and Troilus, mentioned by Lorenzo. This tale is a medieval expansion of figures from the Iliad and the Aeneid, named Troilus and Chryseis. They are forced to pick sides in Troy and ultimately end up in a scenario of heartbreak and death prompted by Cressida's lack of faith in Troilus.

The second reference, provided by Jessica, is of Thisbe and Pyramus. In this tale, the supposed death of Thisbe prompts Pyramus to impale himself on his own sword, ending with Thisbe deciding to join Pyramus in death, à la Romeo and Juliet. The second-to-last mention is of Dido, and through a betrayal by Aeneas, she vows eternal revenge and hatred between Carthage and Rome. The final mention is of Medea, who, upon betrayal by Jason, enacts revenge.

In each of these examples, the lovers are fated to death either through revenge of their own devices or circumstantial misunderstandings. The presentation of these ill-fated lovers may lend the idea that the pair is attempting to liken themselves to these pairs, but the true betrayed party in their coalition is Shylock. It seems that the pair is beginning to recognize that their actions have larger consequences through less-than-romantic imagery of their own story.

The text indicates moments where Jessica indicates the wrongs Lorenzo committed against her in their story. The text shows the less-than-romantic words Lorenzo uses in reference to his historization of his relationship with Jessica. Underlined words have updated meanings in the footnotes, indicating alterations that add meaning to the wording for modern audiences.

Their conversation ends with Jessica's pithy remark that she would outwit Lorenzo if uninterrupted; the scene then changes with the entrance of a Messenger, and the subsequent appearance of Lancelet (the Clowne). Lancelet presents with several odd-looking words (sola, wo, and ha). The utterances are meant to imitate a herald's horn, indicating the clownlike nature of the character as well as the particularly comedic nature offered by his presence. I2r ends with a somewhat infuriating passage in which Lorenzo attempts communication with the Clowne.

did Iſſica ſteale from the wealthy Iewe,
and with vnthrift ¹ loue did runne from Venice,
as farre as Belmont
    Ieſſi. In ſuch a night
did young Lorenzo ſweare he loued her well,
ſtealing her ſoule with many vowes of faith,
and nere a true one.
    Loren. In ſuch a night
did pretty 𝒥eſſica (like a little shrow ²)
ſlaunder her Loue, and he forgaue it her.
    Ieſſi. I would out-night you did no body come:
But harke, I heare the footing of a man.
                       Enter a Meſſenger.
    Loren. Who comes ſo faſt in ſilence of the night ?
    Meſſen. A friend ?
    Loren. A friend, what friend, your name I pray youfriend ?
    Meſſ . Stefano is my name, and I bring word
my Miſtres will before the breake of day
be heere at Belmont, ſhe doth ſtray about
by holy croſſes where ſhe kneeles and prayes
for happy wedlock houres.
    Loren. Who comes with her ?
    Meſſ. None but a holy Hermit and her mayd :
I pray you is my Maiſter yet returnd ?
    Loren. He is not, nor we haue not heard from him,
But goe we in I pray thee Ieſſica,
and ceremoniouſly let us prepare
ſome welcome for the Miſtres of the houſe.                                 Enter Clowne.
    Clowne. Sola, ſola : wo ha, ho ſola, ſola.
    Loren. Who calls ?
    Cla. Sola, did you ſee M.Lorenzo, & M.Lorenzo ſola, ſola.
    Loren. Leaue hollowing man,heere.
    Clowne. Sola, where, where ?
    Loren. Heere ?
    Clow. Tell him there's a Poſt come from my Maiſter, with his
horne full of good newes, my Maiſter will be heere ere morning
ſweete ſoule ³

                                                      I 2                                        Loren. 

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