Original artwork, not a still
The Merchant of Venice · 1600
If you repay not on such a day let the forfeit be an equal pound of your fair flesh.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
This retained abridgment states Shylock’s proposed penalty if Antonio fails to repay the loan: a pound of his flesh. The full linked speech supplies the bond’s conditions and Antonio’s agreement. The demand is a dangerous dramatic bargain, not a recommendation for handling debts; the archive wording is not certified as a verbatim edition transcript.
Sources (1)
- Folger Shakespeare Library: The Merchant of VeniceAct I, scene IIIReference checked
Context reviewed
