Passage From the Text
Shylock: I am bid forth to supper, Jessica. There are my keys; but wherefore should I go? I am not bid for love--they flatter me--but yet I'll go in hate to feed upon the prodigal Christian. Jessica, my girl, look to my house. I am right loath to go; there is some ill a-brewing towards my rest for i did dream of money bags tonight.
Launcelot: I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach.
Shylock: So do I his.
Launcelot: And they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black Monday last, at six o-clock i'th' morning, falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year in th'afternoon.
Shylock: What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica: lock up my doors and when you hear the drum and the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife, clamber not you up to the casements then, nor thrust your head into the public street to gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces; but stop my house's ears--I mean my casements. Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter my sober house. By Jacob's staff I swear I have no mind of feasting forth tonight but I will go. Go you before me, sirrah. Say I will come. (II.v.12-39)
Launcelot: I beseech you, sir, go. My young master doth expect your reproach.
Shylock: So do I his.
Launcelot: And they have conspired together. I will not say you shall see a masque, but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black Monday last, at six o-clock i'th' morning, falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year in th'afternoon.
Shylock: What, are there masques? Hear you me, Jessica: lock up my doors and when you hear the drum and the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife, clamber not you up to the casements then, nor thrust your head into the public street to gaze on Christian fools with varnished faces; but stop my house's ears--I mean my casements. Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter my sober house. By Jacob's staff I swear I have no mind of feasting forth tonight but I will go. Go you before me, sirrah. Say I will come. (II.v.12-39)
Response to the Text
2) The setting of this scene is particularly important to the understanding of the dialogue and that analysis of the character's actions. The setting, in this case, refers to the social norms that were present at this time in a Catholic city like Venice was. During this time giant week-long parties would rage throughout the streets and essentially shut down the city. These parties were masked, meaning that all sorts of mischief would be committed by the party goers, with no one being held responsible for the damage because everything was done anonymously. Specifically to Shylock, his house would likely be a target because of his religion. Shakespeare has Shylock worrying about his money and his home to appeal to his crowd with Jewish stereotypes, yet at the same time, Shylock is doing what any rational person at this time should do. 6 From this perspective, it is easy to see why Shylock refers to hating Christians because they become vandals that renounce their good will for a week in order to party. It is especially important for Shylock to keep Jessica safe during this time, being a single Jewish girl, which is why he appears to be overprotective in this scene. It is also notable to see Launcelot's reaction to how intense the partying tends to be. He refers to previous masquerades where he has been wounded throughout the intense partying. The setting is crucial in this scene in order to understand Shylock's perspective of the situation at hand.