The Merchant of Venice Choices Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Norton Shakespeare edition.

Quote #7

SHYLOCK.
Why there, there, there, there! A diamond gone, cost me
two thousand ducats in Frankfort! The curse never fell upon our
nation till now; I never felt it till now. Two thousand ducats in
that, and other precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter
were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; would she were
hears'd at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin! (3.1.8)

Shylock really dogs his daughter here, wishing she were dead at his feet so he could have his things back. 

In one way, it seems clear that he loves his wealth more than he loves Jessica. But in another respect, Jessica has made her choice. Salerio and Solanio have reinforced that the girl thought herself to be unlike him and deserted him. She has made him the laughingstock of Venice and left him entirely alone. 

Shylock too must make a choice. If he had been the sensitive kind of guy, Jessica might not have left him in the first place. Instead, he's got to piece his life back together, so he bemoans the one thing that can't actually desert him of its own accord. Money is all he's got left, so he chooses to focus on that rather than mourn the daughter who abandoned him.

Quote #8

ANTONIO
Well, jailer, on; pray God Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt, and then I care not. (3.3.4)

Antonio recognizes that he has no choice but to resign himself to his fate. He no longer needs to scheme about being saved and can turn all of his attention to being loved and celebrated by his friend before he dies.

Quote #9

ANTONIO
Hear me yet, good Shylock.
SHYLOCK
I'll have my bond. Speak not against my bond. (3.3.2)

Given the choice between mercy and vengeance, Shylock chooses the latter. What's more, his repetitious demand to have his "bond" demonstrates that he is completely inflexible, even after he is given ample opportunity to resolve his beef with Antonio in a peaceful manner.