Bond

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond specifies a pound of his flesh as the penalty if the loan is not repaid.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond guarantees repayment of Shylock’s loan and specifies a pound of flesh as the penalty for failure.

The cause-and-effect chain is already clear: Bassanio’s courtship requires borrowing; Antonio’s friendship makes him accept the bond; the bond creates the danger that drives the later trial.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio agrees to answer for the repayment of Shylock’s loan, with a pound of his flesh as the penalty for default.

When linking an extract to the whole play, choose a relevant parallel or contrast, such as the legal bond and the promises attached to the rings.

Keep the bond’s terms precise: 3,000 ducats for three months, with Antonio’s flesh as the penalty for non-payment—not an ordinary interest charge.

Follow the sequence of events. Bassanio objects to the dangerous bond before Antonio signs it, and initially refuses to surrender Portia’s ring.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio's bond allows Shylock to claim a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. In the play, Antonio's bond allows Shylock to claim a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond makes a pound of his flesh the penalty if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond makes a pound of his flesh the penalty for failing to repay the loan.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond guarantees repayment of the loan used by Bassanio.

A binding legal agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond makes a pound of his flesh the penalty if the loan is not repaid on time.

A binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond specifies a pound of flesh as the penalty for failing to repay; the word also suggests personal ties.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond guarantees repayment of Bassanio’s loan, with a pound of Antonio’s flesh as the penalty for default.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond makes him responsible for repaying Shylock’s loan and specifies a penalty if he fails.

For the lovers this is an escape towards marriage; for Shylock it is a loss of family, wealth and religious continuity. That contrast helps explain why the romantic plot deepens the bitterness surrounding the bond.

A legally binding agreement. In Act 1, Antonio agrees to be responsible for repaying Shylock’s loan, with a specified penalty if he fails.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond guarantees a loan of three thousand ducats and allows Shylock to claim a pound of Antonio’s flesh if repayment fails.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio's bond permits Shylock to claim a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond specifies a pound of his flesh as the penalty if he fails to repay the loan.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond sets out the repayment obligation and the penalty if it is not met.

Religious hostility is therefore not merely background: Shakespeare makes it part of the encounter that produces the bond.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio guarantees repayment of Shylock's loan, with a pound of his flesh as the penalty for failure.

A legally binding agreement. In the play, Antonio agrees to guarantee a loan and accept a specified penalty if it is not repaid.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio's bond allows Shylock to claim a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A binding legal agreement. Shylock’s bond specifies a pound of Antonio’s flesh as the penalty for failing to repay the loan.

A legally binding agreement. In the play, Antonio’s bond guarantees repayment of Shylock’s loan and specifies a pound of Antonio’s flesh as the penalty for default.

Almost immediately, Antonio’s letter interrupts the celebration. His ships are reported lost, the bond is forfeit, and he expects to die. Shakespeare places joy and threatened death within the same scene: Bassanio’s success has been made possible by the agreement now endangering his friend.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio agrees to repay Shylock’s loan and accepts a specified penalty if he fails.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond promises Shylock a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid as agreed.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio's bond allows Shylock to claim a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond promises repayment of a loan, with a pound of his flesh as the penalty for failure.

A legally binding agreement. Shylock’s bond makes Antonio liable for the loan and specifies a pound of flesh as the penalty for non-payment.

A legally binding agreement. Antonio’s bond guarantees repayment of Shylock’s loan and specifies a pound of flesh as the penalty for default.

A binding legal agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, the word also connects financial obligations with ties of friendship and love.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, the bond also connects financial obligation with personal loyalty.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond promises a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. In the play, Antonio’s bond promises Shylock a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid.

A legally binding agreement. Shylock's bond makes Antonio responsible for repayment and specifies a pound of flesh as the penalty for failure.

A binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s bond sets the conditions and penalty for the loan; the word also suggests emotional ties.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, the word also connects financial debt with emotional attachment.

A legally binding agreement. In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio's bond promises a pound of his flesh if the loan is not repaid on time.

A binding legal agreement. Antonio’s bond sets a pound of his flesh as the penalty if the loan is not repaid on time.

A legally binding agreement. Shylock's bond specifies a pound of Antonio's flesh as the penalty if the loan is not repaid on time.

A binding agreement or obligation. In The Merchant of Venice, the word connects financial contracts with personal commitments.

In The Merchant of Venice, a legal agreement guaranteeing repayment of a loan and specifying a penalty if repayment fails.

A legal agreement specifying an obligation and the consequences of failing to fulfil it.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

Exam tips

Get more free notes every week

Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

Exam tips

Related key terms

Get more free notes every week

Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720