A Pound of Flesh

Once upon a time in Venice, Italy, there was a very rich merchant named Antonio. He had many ships that sailed in the sea. His ships carried different types of merchandise to other countries. He sold those goods there. He bought spices and other valuables from foreign countries and sold them in Venice.

Antonio was a good and kind man. He always helped the poor. The people of Venice loved him very much for his honesty and kindness.

Antonio had a close friend named Bassanio. He was a handsome young man and was born in a noble family. Bassanio liked to live a very luxurious life. He loved grandeur and style. He spent more money than he earned. As a result, he was very often short of money. In such situations, Bassanio would go to his best friend Antonio for help. Antonio would help him with cash.

It so happened that Bassanio fell in love with a wealthy lady named Portia. Portia was known not only for her beauty but also for her wisdom. She was soft towards Bassanio too. He wanted to visit Portia in a grand manner but he did not have any money. So he went to Antonio.

Bassanio said, “Dear friend Antonio, I am in great need of some money. I would like to visit Portia at Belmont, grandly dressed and with many servants. But I don’t have any money right now. Please help me to fulfill my intention.”

Antonio said, “This is not a problem, my friend. How much do you need?”

“Three thousand ducats [Venetian currency] will do.”

“I don’t have that much money with me now as all my ships have gone out in the sea with merchandise. But don’t worry, my friend, I’ll arrange three thousand ducats for you.”

So he decided to borrow the sum from a moneylender named Shylock. Shylock was a very crooked man. Antonio and Shylock hated each other. Shylock used to lend money with high interest. He would even send the debtor to prison if the latter failed to pay his debt. On the contrary, Antonio used to lend money to help those who needed it and would not charge any interest.

Shylock agreed to lend him money but on one condition. If he failed to repay the money in three month’s time, he would pay a penalty. Shylock would cut a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

Antonio willingly agreed, thinking that his ships would soon return with all the rich merchandise and he could easily return the money to Shylock by selling them. Shylock made Antonio sign a bond before giving him the money. Antonio took the money and gave it to Bassanio.

এক সময়ের কথা, ভেনিস নামক শহরে আন্তোনিও নামে এক ধনী ব্যবসায়ী বাস করতেন। তার অনেক জাহাজ ছিল, যেগুলো সমুদ্রপথে পণ্য নিয়ে বিদেশে যেত।

এই জাহাজগুলোতে সে বিভিন্ন ধরণের পণ্য পাঠাত এবং বিদেশ থেকে মসলা ও মূল্যবান জিনিস কিনে এনে ভেনিসে বিক্রি করত।
আন্তোনিও ছিলেন একজন সদয় ও সৎ মানুষ। তিনি দরিদ্রদের সবসময় সাহায্য করতেন। তার সততা ও সহানুভূতির জন্য ভেনিসের মানুষ তাকে খুব ভালোবাসত।
আন্তোনিওর একজন ঘনিষ্ঠ বন্ধু ছিল বাসানিও। বাসানিও ছিল একজন সুন্দর ও অভিজাত পরিবারের ছেলে।

সে আড়ম্বরপূর্ণ জীবনযাপন করতে ভালোবাসত। আয় অপেক্ষা সে বেশি খরচ করত, ফলে প্রায়ই টাকার সংকটে পড়ত। এই সময়ে সে তার প্রিয় বন্ধু আন্তোনিওর কাছেই সাহায্য চাইত। আন্তোনিও তাকে অর্থ দিয়ে সাহায্য করত। একবার বাসানিও এক ধনী সুন্দরী নারী পোরশিয়ার প্রেমে পড়ে। পোরশিয়া শুধু রূপে নয়, গুণেও বিখ্যাত ছিল। সে বাসানিওর প্রতি সহানুভূতিশীল ছিল। বাসানিও চেয়েছিল ধুমধাম করে পোরশিয়ার কাছে যেতে, কিন্তু তার কাছে টাকা ছিল না। সে আন্তোনিওর কাছে গিয়ে বলল,

“প্রিয় বন্ধু আন্তোনিও, আমার খুব টাকার দরকার। আমি পোরশিয়ার কাছে বড় আড়ম্বর নিয়ে যেতে চাই।” আন্তোনিও বলল, “তোমার কত টাকা দরকার?“

“তিন হাজার ডুকাট হলে চলবে।“

আন্তোনিও বলল, “আমার কাছে এখন নগদ টাকা নেই, কারণ আমার সব জাহাজ সমুদ্রে আছে। তবে চিন্তা করো না, আমি টাকা জোগাড় করব।“
সে সিদ্ধান্ত নিলো শাইলক নামে এক মহাজনের কাছ থেকে টাকা ধার নেবে। শাইলক ছিল এক ধূর্ত ও নিষ্ঠুর ব্যক্তি।
আন্তোনিও আর শাইলক একে অপরকে ঘৃণা করত। শাইলক উচ্চ সুদে টাকা দিত এবং সময়মতো শোধ না করলে লোকজনকে জেলে দিত।
অন্যদিকে আন্তোনিও সুদ ছাড়াই গরিবদের সাহায্য করত।

শাইলক তাকে টাকা দিতে রাজি হলো, তবে এক শর্তে—

যদি তিন মাসের মধ্যে টাকা ফেরত না দেয়, তবে শাস্তিস্বরূপ শাইলক তার শরীরের যেকোনো অংশ থেকে এক পাউন্ড মাংস কেটে নিতে পারবে।
আন্তোনিও রাজি হলো, কারণ সে ভাবছিল তার জাহাজগুলো ফিরে এসে টাকা এনে দেবে।

শাইলক একটি বন্ধননামায় সই করিয়ে তবেই টাকা দিল।

আন্তোনিও সে টাকা নিয়ে বাসানিওকে দিল।

1. Who was Antonio?
   Antonio was a wealthy merchant from Venice. He was known for his honesty and kindness.
2. What did Antonio’s ships carry?
   His ships carried various types of merchandise to other countries. He traded them for spices and other valuables.
3. Why was Antonio popular in Venice?
   He was loved for his honesty and kindness. He often helped the poor without charging interest.
4. Who was Bassanio?
   Bassanio was Antonio’s close friend. He came from a noble family and lived a luxurious life.
5. Why did Bassanio often need money?
   He spent more money than he earned. His love for grandeur left him frequently short of money.
6. Whom did Bassanio fall in love with?
   He fell in love with a wealthy and wise lady named Portia. She also liked him.
7. Why did Bassanio want to visit Portia grandly?
   He wanted to impress her with a grand appearance. He planned to take many servants with him.
8. How much money did Bassanio need?
   He needed three thousand ducats. This was to prepare for his visit to Belmont.
9. What problem did Antonio face when Bassanio asked for money?
   All of Antonio’s money was invested in his ships at sea. He didn’t have ready cash to help Bassanio.
10. What did Antonio do to help Bassanio?
    He decided to borrow the money from a moneylender named Shylock. He did this to help his friend.
11. Who was Shylock?
    Shylock was a moneylender in Venice. He was known for his cruel and greedy nature.
12. How did Shylock treat his borrowers?
    He charged high interest on loans. He also sent defaulters to prison.
13. Why did Shylock dislike Antonio?
    Antonio lent money without interest. This harmed Shylock’s business, causing enmity.
14. What condition did Shylock place for the loan?
    If Antonio failed to repay in three months, Shylock would take a pound of flesh. It could be from any part of Antonio’s body.
15. Did Antonio agree to the condition?
    Yes, he agreed without hesitation. He was confident his ships would return in time.
16. Why did Antonio feel confident about repayment?
    He believed his ships would return with rich goods. He planned to repay the loan by selling them.
17. What legal step did Shylock take before lending the money?
    He made Antonio sign a bond. It confirmed the pound of flesh condition.
18. How did Antonio get the money for Bassanio?
    He took the loan from Shylock. Then he handed it over to Bassanio.
19. Why did Antonio take such a risk for Bassanio?
    He deeply cared for Bassanio. He wanted to support him in his romantic pursuit.
20. What does the story reveal about Antonio’s character?
    It shows he is generous and selfless. He values friendship over personal safety.
21. What role did Portia play in the story at this point?
    She was the woman Bassanio loved. She had not yet directly entered the conflict with Shylock.
22. What shows that Shylock is cunning?
    He cleverly added a cruel penalty in the bond. It reveals his vengeful nature.
23. What was Bassanio’s primary reason for borrowing money?
    He wanted to impress Portia. His visit needed to be lavish.
24. How does the story depict friendship?
    It portrays deep loyalty between Antonio and Bassanio. Antonio risks his life for his friend.
25. Why didn’t Antonio borrow from another lender?
    The story doesn’t say, but perhaps Shylock was the only one available. Antonio was determined to help Bassanio quickly.
26. How does the story set up tension for future events?
    Antonio signs a risky bond. This foreshadows danger if the ships don’t return.
27. What was Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s financial need?
    The story doesn’t say yet. Her actions come later in the plot.
28. What kind of relationship did Antonio and Shylock have?
    They had a hostile relationship. Shylock hated Antonio’s generosity.
29. What emotion drives Shylock’s actions?
    Revenge fuels Shylock’s terms. He wants to punish Antonio.
30. What mistake might Antonio have made?
    He trusted uncertain events like the return of his ships. He underestimated Shylock’s cruelty.
31. Why was the penalty so cruel?
    It involved physical harm. A pound of flesh could mean death.
32. What kind of bond did Shylock ask for?
    It was a legal agreement. It allowed him to take a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
33. What does this bond symbolize?
    It represents the dangers of rigid law. It also symbolizes revenge and risk.
34. Why didn’t Antonio delay the loan until his ships returned?
    He wanted to help Bassanio immediately. He didn’t want to keep him waiting.
35. How did Shylock’s behavior contrast with Antonio’s?
    Shylock was greedy and harsh. Antonio was generous and kind.
36. What were Antonio’s expectations from his ships?
    He expected great profits. That’s why he was confident about repayment.
37. Why is the setting important in the story?
    Venice was a major trade hub. It reflects the commercial and legal themes of the plot.
38. What risk does the story highlight?
    It shows the risk of trusting uncertain futures. It also warns about ruthless people.
39. What character trait of Bassanio’s causes trouble?
    His love for luxury causes him to overspend. He depends too much on others.
40. What shows that Shylock had planned the trap well?
    He insisted on signing a bond. He included a deadly penalty.
41. How did Antonio’s kindness become a weakness?
    He helped others without thinking of himself. This put him at great risk.
42. What message does the story give about lending and borrowing?
    It warns against borrowing recklessly. It also shows the danger of unkind lenders.
43. Why is Shylock considered a villain?
    He seeks flesh as penalty. His hatred overrides his humanity.
44. How does the bond between Antonio and Bassanio affect the plot?
    It drives the main conflict. Bassanio’s request leads Antonio to risk everything.
45. What kind of friend is Antonio?
    He is loyal and generous. He sacrifices his own safety for Bassanio.
46. What kind of character is Shylock?
    He is greedy, cruel, and vengeful. He uses law for personal revenge.
47. What emotion do we feel for Antonio?
    We feel sympathy for his selflessness. His loyalty to Bassanio is admirable.
48. What does Bassanio’s character teach us?
    It teaches that living beyond means can hurt others. One should act responsibly.
49. How does this part of the story end?
    Antonio borrows money from Shylock. He signs a dangerous bond to help Bassanio.
50. What is the main theme of this passage?                                                        It highlights friendship, risk, and the danger of revenge. It sets the stage for a legal and emotional conflict.