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The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Merchant of Venice is here in full — 139 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Ner.
If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.
Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.
I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.
You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Merchant of Venice

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Merchant of Venice is here in full — 139 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Ner.
Line 2
If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.
Line 3
Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.
Line 4
I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.
Line 5
You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Casket noun US /ˈkæskət/

box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading “If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.”

Caskets noun US /ˈkæskəts/

plural of “casket” — box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading “You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets”

depending verb US /dɪˈpendɪŋ/

-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading “You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets”

determinations noun US /dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “determination” — the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading “You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets”

doe noun US /doʊ/

the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the United States; created in 1977

From this reading “I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.”

imposition noun US /ˌɪmpəˈzɪʃən/

the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)

From this reading “You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets”

suite noun US /swiːt/

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading “You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets”

temptation noun US /temˈteɪʃən/

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading “Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.”

All words in this reading · 83

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

acceptverbUS /ækˈsept/

consider or hold as true

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

acquaintedadjectiveUS /əˈkweɪntɪd/

having fair knowledge of

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

CasketnounUS /ˈkæskət/

box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

CasketsnounUS /ˈkæskəts/

plural of “casket” — box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

chooseverbUS /tʃuːz/

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

contraryadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntreri/

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

deepe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

dependingverbUS /dɪˈpendɪŋ/

-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

determinationsnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “determination” — the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

diuell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

doenounUS /doʊ/

the federal department responsible for maintaining a national energy policy of the United States; created in 1977

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

ereconjunctionUS /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

FathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

feare

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

glasse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

haue

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

hauing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

impositionnounUS /ˌɪmpəˈzɪʃən/

the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

indeede

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

LordsnounUS /lɔːrdz/

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

neede

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

Ner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ner.

Nerrissa

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

performe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

Por

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

prayverbUS /preɪ/

address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

refuseverbUS /rəˈfjuːz/

show unwillingness towards

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

Reinish-wine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

returne

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

spunge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

suitenounUS /swiːt/

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

theepronounUS /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading I will doe any thing Nerrissa ere I will be married to a spunge Ner.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

vnlesse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

wonnounUS /wʌn/

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading You neede not feare Lady the hauing any of these Lords, they haue acquainted me with their determinations, which is indeede to returne to their home, and to trouble you with no more suite, vnlesse you may be won by some other sort then your Fathers imposition, depending on the Caskets

worstnounUS /wɜːrst/

the least favorable outcome

From this reading Therefore for feare of the worst, I pray thee set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If he should offer to choose, and choose the right Casket, you should refuse to performe your Fathers will, if you should refuse to accept him Por.

Chapter 2 of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare holds 139 sentences, grouped into 28 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of The Merchant of Venice contain?

Chapter 2 holds 139 sentences of The Merchant of Venice, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 139 sentences, grouped into 28 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of The Merchant of Venice?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Merchant of Venice

Common questions about reading The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Merchant of Venice?

Yes. All 1267 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1114 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Merchant of Venice is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1114, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Merchant of Venice take to read?

About 105 minutes of reading across 254 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Merchant of Venice section by section

How to work through The Merchant of Venice section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of The Merchant of Venice to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Merchant of Venice

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Merchant of Venice, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Addition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Merchant of Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Notes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Merchant of Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Below
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Merchant of Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Think
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Merchant of Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.