1. The "Golden Fleece" Allusion (Act 2, Scene 2)
* Lines: "There be land rats, and water rats, and land snakes, and water snakes; and there be snakes of the sea, and there be land turtles and water turtles, and there be land crocodiles and water crocodiles; and there be land bears and water bears, and there be land wolves and water wolves, and there be land tigers and water tigers, and there be land lions and water lions; and they all have their tails."
* Significance: This long list evokes the myth of the Golden Fleece, a famous quest in Greek mythology where Jason and the Argonauts had to retrieve a golden fleece from a fierce dragon. The excessive listing of animals, many of them mythical, draws a parallel to the dangers and difficulties Shylock is anticipating in his dealings with Antonio.
2. The "Janus" Allusion (Act 2, Scene 9)
* Lines: "I am Sir John, and, though I know you not,
I am well acquainted with your name.
And I am well acquainted with your face,
For I have seen it many times before."
* Significance: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, doorways, transitions, time, duality, passages, endings and gates, was depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. The use of Janus in the lines above speaks to the duality of the situation: the masked presence of Launcelot Gobbo who is both himself and a transformed version, ready to serve Bassanio.
3. The "Pandora's Box" Allusion (Act 2, Scene 9)
* Lines: "A plague upon it when I think on him! This is the very coinage of your brain. This is the very stamp and very print of your own invention. This is your own making. If you give me credit for this, I shall be your debtor."
* Significance: The "Pandora's Box" story, where Pandora opens a box unleashing evil into the world, is echoed here. The "coinage," "stamp," and "print" of the brain refer to the malicious rumors and accusations Launcelot Gobbo creates about himself. This is similar to the concept of unleashing evil, just as Pandora did, by spreading false information.
4. The "Scylla and Charybdis" Allusion (Act 2, Scene 1)
* Lines: "My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,
Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate
Upon the fortune of this present year.
Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad."
* Significance: Antonio's speech here alludes to the dangerous sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis from Greek mythology. The image of not having "all [his] estate" in one place is meant to highlight the dangers of the sea and the need for diversification, just like avoiding Scylla and Charybdis.
5. The "Dido and Aeneas" Allusion (Act 2, Scene 6)
* Lines: "If you do love me, you will find some way
To let me have your company tonight.
You'll say that 'tis a foolish thing,
Yet let me have it, I beseech you."
* Significance: This is an allusion to the story of Dido and Aeneas from Roman mythology. Dido, the Queen of Carthage, fell in love with Aeneas and pleaded with him to stay with her, just as Portia pleads with Bassanio. The allusion subtly suggests that Portia desires Bassanio's presence, even if it seems foolish or impractical.
These are just a few examples of the many allusions found in Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice. These allusions serve to enrich the play's themes, enhance character development, and create a sense of historical and cultural context.