Quote 10
SHYLOCK
Pray you, tell me this:
If he should break his day, what should I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture?
A pound of man's flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable, profitable neither,
As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,
To buy his favor, I extend this friendship.
If he will take it, so. If not, adieu;
And, for my love I pray you wrong me not. (1.3.174-182)
We've got to wonder why Shylock actually does want Antonio's flesh. It's suspicious that he had the pound-of-flesh solution in mind, and even more suspicious that he defends it so glibly as no big deal. Maybe Shylock was never kidding about the pound-of-flesh thing, and it was all premeditated.
Quote 11
SHYLOCK
Why, thou
loss upon loss! The thief gone with so much, and so
much to find the thief, and no satisfaction, no
revenge, nor no ill luck stirring but what lights a' my
shoulders, no sighs but a' my breathing; no tears but
a' my shedding. (3.1.91-96)
Shylock is genuinely despairing here. It seems the fact that he has no recourse, vengeance, or justice is as upsetting to him as the fact that his daughter has stolen from him and run away. The only justice he can seek is against Antonio—even though Antonio had nothing to do with this particular affair. It's clear from this moment on that Shylock will pursue the law tooth and nail. His frustration with Antonio will combine with his frustration at having no love and no advocate.
SHYLOCK
Is that the law?
PORTIA [as Balthaar]
Thyself shalt see the act.
For, as thou urgest justice, be assured
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir'st. (4.1.327-330)
Portia is about to beat Shylock at his own game, and she rubs it in. She has every reason to feel smug, but is she violating her own professed principles of mercy here?