A Pound of Fesh

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.

A Pound of Flesh (এক পাউন্ড মাংস)
Once upon a time in Venice, Italy, there was a very rich merchant named Antonio. এক সময় ইতালির ভেনিস শহরে আন্তোনিও নামে একজন অত্যন্ত ধনী ব্যবসায়ী ছিলেন। He had many ships that sailed in the sea. সমুদ্রে চলাচলকারী তাঁর অনেক জাহাজ ছিল। His ships carried different types of merchandise to other countries. তাঁর জাহাজগুলো বিভিন্ন ধরনের পণ্য অন্যান্য দেশে বহন করত। He sold those goods there. তিনি সেখানে সেই পণ্যগুলো বিক্রি করতেন। He bought spices and other valuables from foreign countries and sold them in Venice. তিনি বিদেশি দেশ থেকে মসলা ও অন্যান্য মূল্যবান জিনিস কিনে ভেনিসে বিক্রি করতেন। Antonio was a good and kind man. আন্তোনিও ছিলেন একজন ভালো ও দয়ালু মানুষ। He always helped the poor. তিনি সবসময় গরিবদের সাহায্য করতেন। The people of Venice loved him very much for his honesty and kindness. তাঁর সততা ও দয়ার জন্য ভেনিসের মানুষ তাঁকে খুব ভালোবাসত।

Antonio had a close friend named Bassanio. আন্তোনিওর বাসানিও নামে একজন ঘনিষ্ঠ বন্ধু ছিল। He was a handsome young man and was born in a noble family. সে ছিল একজন সুদর্শন যুবক এবং একটি সম্ভ্রান্ত পরিবারে জন্মগ্রহণ করেছিল। Bassanio liked to live a very luxurious life. বাসানিও বিলাসবহুল জীবনযাপন করতে পছন্দ করত। He loved grandeur and style. সে আড়ম্বর ও জাঁকজমক পছন্দ করত। He spent more money than he earned.
সে উপার্জনের চেয়ে বেশি অর্থ ব্যয় করত। As a result, he was very often short of money.
ফলে তার প্রায়ই অর্থের অভাব দেখা দিত। In such situations, Bassanio would go to his best friend Antonio for help. এমন পরিস্থিতিতে বাসানিও সাহায্যের জন্য তার প্রিয় বন্ধু আন্তোনিওর কাছে যেত। Antonio would help him with cash. আন্তোনিও তাকে অর্থ দিয়ে সাহায্য করতেন।

It so happened that Bassanio fell in love with a wealthy lady named Portia. একসময় বাসানিও পোরশিয়া নামে এক ধনী নারীর প্রেমে পড়ল। Portia was known not only for her beauty but also for her wisdom. পোরশিয়া শুধু তার সৌন্দর্যের জন্যই নয়, তার প্রজ্ঞার জন্যও পরিচিত ছিলেন। She was soft towards Bassanio too. তিনি বাসানিওর প্রতিও অনুরক্ত ছিলেন। He wanted to visit Portia in a grand manner but he did not have any money. বাসানিও জাঁকজমকপূর্ণভাবে পোরশিয়ার সঙ্গে দেখা করতে চেয়েছিল, কিন্তু তার কাছে কোনো অর্থ ছিল না। So he went to Antonio. তাই সে আন্তোনিওর কাছে গেল।

Bassanio said, “Dear friend Antonio, I am in great need of some money. বাসানিও বলল, “প্রিয় বন্ধু আন্তোনিও, আমার খুব জরুরিভাবে কিছু অর্থের প্রয়োজন। I would like to visit Portia at Belmont, grandly dressed and with many servants. আমি বেলমন্টে পোরশিয়ার কাছে সুন্দর পোশাক পরে এবং অনেক চাকর-বাকর নিয়ে যেতে চাই। But I don’t have any money right now. কিন্তু এই মুহূর্তে আমার কাছে কোনো অর্থ নেই। Please help me to fulfill my intention.”
অনুগ্রহ করে আমার ইচ্ছা পূরণে সাহায্য করো।”

Antonio said, “This is not a problem, my friend. How much do you need?” আন্তোনিও বললেন, “এটা কোনো সমস্যা নয়, বন্ধু। তোমার কত অর্থ প্রয়োজন?” “Three thousand ducats [Venetian currency] will do.” “তিন হাজার ডুকাট [ভেনিসের মুদ্রা] হলেই হবে।” “I don’t have that much money with me now as all my ships have gone out in the sea with merchandise. “এই মুহূর্তে আমার কাছে এত অর্থ নেই, কারণ আমার সব জাহাজ পণ্য নিয়ে সমুদ্রে গেছে। But don’t worry, my friend, I’ll arrange three thousand ducats for you.” তবে চিন্তা করো না, বন্ধু, আমি তোমার জন্য তিন হাজার ডুকাটের ব্যবস্থা করব।”

So he decided to borrow the sum from a moneylender named Shylock. তাই তিনি শাইলক নামে একজন মহাজনের কাছ থেকে অর্থ ধার নেওয়ার সিদ্ধান্ত নিলেন। Shylock was a very crooked man. শাইলক ছিল একজন অত্যন্ত ধূর্ত ব্যক্তি। Antonio and Shylock hated each other. আন্তোনিও ও শাইলক একে অপরকে ঘৃণা করত। Shylock used to lend money with high interest. শাইলক উচ্চ সুদে অর্থ ধার দিত। He would even send the debtor to prison if the latter failed to pay his debt. ঋণগ্রহীতা ঋণ শোধ করতে ব্যর্থ হলে সে তাকে কারাগারেও পাঠিয়ে দিত। On the contrary, Antonio used to lend money to help those who needed it and would not charge any interest. অন্যদিকে, আন্তোনিও অভাবীদের সাহায্য করার জন্য অর্থ ধার দিতেন এবং কোনো সুদ নিতেন না।

Shylock agreed to lend him money but on one condition. শাইলক একটি শর্তে তাকে অর্থ ধার দিতে রাজি হলো। If he failed to repay the money in three month’s time, he would pay a penalty. যদি তিন মাসের মধ্যে অর্থ পরিশোধ করতে ব্যর্থ হয়, তাহলে তাকে একটি জরিমানা দিতে হবে। Shylock would cut a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.
শাইলক আন্তোনিওর শরীরের যেকোনো অংশ থেকে এক পাউন্ড মাংস কেটে নেবে। 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. আন্তোনিও স্বেচ্ছায় এই শর্তে সম্মত হলেন, কারণ তিনি ভাবলেন যে তাঁর জাহাজগুলো শিগগিরই মূল্যবান পণ্য নিয়ে ফিরে আসবে এবং সেগুলো বিক্রি করে সহজেই শাইলকের ঋণ শোধ করতে পারবেন। Shylock made Antonio sign a bond before giving him the money. অর্থ দেওয়ার আগে শাইলক আন্তোনিওকে একটি চুক্তিপত্রে স্বাক্ষর করাল। Antonio took the money and gave it to Bassanio.
আন্তোনিও অর্থটি নিয়ে বাসানিওকে দিলেন।

Summary of A Pound of Flesh

Antonio was a wealthy and kind merchant of Venice who was loved by everyone for his honesty and generosity. His close friend Bassanio often needed money because of his luxurious lifestyle. When Bassanio fell in love with a rich and wise lady named Portia, he wanted to visit her in a grand manner but lacked the necessary money.

To help his friend, Antonio agreed to arrange three thousand ducats for him. Since all his money was invested in ships at sea, Antonio borrowed the amount from a cruel moneylender named Shylock. Shylock agreed to lend the money on the condition that if Antonio failed to repay it within three months, Shylock would cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.

Confident that his ships would return safely with valuable goods, Antonio accepted the condition and signed a bond. He then gave the borrowed money to Bassanio so that he could visit Portia.

বাংলা সংক্ষিপ্তসার

আন্তোনিও ছিলেন ভেনিসের একজন ধনী ও দয়ালু ব্যবসায়ী। তাঁর বন্ধু বাসানিও বিলাসী জীবনযাপনের কারণে প্রায়ই অর্থকষ্টে পড়ত। বাসানিও ধনী ও জ্ঞানী নারী পোরশিয়ার প্রেমে পড়লে তার সঙ্গে দেখা করার জন্য অর্থের প্রয়োজন হয়। আন্তোনিও তাকে সাহায্য করতে শাইলক নামের এক মহাজনের কাছ থেকে তিন হাজার ডুকাট ধার নেন। শর্ত ছিল, তিন মাসের মধ্যে ঋণ শোধ করতে না পারলে শাইলক আন্তোনিওর শরীর থেকে এক পাউন্ড মাংস কেটে নেবে। নিজের জাহাজ দ্রুত ফিরে আসবে এই বিশ্বাসে আন্তোনিও শর্তটি মেনে নেন এবং অর্থটি বাসানিওকে দেন।

Theme of A Pound of Flesh

The main theme of “A Pound of Flesh” is true friendship, generosity, and the conflict between mercy and greed.

Antonio’s willingness to risk his life to help his friend Bassanio shows the strength of genuine friendship and self-sacrifice. In contrast, Shylock’s demand for a pound of flesh represents greed, hatred, and a lack of mercy. The story teaches that kindness, loyalty, and compassion are noble qualities, while greed and revenge can lead to suffering and conflict.

পরীক্ষার উপযোগী Theme (বাংলা)

“A Pound of Flesh” গল্পটির মূল প্রতিপাদ্য হলো প্রকৃত বন্ধুত্ব, আত্মত্যাগ, দয়া ও মানবিকতার গুরুত্ব। আন্তোনিও তার বন্ধু বাসানিওর জন্য নিজের জীবনের ঝুঁকি নিতেও দ্বিধা করেন না, যা সত্যিকারের বন্ধুত্বের উদাহরণ। অন্যদিকে, শাইলকের লোভ ও প্রতিহিংসা মানবিক মূল্যবোধের বিপরীত দিককে তুলে ধরে। গল্পটি আমাদের শেখায় যে দয়া, উদারতা ও ক্ষমাশীলতা মানুষের শ্রেষ্ঠ গুণ, আর লোভ ও প্রতিশোধ সমাজে অশান্তি সৃষ্টি করে।

Main Characters and Their Traits in A Pound of Flesh

1. Antonio

Traits:

• Kind and generous
• Honest and respected
• Helpful to the poor
• Loyal friend
• Self-sacrificing

Explanation:
Antonio is a wealthy merchant of Venice who is loved by everyone for his honesty and kindness. He risks his own safety and borrows money to help his friend Bassanio.

2. Bassanio

Traits:

• Handsome
• Noble-born
• Friendly
• Extravagant
• Romantic

Explanation:
Bassanio is Antonio’s close friend. He enjoys a luxurious lifestyle and often spends more money than he earns. He falls in love with Portia and seeks Antonio’s help to visit her.

3. Portia

Traits:

• Beautiful
• Wise and intelligent
• Wealthy
• Kind-hearted
• Gentle

Explanation:
Portia is a rich and intelligent lady of Belmont. She is admired for both her beauty and wisdom and has affection for Bassanio.

4. Shylock

Traits:

• Greedy
• Cruel
• Ruthless
• Cunning
• Revengeful

Explanation:
Shylock is a moneylender who charges high interest on loans. He demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh as a penalty if the loan is not repaid, showing his harsh and merciless nature.

Short Answer for Exam

Character	Traits
Antonio	Kind, honest, generous, loyal
Bassanio	Handsome, noble, extravagant, romantic
Portia	Beautiful, wise, wealthy, kind
Shylock	Greedy, cruel, cunning, revengeful

Character Sketch in One Sentence

• Antonio: A generous merchant who values friendship above his own safety.
• Bassanio: A noble but extravagant young man who loves Portia.
• Portia: A wealthy, beautiful, and intelligent lady.
• Shylock: A greedy moneylender driven by hatred and revenge.

QUESTIONS FROM ENGLISH FOR TODAY

1. Why was Bassanio short of money all the time in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Bassanio was short of money because he lived a luxurious life and spent more money than he earned.

2. Why did Bassanio go to Antonio in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Bassanio went to Antonio to borrow money so that he could visit Portia in a grand manner.

3. Why did Antonio go to Shylock in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Antonio went to Shylock to borrow three thousand ducats for Bassanio because all his money was invested in ships at sea.

4. Why did Shylock get a bond signed by Antonio in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Shylock got a bond signed to ensure that Antonio would obey the condition of the loan.

5. What was written in the bond in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
The bond stated that if Antonio failed to repay the loan within three months, Shylock could cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.

QUESTIONS FOR MORE PRACTICE

(a) What do you know about Antonio in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Antonio was a rich, honest, kind, and generous merchant of Venice who always helped the poor and his friends.

(b) Why did Antonio need three thousand ducats in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Antonio needed three thousand ducats to help his friend Bassanio visit Portia.

(c) What did Bassanio intend to do with the borrowed money from Antonio?
He intended to visit Portia at Belmont in a grand style with fine clothes and many servants.

(d) What was Shylock’s occupation in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Shylock was a moneylender.

(e) What was the relationship between Antonio and Shylock in the story?
They were enemies and hated each other.

(f) What was the nature of Shylock’s character in the story?
Shylock was greedy, cruel, cunning, and revengeful.

(g) What was the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio?
They were close friends and trusted each other deeply.

(h) What was the deadline for Antonio to repay the loan?
Antonio had to repay the loan within three months.

(i) What was the occupation of Antonio in the story?
Antonio was a merchant.

(j) What did Shylock demand as collateral for the loan?
He demanded a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if the loan was not repaid.

(k) Who was Antonio in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Antonio was a wealthy and kind merchant of Venice.

(l) Who was Bassanio? What idea do you get about his birth and lifestyle from the story?
Bassanio was Antonio’s close friend. He was born in a noble family and lived an extravagant lifestyle.

(m) Why do you think Bassanio fell in love with Portia?
Bassanio fell in love with Portia because she was beautiful, wise, and wealthy.

(n) Why did the people of Venice love Antonio?
The people of Venice loved Antonio for his honesty, kindness, and generosity.

(o) How did Bassanio want to visit Portia in the story? And why?
He wanted to visit Portia grandly dressed and accompanied by many servants to make a good impression.

(p) What request did Bassanio make to his friend Antonio?
He requested Antonio to lend him three thousand ducats.

(q) How did Antonio react to Bassanio’s request for money?
Antonio willingly agreed to help and arranged the money for him.

(r) Who was Shylock in the story ‘A Pound of Flesh’? What type of man was he?
Shylock was a moneylender. He was a greedy, harsh, and cruel man.

(s) How were Shylock and Antonio characteristically opposite to each other?
Antonio was kind and generous, whereas Shylock was selfish and greedy.

(t) On what condition did Shylock agree to lend Antonio the money?
He agreed on the condition that he could cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if the loan was not repaid within three months.

(u) Shylock is an embodiment of wickedness and cruelty. Do you support this view? Why/Why not?
Yes, I support this view because Shylock demanded a pound of flesh as a penalty, which was inhuman and cruel.

(v) What was Shylock’s attitude towards Antonio in ‘A Pound of Flesh’?
Shylock hated Antonio and wanted revenge on him.

(w) Why did Bassanio want to visit Portia?
Bassanio wanted to visit Portia because he loved her and wanted to win her heart.

(x) How did Antonio’s way of helping others differ from Shylock’s?
Antonio helped people without charging interest, whereas Shylock lent money at high interest.

(y) How could you say that Antonio was the best friend of Bassanio?
Antonio risked his own life and borrowed money under dangerous conditions to help Bassanio.

(z) What confidence did Antonio have while agreeing to Shylock’s condition?
Antonio believed that his ships would return safely with goods, enabling him to repay the loan on time.

(z1) Explain the theme of friendship and sacrifice in ‘A Pound of Flesh’.
The story highlights true friendship and self-sacrifice. Antonio risks his life to help Bassanio, showing deep loyalty and love for his friend.

(z2) Why did Bassanio feel indebted to Antonio in ‘The Merchant of Venice’?
Bassanio felt indebted because Antonio always supported him financially and risked his life for him.

(z3) Why did Antonio and Shylock hate each other?
They hated each other because Antonio lent money without interest, which hurt Shylock’s moneylending business, and their values were completely different.

(z4) How did the people of Venice feel about Antonio and why?
The people of Venice respected and loved Antonio because he was honest, kind, and generous to everyone.

(z5) Why did Antonio have to borrow money from Shylock?
Antonio had to borrow money from Shylock because all his money was tied up in ships at sea, and he needed cash immediately for Bassanio.