The dilemma in which he describes himself
placed between his 'conscience and the fiend', the one of which
advises him to run away from his master's service and the other to
stay in it, is exquisitely humorous.
Gratiano is a very admirable subordinate character, He is the jester
of the piece: yet one speech of his, in his own defence, contains a
whole volume of wisdom,
Anthonio. I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage,
where every one must play his part; And mine a sad one.
Gratiano. Let me play the fool: With mirth and laughter let old
wrinkles come; And let my liver rather heat with wine, Than my heart
cool with mortifying groans. Why should a man, whose blood is warm
within, Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster? Sleep when he
wakes? and creep into the jaundice By being peevish? I tell thee
what, Anthonio--I love thee, and it is my love that speaks;--There
are a sort of men, whose visages Do cream and mantle like a standing
pond: And do a wilful stillness entertain, With purpose to be drest
in an opinion Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit; As who should
say, 'I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark'! O,
my Anthonio, I do know of these, That therefore only are reputed
wise, For saying nothing; who, I am very sure, If they should speak,
would almost damn those ears, Which hearing them, would call their
brothers fools.
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