n equal pound of [Antonio's] flesh' (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 143-4). Shylock also calls it a 'merry bond' (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 166) which gives the impression that it is not serious, maybe even a joke, and that Shylock would not actually enforce the terms. This deception would not surprise the audience, who would expect nothing less of a Jew.
             Another scene showing deception is the dialogue between Gobbo and his son Lancelot. It is more light-hearted, and in this case builds up the tension as the audience is anxious to
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