Jessica (The Merchant of Venice) therefore, like herself, wise, fair, and true,". She joins them on the street and all but Lorenzo's friend Gratiano leaves. Antonio then arrives to tell Gratiano that the winds are propitious for sailing and that Bassanio is leaving immediately for Belmont to woo Portia. Gratiano expresses his desire to leave the city immediately. Jessica next appears at Belmont in Act 3, Scene 2, accompanying Lorenzo and Salerio, a messenger delivering a letter to Bassiano from Antonio. The letter informs him that all Antonio's business ventures have failed, such that he has defaulted on the bond to Shylock, and that Shylock
Jessica (The Merchant of Venice) and classical comedies, who are only fit to be dupes of their children …." The first critical notice of Jessica in the 18th century was made by William Warburton, who commented on the line in Act 5, Scene 1: "Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way / Of starvèd people." Warburton's comment was that ""Shakespear" is not more exact in any thing, than in adapting his images with propriety to his speakers; of which he has here given an instance in making the young "Jewess" call good fortune, "Manna"." Unfortunately, as Samuel Johnson explains rather drily—in a note to