Both Uses of
devise
in
The Merchant of Venice
- The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree; such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple.†
Scene 1.2 *devise = come up with (invent or create)
- Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations; therefore the lott'ry that he hath devised in these three chests, of gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love.†
Scene 1.2devised = came up with (invented or created)
Definition:
to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan