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The Merchant of Venice
Table of Contents
STORYLINE
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Jew Shylock asks for a pound of meat as part of a loan contract (weird), Bassanio shows his agreement to it (weirder), and Portia saves the day by cross-dressing and pretending to be a lawyer and practicing law (totally normal).
SHORT SUMMARY
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Antonio, an anti-Semitic merchant, takes out a loan from the Jew Shylock to help his friend court Portia. But Antonio cannot repay the loan, and without any mercy, Shylock asks for a pound of his flesh. The heiress Portia, now the wife of Antonio's friend, dresses up as a lawyer and rescues Antonio.
DETAILED SUMMARY
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act I
In the city of Venice, a merchant named Antonio is concerned that his ships are owed. As his friends provide him with comfort, his young friends, Bassanio, Graziano, and Lorenzo, arrive. His friend Bassanio asks him for a loan so he can pursue the wealthy Portia, who lives in Belmont. Antonio cannot provide him with the loan. Instead, Antonio sends him to borrow the money for the security of Antonio's expected shipments.
At Belmont, Portia, along with her maid, Nerissa, discuss the suitors who have come in response to a strange wish from Portia's father. The will states that Portia can only marry the man who chooses the right casket from three possible options: gold, silver, and lead. To Portia's distress, all of her lovers are unsatisfactory. However, she remembers well the time when Bassanio came to Belmont, and that leaves her with some hope.
Bassanio comes to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, about the loan. Shylock holds a grudge against Antonio for his moneylending practices and apparent antisemitism. Nevertheless, he offers the loan to Bassanio. Instead of charging interest, as a kind of joke, he demands a pound of Antonio's flesh if the loan is not repaid within three months. The bond is agreed upon (who wouldn't agree to that?) and Bassanio prepares himself to leave for Belmonte with his friend Graziano.
Act II
Meanwhile, one of Shylock's servants, Launcelot, seeks to switch his masters and persuades Bassanio to hire him. Shylock's daughter, Jessica, also yearns to leave home. She wishes to become a Christian and marry Antonio's friend, Lorenzo. Before he leaves to serve his new master, Lancelot gives Lorenzo a letter detailing Lorenzo and Jessica's plan to elope that night. When Shylock goes out, Jessica escapes, taking the gold and jewellery with her. The next day, Bassanio leaves for Belmont, while Shylock is furious at the loss of his daughter and the treasure she has stolen.
At Belmont, one of Portia's suitors (the Prince of Morocco) chooses the golden casket, while the other (the Prince of Aragon) chooses the silver one. Both chose the wrong box and failed. As Aragon leaves, Bassanio is announced by his name. Portia goes to greet him quite eagerly.
Act III
A few days later, Shylock learns that his daughter, Jessica, is flaunting her stolen property in Genoa. He starts making bitter criticisms of the Christians. He reminds Antonio's friends that if the loan isn't repaid on time, he will insist on the original agreement of a pound of flesh from Antonio.
Back at Belmont, Bassanio chooses the lead casket, and in doing so, he wins Portia. His friend Graziano also asks Portia's maid, Nerissa, to be his wife. Portia provides her ring to Bassanio and makes him promise never to give it to anyone else. As Lorenzo and Jessica arrive at Belmont, news arrives regarding Antonio: his ships have been lost at sea, and he is now bankrupt. They are even told that Shylock insists on fulfilling his bond and has gotten Antonio arrested. Bassanio and Graziano hastily leave Belmont to help Antonio. Portia and Nerissa later resolve to disguise themselves as lawyers.
Act IV
At the Venetian court, Shylock demands his pound of flesh. The Duke, presiding over the court, seeks legal advice from the lawyer "Balthazar," who is Portia in disguise. Portia begs Shylock to have mercy on Antonio. Bassanio even offers his wife money, which will more than pay off the debt, but Shylock refuses to accept the money. Antonio's death is prevented only because Balthazar points out that the bond is for the flesh but not for a drop of blood. Hence, Shylock cannot collect a pound of flesh.
By risking the life of a Venetian, Shylock causes Antonio and Bassanio to lose their goods. Antonio refuses his share of the compensation and asks to hold it in trust for Lorenzo and Jessica. He also demands that Shylock become a Christian. Brokenhearted and in submission, Shylock leaves the court. Bassanio and Graziano thank the lawyers, who ask for their ring as legal fees. Both Bassanio and Graziano refuse until Antonio intervenes and makes them give their rings to the lawyers.
Act V
Undisguised, both Portia and Nerissa return home for the night, leaving Lorenzo and Jessica to enjoy the peace of Belmont. When their husbands arrive, both Portia and Nerissa scold them for giving them their rings, pretending they have been given to other women. Soon, they reveal themselves as lawyers from the trial. Antonio receives the good news that his ships are finally back safely (it looks like we never needed to go through all this mess in the first place!). The play ends as the three couples prepare to celebrate their weddings.
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