Summary
The play starts with Antonio telling his friend Bassanio that he is feeling depressed but he cannot put his finger on it. Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court a wealthy heiress named Portia, who lives in Belmont, he asks for Antonio for a loan so that he can travel in style to Portia. Antonio agrees with Bassanio but is cannot lend him the money as it is tied up in trade ships that are still at sea. Antonio suggests that Bassanio make a loan and name him as his backer.
Meanwhile in Belmont Portia is upset because of the terms stipulated in her father’s will, the man who correctly chooses one of three caskets is the man that she will marry, however none of her suitors are to her taste.
In Venice ,Antonio and Bassanio go to Shylock, a Jewish money lender, for a loan. Shylock has a grudge against Antonio as he has made a tendency of berating Shylock and the Jews for loaning money at exorbitant rates and undermines their business by offering interest free loans to people. Shylock agrees to the lend Bassanio the money despite Antonio refusing to apologize for his actions, he lends Bassanio 3 thousand Ducats interest free but adds that if the loan goes unpaid that Shylock is entitled to a pound of Antonio’s own flesh, Antonio agrees despite Bassanio’s warning. Meanwhile in Shylock’s household his servant Launcelot has left to work for Bassanio and has daughter schemes to elope with Antonio’s friend.
The same night the streets of Venice are filled with partygoers Jessica is dressed as Lorenzo’s page and escapes with him. After the night of celebration, Bassanio and his friend Gratiano leave for Belmont with the intention of winning Portia’s hand.
In Venice, Portia welcomes the prince of Morocco,, he has come in an attempt to choose the right casket but after reading the inscriptions on the casket chooses the wrong one. Meanwhile Shylock is furious that his daughter has run off but rejoices after he hears a rumour that the trade ships in which Antonio has invested have been wrecked thus he will soon be able to claim his debt.
The prince of Arragon visits Portia and also studies the 3 caskets and picks the silver one which is incorrect, Bassanio arrives at Portia’s estate and they declare their love for one another, he immediately chooses the right casket, Gratiano also confesses his love to Nerissa and the couples decide on a double wedding, they are unexpectedly joined by Lorenzo and Jessica. Good news is cut short when the rumour is confirmed true that Antonio has lost his ships Bassanio and Gratiano immediately travel to Venice to save Antonio’s life, Portia and Nerissa go to Vine disguised as men.
Shylock ignores the requests the save Antonio’s life and a trial is called to decide the matter. The duke of Venice says that he has asked for a legal expert that turns out to be Portia disguised as a man, the agreement is inspected and she agrees that Shylock is entitled to the flesh of the merchant. Shylock excitedly praises Portia’s wisdom and but just as he is on the verge of collecting his due, he is reminded by Portia that he must do so without causing him to bleed as the contract does not entitle him to any blood. Trapped, Shylock agrees to take Bassanio’s money instead but Portia says that he must take the contract as it is written or nothing at all. An agreement is made that Shylock must convert to Christianity and that upon his death all of his estate will go to Lorenzo and Jessica.
Good news arrives that that Antonio’s ships have made it back safely. Everyone celebrates its good fortune.
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