The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare written in approximately 1596. It is well-known for the dramatic character of Shylock, a Jewish money-lender.

Synopsis

The play opens with the melancholy merchant of Venice, Antonio. His close, yet poor, friend, Bassanio asks him for financial assistance so that he can court the fair Portia of Belmont. Antonio reveals that he has little money because all his investments are on the seas. Nevertheless, he gives Bassanio permission to use his credit to attain a loan. Bassanio tries to procure money from the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Before that time, Antonio had mocked and thwarted Shylock on many occasions. Nonetheless, Shylock puts on a show of willingness and (seemingly in jest) writes a bond that says if Antonio fails to pay on time, gives him legal right to a pound of Antonio's flesh. Antonio confidently accepts, knowing his ventures return a month before the bond becomes due.

Bassanio travels to Belmont to attempt to win Portia. Before he died, Portia's father devised a test for every suitor who desired to marry Portia. He made three caskets made of gold, silver and lead. Each suitor would look at the hints on the caskets and guess. Two of Portia's suitors, the Princes of Morocco and Arragon chose the wrong caskets. Bassanio correctly chooses the lead casket and marries Portia. However, all of Antonio's ventures fail and Shylock demands the payment. Antonio is unable and Shylock demands the law.

Bassanio travels quickly to Venice and secretly, Portia disguises as a Law Clerk and follows after him. The Duke of Venice holds court and tries to dissuade Shylock from taking vengeance. Bassanio offers to pay back the debt many times over. However, Shylock refuses. Portia, disguised as a law clerk defends Antonio, but admits Shylock's case is legally sound. Shylock almost kills Antonio, but before Shylock can strike, Portia stops him. Using the letter of the bond, she says that it gives Shylock no right to shed Antonio's blood! She also finds him guilty of trying to malevolent purpose against Antonio and Venice itself. Half of Shylock's land is given to the state and the other half to Antonio. Antonio shows mercy and allows him to keep half his property on condition that he converts to Christianity. Shylock only answer is "I am content."

Bassanio is grateful to the clerk for defending Antonio and offers him any gift he desires. Portia asks for his ring. Bassanio protests, but Antonio convinces him to relinquish his ring. Portia returns to Belmont ahead of Bassanio. She pretends to be greatly offended of giving away the ring, but later reveals how she actually was the law clerk. She also reveals that not all of Antonio's ventures failed, but also that some are still on their way.

See Also

William Shakespeare

External Links

Open Source Shakespeare - The Merchant of Venice