The Merchant of Venice

Characters

Antonio – a merchant of Venice Bassanio – Antonio's friend; suitor to Portia Gratiano, Solanio, Salarino, Salerio – friends of Antonio and

Bassanio Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica Portia – a rich heiress Nerissa – Portia's waiting maid- in love with Gratiano Balthazar – Portia's servant, who Portia later disguises herself

as Stephano – Nerissa's disguise as Balthazar's law clerk. Shylock – a rich Jew, moneylender, father of Jessica Jessica – daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo Tubal – a Jew; Shylock's friend Launcelot Gobbo – a servant to Shylock Old Gobbo – father of Launcelot Leonardo – servant to Bassanio Duke of Venice – Venetian authority who presides over the

case of Shylock's bond Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia Prince of Arragon – suitor to Portia Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler,

servants to Portia, and other Attendants

Summery

Antonio, the merchant of Venice, lends three thousand ducats to his friend Bassanio in order to assist him in his wooing of the wealthy and beautiful Portia of Belmont, an estate some distance from Venice. But Antonio's own money is tied up in business ventures that depend on the safe return of his ships from sea, so he borrows the money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender whom he has previously insulted for his high rates of interest. Shylock lends the money against a bond whereby failure to repay the loan on the agreed date will entitle Shylock to a pound of Antonio's flesh. Portia's father has decreed that she will marry whichever suitor makes the correct choice when presented with three caskets, made of gold, silver and lead. Where wealthy suitors from Morocco and Aragon fail, Bassanio succeeds by choosing lead. His friend Gratiano marries Portia's lady-in-waiting Nerissa at the same time. News arrives that Antonio's ships have been lost; he is unable to pay his debt. Shylock's claim to his pound of flesh is heard in the law court before the duke. Unknown to their husbands, Portia disguises herself as a young male lawyer acting on behalf of Antonio, Nerissa as a clerk. Portia's ingenious defence is that Shylock is entitled to his pound of flesh but not to spill any of Antonio's blood; she argues that the Jew should forfeit his life for having conspired against the life of a Venetian. The duke pardons Shylock on condition that he gives half his wealth to Antonio and half to the state. Antonio surrenders his claim on condition that Shylock converts to Christianity and leaves his property to his daughter Jessica, whom he has disinherited for running away with her Christian lover Lorenzo. Portia and Nerissa then assert their power over Bassanio and Gratiano by means of a trick involving rings that the men have promised never to part with. Finally there is good news about Antonio's ships.

The Merchant of Venice Plot Analysis

Initial Situation

Antonio loves Bassanio, and Portia's father has set up the game of the caskets.

Conflict

Bassanio is poor and needs Antonio to help him woo Portia. Antonio can only turn to Shylock, who is Jewish and thus hated. Antonio has to sign away a pound of his flesh as a guarantee on Bassanio's loan. Bassanio finally gets a go at Portia, but he's got to pick the right casket.

Complication

Antonio's not good for the money and is going to be killed. Jessica has run away. Portia has to postpone marital bliss to save Antonio. And Shylock seems hell-bent on having Antonio's flesh instead of his money back.

Climax

The trial: many are tested, few will win.

The play builds to the point where Antonio is practically shirtless in anticipation of the knife. Need we say more?

Suspense

Shylock is put out in the street. Bassanio and Graziano break faith by giving away their rings, and the women rush home.

Denouement

Everyone gets home to Belmont and seems happy enough. The couples squabble but reconcile. Antonio is sorry to have caused so much trouble.

Conclusion

Portia reveals everything. Antonio is rich again.

Portia finally reveals the whole gig by presenting letters that explain how she was Balthazar and Nerissa his clerk. She accepts Antonio's apology and goes even further, ensuring that, even if he's lost his friend, he's got his money back. The whole play ends in relative harmony and all the marriages are consummated.