THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (PLAY) BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

LIST OF CHARACTERS

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE- Raghav

ANTONIO, a Merchant of Venice- Pranav Mukesh

BASSANIO, his Friend - Karanvir Pratap Singh

PORTIA, a rich Heiress - Lavanya

SHYLOCK, a rich Jew- Khushleen

NERISSA Friends of Portia- Tanisha

Messenger - Avnie

The Duke at the Court of Justice Krish Mehta

The stage is set. The curtain rises, a character dressed up as William Shakespeare is
seen on the stage.

William Shakespeare: Warm Greetings Patiala.. All the way from the 16th century
London, the times of Queen Elizabeth, I am here to greet you all and take you all to the
wonderland of my play The Merchant Of Venice. Set into the charming city of Venice, it's a
story of Antonio- A Merchant and his friend Bassanio and his Lady Love - The Lady Of Belmont-
Portia. Antonio borrows money to help his friend Bassanio to woo Portia, from a shrewd
moneylender Shylock who makes him sign a contemptuous bond that if he can't repay the
loan, Shylock will take a pound of his flesh. 00000 MY MY!!!!! let me not spoil all the fun here,
lets go to find out what happened when Shylock demands a pound of Antonio's flesh from
close to his heart, when he could not repay the loan....

Messenger:"Let's find out what happened next

But before we delve further let me introduce you to a close friend of Portia, Narissa.
The Duke at the court of justice and the messenger who brings the message from Antonio.
Come, join me to live a tale of friendship and love"

Song starts..It's a story of friendship and love... shareable dreams...(lyrics are shared in
faculty group)

Introduction of all characters..

Conversation between Antonio and Bassanio: SCENE 1

Bassanio: Antonio, I have great news to share. I have fallen in love with someone. Her
name is Portia. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. Not only is she beautiful but
wise and noble. Her father passed away recently and she is going to inherit all of her father's
wealth.

Antonio: That's wonderful news Bassanio. But does she love you as much as you do?

Bassanio: Of course, she does. Her eyes are full of love and respect when she looks at
me. Listen I want to buy some gifts for her but the only problem is that I don't have any money
right now.

I know I owe you a lot, but Can I borrow a little more?

I promise I will pay you back.

 Antonio: Bassanio, you know that...my money is yours and I can lend you anytime but I
don't have any money right now.. I have spent all my money on merchandise. How can I help
you now? What should I do? Yes!! We can borrow money from a money lender named
Shylock. He always has money in his hand. He will certainly lend us the money if I sign a bond
and when the ships will come back any day from now. I will repay him.

Bassanio: Thank you, Antonio. You are a great friend.

Antonio: Come along and let's enjoy

Music.

(no lyrics) (only sound effect) (thunderous sound)

Shylock and Antonio.... SCENE 2

SHYLOCK'S MONOLOGUE

He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked
at my gains, scorned my nation, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies, and what's his
reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,
affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the
same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and
summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If
you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in
the rest, we will resemble you in that. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go
hard but I will better the instruction.

Antonio: Are you going to lend us the money?

Shylock: Do you remember all those times that you insulted me in a loud voice that
everyone could hear you? You once spat on me and called me a dog but I have always kept
quiet because Jews are good and

now it looks like you need my help.

Antonio: Do not lend me money as you would to a friend rather as to an enemy so that
if I fail you may expect the penalty.
Shylock: Now see how you become angry. Antonio, I will help you. I won't even charge
a single docket of interest. However, there is something, I am worried about.. What If You
don't pay me back....

Antonio: Don't worry Shylock!! I will pay you.

Shylock: I need some kind of guarantee... Don't I? Three thousand ducats is a lot of
money.. If you don't

pay me back on time, I want a pound of your flesh from any part of your body that I
choose..

Bassanio: You shouldn't sign any such kind of bond my dear friend. I would rather go
without money.

Antonio: Don't worry, my friend. I don't have to pay any penalty. My Ships are sure to
be back in a month ..... a day before which has been agreed upon.

Shylock: Are you willing to sign the bond or not?

Antonio: Yes Shylock!! I will promise that I will agree with all the terms and conditions.

Lights dim and the theme starts playing:

 PORTIA AND LORD BASSANIO.. BELMONT SCENE 3

Narissa: Dear Portia, there is a fine gentleman at the door from Venice to woo you. He
should be led towards the caskets to make his choice.

Portia: Ooo Narissa please bring him in...

Portia: Now make your choice Lord Bassanio, a golden, a silver, or a plain lead
casket???

Exchange of greetings

Bassanio: The things which are the most beautiful outside are often the ugliest within.
I choose the plain lead casket.

Portia: Open it Bassanio..If my portrait is inside, then I am yours..

Bassanio: What is this I find, fair portrait of Portia.

Portia: I am the luckiest woman in the world. From this moment, this mansion, my
servants, and myself are all yours...

Lord Bassanio, I give them to you along with this ring. If you ever get apart with it or
lose it.... Let that be a sign that your love for me is dead.

Bassanio: Well my sweetheart !! This ring would leave my finger only if life has left me,
then you may venture safely to say that Bassanio is dead.

Portia: Happiness to you and my lord This is a great day for us. Come, let's go and
celebrate ! (music)Ball Dance

SCENE 4

GIRL: A messenger has arrived from Venice, my lord!!. This is a letter from your great
friend Antonio.

Bassanio: Read aloud the message

Messenger: Dear Bassanio, my ships have sunk. I am in big trouble. Shylock will take a
flesh from me. I am going to die. Please come to my trial and execution. I want to see you, my
friend.

Portia: Bassanio, you are my husband now. Go to your friend right away. Pay him 2
times the original loan 6000 duckets and tear up the bond you both had signed. I will make
arrangements for you to go.

Lights dim and the theme starts playing:

SCENE 5

All three in front of the Duke.

The Duke: I have consulted Bellario, a learned doctor to determine this complex case,
has sent a messanger from Padua.

Enters Narissa as Clerk hands over the letter to the Duke. After reading the content
 Duke: This letter from Bellario says that a young and learned doctor of Rome namely
Balthazar will be present in the court in place of me. His lack of years is no impediment in his
wisdom and he shall lead the trial.

Enters Portia disguised as Balthazar (in the appearance of a lawyer)

Lawyer: Be merciful Shylock.... Mercy is like a gentle rain...it falls from heaven. It
blesses everyone. God himself is known to be full of goodness and is merciful. Therefore,
Shylock, be merciful !! The quality of

mercy is not strain'd.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown.

His scepter shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But
mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;

It is an attribute to God Himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice.

Bassanio: I am ready to pay ten times...

Shylock: I want justice and the fulfilment of my contract. Read the agreement properly.
It says a pound of Antonio's flesh from any part of his body and I want it from the place
nearest to his heart..... it is mine. I don't want his money. I demand my pound of his flesh.

Lawyer: Do you agree with this?

Antonio: Yes, I do.

Lawyer (to Antonio): be ready to die as the money wasn't paid back.. Do you want to
say anything before you die?

Antonio (to Bassanio): Goodbye my friend. Don't blame yourself for my death.

Bassanio (to Antonio): Oh Antonio, I am sorry..you are the best friend in the whole
world.

Shylock: Enough of this...let's get on with it. I want my pound of flesh...

Lawyer: A pound of flesh is yours.

Shylock: You are a wise lawyer, you understand.

Lawyer (interrupted shylock): Tarry a little Shylock.. This bond doesn't give you a job to
kill..words express a pound of flesh..if Antonio loses a drop of blood, or you cut more or less
than a pound of flesh, you will break the law. Your lands and goods are by the law of Venice
confiscate unto the state of Venice.
 Do you understand Shylock?

Shylock: in that case, where is my money??

Lawyer: You have already refused the money. You will only get the flesh and nothing
else.

Shylock: But....

Lawyer: You are a Jew. According to the laws of Venice. Anyone who is a citizen of
Venice and tries to take the life of a citizen, would be put to death and his money and property
must be shared equally between the state and the man he had tried to kill.

And the Jury will decide his punishment.

Shylock: In the spirit of mercy, please forgive me.

Lawyer: Shylock, We will spare your life but you have to give half of your wealth to
Antonio and the other

half to the city of Venice.

Shylock: If all this money is taken away from me, take my life as well...

Antonio: What mercy can you offer to him? Let him keep my share as well and be
merciful to others in

future.

Shylock: Please let me go. I am not well. Send me the papers and I will sign them. I
have never seen such a

clever lawyer.

Duke: Antonio, a handsome reward should be given to your lawyer. The court is
adjourned...

Lawyer: Give me your ring, Bassanio.

Bassanio: Take the money lawyer...

Lawyer: But I want your ring.

Bassanio: My wedding ring...I am so sorry. I have promised my wife that I will never
take it off. I will buy

the most expensive ring in Venezula but not this one. Please understand...

Antonio: Just give him a ring...I owe him my life.. See what he has done for us today.

Bassanio (to lawyer): Please accept this ring as a token of love and gratitude.

Lawyer: Thank you, gentlemen. God bless you!!

Lights dim and the theme starts playing:

SCENE 6

LAWYER AND ANTONIO:

 Lawyer: Antonio there are some specifics I need to talk to you about.

Antonio: Ofcourse! My friend you make the preparations for us to go back while I talk
to senor Balthazar.

Bassanio: As you say Antonio.

(Bassanio leaves)

Lawyer: Antonio do you not recognise me ?

I’m your sister in law.

(Portia removes her disguise)

Antonio: I thank you Portia you have saved my life, but I’m sorry that Bassanio broke
his promise to you.

Portia: That just proves that he cares for your friendship and would do anything to
save it.(Giving Antonio the ring) Keep it safe with you and when the right time comes give it to
Bassanio.

Antonio: Thank you Portia you are very kind.

Lights dim and the theme starts playing:

SCENE 7

Bassanio (to Portia): My sweet Portia we have gained victory in court !

Portia: I’m really happy for you Bassanio but where is the ring I gave you ?

Bassanio (to Portia): Pardon me for the sin I have committed. I swear by my soul that
shall never break a promise to you again.

Portia: You are to blame for having so lightly given away my first gift to you. You should
have felt it your

duty to keep it. I swear that I shall never speak to you again until I see that ring again.

Antonio: Take the ring and promise to keep it.

Bassanio: It is the same ring which I gave to the lawyer.

Portia, were you the lawyer? Oh! Sweet Portia.. You are the cleverest woman in Italy.
You have saved my

best friend's life.

Portia: You are welcome. Antonio, your money is safe and your ships have arrived
safely back in the

harbour.

THE LORD IS GRACIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE.....(SONG).

Quote spoken by Antonio at the end: "In the city of commerce, a lesson's learned:
mercy's worth exceeds all golden returns."