PLOT SUMMARY OF "MERCHANT OF VENICE"

The Merchant of Venice is one of the most interesting and

popular plays written by William Shakespeare and is classified
as a romantic comedy. This play is often remembered for its
dramatic scenes and sarcastic undertone. It has often been
described as a commentary on the nature of religious and racial
interactions, and is a story of two friends-Antonio and Bassanio,
as well as Shylock, a shrewd, Jewish moneylender.
A merchant of Venice, Antonio is a wealthy man, who is both
respected and popular. Bassanio, Antonio’s friend owes him a
great deal of money and has been unable to pay him back.
When Bassanio needs to loan money again, Antonio tells him
that he himself is short of cash and suggests that he should
borrow money from a Jewish moneylender, Shylock on Antonio’s
name.
Portia, who is the daughter of a wealthy merchant in Belmont,
speaks to her confidante, Nerissa and tells her that she is really
tired of the constant stream of suitors and wishes to be free from
the obligation of her father’s will, according to which she is to be
married to the suitor who chooses the correct one of the three
caskets. Portia’s mood brightens when Nerissa mentions
Bassanio as a possible suitor. Bassanio was once a visitor at
Belmont and Portia was impressed by him.
Meanwhile in Venice, Shylock, the shrewd, Jewish moneylender
who secretly hates Antonio, has agreed to lend Bassanio, three
thousand ducats for three months, on Antonio’s bond. However,
Shylock demands that he may cut off one pound of flesh from
Antonio’s body if Bassanio is unable to pay the due amount on
the due date.
Lorenzo, a close friend of Bassanio and Antonio, falls in love with
Shylock’s daughter, Jessica. They both manage to elope and
she takes with her a hefty amount of her father’s ducats (money
in the form of gold or sliver coins). This infuriates Shylock, and
he vows revenge. Shortly thereafter, as Bassanio chooses the
right casket with Portia’s portrait inside it, they both fall in love
and plan to marry at once. Bassanio’s friend, Gratiano and
Nerissa also fall in love and decide to get married. However,
Bassanio gets a letter from Antonio bidding him farewell, since
his ships have been lost at sea and hence, it is impossible that
he will live after Shylock collects his pound of flesh. Horrified,
 Bassanio leaves instantly for Venice with the money which Portia
gives him to pay the bond.
In Venice, the revengeful and cruel, Shylock is no longer
interested in mere payment of the money due, as the due date
had already passed. In the court of justice, presided over by the
Duke of Venice, Shylock is faced with his enemy-Antonio, who
quietly resigns to death. Bassanio pleads with Shylock that he
may accept thrice the amount of money that was due, but
Shylock refuses.
The story takes an interesting turn when Portia and Nerissa,
disguised as a lawyer and clerk respectively, enter the court of
justice and inform the Duke that they have been sent by a
learned attorney, to plead the case of the defendant. When
Portia entreats Shylock to be merciful and offers triple the
amount owed, he refuses. She then informs Shylock that he
must be very careful and must cut off exactly one pound of flesh.
But if he spills even one drop of Antonio’s blood, then all his land
and goods will be confiscated. On hearing this, a visibly shaken
Shylock hastily decides that he is ready to accept the triple
payment of the bond but the Duke imposes certain conditions, to
which Shylock agrees and leaves the court, disheartened.
Overjoyed, Bassanio, Gratiano and Antonia return to Belmont.
Thus, happiness prevails at the end as Portia gives Antonio a
letter informing him that three of his ships have arrived safely in
the port.

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare
Antonio, an antisemitic merchant, takes a loan from the Jew
Shylock to help his friend to court Portia. Antonio can't repay the
loan, and without mercy, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh.
The heiress Portia, now the wife of Antonio's friend, dresses as a
lawyer and saves Antonio.
Act I
In Venice, a merchant named Antonio worries that his ships are
overdue. As his colleagues offer comfort, his young friends—
Bassanio, Graziano, and Lorenzo—arrive. Bassanio asks Antonio
for a loan, so that he can pursue the wealthy Portia, who lives in
Belmont. Antonio cannot afford the loan. Instead, he sends
Bassanio to borrow the money on the security of Antonio's
expected shipments.
At Belmont, Portia and her maid, Nerissa, discuss the suitors who
have come in response to Portia's father's strange will. The will
says Portia may only marry a man who chooses the correct casket
made from three possible options: gold, silver, and lead. Much to
Portia's distress, all her suitors are unsatisfactory. However, she
does fondly remember a time when Bassanio came to Belmont,
and that leaves her with some hope.
Bassanio approaches Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, about the
loan. Shylock holds a grudge against Antonio for his lending
practices and apparent antisemitism. Still he offers Bassanio the
loan. Instead of charging interest, seemingly as a kind of joke, he
asks for a pound of Antonio's flesh if the loan isn't repaid within
three months. The bond is agreed to (who wouldn't agree to that?)
and Bassanio prepares to leave for Belmont with his friend
Graziano.
All that glisters is not gold
— MERCHANT OF VENICE, ACT 2 SCENE 7
Act II
Meanwhile, one of Shylock's servants, Launcelot, wishes to
change masters and persuades Bassanio to employ him. Shylock's
daughter, Jessica, also longs to leave home. She wants to become
a Christian and marry Antonio's friend Lorenzo. Before he departs
to serve his new master, Launcelot takes a letter to Lorenzo that
contains plans for Lorenzo and Jessica to elope that night. When
Shylock goes out, Jessica escapes to elope, taking gold and
jewels with her. The following day, Bassanio sets sail for Belmont,
while Shylock rages over the loss of his daughter and the
treasures she has stolen.
In Belmont, one of Portia’s suitors (the Prince of Morocco) chooses
the golden casket, while another (the Prince of Aragon) selects
silver. Both chose the wrong casket and are unsuccessful. As
Aragon leaves, Bassanio is announced. Portia eagerly goes to
greet him.
Act III
After a few days, Shylock hears that his daughter Jessica is
squandering her stolen wealth in Genoa. He begins to rail bitterly
against Christians. He reminds Antonio's friends that if the loan is
not repaid on time, he will insist on the original agreement of one
pound of flesh.
Back in Belmont, Bassanio chooses the lead casket, and in so
doing, he wins Portia. His friend Graziano asks for Portia's maid
Nerissa to be his wife. Portia gives her ring to Bassanio, making
him promise never to give it to another. As Lorenzo and Jessica
come to Belmont, news arrives that Antonio's ships have been lost
at sea, and he is now bankrupt. They are also told Shylock insists
on the fulfilment of his bond and has had Antonio arrested.
Bassanio and Graziano leave in haste to help Antonio. Portia and
Nerissa resolve to follow afterwards, disguised as lawyers.
Act IV
In the court in Venice, 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 pleads for Shylock to
have mercy on Antonio. Bassanio offers his wife's money, which
would more than pay the debt, but Shylock refuses to accept.
Antonio's death is only prevented as Balthazar explains the bond is
for flesh but not for a single drop of blood. So Shylock cannot
collect the pound of flesh.
For threatening the life of a Venetian, Shylock forfeits his goods to
Antonio and Bassanio. Antonio refuses his share of compensation
and asks for it to be put in a trust for Lorenzo and Jessica. He also
demands that Shylock becomes a Christian. Broken and in
submission, Shylock leaves the court. Bassanio and Graziano
thank the lawyers, who ask for their rings as legal fees. Bassanio
and Graziano refuse until Antonio intervenes and makes them give
the rings to the lawyers.
Act V
Undisguised, Portia and Nerissa return home at night to find
Lorenzo and Jessica enjoying the tranquillity of Belmont. When
their husbands arrive, Portia and Nerissa scold them for giving
away their rings, pretending they had been given away to other
women. Before long, they reveal themselves as the lawyers from
the trial. Antonio receives news that his ships have returned safely
after all (looks like we didn't need to go through all this mess in the
first place!). The play ends as the three couples prepare to
celebrate their marriages.
In the shimmering canals of Venice, where whispers of wealth
mingle with sea salt air, unfolds a Shakespearean tapestry of love,
revenge, and a pound of flesh. "The Merchant of Venice" delves
into the heart of human desires, weaving a tale where passion
collides with prejudice, friendship crumbles under pressure, and
justice hangs precariously in the balance.
Antonio, a wealthy merchant, stands surety for his friend Bassanio,
who seeks to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia. To
secure the loan, Antonio pledges a pound of his own flesh to
Shylock, a Jewish moneylender harboring a deep grudge against
him. Antonio's ships get caught in storms, jeopardizing his ability to
repay the debt. With the deadline looming, Shylock demands his
pound of flesh, igniting a firestorm of legal and moral quandaries.
Enter Portia, disguised as a male lawyer, her sharp wit and legal
knowledge her only weapons. In a thrilling courtroom drama, she
challenges Shylock's right to take his literal pound of flesh,
exposing the absurdity of his cruelty and the dangers of unchecked
prejudice. Ultimately, Portia outsmarts Shylock, saving Antonio
and upholding justice, but not without forcing everyone to confront
the consequences of their choices.
"The Merchant of Venice" transcends its Venetian setting,
exploring timeless themes of prejudice, mercy, and the nature of
justice. Shakespeare brilliantly delves into the complexities of
human relationships, crafting characters brimming with ambition,
desperation, and love. Shylock, in particular, remains a
controversial figure, raising questions about societal injustices and
challenging audiences to grapple with issues of antisemitism and
the limits of revenge.
While the play ultimately celebrates love and forgiveness, it does
not shy away from the consequences of bigotry and blind ambition.
It prompts us to consider the cost of our choices, the weight of our
prejudices, and the importance of empathy in a world often
clouded by self-interest.
So, dive into the depths of "The Merchant of Venice" and prepare
to be swept away by a whirlwind of drama, intrigue, and
Shakespearean brilliance. Witness the power of love and wit
unraveling injustice, and ponder the timeless questions that
resonate through the centuries. Remember, while the play offers
captivating entertainment, it also presents complex themes that
require critical engagement and discussion.
The_Marchant_of_Venice
By Willam Shakespeare
The story starts with Bassanio’s desire to marry Portia, a wealthy
heiress of Belmont. In order to become a suitor to her, he is in
need of 3000 ducats. He seeks Antonio’s help who is a merchant
of Venice and also his friend. But, Antonio says that he is short of
cash as his ships and merchandise are expected. However, he
assures Bassanio that he can become surety for his loan.
Having been assured by Antonio’s guarantee, Bassanio takes a
loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. He names Antonio as
the guarantor for the loan. Shylock is already upset with Antonio as
Antonio lends money without interest and also holds prejudice
towards Jews. However, he agrees to give a loan to Bassanio
without interest but puts a condition stating that if Antonio is unable
to pay the loan on the specified due date, he will take a pound of
Antonio’s flesh.
Antonio signs the contract on seeing that the loan carries no
interest, although Bassanio is not in favor of such a contract.
However, Bassanio along with Gratiano, his friend leaves for
Belmont to marry Portia. The author describes Gratiano as a
young, over-talkative, tactless, and frivolous man.
In Belmont, Portia is meeting many suitors. But she is unable to
get the right match. As per her father’s will, whoever picks up the
right casket shall win Portia’s hand. The suitors get three caskets,
namely gold, silver, and lead to choosing from. The Prince of
Morocco, the first suitor chooses a gold casket while the Prince of
Aragon, the second suitor, chooses the silver casket. But both of
them are rejected as they choose the wrong casket. After this, it is
Bassanio’s turn to choose a casket. Nerissa, Portia’s maid hints
Bassanio by singing a song as Portia had met him before and
wanted him to win. He thus picks up the lead casket. He hence
wins Portia’s hand. Bassanio marries Portia and Gratiano marries
Nerissa.
Meanwhile, Shylock’s daughter, Jessica ran away with Lorenzo, a
Christian, and also got converted. Not only this, but she also stole
a large amount of his wealth along with a turquoise ring that was a
gift from his wife to him. Thus, Shylock became firm about
avenging the Christians.
Antonio’s ships were lost at sea and thus he was unable to repay
the loan amount. Hence, Shylock dragged him to the court. On
receiving this news, Bassanio and Gratiano leave for Venice
carrying the money to repay the loan from Portia.
In the court of Duke of Venice, Bassanio offers twice the amount of
loan to Shylock. But he refuses the offer and insists that he needs
a pound of flesh of Antonio. The Duke refers the case to Balthazar,
a young lawyer. But in fact, that was Portia in disguise. Nerissa
also disguises as a man and accompanies Portia as a law clerk.
Portia requests Shylock to be kind and merciful but he insists on
getting the pound of flesh.
As there was no way out, the court grants permission to Shylock.
But as Antonio prepares himself for the knife, Portia says that as
per the contract, Shylock can take out only flesh. Thus, if even one
single drop of bloodsheds, his property shall be forfeited. She also
adds to this by saying that he shall take out exactly one pound of
flesh.
Shylock is thus left with no other choice than to accept Bassanio’s
offer of money. But Portia argues that there is no need to pay him
any amount of money as he has already refused it. She also says
that as he is a Jew and wanted to take the life of a Venetian
citizen, his property shall be confiscated. Half of the property goes
to the State while half of it goes to Antonio. Also, his life is now on
the mercy of the Duke.
However, the Duke pardons his life and also his property. Portia
states that the Duke can not waive Antonio’s share anyways.
Antonio says that he does not mind using Shylock’s half share until
Shylock’s death after which he shall give the principal to Jessica
and Lorenzo. He also asks Shylock to convert to Christianity.
Shylock had to accept all these conditions after the threatening by
the Duke to revoke his forgiveness.
Bassanio is unable to recognize Portia. He wishes to give her
some presents. Portia asks him to give his wedding ring and
Antonio’s gloves. After much persuasion by Antonio, he gives his
ring to her. She later teases him about this incidence. In the end,
Antonio learns from Portia that his ships have returned safely.

.
The Merchant of Venice is a Shakespearean play that was most
likely written in 1596-97. It is a tragicomedy that explores themes
of love, money, and justice.

The plot centers around the merchant Antonio, who borrows

money from the Jewish moneylender Shylock in order to help
his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy heiress Portia. However,
when Antonio is unable to repay the loan on time, Shylock
demands a pound of flesh as repayment, which threatens
Antonio's life.
The play also features a subplot involving Portia's suitors,
who must choose the correct casket (gold, silver or lead) in
order to win her hand in marriage.
The Merchant of Venice is notable for its controversial portrayal of
Shylock, which has been the subject of much debate and
interpretation over the years. Some critics argue that the play
reinforces anti-Semitic stereotypes, while others argue that it is a
critique of such prejudices and that Shylock is a complex and
sympathetic character.
Overall, The Merchant of Venice is a complex and thought-
provoking play that continues to be studied and performed today.

#LiteraryAnalysis

In William Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice, " Portia,the judge

said: "The quality of mercy is not strained; it dropped as gentle as
the rain from heaven upon the place beneath... It is twice blessed;
it blesses him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mighter than the
mightiest... and one is likened to God when mercy season justice."
What is the main thought of the excerpt?
a.mercy is only for deserving
b.mercy is limited in extent
c. mercy is spontaneous and freely given
d.mercy comes from the rain

How far that little candle throws it beams!

So shine a good deed in a naughty world.
- Shakespeare : Merchant of Venice
HYPOCRISY OF VENETIANS IN THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
OF SHAKESPEARE
In the age of Shakespeare, Jews were banned from England and
from many European countries.However they were allowed in
Venice because Venice was a city based on commerce and it
needed a money market but Christians are forbidden to take
interest or usury from fellow Christians that's why they allowed
Jews to give money on interest because interest was necessary to
put up the required of money in the Christian society of Venice.
This was the reason many Jews made their way to the business of
banking and ended up becoming bankers throughout Europe. We
see in the Merchant of Venice that Venice needs Shylock for their
money market and yet it despises him for doing so. It asks him to
perform a necessary function in a commercial city and then
contempts him for doing that