The Merchant of Venice

Plot

ACT I

Act I Synopsis
1. Antonio is extremely sad, and he never tells us why.
2. Antonio's friend, Bassanio, asks him if he can borrow some money in order to finance his
courtship with the beautiful and wealthy Portia of Belmont. Antonio's funds are tied up
with his ships (argosies), so he offers to borrow the money for Bassanio.
3. Bassanio reveals that he has unwisely wasted his fortune, but plans to retrieve it by
winning Portia's heart and marrying her.
4. Portia has been courted by many wealthy suitors, none of whom she cares for. Her father
has made it clear in his will that anyone interested in marrying Portia must pass a test.
Three caskets (boxes) exist—made of gold, silver, and lead, one of which contains
Portia's picture. If a suitor selects the correct casket, he may marry Portia. No one has
chosen correctly so far! She would prefer young Bassanio of Venice, who once visited
Belmont.
5. Shylock agrees to lend the money to Antonio; however, if the 3000 ducats are not
returned within three months, then Shylock has the legal right to extract "a pound of
flesh" from Antonio's body.
6. Antonio agrees to Shylock's terms because his ships are to return within two months, and
he has three months to repay Shylock. Bassanio is concerned about the "deal," as he
does not want his friend to be harmed on his behalf.

Act II Synopsis
1. The prince of Morocco arrives at Portia's home to try for her hand. Portia tells him that he
must swear never to seek another woman for a wife if he chooses the incorrect casket.
The prince expresses willingness to accept these terms.
2. Lancelot Gobbo, a servant of Shylock, decides that he must have a new employer;
Shylock is too unkind. Lancelot's father appears looking for him, and he teases his father
before revealing his true identity to the blind old man.
3. Bassanio arrives; Lancelot asks if he can work for him. Bassanio agrees to employ him.
4. Gratiano begs Bassanio to take him to Belmont. Bassanio agrees on the condition that
Gratiano behave properly; he is known for his inappropriate behavior.
5. Lancelot brings a letter from Jessica, Shylock's daughter, to Lorenzo, informing him of
her plans to elope with Lorenzo that night disguised as a boy.
6. Lancelot invites Shylock to Bassanio's for a dinner party. Shylock has some misgivings
about attending, but he decides to go. He warns Jessica to guard the house well,
especially his golden ducats. Lancelot is able to convey a message to Jessica that
Lorenzo has received her letter, and that she can expect to elope with him that night.
7. The Prince of Morocco chooses the golden casket, which contains a scroll warning of the
folly of being attracted by appearances. He makes a sad departure, to Portia's relief.
8. Salerio and Salanio discuss current gossip: Shylock's anger toward Jessica's elopement
with a Christian, and the fact that she stole all of her father's ducats; also the rumor that
one of Antonio's ships is lost.

Act III Synopsis

 1. Salanio and Salarino act as narrators; they suggest that Antonio's sea ventures have
failed. One of his ships lies "wrecked on the narrow seas."
2. Shylock appears, still upset about the loss of Jessica, yet relishing in the news of
Antonio's bad luck. He reveals that he intends to demand that Antonio pay the debt for
his loan, if he cannot meet the deadline. Tubal, a friend of Shylock's, enters with the news
that Antonio has lost another ship and is likely to be ruined. Shylock plans immediate
legal action to be sure of the bond.
3. Portia shows her partiality for Bassanio. She urges him to delay his selection of the
casket in case he may wrongly choose. To Portia's delight, he chooses the lead casket.
4. Gratiano and Nerissa make a happy announcement. Jessica, Lorenzo, and Salino
interrupt the happy moment with a letter from Antonio, telling of his ill fortune and hoping
to see Bassanio before he has to pay his debt. Portia offers to pay the debt several times
over and urges Bassanio to go to Antonio as soon as their marriage has been
performed.
5. Antonio and his jailer try to soften Shylock, but he is unmoving.
6. Portia leaves her estate in the hands of Lorenzo and Jessica while she and Nerissa
supposedly retire to a nunnery to pray. However, she sends a message to her cousin, Dr.
Bellario of Padua, and reveals to Nerissa that in male disguise they will see their
husbands in Venice.
7. Jessica and Lorenzo discuss how thrilled they are for Portia and Bassanio.

Act IV Synopsis
1. The Duke of Venice appeals to Shylock to relent at the last minute and show mercy to
Antonio. His speech is full of words designed to touch Shylock's better nature: mercy,
remorse, gentleness, love, forgiveness, pity, commiseration, tender courtesy.
2. Shylock rejects it utterly. First, he declares simply that he will have his bond. He is
arrogant and aloof. He tells the court that it is his hatred and loathing for Antonio which
motivates him. Thus, Shylock presents himself in court as a grim and hateful figure.
3. Antonio is a passive character. He accepts what has befallen him. He tells Bassanio that
it is useless to plead with Shylock any further. Shylock refuses Bassanio's offers in court
of twice and even ten times the amount of the bond. Vengeance is what he is after now;
money is secondary.
4. Portia and Nerissa appear in the courtroom dressed as men. Portia acts on behalf of
Antonio. She appeals to Shylock, informing him that he could be given three, even ten
times as much as Antonio owes him, but he refuses. After he refuses, Portia declares
that Antonio must go under the knife. Then, just as Shylock is about to claim his due,
Portia springs her trap. She plays upon Shylock's insistence on the letter of the law.
Shylock is, she declares, entitled to exactly one pound of flesh, not a fraction of an ounce
more nor less, and not a drop of blood. If he exceeds the exact terms of the bond, his life
and goods are forfeited to the state. Portia has completely disarmed the moneylender.
Antonio is spared.
5. To end Act IV with the focus on Shylock's defeat would risk generating too much
sympathy for him. Shakespeare instead diverts the audience's attention to the ring plot
which will be developed in the final act. Thus, Portia's asking for Bassanio's ring as
payment is the dramatist's means of making the transition from the pain and gloom of the
trial to the lightness and romance of Act V. It is clear Shakespeare wanted to reestablish
the play as a romantic comedy.

Act V Synopsis
1. In a moonlit landscape, Jessica and Lorenzo speak of love, music, and harmony. All of
the lovers are reunited in Act V.
2. Bassanio and Portia declare their love against a musical background. Music is an ideal
symbol of the harmony with which the play ends.
3. The audience is aware that Portia and Nerissa have been given the rings that their
husbands promised never to give away. The men do not realize that Portia and Nerissa
are the same Dr. Bellario and his court assistant.
4. Antonio arrives from Venice to Belmont. Portia informs Bassanio and Gratiano
concerning the roles that she and Nerissa played in the trial. She welcomes Antonio and
gives him the news that his ships safely come to port after all. The play ends in
reconciliation and merriment.