Shakespeare - The Merchant of Venice - plot summary

The Merchant of Venice is a clever and controversial comedy. Bassanio, a poor nobleman in Venice, needs money to woo the beautiful heiress Portia. He asks his friend Antonio for a loan, but Antonio has invested his funds in ships overseas. The moneylender, Shylock, offers the cash on the condition that he will take a pound of Antonio’s flesh if the loan is not repaid within three months. Antonio goes bankrupt and Portia steps in, disguised as a young male lawyer, to save the day.

• Bassanio asks his friend Antonio for a loan.
• Portia is bound by her father’s will and cannot marry who she chooses.
• Shylock lends the money to Antonio with some slightly gory conditions.
• Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, runs away from home to be with Lorenzo.
• Antonio’s investments are sunk and Shylock demands his arrest.
• Bassanio wins Portia as his wife.
• Portia, disguised as a lawyer, saves Antonio from his bond to Shylock.
• Bassanio and Portia argue about the loss of a wedding ring.

Antonio is feeling sad, but can’t explain why. His friends suggest the reason is that all his money is invested in ships that are currently at sea. Bassanio arrives and asks whether he can borrow 3000 ducats from Antonio. He already has money on loan from Antonio, that he has not repaid. He says that another 3000 ducats will allow him to generate more than enough to repay Antonio. Bassanio wants the money so that he can visit the beautiful heiress, Portia and try to win her for his wife.

Antonio is more than willing to lend the money to his friend, who he loves dearly, but all his cash is currently tied up with his ships’ cargo. Instead he suggests that Bassanio tries to borrow money in Antonio’s name from one of the moneylenders in Venice.

Did you know? Venice was an important trading centre where merchants bought and sold goods from all around the world. The Rialto in Venice was a marketplace and a bit like the modern stock exchange, where shares in companies are traded.

Portia and Nerissa discuss the men who have come to try and win her hand in marriage. Portia’s descriptions of her suitors are witty and entertaining and show that she has not been impressed by any of them. Her father’s will states that any would-be husband of Portia’s has to correctly complete a task. The men must choose from three caskets – one is made of gold, one silver and the third, lead. One of the caskets holds a portrait of Portia and whoever chooses this one will become her husband. Portia is frustrated by the way her father controls her even though he is no longer alive and she complains about her lack of choice.

Did you know? Portia attracts men from all over the world, not only because of her beauty but also because she is extremely wealthy. Noblemen like Bassanio would typically live on inheritances rather than working. When their funds ran out they would often seek out wealthy wives to sustain the luxurious lifestyles they were used to.

Bassanio approaches the Jewish moneylender, Shylock, and asks to borrow 3000 ducats with Antonio as a bond. Shylock points out that Antonio’s money is invested at sea, and a loan is risky because ships might sink or be attacked by pirates.

Bassanio invites Shylock to dine with him and Antonio, but Shylock refuses. Whilst he says he will happily do business with Christians, he won’t share their food, drink or prayers. In an aside, he talks of his hatred for Antonio, who Shylock says spits on him and curses both his religion and business practices in public. Despite this, he agrees to lend the money on one condition: if the loan is not repaid in full within three months, Shylock will take one pound of Antonio’s flesh.

Bassanio objects, but Antonio has confidence in his investments and agrees to the contract.

Did you know? Shylock refuses to eat and drink with the Christians because of his religious beliefs. Jewish people have some strict rules about food they should eat. The Christians would probably serve food and drink that Shylock’s religion would prevent him from touching.

The Prince of Morocco visits Portia in Belmont to try his luck with the caskets.

Meanwhile Jessica, Shylock’s daughter complains that her “house is hell” and that she is “ashamed to be [her] father’s child”. She and her lover, Lorenzo, exchange letters plotting her escape. Shylock learns that there will be a masque that night and warns Jessica to lock herself inside the house. He does not want his “sober house” to be upset by superficial partying.

That night however, whilst her father is out, Jessica steals a casket of his gold and jewels, disguises herself in boy’s clothes and runs away to meet Lorenzo.

Back in Belmont, the Prince of Morocco incorrectly chooses the gold casket and loses his chance to marry Portia.

Did you know? Venice is famous for its masques and carnivals which have been held since the twelfth century. Partygoers wore masks to hide their identities, and behaved much more wildly than they would if they could be recognised!

Bassanio and his companion, Gratiano, set sail for Belmont and there are rumours that Lorenzo and Jessica were seen escaping in a gondola. Shylock is upset about the loss of his daughter, and even more so about the loss of his money.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Arragon visits Portia and selects the casket containing silver. This is incorrect and he leaves. The audience and Portia now know that the lead casket will hold her portrait.

Back in Venice, Antonio is made bankrupt when his ships sink. Shylock calls for his bond – the pound of flesh.

In Belmont, Portia tries to persuade Bassanio to wait a day or two before choosing a casket, so they can spend time together. She is forbidden from helping him with her father’s test and if he guesses incorrectly he will have to leave immediately.

However, he insists on making his choice and to Portia’s relief, he chooses the lead casket and wins her as his wife. She gives him a ring as a token of her love and makes him swear never to part with it. Gratiano also declares his love for Nerissa and the couples decide to share their wedding celebrations.

Jessica and Lorenzo arrive in Belmont and Bassanio receives a letter from Antonio explaining that he has lost everything. Portia offers to repay the debt “twenty times over” and sends Bassanio back to Venice to sort things out.

Shylock, insistent on getting his bond, has Antonio arrested. Portia and Nerissa go to Venice disguised as a lawyer and clerk. In the courtroom, the Duke asks Shylock to show some compassion and Bassanio offers 6000 ducats to repay Antonio’s loan. Portia appears, disguised as Balthazar. He (she) speaks about mercy and tries to persuade Shylock to drop the case but he refuses. Balthazar (Portia) examines the contract and declares that it is legal. However, as Shylock is about to cut Antonio, Balthazar (Portia) stops him and points out that the contract does not mention blood. If Shylock spills a drop of Antonio’s blood, everything he owns will be confiscated.

Finally she charges Shylock for attempting to harm Antonio, a crime for which he must be punished by losing all his possessions. Antonio shows some mercy by requesting that half Shylock’s money goes to Jessica and her husband, but makes the condition that Shylock must convert to Christianity.

Antonio and Bassanio insist on giving the lawyer a gift for his (her) work. Balthazar (Portia) asks for the ring that Bassanio is wearing. He offers to buy the most expensive ring in Venice rather than part with the one that Portia gave him. Antonio pleads with him to hand over the ring and Bassanio gives in. Nerissa, disguised as the clerk, persuades Gratiano to part with his ring as well.

Portia and Nerissa return to Belmont, arriving home just moments before Bassanio and Antonio.

Nerissa and Gratiano appear in the middle of an argument about the ring that he has ‘lost’. Portia then ‘notices’ that Bassanio no longer has her ring and they argue as well. Eventually, after much teasing, Portia and Nerissa reveal that in fact they were the lawyer and clerk who saved Antonio’s life in the courtroom. Portia gives Antonio a letter that says three of his ships are safe after all, so everyone is happy in the end.