The Merchant of Venice

The story of the play

Antonio, a rich merchant, is, without any obvious reason, in depressed state. His friends suggest he is worried about his merchant ships, or that he is in love. He dismisses both suggestions.

Antonio has in the past lent money to his friend Bassanio. This time, Bassanio wants to set himself up to try for the hand in marriage of Portia, a wealthy and beautiful heiress. To finance this, Antonio now has to borrow money, as all his resources are at present in his ships, trading to distant countries.

At Belmont, her newly-inherited estate about twenty miles from Venice, Portia feels frustrated by the terms of her father’s will. He has laid down that everyone who has to marry her must choose between a casket of gold, silver or lead. Portia will have to accept as her husband the man who demonstrates sound values by making the ‘correct’ choice. Nerissa, Portia’s companion, tries to persuade her that it is all for the best. All the suitors must also take an oath never to marry if they fail in this contest. Half a dozen totally unsuitable young men decide to leave without taking their chance. The next candidate is the Prince of Morocco.

Back in Venice, Bassanio approaches Shylock, a wealthy Jew, who lends money in return for interest, which at that time Christians were not allowed to do. Shylock and Antonio are already enemies. Each of them hates what the other stands for. Antonio admits that he has spat on Shylock and called him names. He has also rescued people heavily in debt to Shylock. This affects Shylock’s livelihood. Shylock agrees to lend 3 000 ducats on Antonio’s bond. He tries to persuade Antonio that usury is sanctioned in the Bible. On this occasion, instead of taking a percentage of the loan as interest, Shylock offers a ‘joke’ bond – the forfeit of a pound of Antonio’s flesh if the loan is not repaid in three months. Antonio agrees to this against Bassanio’s advice.

Launcelot Gobbo, currently Shylock’s servant, wants to leave Shylock’s service, but is having a battle with his conscience. He has some fun at the expense of his elderly father and then together they ask Bassanio to take Launcelot on as his servant. Bassanio agrees. Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, also plans to run away from him. She uses Launcelot to take messages to her lover, Lorenzo, with whom she is going to elope.

Before Bassanio leaves for Belmont with his rather unruly friend Gratiano, he invites all his friends to dinner. Shylock is to be there also and this gives Lorenzo and Jessica their chance. She dresses as a page and, having taken money and jewels from her father, she leaves his house for ever. Before the party can take place, however, Bassanio and Gratiano must take advantage of the weather and sail for Belmont.

Meanwhile, at Belmont, the Prince of Morocco has chosen the golden casket, thus failed the test, and left. The Prince of Aragon has chosen silver and he too has gone away, disappointed.

Shylock seems distressed almost to madness by the loss at the same time of his daughter, a considerable amount of money and jewellery of real and sentimental value. He learns of Lorenzo’s and Jessica’s spending spree and is then a little comforted by persistent rumours of shipwreck affecting Antonio’s cargoes. He is now looking for vengeance.

Portia and Bassanio are instantly attracted to each other. Unlike the two princes, he sees all the virtues of plain lead, and makes the right choice. They are both ecstatically happy and Portia gives Bassanio her ring, making him promise never to part with it. Gratiano and Nerissa have also fallen in love and she too gives him her ring, on the same terms.

Lorenzo and Jessica arrive, bringing a letter from Antonio. All his ships have sunk and his forfeit is being claimed by Shylock. Portia, realizing Bassanio’s distress, arranges a speedy wedding for the two couples and sends the two men back to Venice with an offer of several times the original loan. Lorenzo and Jessica stay to look after the house as Portia pretends that she and Nerissa are going to a religious retreat to pray for their husbands. In fact, they are going to Venice, supplied with lawyers’ robes and helpful legal opinion from one of Portia’s cousins, Bellario.

Antonio has been allowed to visit Shylock from the gaol to try to persuade him to be lenient. Shylock, however, is bent on revenge. In court Antonio makes it clear he is resigned to his fate. He knows the law cannot, in fact must not, be altered for one man’s convenience. After appealing in vain to Shylock for mercy, Portia confirms the law, to Shylock’s delight.

He has all the grisly apparatus prepared, the knife and the scales, and Antonio is stripped and ready when Portia points out that no blood must be spilt or Shylock must die. Further, because he has tried to kill a Venetian citizen, half his goods go to his intended victim and half to the state. Also, only the Duke can spare his life. Showing the mercy which Shylock would not, the Duke spares Shylock’s life and Antonio’s request he can keep half his wealth as long as the other half may go to Lorenzo and Jessica and the rest to them on his death. Shylock must also become a Christian. He is a broken man.

As the lawyer and clerk, the only gifts Portia and Nerissa will accept for their services from Antonio and Bassanio are the rings they gave their husbands. These are parted with reluctantly.

Arriving back at a serene and beautiful Belmont, Portia and Nerissa soon confront their ‘husbands’ betrayal’ and suggest the Missing rings were given to women. They clear up the misunderstandings. Lorenzo and Jessica are delighted to learn of their future fortune and Antonio discovers that three of his ships have come safely to harbour after all.

Who is who in “The Merchant of Venice”?

The Duke of Venice

The Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia

The Prince of Arragon – suitor to Portia

Antonio – a Christian merchant in Venice

Bassanio – Antonio’s friend and suitor to Portia

Gratiano – a friend of Antonio and Bassanio

Salerio – friend to Antonio and Bassanio

Lorenzo – a Christian and in love with Jessica (Jewish)

Shylock – a ruthless Jew and hater of Christians

Tubal – a jew and friend of Shylock

Launcelot Gobbo – a clown and servant of Shylock

Old Gobbo – half-blind father of Launcelot

Leonardo – servant to Bassanio

Balthazar – servant to Portia

Stephano – servant to Portia

Portia – an heiress, of Belmont

Nerissa – Portia’s waiting-woman

Jessica – daughter of Shylock and Lorenzo’s lover

Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of justice, a Gaoler, Servants and other attendants