The Merchant of Venice

Characters
Antonio a merchant of Venice
Bassanio Antonio's friend; suitor to Portia
Gratiano, Solanio, Salarino, Salerio friends of Antonio and
Bassanio
Lorenzo friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica
Portia a rich heiress
Nerissa Portia's waiting maid- in love with Gratiano
Balthazar Portia's servant, who Portia later disguises herself
as
Stephano Nerissa's disguise as Balthazar's law clerk.
Shylock a rich Jew, moneylender, father of Jessica
Jessica daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo
Tubal a Jew; Shylock's friend
Launcelot Gobbo a servant to Shylock
Old Gobbo father of Launcelot
Leonardo servant to Bassanio
Duke of Venice Venetian authority who presides over the
case of Shylock's bond
Prince of Morocco suitor to Portia
Prince of Arragon suitor to Portia
Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler,
servants to Portia, and other Attendants


Summery
Antonio, the merchant of Venice, lends three thousand ducats to his
friend Bassanio in order to assist him in his wooing of the wealthy
and beautiful Portia of Belmont, an estate some distance from
Venice. But Antonio's own money is tied up in business ventures that
depend on the safe return of his ships from sea, so he borrows the
money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender whom he has previously
insulted for his high rates of interest. Shylock lends the money
against a bond whereby failure to repay the loan on the agreed date
will entitle Shylock to a pound of Antonio's flesh. Portia's father has
decreed that she will marry whichever suitor makes the correct
choice when presented with three caskets, made of gold, silver and
lead. Where wealthy suitors from Morocco and Aragon fail, Bassanio
succeeds by choosing lead. His friend Gratiano marries Portia's lady-
in-waiting Nerissa at the same time. News arrives that Antonio's
ships have been lost; he is unable to pay his debt. Shylock's claim to
his pound of flesh is heard in the law court before the duke.
Unknown to their husbands, Portia disguises herself as a young male
lawyer acting on behalf of Antonio, Nerissa as a clerk. Portia's
ingenious defence is that Shylock is entitled to his pound of flesh but
not to spill any of Antonio's blood; she argues that the Jew should
forfeit his life for having conspired against the life of a Venetian. The
duke pardons Shylock on condition that he gives half his wealth to
Antonio and half to the state. Antonio surrenders his claim on
condition that Shylock converts to Christianity and leaves his
property to his daughter Jessica, whom he has disinherited for
running away with her Christian lover Lorenzo. Portia and Nerissa
then assert their power over Bassanio and Gratiano by means of a
trick involving rings that the men have promised never to part with.
Finally there is good news about Antonio's ships.
The Merchant of Venice Plot Analysis
Initial Situation
Antonio loves Bassanio, and Portia's father has set up the game of
the caskets.
Conflict
Bassanio is poor and needs Antonio to help him woo Portia. Antonio
can only turn to Shylock, who is Jewish and thus hated. Antonio has
to sign away a pound of his flesh as a guarantee on Bassanio's loan.
Bassanio finally gets a go at Portia, but he's got to pick the right
casket.
Complication
Antonio's not good for the money and is going to be killed. Jessica
has run away. Portia has to postpone marital bliss to save Antonio.
And Shylock seems hell-bent on having Antonio's flesh instead of his
money back.
Climax
The trial: many are tested, few will win.
The play builds to the point where Antonio is practically shirtless in
anticipation of the knife. Need we say more?
Suspense
Shylock is put out in the street. Bassanio and Graziano break faith by
giving away their rings, and the women rush home.


Denouement
Everyone gets home to Belmont and seems happy enough. The
couples squabble but reconcile. Antonio is sorry to have caused so
much trouble.
Conclusion
Portia reveals everything. Antonio is rich again.
Portia finally reveals the whole gig by presenting letters that explain
how she was Balthazar and Nerissa his clerk. She accepts Antonio's
apology and goes even further, ensuring that, even if he's lost his
friend, he's got his money back. The whole play ends in relative
harmony and all the marriages are consummated.