-short explanation of the play The Merchant Of Venice -short explanation of the play

Merchant Of Venice Play written by William Shakespeare Between 1596 and 1598 Romantic comedy

Antonio (Merchant Of Venice) feeling sad Bassanio (Antonio’s friend) Set in Venice, Italy Antonio (Merchant Of Venice) feeling sad Bassanio (Antonio’s friend) got back from secret trip to see an heiress, Portia

Bassanio – borrowed money from Antonio all his life Anotonio lends three thousand ducats to Bassanio wooing Portia

Antonio’s money – tied up in business ventures that need to return from his ships from sea Antonio  borrows money from Shylock (Jewish moneylender) Shylock lends money against a bond  if he fail to repay loan  entitle Shylock to a pound of Antonio’s flesh Whoever makes the correct decision when three caskets presented  marry Portia (decided by Portia’s father)

Bassanio succeeds by choosing lead Antonio’s ships have been lost (can not pay his debt) Law court – news arrives of Shylock’s claim to Antonio’s pound of flesh Portia then disguises herself as a young male lawyer acting on behalf of Antonio

Portia’s defense – Shylock is entitled to his pound of flesh, but not to spill any of Antonio’s blood Claims the Jew should forfeit his life due to having conspired against the life if a Venetian Duke  pardons Shylock  have to give half of his wealth to Antonio and half of the state Shylock converts to Christianity and have to give his property to his daughter Jessica

Portia and Nerissa (Portia’s lady-in-waiting) assert their power over Bassanio and Gratiano (the one who marries Nerissa) Portia and Nerissa trick Bassanio and Gratiano by involving rings that have the men promised never to part with (wedding rings) Good news about Antonio’s ships Happy ending for most of the characters – except Shylock