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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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