In Venice, a merchant, Antonio, worries that his ships are overdue. As his colleagues offer comfort his young friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo arrive. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan to enable him to pay court to the wealthy Portia. Antonio cannot afford the loan but he sends Bassanio to borrow the money on the security of his expected cargos.

At Belmont Portia and her maid Nerissa discuss the suitors who come in response to Portia's father's strange will, whereby she may marry only the man who chooses correctly from one of three caskets in gold, silver and lead.

Bassanio approaches Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, who dislikes Antonio but offers the loan with no interest instead, as a kind of joke, the surety will be a pound weight of Antonio's flesh. The bond is agreed and Bassanio prepares to leave for Belmont with Gratiano. Launcelot Gobbo, Shylock's servant, wishes to change masters, and meeting his old, blind, father together they persuade Bassanio to employ Launcelot. Jessica, the Jew' s daughter, longs to leave home to become a Christian and marry Lorenzo. Before he departs Launcelot takes a letter to Lorenzo planning an elopement during a masquerade that night, and when Shylock goes out Jessica escapes. The following day Bassanio sets sail for Belmont, while Shylock rages over the loss of his daughter and the jewels she has taken.

In Belmont Portia’s suitor the Prince of Morocco wrongly chooses the golden casket, and the Prince of Arragon selects silver with equal lack of success. As Arragon leaves Bassanio is announced and Portia, who met him once before, goes eagerly to greet him. After some days Shylock hears that Jessica is squandering her stolen wealth in Genoa and as he rails against Christians he threatens Antonio's friends that if the loan is not repaid on time he will insist on the security originally asked in jest.

Bassanio attempts the casket and, by choosing lead, he wins his bride, and Gratiano asks for Nerissa as his wife. Lorenzo and Jessica come to Belmont and news arrives that Antonio is bankrupt and is under arrest as Shylock insists on the fulfilment of his bond. Bassanio and Gratiano leave in haste to help Antonio while Portia and Nerissa resolve to follow in disguise as lawyers.

In court in Venice Shylock demands his pound of flesh but the Duke has sought legal advice. The disguised Portia arrives as Balthasar, sent by a famous lawyer, Bellario. Balthazar pleads for mercy and Bassanio offers his wife's money to pay the debt. Shylock refuses the money and Antonio's death is prevented only as Balthazar explains the bond is for flesh but not one drop of blood may be shed.

For threatening the life of a Venetian Shylock's goods are forfeit. Antonio refuses his share and asks for it to be put in trust for Lorenzo and Jessica. Antonio also demands that Shylock becomes a Christian. Broken in submission, Shylock leaves and Bassanio and Gratiano thank the lawyers who ask for their rings as fees. The rings are denied until Antonio intervenes. Portia and Nerissa return home at night to find Lorenzo and Jessica enjoying the tranquility of Belmont. When their husbands arrive there is playful argument about the rings before the identity of the lawyers is revealed. Antonio receives news that his ships have returned safely after all and the play ends as the three couples prepare to celebrate their marriages.

'The Merchant of Venice' was first published in 1600.

© Marian J. Pringle
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust