The Merchant of Venice - Key Points

Opening Scene

• Antonio, a Christian merchant, is in a depressed state.
• Friends suggest Antonio's worry could be about his ships at sea.
• Bassanio, Antonio's close friend, is an aristocrat who has lost his money.
• Bassanio requests a loan from Antonio to woo a wealthy heiress, Portia.
• Antonio offers his credit to get a loan for Bassanio.

The Loan Agreement

• Bassanio secures a loan of 3,000 ducats from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender.
• Unusual condition: If Antonio cannot repay, he owes a pound of his flesh.
• Antonio agrees to the terms of the bond.

Belmont and Portia

• Portia's deceased father decreed suitors must choose from three caskets (gold, silver, lead) to marry her.
• Prince of Morocco chooses gold (finds a skull).
• Prince of Aragon chooses silver (finds an idiot's picture).

Jessica and Lorenzo

• Shylock's daughter, Jessica, plans to run away with Lorenzo, a Christian.
• They elope, Jessica disguised as a boy, taking a chest of ducats.
• Shylock is devastated over his daughter's elopement and loss of ducats.

Bassanio’s Success

• Bassanio arrives in Belmont, chooses the lead casket, winning Portia's hand.
• Portia gives Bassanio a ring to seal their engagement.

The Crisis

• Antonio's ships rumored to be lost at sea; Shylock demands his pound of flesh.
• Bassanio receives a letter about Antonio's plight and rushes back to Venice with 6,000 ducats.
• Portia and her maid, Nerissa, secretly follow, disguised as men.

Courtroom Scene

• Shylock refuses any payment except his pound of flesh.
• Portia, disguised as a young lawyer, argues for mercy.
• Legal technicality: Shylock can take the flesh but not shed blood.
• Shylock backs down, agrees to take the money instead.
• Shylock penalized, must convert to Christianity; wealth to go to Lorenzo and Jessica after his death.

Resolution

• After the trial, Bassanio gives "Dr. Balthazar" (Portia) his ring as a reward.
• Portia and Nerissa return to Belmont and reveal their disguises.
• The play ends with three happy couples: Lorenzo & Jessica, Nerissa & Gratiano, Portia & Bassanio.
• Antonio remains outside the circle of married friends.
• Shylock is left undone, having lost both wealth and daughter.