The Merchant of Venice follows the tale of a man who needed money to gain the favor of a woman, and to pass a test in order to gain her hand. While his friend financed this endeavor, he put his own life on the line which the woman saves while disguised as a man, using clever legal maneuvering and establishing her intellectual superiority over all of the men she fooled.
The Merchant of Venice Summary
Bassanio wants to marry Portia of Belmont, but he needs money to woo her, so he asks his friend Antonio, a wealthy merchant. Antonio agrees to help his friend, but he won’t have any physical money available until his ship's return. He goes to a Jewish moneylender named Shylock for a loan, but Shylock resents Antonio for his anti-Semitic verbal abuse and his business practices. He agrees to lend the money to Antonio with one stipulation: if he does not pay it back by the agreed-upon date, he would recoup his losses with a pound of Antonio’s flesh. While Bassanio is hesitant at such an agreement, Antonio doesn’t see a problem, confident he will be able to repay Shylock in time. Bassanio and his friend Gratiano head for Belmont. When they arrive, they find that there are many suitors vying for Portia’s hand in marriage.
Bassanio discovers that Portia’s father left a test for her suitors. There are three caskets: one is made of gold, the next of silver, and the third of lead, each with an inscription. The Prince of Morocco chooses the gold casket; the Prince of Arragon chooses the silver casket, which are both incorrect. Bassanio chooses the lead casket, which is the correct choice. Gratiano marries Portia’s servant Nerissa.
Meanwhile, Antonio’s ships are lost at sea so he cannot repay the debt to Shylock. Shylock brings Antonio and their contract to the court, where the Duke tries to reason with Shylock, but Shylock refuses to break the contract. Bassanio offers to pay the loan back for three times more, but Shylock still refuses. A lawyer named “Balthazar” arrives, who is actually Portia in disguise, along with her “law clerk”, who is actually Nerissa. Portia tries to convince Shylock to show mercy, but he refuses, so she tries another tactic: she advises him that while the contract stipulates a pound of flesh, it does not make provisions for blood. If Shylock can get the pound of flesh without spilling any of Antonio’s blood, then he can have it.
Shylock knows he is defeated, and Portia makes him agree to accept the original loan back, but then because he threatened to harm a Venetian citizen, Shylock, as an “alien”, forfeits his property and wealth to Venice and Antonio, his victim. The Duke agrees to give the government’s portion back to Shylock if he converts to Christianity; Antonio agrees to let Shylock have his wealth until his death. Antonio learns that his ships were just delayed, not destroyed.
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Try it for Free!Date Published: 1597
Genre: Comedy
Major Themes: Racism; gender roles; revenge; mercy
Famous Quote: “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
Check out all of our Shakespeare Resources
- Types of Shakespeare Plays
- Romeo and Juliet
- Macbeth
- Hamlet
- Othello
- Julius Caesar
- Richard III
- King Lear
- The Tempest
- Twelfth Night
- Sonnet 73
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Picture Encyclopedia of Shakespeare Plays
How Tos about The Merchant of Venice Summary
Engage students with a creative 'Merchant of Venice' character collage activity
Invite students to create a visual collage representing the main characters from The Merchant of Venice. Provide magazines, colored paper, and digital tools so they can cut, paste, or digitally assemble images and words that reflect each character’s personality and role. This activity helps learners better understand character traits through visual and textual representation.
Facilitate group discussion using key scenes from the play
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a significant scene from The Merchant of Venice. Ask them to read their scene and discuss the motivations and emotions of each character. This approach encourages critical thinking and deeper comprehension of the play’s themes.
Guide students in comparing historical context to modern times
Provide background information on the social and economic realities of Venice during Shakespeare’s era. Lead a discussion on how themes like justice, prejudice, and commerce appear both in the play and in today’s world. This helps students connect literature to real-life issues.
Encourage creative writing with alternative endings
Challenge students to write their own endings for The Merchant of Venice. Ask them to consider how changing a character’s decision could affect the story. This promotes creative thinking and a deeper understanding of narrative structure.
Assess learning with a reflective journal assignment
Ask students to keep a journal as they study The Merchant of Venice. Prompt them to reflect on key themes, characters, and their personal reactions to the play. This provides valuable insights into student comprehension and engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Merchant of Venice Summary
What is a merchant in 'The Merchant of Venice'?
A merchant in The Merchant of Venice is a person who buys and sells goods for profit. In the play, Antonio is the main merchant, trading across the seas and risking his wealth on shipping ventures.
Who are the main characters in 'The Merchant of Venice'?
The main characters in The Merchant of Venice include Antonio (the merchant), Shylock (the moneylender), Bassanio (Antonio's friend), Portia (a wealthy heiress), and Jessica (Shylock's daughter).
What is the main theme of 'The Merchant of Venice'?
The main theme of The Merchant of Venice is justice versus mercy. The play explores how laws, kindness, and prejudice affect people's lives and relationships.
Why is 'The Merchant of Venice' important for students to study?
The Merchant of Venice is important for students because it teaches about ethics, cultural diversity, and critical thinking through its characters and conflicts. It is also a classic example of Shakespeare's work.
How can teachers use 'The Merchant of Venice' in lesson plans?
Teachers can use The Merchant of Venice to discuss character analysis, themes like justice and friendship, and to encourage debates about historical and cultural perspectives in literature.
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