The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is about money and love; prejudice and revenge; and justice and mercy.

Impoverished nobleman Bassanio seeks to woo wealthy heiress Portia, whose Father's Will gave her hand to whosoever chooses the correct casket. Bassanio asks his friend Antonio for a loan but all Antonio's wealth is invested in overseas ventures. Antonio suggests that he stands surety so Bassanio can borrow from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender.

Shylock asks no interest, but 'in a merry jest' suggests a pound of Antonio's flesh should he default. Shylock's daughter Jessica elopes with Antonio's friends Lorenzo which enrages Shylock.

Bassanio wins the hand of Portia in marriage and his friend Gratinio marries Portia's companion Nerissa. Antonio's ships sink and he defaults on the debt and is arrested. Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as lawyers and Portia acts as Judge at the trial. She implores Shylock to show mercy but he demands his 'pound of flesh', so she uses legal argument to save Antonio. A grateful Bassanio gives Portia's betrothal ring to the 'learned Judge' with which Portia chides him in the final act.