The Merchant of Venice

https://unifiedportal-
mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/home?
_HDIV_STATE_=3-5-
78C64B2067E3B0FF764AD1136C75A11A
The Merchant of Venice

CHRACTERS IN THE PLAY
_________________________________________________________
o The Duke of Venice

 The Prince of Morocco} Suitors to Portia
 The Prince of Arragon} Suitors to Portia
 Antonio - A merchant of Venice
 Bassanio – Antonio’s best friend and suitors to Portia
 Gratiano – Another friend of Antonio who is in love with Nerissa
 Lorenzo – Another friend of Antonio who is in love with Jessica
 Leonardo – Servant to Bassanio
 Salarino/Salanio/Salerio – Other friends of Antonio
 Shylock – A rich Jew and a moneylender
 Jessica – Shylock’s daughter
 Tubal – Another Jew who is friend of Shylock
 Launcelot Gobbo – A clown and servant to Shylock
 Old Gobbo – Launcelot’s Father
 Portia – An heiress of Belmont
 Nerissa – Her lady – in – waiting (Personal Assistant of Portia)
 Balthazar & Stephano – Servants to Portia
=The Story Line =

The Exposition: The play commences on a street in Venice.
Shakespeare introduces the central character of the play, Antonio, as a
merchant of power and influence.
Bassanio, his friend, confesses to him that he is in love with Portia, a rich
heiress of Belmont. In order to present himself as an eligible suitor to
Portia, he seeks a loan from Antonio. Antonio has no money in hand to
lend as his fortunes are tied up with his ships at sea. However, he
promises to help Bassanio to take a loan from moneylenders using his
(Antonio’s) name.
A test of Fortune: At Belmont, Portia narrates to Nerissa, her maid, the
hardships she is being put to under the obligation of her father’s
will. His will commands that Portia will marry the man who will choose,
from amongst the three caskets of gold, silver and lead, the one which
contains her portrait. Portia is relieved that none her suitors have been
lucky enough to choose the right casket, as she has no liking for any of
them.
The Bond Story: Meanwhile, in Venice, Bassanio has found a Jewish
moneylender named Shylock, who can lend the money he needs.
Shylock hates Antonio because he lends money without interest and
thus spoils his business as a moneylender. He is also bitter because of
the insults inflicted on him and his race by Antonio. However, Shylock
agrees to lend him three thousand ducats on an unusual bond which
stipulates that if Antonio fails to repay the amount in three months,
Shylock will be authorized to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body.
Despite Bassanio’s requests not to accept the bond, Antonio agrees to
the bond as he is confident that his ships would return much before the
due date of payment of the loan.
Jessica’s Deceit: Back at Belmont, Portia’s suitors get on her nerves.
They include a pompous Moroccan Prince and the Prince of Arragon,
who try in vain to win her. In Venice, a romantic sub-plot develops, when
Shylock’s daughter, Jessica falls in love with Lorenzo, a close friend of
Antonio and Bassanio. Lorenzo elopes with Jessica by disguising her as
a boy. While eloping, Jessica steals her father’s money and Jewels.
Shylock becomes furious at his daughter’s betrayal and loss of his
money. He is consoled somewhat on hearing that Antonio has lost all his
ships and out of hatred for him, he claims his bond.
The choice of Caskets: Bassanio reaches Belmont to try his luck at the
lottery of caskets and to win Portia. Portia tries to persuade Bassanio to
stay at Belmont for a few days before making his choice of caskets so
that she could enjoy his company. Bassanio on his part, cannot endure
the uncertainty of the lottery and wants to try his luck as soon as
possible. Portia is overwhelmed with joy when Bassanio chooses the
lead casket and finds her portrait inside. On the basis of his right choice,
Portia consents to accept Bassanio as her husband. Nerissa and
Gratiano also announce their engagement at the same time. Both Portia
and Nerissa give rings to Bassanio and Gratiano, respectively, as token
of their betrothal and make them take a vow never to part with the rings.
Salerio arrives with a message from Antonio that all his ships are
wrecked. All that Antonio wishes now is to see Bassanio before he
meets his bond obligations. On knowing the facts, Portia tells Bassanio
that he can have any amount of money to save Antonio and send him to
Venice. Portia conceives of a plan to save Antonio from the clutches of
Shylock. She seeks the advice of a lawyer named Dr. Bellario. She
receives instructions as well as the lawyer’s dress from Bellario. Portia
and Nerissa, dressed as men, set out for Venice to fight in Antonio’s
legal case.
The trial Scene: The trial of Antonio begins at the Duke’s court. Portia
disguised as a young lawyer arrives to defend Antonio. Bassanio is
unable to recognise Portia in disguise. She makes an eloquent speech
requesting Shylock to show mercy to Antonio. But Shylock is adamant to
have his bond. At this moment Portia showing her intelligence, tells the
Jew that according to the terms of the bond, he is entitled to cut off only
a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body without shedding a single drop of
his blood. She warns Shylock that if he sheds a drop of Antonio’s blood,
all his wealth and lands will be confiscated.
Shylock realizes that he cannot have his pound of flesh and shows his
willingness to accept the original loan amount. Portia insists that Shylock
only can have ‘merely justice, and his bond’. She accuses him of an
attempt to take the life of a Venetian citizen. Shylock’s life is saved by
the Duke on the condition that he becomes a Christian and leaves his
assets after his death to his daughter, Jessica and his son-in-law
Lorenzo. Shylock’s desire for revenge recoils on him and he has to lose
his property, his daughter and his religion. Antonio’s life is saved by the
ingenuity of the lawyer (Portia). So out of gratitude, Bassanio and
Gratiano give away their rings to the lawyer and his clerk, though quite
unwillingly.
Happy Ending: Portia and Nerissa reach home at Belmont just before
their husbands arrive. Finding their rings missing, the ladies feign
annoyance and scold their husbands for parting with their rings. After a
lot of fun and teasing, Portia unfolds the whole mystery that she herself
was the lawyer and Nerissa was her clerk. She further brings the good
news that Antonio’s ships have returned at the harbour, carrying rich
cargo. Lorenzo and Jessica are presented with Shylock’s deed of gift,
signed and sealed in accordance with the court’s decision. Thus, the
play ends on a happy note with triumph of loyalty, prevalence of
romance and defeat of greed and hatred.
=========

The Merchant of Venice

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Merchant of Venice

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Merchant of Venice

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

https://unifiedportal-

The Merchant of Venice

o The Duke of Venice

=The Story Line =

You might also like