Prompt Shakespeare // The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare (c. 1596-1599)

Scenes & Summaries

Act I

  • Scene 1: Antonio is sad. Bassanio asks him for a loan to woo Portia.
  • Scene 2: Portia and Nerissa discuss the suitors and the riddle of the caskets.
  • Scene 3: Bassanio negotiates a loan from Shylock, with Antonio as guarantor of the "pound of flesh" bond.

Act II

  • Scene 1: The Prince of Morocco arrives to woo Portia.
  • Scene 2: Launcelot Gobbo leaves Shylock to serve Bassanio.
  • Scene 3: Jessica gives Launcelot a letter for Lorenzo.
  • Scene 4: Lorenzo plans to elope with Jessica during the masque.
  • Scene 5: Shylock goes to dinner, leaving Jessica with the keys.
  • Scene 6: Jessica elopes with Lorenzo, stealing her father's ducats and jewels.
  • Scene 7: Morocco chooses the gold casket and fails.
  • Scene 8: Shylock's rage at his daughter's flight is reported.
  • Scene 9: The Prince of Arragon chooses the silver casket and fails.

Act III

  • Scene 1: Shylock laments his loss and vows revenge ("Hath not a Jew eyes?").
  • Scene 2: Bassanio chooses the lead casket and wins Portia. News arrives that Antonio is ruined.
  • Scene 3: Shylock refuses mercy; Antonio accepts his fate.
  • Scene 4: Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as men to go to Venice.
  • Scene 5: Launcelot and Jessica banter in the garden at Belmont.

Act IV

  • Scene 1: The Trial Scene. Portia (as Balthasar) saves Antonio but strips Shylock of his wealth and religion.
  • Scene 2: Portia and Nerissa trick their husbands into giving up their wedding rings.

Act V

  • Scene 1: The lovers reunite in Belmont. The ring plot is resolved. Antonio learns his ships are safe.

Dramatis Personae

The DUKE OF VENICE.
The PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia.
The PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia.
ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice.
BASSANIO, his friend, suitor likewise to Portia.
SALANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
SALARINO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
SALERIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio.
LORENZO, in love with Jessica.
SHYLOCK, a rich Jew.
TUBAL, a Jew, his friend.
LAUNCELOT GOBBO, the clown, servant to Shylock.
OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelot.
LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio.
BALTHASAR, servant to Portia.
STEPHANO, servant to Portia.
PORTIA, a rich heiress.
NERISSA, her waiting-maid.
JESSICA, daughter to Shylock.
Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, Servants to Portia, and other Attendants.

Reader's Guide to Annotations

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