The play opens with Antonio, a rich Christian merchant, in a depressed state. He seems to have a premonition of disaster, and all his friends try to cheer him up. His best friend, Bassanio approaches him and asks for a loan to woo Portia "a lady richly left" living in Belmont. Unfortunately, Antonio cannot afford this loan, so they must ask Shylock, a rich, money-lending Jew. Shylock detests Antonio "for he is a Christian" and lends money "gratis". He sees this as the perfect opportunity to trap Antonio, so he suggests a "single-bond" where, if Antonio does not repay the bond "on such a day", "an equal pound" of Antonio's "fair flesh" is "to be cut off" from any part of his body Shylock pleases. Antonio, without hesitation, seals the bond. Bassanio uses the money and eventually wins Portia's hand in marriage. He then hears rumours that Antonio's ships have been sunk, and therefore the bond cannot be repaid. Antonio must now forfeit a pound of his flesh. Bassanio rushes to Antonio's side. Unbeknown to Bassanio, Portia and her maid Nerissa "accoutred like young men" pretend to be lawyers d

efending Antonio. This trial scene is the most dramatic and the highlight of the play.

We later discover more of Shylock's sensitive side, when we learn he has a daughter called Jessica. However, there is not a loving relationship between the two; "lock up my doors" and "clamber not you up to the casements" he tells Jessica when the masque is in progress. The audience might wonder - was he being over-protective because he loved his daughter? Or because he was selfish and wanted her to himself? Shakespeare intended the audience to create their own version of the play, using their imagination.

When Bassanio wins Portia, Gratiano, Bassanio's friend, and Nerissa are married too. The colour fades from Bassanio's face when he learns that Antonio cannot repay the bond. Having exchanged rings at the wedding ceremonies, the bridegrooms rush off to Venice to be with Antonio, taking money, gifted by Portia, to pay the bond. However, telling their husbands they will "live in prayer and contemplation" until their return, Portia and Nerissa dress as young male lawyers, and follow their husbands to Venice.

In the end, Shylock got what he deserved, for his good nature and victimised attitude was all a show to get Antonio exactly where he wanted him. His daughter provided the perfect excuse for Shylock to have even more reason to hate Antonio, when she eloped with Lorenzo. All Shylock cared about was getting rid of Antonio once and for all. He attempted to murder someone, and should really have been put to death himself. However, in Shylock's case, a fate worse than death was that of becoming a Christian.

After the successful trial, Antonio is relieved his life is saved. As payment for their work, the young lawyers ask Bassanio and Gratiano for their wedding rings. Having promised their wives they would never part with them, they refuse. However, realising the debt they owe the lawyers, they eventually part with the rings and head back for Belmont. When the four meet again, immediately a quarrel begins about the missing rings. Bassanio is trying to explain to whom and why he gave his

Some common words found in the essay are:
Portia Nerissa, Christian Cursed, Antonio Christian, Shylock Antonio, Bassanio Gratiano, Shylock Portia, Bassanio Portia, Lorenzo Christian, Venice Shylock, Duke Bassanio, intended audience, antonio repay bond, antonio taking, pay bond, portia nerissa, daughter christian, eventually rings, hatred antonio, towards shylock, loan shylock, antonio repay,
Approximate Word count = 1417
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)