The Merchant Of Venice

A detailed Summary of The Merchant Of Venice


Antonio is a wealthy merchant in the city of Venice. Although

central to the play, Antonio is portrayed by Shakespeare as an

'outcast'. It seems that Antonio is chronically depressed and is not

involved in the social atmosphere that is thriving in Venice. -

"In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:

It wearies me; you say it wearies you;

But how I caught it. Found it, or came by it,

What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,

Along with Shylock, both men seem bitter and have difficulty

in expressing their emotions. On many occasions friends, such as

Salerio and Bassanio have questioned his sadness, trying to find an

explanation for their great unhappiness with themselves and with the

Salerio: "But tell not me: I know Antonio

Is sad to think upon his merchandise.2

Antonio: "Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it,

My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,

Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate

Upon the fortune of this present year:

Therefore, my merchandise makes me not sad."3

Salanio: "Why, then are you in love."4

The mystery of Antonio's sadness remains, as he dismisses the

prospect that his sadness is related to h


"Your wife would give you little thanks of that,

reminds him of another law. One must never conspire to kill another

lost at sea is spreading around Venice. Jessica confirms that Shylock

shows no remorse or sympathy for the man he has abused. Antonio even

without his lifelong companion, Bassanio after he travelled to Belmont

signals the secret 'death wish' that Antonio holds very close to his



Some common words found in the essay are:
Shylock Antonio, Antonio Shylock, Antonio Fie, Venice Jessica, , Shylock Christian, Antonio Believe, Salerio Bassanio, Venetian Shylock, Doctor Laws, shylock antonio, created antonio, ships lost, play antonio, antonio shylock,

Approximate Word count = 985
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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