The two subplots provide also much enjoyment. They are concerned with Portia trying to get married and Jessica, Shylock's daughter, eloping with Lorenzo.

The main plot uses events and dialogue to create an atmosphere of anxiety. The

quick tempo of interest play also helps to sustain readers' interest.

The play start off with suspense when Antonio worries about the safety of his ships which he has invested much money. He has no cash to lend Bassanio and has to borrow from Shylock. Here, Shakespeare uses contrast between Christians and Hews, as well as loyalty and hate. Antonio, the Christian, hates Jews and often abuses Shylock, the Jew for lending money at high interest. But he still does business with Shylock because he feels he has a duty to help his fellow Christian Bassanio. If Antonio were not a loyal friend to Bassanio, he would not have to borrow money from Shylock and the play would have to have a different plot.

Shylock makes no secret that he intends to carry out the terms of the bonds, by which he gets a pound of Antonio's human flesh if Antonio cannot

The Duke: He is the judge in the court in Venice.

The trial brings the play to its climax. Portia waits until the very moment Shylock is going to cut Antonio's flesh to reveal the loophole she has discovered in the bond between them. The bond allows Shylock to get a pound of flesh but not blood as well. It is impossible to get flesh without blood. Shylock is defeated and humiliates. Half of his wealth is confiscated and he has to convert to Christianity.

In another subplot, the Christians conspire against Shylock. Some of them invite Shylock to dinner while others help Lorenzo and Jessica, Shylock's daughter, to elope and to steal Shylock's money and jewels, including a turquoise ring of great sentimental value. Shylock becomes a victim in both the main plot and this subplot. He does not deserve this ending because he has shown great humanity in explaining that his behaviour is normal in mankind. He deserves sympathy from readers.

Portia. She is a rich lady who has all the beauty of the world; her dying father leaves her great wealth and three caskets V one gold, one silver, and one lead. The suitor who chooses the casket with a drawing of Portia inside shall be Portia's husband; Bassanio chooses the lead casket which has the drawing and marries Portia.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Jessica Shylock's, Antonio Shakespeare, Bassanio Antonio, Shylock Jew, Portia Portia, Shylock Shylock, , Bassanio Antonio's, Bassanio Portia, Characterization Antonio, pound flesh, main plot, shylock jew, friend bassanio, flesh antonio, jessica shylock's, bassanio borrow, money shylock, shylock pound, friend antonio, jessica shylock's daughter, shylock pound flesh, friend antonio marries, borrow money shylock, loyal friend bassanio,
Approximate Word count = 1070
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)