Synopsis for The Merchant of Venice
-from The Pocket Companion to Shakespeare’s Plays by J.C. Trewin

Bassanio, needing money to woo Portia, heiress of Belmont, asks his friend Antonio, a Venetian merchant, for 3,000 ducats. Having no money by him and with all his ships at sea, Antonio goes to a Jewish moneylender, Shylock, who hates him for his loathing of usury. Shylock proposes what he calls a “merry bond” by which, if the money is not repaid within three months, he may take a pound of Antonio’s flesh; foolishly Antonio agrees.

Portia, at Belmont receives the Prince of Morocco, come to make his choice under the will of Portia’s father. All suitors must choose from three caskets (gold, silver and lead) the one that contains her portrait; those who fail can never contemplate marriage again. Morocco fails with the golden casket, and the Prince of Arragon with the silver. Meanwhile, Bassanio and his friend Gratiano are on their way to Belmont; and Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, in the disguise of a boy, has eloped with Lorenzo, taking rings and ducats with her.

Shylock is furious about his losses. But Bassanio, choosing the correct (leaden) casket, prepares to wed Portia; her gentlewoman Nerissa and Gratiano also plan to marry. Then Salerio, Lorenzo and Jessica bring news that Shylock is demanding his due and that Antonio’s ships have “all miscarried”. There must be a trial; Portia arranges to be present at the court as a young lawyer (Balthasar), Nerissa as “his” clerk. There, admitting that the bond is flawless, she begs mercy from Shylock, who refuses and rejects all offers of money. He is about to take his pound of flesh when Portia turns on him. She warns him that according to the bond, he is not entitled to “one jot of blood”. Baffled, he will take his 3,000 ducats – only to be told that as an alien who has conspired against a Venetian’s life, his own life is forfeit. However he is pardoned and allowed half his fortune on the pledge that he will become a Christian and bequeath the money to Lorenzo and Jessica at his death.

When he has left the court the play is practically over except for the tranquil coda (it is used often to be cut) in the moonlight at Belmont, some comedy with rings, and the tidings that Antonio’s ships are safely come to port.