The Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare is a drama based
in Venice. The story begins with Bassanio's longing to wed Portia, one
of the most beautiful and rich women of Belmont. In order to marry her,
he needs 3000 ducats. He looks for Antonio's assistance who is a
merchant of Venice and furthermore his best friend. Antonio tells him
that he is devoid of the desired money as his ships have not arrived
yet. Notwithstanding his circumstances, he guarantees Bassanio that he
can become a guarantee for him to borrow money. Having been guaranteed
by Antonio's assurance, Bassanio takes credit from Shylock, a Jewish
moneylender. He names Antonio as the underwriter for the credit. Shylock
is now annoyed with Antonio as Antonio rents money without interest.
Furthermore, is biased towards Jews. Yet, he consents to give an advance
to Bassanio without interest but puts a condition that, if Antonio can't
pay the credit on the predetermined due date, he will take a pound of
Antonio's flesh. Antonio signs the agreement on seeing that the advance
conveys no interest, despite the fact that Bassanio isn't supportive of
such an agreement. In any case, Bassanio alongside Gratiano, his
companion leaves for Belmont to wed Portia. The author depicts Gratiano
as a youthful, over-garrulous, uncouth, and silly man. In Belmont,
Portia is meeting numerous wooers. Be that as it may, she can't get the
right match. According to her father's will, whoever gets the right
casket will get married to Portia. The suitors get three caskets, gold,
silver, and bronze to look over. The Prince of Morocco, the primary
suitor chooses a gold casket while the Prince of Aragon, the next
suitor, chooses the silver casket. However, the two of them are
dismissed as their choices are wrong. When it was Bassanio's turn to
choose the casket, Nerissa, Portia's maid hints at Bassanio by singing a
song as Portia had met him previously and wanted him to win. Bassanio
chooses the bronze casket and gets married to Portia. Bassanio weds
Portia and Gratiano weds Nerissa. In the meantime, Shylock's daughter,
Jessica fled with Lorenzo, a Christian, and she converted into a
Christian as well. Jessica took with her money and jewellery along with
the turquoise ring which was a gift to her mother from her father. Due
to this, Shylock turned out to be firm about avenging the Christians.
Antonio's boats were adrift somewhere in the middle of the ocean and
subsequently, he couldn't return the borrowed money to Shylock.
Henceforth, Shylock hauled him to the court. On getting this news,
Bassanio and Gratiano leave for Venice taking the money that needs to be
returned from Portia. In the court, Bassanio offers double the sum to
Shylock. However, he denies the proposition and demands that he wants a
pound of flesh from Antonio. The Duke alludes to the case to Balthazar,
a youthful attorney. However, as a matter of fact, that was Portia in
disguise. Nerissa additionally camouflages as a man and goes with Portia
as an assistant. Portia demands Shylock to be benevolent and forgiving.
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