ACT ONE SCENE ONE

Antonio, a rich merchant from Venice, is not sure why he is feeling sad. He talks to his
friends about his feelings. Salerio and Solanio suggest he may be depressed as some of his
wealth is tied up in ships, however, he assures them that he is not worried. They suggest he
may be in love which he vehemently denies. He then talks to his particularly close friend
Bassanio, who owes him a lot of money. Bassanio explains how he requires a little bit more
money to woo a rich heiress Portia, in an attempt to pay back his loans. Antonio agrees but
must take out a loan to be able to immediately lend him the money.

ACT ONE SCENE TWO

As Portia’s father has passed away, he left a way in which Portia’s suitors must prove that
they are worthy to be her husband and that they do not only intend to marry her for her
wealth. He prepared three caskets: lead, silver and gold. Only one contained a portrait of
Portia and lead to her hand in marriage, the other two lead to nothing. Each suitor must
promise never to marry if they pick incorrectly. Portia spoke to Nerissa about the first six
suitors who left without trying. She did not like them and is glad not to have to marry them.

ACT ONE SCENE THREE

Bassanio asked Shylock, a wealthy Jewish moneylender, for the loan on Antonio’s behalf.
Shylock knows that Antonio’s wealth is tied up in ships at the minute and that anything could
happen to them. He agrees to lend Antonio and Bassanio money, but if it cannot be repaid
by the deadline, he will extract a pound of flesh. Although Bassanio feels uneasy about the
deal, Antonio agrees.

ACT TWO SCENE ONE

The Prince of Morocco arrives to attempt to win Portia’s hand in marriage. She is not
particularly fond of him and would prefer if he did not win. He knows the terms of the deals
and prepares to choose a casket. During this scene, Portia’s wit and intelligence are seen.

ACT TWO SCENE TWO

Launcelot Gobbo has a conversation with himself about whether or not to leave his job with
Shylock. Although he wants to go, he feels he must stay. He attempts to confuse his father,
who comes looking for him. He tells his father that his son is dead, but eventually admits that
he is his son. As Old Gobbo is blind this is meant to provide comedic relief. He then goes to
Bassanio and asks him to take him on as his servant. Bassanio agrees. Bassanio’s current
servant Leonardo gets everything ready for Bassanio’s trip to Belmont. His friend Gratiano
asks to go with him, which Bassanio agrees to.

ACT TWO SCENE THREE

Jessica is sad that Launcelot is leaving and gives him a letter to deliver to her love Lorenzo.

ACT TWO SCENE FOUR

Lorenzo and his friends are planning their arrangements for the masque. Launcelot delivered
the letter to Lorenzo and he sends one back to Jessica. They plan to elope, which will be
funded by Jessica stealing money and jewels from her father Shylock.

ACT TWO SCENE FIVE

Shylock has a nightmare involving his money. He wakes up and goes to visit Bassanio,
instructing Jessica to lock their house (to protect the wealth) and not to look out the window
or to listen to the loud noises outside.

ACT TWO SCENE SIX

Jessica meets up with Lorenzo and his friends. She is disguised as a boy and is very
unhappy about it. She has brought a casket full of the money she stole from Shylock.
Lorenzo tells his friends how much he loves Jessica.

ACT TWO SCENE SEVEN

The Prince of Morocco now chooses a casket. He reads their inscriptions and straight away
rules out the lead casket. He reaches for the silver but decides against it. He chooses the
gold casket. He is wrong and is now bound never to marry another woman ever again. Portia
is glad that he will not be her husband.

ACT TWO SCENE EIGHT

Shylock is found in the streets, mourning the loss of his daughter and the wealth she stole
when she went. He is seen by Antonio’s friends Salerio and Solanio. Meanwhile, rumours
reach Venice about a wrecked ship and the characters are concerned that it may be
Antonio’s.

ACT TWO SCENE NINE

The Prince of Arragon is about to make his casket choice. He, like the Prince of Morroco
immediately dismisses the lead casket. He briefly considers gold, but in the end, chooses
silver. He is unsuccessful and leaves. News then reaches Portia that another suitor is
approaching. They wonder if it may be Bassanio.

ACT THREE SCENE ONE

Shylock confronts Solanio and Salerio. He believes that they knew of Jessica’s plan to
elope. He is angry and hurt by this situation and makes it very clear that he really will take a
pound of Antonio’s flesh if he cannot pay him. He talks about the humanity of Jews and
Christians. Tubal then reports to Shylock about more rumours about Antonio’s ships and
Jessica’s use of his money. Although it is unclear how much of this is true and how much is
merely a rumour.

ACT THREE SCENE TWO

Bassanio is about to choose a casket, but Portia asks him to delay. She wants him to stay a
bit longer for if he makes the wrong choice he is forced to leave immediately. She considers
allowing him to wait months and stay with her until then. She considers helping him figure
out which is the right casket but decides against disobeying her father. He cannot wait so
Portia organises some music for when he chooses. As the music plays, Bassanio
contemplates the way that external appearance can hide things much less attractive and for
that reason picks lead. He is correct and they are both ecstatic. Portia gives Bassanio a ring
to confirm their engagement. Nerissa and Gratiano also decide to get married. Bassanio
then gets the bad news about Antonio and is forced to admit how dire things are to Portia.
She immediately offers as much money as is required to save him. They wed quickly and
Bassanio hurries to Venice.
ACT THREE SCENE THREE
Shylock has Antonio arrested and he is put in goal. He knows that he will surely die as
Shylock demands his bond and is unable to be reasoned with. The forfeit is due the following
day. Antonio hopes that Bassanio will come to meet him.

ACT THREE SCENE FOUR

Portia and Lorenzo discuss the predicament that Antonio and Bassanio are in. Lorenzo is
impressed by Portia’s character. She then asks him and Jessica to keep an eye on her
house while she and Nerissa spend time at the monastery. She then contacts a lawyer,
Doctor Bellario and intends that she and Nerissa will dress as men and play a part and
promises to share the rest of the plan with Nerissa at a later stage.

ACT THREE SCENE FIVE

Launcelot and Jessica share a joke, which she and Lorenzo quite enjoy. They then go to
dinner.

ACT FOUR SCENE ONE

The court case for Antonio’s flesh ensues. The Duke attempts to convince Shylock to
change his mind, when he refuses, Bassanio and The Duke continue to persuade him.
Portia and Nerissa appear as a lawyer and clerk, while Shylock makes a show of sharpening
his knife. Portia speaks to Antonio and then to Shylock. She seems to appeal to his mercy,
before telling him he is allowed to have his bond. He is excited by this.

Portia calls for scales to weigh the flesh, before mentioning that he may not spill any blood.
Realising this is impossible, Shylock attempts to just take the money, but he is too late. A
case is built against him and he loses more than the bond. They threaten to kill him or take
all his possessions. Antonio offers his part of the wealth inherited from Shylock to Lorenzo
and Jessica.

ACT FOUR SCENE TWO

Bassanio’s ring is handed over to Portia as thanks for her legal skills. Nerissa attempts to
also get her ring back. Portia believes that they will make fools of their husbands.

ACT FIVE SCENE ONE

Lorenzo and Jessica enjoy the moonlight. Portia and Nerissa confront their husbands for
their betrayal. Bassanio and Antonio attempt to explain and then Portia and Nerissa clear up
any misunderstandings. Antonio discovers that his ships have arrived in the harbour safely
after all.