The Merchant of Venice

by
William Shakespeare
 INTRODUCTION

• written between 1596 and 1598

Date of Compilation

• pound of human flesh borrowed from

Italian tales Il Pecorone
Sources of Play’s Plot • caskets story from Latin work
Gesta Romanorum
• justice / mercy • comedy of the rings (Shakespeare’s
Theme • wealth / usury
s • friendship
• religious tolerance
 SUMMARY

The Bond Story

- Shylock, Antonio, Bassanio, Portia
- Bassanio borrowed money from Shylock The Casket Story
under Antonio’s name
- Bassanio, Portia
- Shylock has the right to cut off a pound
- Portia’s father laid down a condition that
of Antonio’s flesh if he fails to repay the
she can only marry the man who chooses
money within 3 months
the right casket
- Portia disguises herself as a man and
- Bassanio right choice of casket and he gets
lawyer to defend Antonio
to marry Portia
 SUMMARY
Lorenzo – Jessica Story
- Jessica is Shylock’s only daughter
- She falls in love with Lorenzo and elopes
with him
- She takes a big chunk of her father’s
money with her when she runs away
with Lorenzo
The Ring Story
- Bassanio, Portia, Nerrisa, Gratiano,
Antonio
- Portia gives her ring to Bassanio and tells
him to not take it off for any reason
- Unfortunately, Bassanio agrees to give the
ring when Portia (under disguise as the
lawyer) asks for it to help Antonio
CHARACTERS: Antonio

• Melancholic (temperament)
• Wealthy merchant & highly respected
• Profound affection for Bassanio
• Kind-hearted and accommodating
• Intolerant towards Jews
CHARACTERS: Shylock

• A villain deserving some sympathy

• A usurer (money-lender)
• A miser
• Intolerant to Christians
• Deceitful and crafty
• Revengeful and bloodthirsty
• Suspicious nature
• Champion for Jews
CHARACTERS: Portia

• Has a sense of humour and very witty

• Optimistic and cheerful disposition
• Highly intelligent
• Wise
• Compassionate
• Epitome of modesty, humility and feminity
• Generous
CHARACTERS: Bassanio

• The hero of the casket story

• A young prodigal often in need
of money
• Has dual nature
• Sincerity in friendship
CHARACTERS: Lorenzo

• Christian young man

• Wins the heart of Jessica, a
Jewish girl
• An adventurous man
• Truly in love
CHARACTERS: Jessica

• Daughter of Shylock
• A Jew
• Ashamed of her father
• Sensitive girl
• Unable to endure her father’s
narrow-mindedness, miserliness
and tyrannical nature
 MORAL VALUES

• The need for religious tolerance

• Usury is a great evil (money lending with high interest rates)
• Appearances can be deceptive
• Human relationships are important
• Friendship is important
• Live within your means