The Merchant of Venice
By William Shakespeare
- Release Date: 2015-01-20
- Genre: Theater
Description
The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies.
Bassanio, a young Venetian of noble rank, wishes to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia. Having squandered his estate, he needs 3,000 ducats to subsidise his expenditures as a suitor. Bassanio turns to a Jewish moneylender Shylock and names his friend, Antonio as the loan's guarantor. Shylock finally agrees to lend the sum to Antonio without interest upon one condition: if Antonio is unable to repay it at the specified date, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio's flesh. Bassanio does not want Antonio to accept such a risky condition and Antonio is surprised by what he sees as the moneylender's generosity and he signs the contract.
Meanwhile in Belmont, Portia is awash with suitors. Her father left a will stipulating each of her suitors must choose correctly from one of three caskets – one each of gold, silver and lead. If he picks the right casket, he gets Portia
