The Merchant of Venice

In 16th-century Venice, a young, self-impoverished nobleman, Bassanio, entreats a loan from his friend, the wealthy merchant Antonio, who has previously and repeatedly bailed him out.  Bassanio needs the money in order to travel to Belmont to win the beautiful and wealthy heiress, Portia.  With all his wealth at sea, Antonio borrows from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who hates Antonio because of his anti-Semitism.  Shylock proposes that, if the loan is unpaid in three months, he can exact a pound of Antonio’s flesh.  Bassanio protests the terms, but Antonio, considering the terms generous because Shylock asks for no interest, agrees.

Suitors beset Portia.  Her father's will requires that they choose from among three caskets, one of which contains her portrait.  Losers must leave immediately, never reveal the secret of the caskets, and agree to remain single; whoever chooses the right casket gets Portia.  Several princes fail and depart.  As Bassanio prepares for his journey, Lorenzo elopes with Jessica, Shylock's daughter, who steals much of her father’s wealth.  Choosing the correct casket, Bassanio marries Portia; his friend Gratiano marries Portia's maid Nerissa.

Antonio’s ships are reported lost at sea and Shylock claims his bond’s forfeiture.  Learning of Antonio's predicament, Bassanio returns to Venice; disguised as lawyer and clerk, Portia and her maid secretly follow.  Bassanio offers Shylock many times the loan amount; but Shylock insists on exacting his bond.  After failing to move Shylock with her pleas for mercy, Portia awards Shylock Antonio’s flesh, but not even one drop of his blood.  And, since taking Antonio’s flesh would kill him, Shylock is guilty of seeking to kill a Venetian, a capital offense for an “alien.”  He thereby forfeits his wealth (and his loan): half to Venice, half to Antonio.  The Duke immediately pardons Shylock's life, and Antonio foregoes his half provided Shylock bequeaths it to Jessica and converts to Christianity.  Shylock reluctantly agrees.

Portia requests Bassanio’s wedding ring as payment; he yields it at Antonio’s behest.  Back in Belmont, Portia charges Bassanio with unfaithfulness for yielding up her ring, but then reveals her actions after Antonio offers his soul as surety for Bassanio’s future faithfulness.  Bassanio and Gratiano renew their marriage oaths and are accepted back by their wives.  Portia tells Antonio that his ships are safe, and the couples head for bed.