In Venice, Antonio, a merchant, agrees to secure a loan for his friend Bassanio, who seeks to court the wealthy Portia. They turn to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, who agrees to lend the money but demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh as collateral. Meanwhile, in Belmont, Portia laments the strange terms of her late father’s will, which requires her suitors to choose correctly from three caskets to win her hand. Bassanio prepares to pursue Portia, while Shylock’s daughter Jessica plots to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. As Jessica flees with her lover, taking her father’s gold, Shylock is enraged, vowing revenge. The romantic and financial tensions escalate, setting the stage for conflicts in love, loyalty, and prejudice.

Dramatis Personæ
ACT I
Scene I. Venice. A street.
Scene II. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
Scene III. Venice. A public place.
ACT II
Scene I. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
Scene II. Venice. A street.
Scene III. The same. A room in Shylock’s house.
Scene IV. The same. A street.
Scene V. The same. Before Shylock’s house.
Scene VI. The same.
Scene VII. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
Scene VIII. Venice. A street.
Scene IX. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.