Bassanio correctly chooses the casket and wins Portia’s hand, while Antonio’s ships are reported lost, leaving him unable to repay Shylock. In Venice, Shylock insists on claiming his bond, bringing Antonio to court. Portia, disguised as a male lawyer, intervenes in the trial and argues that while Shylock can claim his pound of flesh, he must do so without spilling blood. This clever argument saves Antonio and turns the judgment against Shylock, stripping him of his wealth and forcing his conversion to Christianity. In the final act, the couples?Portia and Bassanio, and Jessica and Lorenzo?celebrate their love in Belmont, as harmony is restored. However, the story leaves lingering questions about justice and mercy.

ACT III
Scene I. Venice. A street.
Scene II. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
Scene III. Venice. A street.
Scene IV. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
Scene V. The same. A garden.
ACT IV
Scene I. Venice. A court of justice.
Scene II. The same. A street.
ACT V
Scene I. Belmont. The avenue to Portia’s house.