Summary At Belmont, in a room in Portia’s house, the Prince of Morocco surveys the three caskets — one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead. He must choose one, and if he chooses the correct one, his reward will be the “fair Portia.” As he reads the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 7Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 6
Summary Gratiano and Salarino, masked and costumed for Bassanio’s party, wait for Lorenzo under the overhanging roof (the “penthouse”) of Shylock’s house. Gratiano is puzzled that Lorenzo is late for his rendezvous with Jessica; he knows that lovers usually “run before the dock.” Lorenzo’s delay is certainly uncharacteristic of most […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 6Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 5
Summary Preparing to leave for Bassanio’s dinner party, to which he has accepted an invitation after all, Shylock encounters Launcelot, who has come to deliver Lorenzo’s reply to Jessica. Shylock chides his former servant and says that in Launcelot’s new capacity as Bassanio’s attendant, Launcelot will no longer be able […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 4
Summary Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salanio discuss their plans for Bassanio’s dinner party and masque that night. All of the preparations have not been made; for example, one of the things which they have neglected to do, and which must be done, is to hire young boys to act as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3
Summary In this scene, set in Shylock’s house, we are introduced to Jessica, Shylock’s daughter. She is speaking with Launcelot, and she expresses her sorrow that he decided to leave his position as her father’s servant. “Our house is hell,” she says, “and thou a merry devil / Didst rob […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2
Summary After the last, rather serious scene in Belmont, we return to Venice, and the initial emphasis here is on Launcelot Gobbo, Shylock’s servant, an “unthrifty knight.” Launcelot is debating with himself as to whether or not he should remain in Shylock’s service; he is tempted to leave and find […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1
Summary There is a flourish of trumpets, and the Prince of Morocco enters. Portia, along with her confidante, Nerissa, and several ladies-in-waiting are present, and the prince, knowing that he is only one of many suitors who seek Portia’s hand in marriage, begins his courtship straightforwardly — that is, he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3
Summary Bassanio seeks out Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, for a loan of three thousand ducats on the strength of Antonio’s credit. Shylock is hesitant about lending Bassanio the money. He knows for a fact that Antonio is a rich man, but he also knows that all of Antonio’s money is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2
Summary At Belmont, Portia discusses the terms of her father’s will with her confidante, Nerissa. According to the will of her late father, Portia cannot marry a man of her own choosing. Instead, she must make herself available to all suitors and accept the one who chooses “rightly” from among […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1
Summary Walking along a street in Venice, Antonio (the “merchant” of the title) confesses to his friends Salarino and Salanio that lately he has felt unaccountably sad. They have noticed it, and they suggest that Antonio is probably worried about the safety of his merchant ships, which are exposed to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1