Merchant of Venice PP

The Merchant of Venice is a story of love, friendship, prejudice, and justice. In the beginning of the story we meet the impulsive and carefree nobleman Bassanio. He is in love with Portia, the rich heiress from Belmont. Portia is being courted by many great and wealthy men from around the world. Without sufficient funds to court Portia, Bassanio turns to his good friend Antonio, a wealthy merchant, to supply him with enough money to support his journey. Because Antonio has invested all his money in ships that are at sea, Antonio is forced to borrow 3,000 ducats from the greedy Jewish moneylender Shylock.



Shylock, bitter and angry from being mistreated by Antonio in the past, forces him to sign a bond. Shylock sees this as his only possibility for revenge for racist insults and financial hardships that he has suffered from Antonio. Shylock agrees to lend the 3,000 ducats without interest provided that Antonio forfeit a pound of flesh from his body if the bond is not repaid. Antonio lightheartedly signs the bond, ignoring the protests of Bassanio.



Meanwhile Bassanio and his outspoken friend Gratiano travel to Belmont to woo Portia. In Belmont, Bassanio is given a test--a test of character given to each of Portia's suitors. The suitor is made to choose one of three caskets--gold, silver, or lead--based on their cryptic inscriptions. The lover who selects the correct casket, according to her father's will, earns the right to marry Portia. Those who do not choose correctly must agree to never court Portia again.



At the same time, Lorenzo, an artist-friend of Bassanio's, and Jessica, the daughter of Shylock, elope, taking with them some of Shylock's ducats and jewels. Shylock is furious at the double loss of his daughter and his ducats. But then word comes that Antonio's ships have been lost at sea, and he is unable to repay his debt to Shylock. Shylock cries for justice, a pound of flesh from Antonio, as is his right. Bassanio and Gratiano hurry back to Venice to help Antonio. Portia and her friend Nerissa also come to Venice, in disguise, to aid Antonio. In the end, justice is served in an unexpected way.



Progeny Press Study Guide: 42 pages

# of Lessons: 5 Chapter Lessons + Summary

Subjects: Justice and mercy, anti-Semitism, wealth, vengeance

Grade Level: 9-12