Shylock insists that the bond is a kind of joke, a “merry bond.” Bassanio distrusts Shylock, but Antonio, confident of the success of his trading expeditions, agrees to sign the bond. Shylock hates Antonio but agrees to lend the money provided that Antonio sign a bond to yield a pound of his own flesh if he is unable to repay the loan on time. Act 1, scene 3 In Venice Bassanio goes to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to borrow, in Antonio’s name, 3,000 ducats.A messenger enters to announce the coming of a new suitor, the Prince of Morocco. Portia likes none of the suitors who have so far arrived. According to her father’s will, she may marry only the man who chooses correctly among three small chests made of gold, silver, and lead. Act 1, scene 2 At Portia’s estate of Belmont, Portia and Nerissa talk over Portia’s frustration at being unable to choose her own husband.Antonio gives Bassanio permission to borrow the money on Antonio’s credit. Bassanio, his friend and kinsman, asks him for money to go to Belmont, where Bassanio hopes to marry the heiress Portia. Act 1, scene 1 Antonio, a Venetian merchant, has invested all his wealth in trading expeditions. Portia uses the law to defeat Shylock and rescue Antonio. Portia and Nerissa also travel to Venice, disguised as a lawyer and his clerk. When the news reaches Belmont, Bassanio returns to Venice. When Antonio cannot repay the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh. Portia marries Bassanio her waiting woman, Nerissa, marries his friend Gratiano.Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, has eloped with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo, taking her father’s money with her. Where others have failed, Bassanio succeeds by selecting the right chest. Her father’s will requires that the successful suitor solve a riddle involving chests of gold, silver, and lead. Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, recalls past insults from Antonio and, instead of asking interest on the loan, asks instead-in what he calls a “merry sport”-that if the loan is not repaid, Antonio will owe a pound of his own flesh.Bassanio sails to Belmont, where the wealthy heiress Portia is being courted by suitors from around the world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |