A pound of flesh from Antonio if not repaid in time
Suitors of Portia must choose from three caskets
One contains a portrait of Portia
If the suitor chooses the right one he gets to marry Portia
If he fails he must vow to never marry or court another woman
Two of Antonio's ships got wrecked
Creditors are asking for payment from Antonio
Bassanio arrives on the date for the repayment
Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh
The loss of Shylock's daughter he is going to seek revenge on the Christians
Portia defends Antonio
Shylock can have his pound of flesh as long as he does not shed any of Antinio's blood
Portia
Portia is a smart, wealthy heiress from Belmont. She is beautiful. Portia loves Bassanio, but she is forced to marry whatever man chooses the right casket.
Bassanio
Bassanio is a gentleman of Venice. He is Antonio's friend. He is in love with Portia. Bassanio is a chirstian. He borrows money from Shylock to "win" Portia.
Antonio
Antonio is the merchant of Venice. He is Bassanio's friend. He is a christian., and he dislikes Jews. Antonio's money is at sea in his ships.
Shylock
Shylock is a Jew. He is a wealthy money lender. He is angry at Christians for how they treat Jews. Shylock lends money to Bassanio. In payment, he demands a payment of Antonio's flesh is the payment isn't paid back.
Lorenzo
Lorenzo is a friend of Bassanio and Antonio. He is in love with Jessica, Shylock's daughter, who is a Jew.
Jessica
Jessica is Shylock's daughter. She is a born Jew, but she becomes a christian. She doesn't like life in her father's house. She is in love with Lorenzo, a christian.
Nerissa
Nerissa is Portia's lady in waiting.
Portia is an unlikely redeemer.
woman
What happened?
Portia pretends to be a man. She redeems Antonio.
She uses 2 parts of the law to free Antonio and humiliate Shylock.
Payment was only flesh. If Shylock takes anything else (blood), he will be killed.
It is against the law for non-Venice citizens to threaten a Venice citizen. In doing so, the non-Venice citizen will lose all of their possessions. Half go to the state, and the other half goes to the person they threatened.
Shylock is pardoned from the death sentence, but he has to give up his possessions and become a Christian.
Shylock
Setting
Venice and Belmont, Italy
Sixteenth century
Shylock can be portrayed in 2 ways
Changes on appearance and tone of voice
Victim
He is a Jew. Jews were hated by Christians (for killing Jesus).
His need for revenge comes from being mistreated by Christians.
Villian
He takes revenge on a Christian (Antonio).
He is evil with using a pound of Antonio's flesh for payment.
Changing Shylock's character can change the whole story.