| A clever tale of stolen riches, tests of love, and a pound of flesh. A devilishly good time. |
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Cast: [top] Portia - Wealthy heiress of Belmont Nerissa - Her gentlewoman Balthazar - Portia's servant Stephano - Portia's servant Prince of Moracco - One of Portia's many suitors Prince of Arragon - Another of Portia's many suitors Antonio - A merchant of Venice Bassanio - Gentleman, suitor to Portia. Solanio - Their companion Salarino - Companion Gratiano - Companion Lorenzo - Companion Leonardo - Bassanio's servant Shylock - Jewish moneylender in Venice Jessica - His rebellious daughter Tubal - Another Jewish moneylender Lancelet (Gobbo) - Shylock's servant, then Bassanio's clown. Old Gobbo - His blind father Salerio - A messenger Jailer Duke of Venice Various servants, musicians, and extras. In my own words... [top] 1 : 1 Antonio, the merchant of Venice, talks with his friend Bassanio as the play opens. Bassanio asks to borrow money so he can travel to Belmont to woo the lady Portia. Antonio, being the gracious friend he is, grants his wish. But, since all of Antonio's tangible possessions are being traded at sea, he lets Bassanio raise money on Antonio's credit. 1 : 2 We are now introduced to Portia, a beautiful woman with riches unmeasureable, and her Gentlewoman, Nerissa. Portia is quite frustrated with her search for a husband, and has met only derelicts so far. They go on to discuss the faults of all the turned away suitors. We also gain a glimpse of the test Portia's late father devised for her to gain a suitable mate. (Don't worry, I'll explain it later!). The scene ends with news that the Prince of Morocco will come to try and win her hand. 1 : 3 This scene takes place with Antonio, Bassanio, and a Jewish moneylender they have come to named Shylock. Bassanio asks for the money, and is received, but Shylock imposes a few stipulations. Due to Shylock's hate towards Christians, he feels the need to take advantage of the situation. As a 'joke', Shylock adds to their contract that if the debt cannot be repaid on time, Shylock is entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh. Bassanio doesn't want his friend to agree to such a deal, but Antonio has confidence in his trading expeditions so he signs the contract. 2 : 1 Portia, with the Prince of Morocco, explains that if he cannot pass her dead father's test he must never again attempt to gain her favor again. He agrees, cocky in his confidence to pass the test. 2 : 2 Lancelet, near the entrance to Shylock's house, meets an old blind man. He turns out to be Lancelet's father, set to find his son and make sure he is ok. Lancelot is unhappy with his job as Shylock's servant, so they ask Bassanio to be his master. Bassanio agrees. Gratiano also wishes to come to Belmont with Bassanio, but lacks the social skills to have a civilized conversation. Bassanio agrees to let him come only if he can behave. 2 : 3 Jessica says goodbye to Lancelet, her friend and servant. She wishes him luck and asks him to deliver a letter to Lorenzo, a friend of Bassaino's. Alone, she tells of her love for Lorenzo. 2 : 4 Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salarino, and Solanio try to organize a fairwell dinner for Bassanio, but Lancelet brings Jessica's letter. Jessica plans to steal her father, Shylock's, riches that night and elope with Lorenzo. To escape unscathed, she will dress as a page. 2 : 5 Lancelet brings Shylock an invitation to Bassanio's dinner, made to get Shylock out of his house. Shylock hates Bassanio, but accepts anyway (free food!). Lorenzo also manages to tell Jessica that Lorenzo has received the news and will meet her at their house that night. 2 : 6 Lorenzo, Gratiano, and Salarino wait outside Shylock's house for Jessica. She throws down money and jewels and goes to her man dressed as a man. She is a little self-conscious of herself dressed as a man, but Lorenzo loves her anyway. Aww.. Anyway, Antonio arrives with the news that Bassanio will soon depart for Belmont. 2 : 7 Portia, in Belmont, shows the Prince of Morocco the test which a man must pass in order to be her husband. There are three chests, one gold, one silver, and the other lead. On each, there is a description telling why someone would pick that chest. The gold one promises the opener to the desires of many men. The silver promises the desires of one man. The lead one says that all of your desires must be given up. Inside one of the chests, there is a picture of Portia. Being a little greedy, he wrongly chooses the gold one. He leaves a loser. 2 : 8 In this scene, Solanio and Salarino discuss a few items worthy of notice. Shylock is furious at the elopation of Jessica, and for the riches she stole. News also arrived about a ship that sunk in the English Channel (presumable one of Antonio's). 2 : 9 At Belmont, Portia entertains the Prince of Arragon. He is wiser than the last suitor, but still not worthy for Portia. He chooses the silver chest, and is rejected. Portia then receives word that another suitor is approaching fast. She and Nerissa hope that it is Bassanio. 3 : 1 Venice learns that the sunken ship was Antonio's. Shylock, furious at news of Jessica selling Shylock's riches, says that he would rather have his riches back than her alive. Thirsty for blood, he says he intends to collect his bond if Antonio cannot pay. Hearing that Antonio's ship was sunk, has Antonio arrested. 3 : 2 Worried that Bassanio will choose incorrectly, Portia asks him not to choose at the time. Eager to know the destiny of his life, he chooses. He make the right one, in favor of selflessness. All are overjoyed at the union, especially their close friends. Gratiano and Nerissa, have met in the meantime and fallen in love and wish to be married with Bassanio and Portia. The ladies give their guys rings, and make them swear to treasure them forever as symbols of their love. Salarino, Lorenzo, and Jessica arrive with news from Venice. Shylock plans to take his bond, and so Antonio needs their help. Portia says she will pay the bond for Bassanio's friend many times over. Bassanio and Gratiano will return to Venice after their weddings to save their friend. 3 : 3 Antonio finds Shylock to try and plead for his life, but the greedy man won't budge. Antonio turns himself in on the stipulation that Bassanio will be there to see the trial. 3 : 4 Portia leaves her house in the hands of Lorenzo and Jessica, telling them that her and Nerissa will be going to a convent to pray until their husbands come back. Instead, Portia and Nerissa plot to go to Venice disguised as men. They send word to a lawyer, Portia's cousin, and set off to help Antonio. 3 : 5 Jessica, Lorenzo, and a newfound friend joke and gab about the events. The friend happens to be Shylock's former servant, Lancelet, who has found a nice place as a jester. 4 : 1 Bassanio offers Shylock money for Antonio's bond, but still thirsty for blood, he rejects it. Portia, arriving at the trial with a letter of introduction from her cousin, poses as a lawyer. She determines that the bond entitles Shylock to a pound of flesh, but not a drop of blood. Since getting the flesh is thus impossible, Shylock is found guilty of trying to kill another man. The duke makes him forfeit his riches, and Shylock leaves downtrodden. The rest praise the lawyer (Portia) for her help. They offer her money, but she would have wanted the ring instead. Bassanio refuses to give it, so she leaves insulted. Feeling guilty that the man who saved Antonio's life left empty-handed, he gives Gratiano the ring to give to the lawyer. 4 : 2 Gratiano gives Portia the ring. Under the guise of being led to Shylock's house, Nerissa plans to get her husbands ring. 5 : 1 Lorenzo, Jessica, Lancelet, and Stephano welcome Portia and Nerissa home from their 'retreat'. Shortly after their arrival, everyone else in Venice returns to Belmont. Portia and Nerissa discover that their husbands have given away their rings. They take the act as an insult, and say that only those men bearing the rings may share the ladies' beds. Bassanio and Gratiano plead for mercy, but it takes Antonio's explanation to make Portia and Nerissa forgive them. The ladies then produce the rings, and give them back to their husbands. All is then revealed that Portia posed as the lawyer and Nerissa as the clerk. They also tell that three of Antonio's ships have returned to port successfully, and that Lorenzo will receive Shylock's riches. Exeunt. In my humble opinion... [top] First of all, I have to get the racism out of the way. I liked the play, but I don't want to be thought of as a bigot for doing so. Shylock, a Jew, is pretty much hated by all the Christians in the play. I believe that the reason for their hatred, was because he was so greedy. He also seemed to be very hateful of Christians, due to their mistreatment of him. I think that they mistreat him because he is a mean greedy person, and only use his religion to exploit their differences. Shakespeare must not have actually believed what he made his Christian characters say (regarding Jews), but he realized that religion is easy to exploit. He may have tried to atone for the exploitation by sending the message that none should be made fun of for their belief in religions. Like, in Shylock's "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" speech. So, I think I can put this issue to rest... The play was what I like to call "some fantastic", a term borrowed from the magnificent band of Barenaked Ladies, which to my estimation means 'a fantasy in reality's proportions'. Its astoundingly clever, cute, and convincing. First of all, Portia is the bomb. There's no other way to say it. She's nice, funny, loving, sweet, chaste (virgin-wise), smart, and forgiving. In all, a great woman. Cheers to her. Second, isn't Bassanio a great friend? Damn, what a nice guy. He goes out of his way to make sure his buddy is fine, no matter what the consequences are. My friends are downright traitorous compared to Bassanio. Cheers to him too. Now, cheers to the both of them. They are so right for each other! If I could, I would have thrown rice at their wedding. And I gotta give it up for Lancelet and his old man. Many overlook this part of the story, but I really found it quite easy to enjoy. He starts out a servant of the cruel Shylock, then becomes the merry jester of Bassanio's court. His life really turned upside down, for the better. I really liked that. The reader tends to focus on the main character, but no one seems to notice the profoundly happy ending Lancelet had. Lastly, you gotta like the test Portia's father devised. Only a guy of true heart and spirit could win Portia's favor, one who would cherish her forever. Her old man really loved her. Hell yeah. As for music, I listened only to the Offspring's newest album, Americana, while reading The Merchant of Venice. I just really liked "Why don't you get a job?". Anything punk, ska, or neo-swing will do. (By the way, I gotta give my friend Mike props for the term 'neo-swing'.) Jeff ; - ) (Ut oh, I'm on another tangent here... I just wanted to point out those new Durex condom radio commercials. Those are pretty funny. Oh, wait! Aren't they advertising the pill on network tv as well? Its refreshing that the screwed up conservatives in this country finally started advertising safe sex. Its just refreshing to see the world headed in the right direction... Away from all that icky Hanson and Barney phase we were going through last year....) More... [top] I looked and looked, but no dice. All I found was poor excuses for summaries. Nothing exists exept my site. Muhuhahahahaha!! Hey, I just heard that Durex commercial again! Haha.
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