Portia

Portia is an extremely wealthy heiress, who is bound by her

father’s will, which states she can only marry the man who
chooses correctly from three caskets. One of the caskets is made
of gold, another silver and the final one, lead. When we first
meet her she is talking to her lady-in-waiting, Nerissa, about the
faults of the suitors who have tried their luck with the caskets so
far.

She is delighted when Bassanio arrives and chooses the correct

casket, and is distraught when she learns that his friend Antonio
is in trouble on his behalf. She shows her wit and courage by
disguising herself as a lawyer and taking Antonio’s side in court.
Her challenges to Shylock are clever and ultimately she saves
Antonio’s life.

For centuries, Portia was admired as an ideal of feminine virtue. However, many modern critics have pointed
out that Portia, though seemingly a genius and a perfect wife, regularly displays a vicious prejudice toward non-
Christians and foreigners.
Character attributes
Witty - when Portia talks about her suitors with Nerissa, she is clever and funny in the way she picks out their faults.
Intelligent - Portia’s arguments in court are strong and thought-provoking.
Ruthless - when Shylock finally asks for money instead of the pound of flesh that he has so far insisted upon, Portia
refuses to let him change the bond.

Changes in character
•Portia may seem tied by patriarchal society at first, but she later shows her freedom of spirit and
independence when she presents herself as Balthazar, the lawyer.

•She gives Bassanio a ring as a token of her love and insists that if he loses it or gives it away, their love
will be over. Later, however, she forgives Bassanio for giving the ring as a gift of thanks to the ‘lawyer’
(actually Portia).

•She takes risks to defend Antonio in court. Later she gives him a letter showing that some of his ships
and money were safe all along. However, it isn’t altogether clear how or when Portia acquired this letter.

Question:Portia shows little regard for the French suitor. How does she
describe him?
She says that the only good thing about the French suitor is that he was created by God.
Question:Portia also has a playful streak. Why does she mock Bassanio?
Portia accepted the ring from Bassanio when she was disguised as Balthazar. At the end of the play she argues with him
because he has apparently lost her love token. She mocks the way he speaks about the importance of the lawyer he
gave the ring to, repeating the word ‘ring’ as Bassanio has done.

Question:Shakespeare’s leading lady is very cunning. How does she treat

Shylock in the courtroom before turning the tables to save Antonio?
Disguised as Balthazar she initially makes Shylock think that he is in the right, much to everyone’s dismay.
However, when she insists that he takes his pound of flesh, she cleverly points out that his bond makes no
mention of blood. He can cut the flesh from Antonio but he mustn’t spill any blood.
 Shylock
Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in Venice. He is unpopular with other
characters who accuse him of practising usury. This means lending money
with outrageously high rates of interest. The merchants, such as Antonio,
curse and spit at Shylock because they believe this way of making money is
immoral. They also seem to despise him for his culture and religion. Even his
daughter, Jessica, finds Shylock unbearable and she runs away from home,
taking with her a chest of money and jewels.

Shylock offers to loan Antonio (and therefore Bassanio) the sum of 3000
ducats, but instead of charging any interest he says he will take one
pound of Antonio’s flesh if the money is not repaid within three months.
When Antonio’s ships and wealth are lost, Shylock demands his pound
of flesh.
of Shylock has been performed in many different ways. He is sometimes portrayed as evil and other times his behaviour is shThe
character own as the result of the bullying he suffers in Venice.

Shylock is a defensive character because society is constantly reminding him he is different in religion, looks,
and motivation. He finds solace ( comfort) in the law because he, himself, is an outcast of society. Shylock is an
outsider who is not privy to the rights accorded to the citizens of Venice. The Venetians regard Shylock as a
capitalist motivated solely by greed, while they saw themselves as Christian paragons of piety.
Character attributes
Greedy – Shylock seems to be more upset about the money that Jessica takes from him than the fact that his only
daughter has run away.
Stubborn – when news of Antonio’s misfortune reaches Shylock he becomes set on claiming his pound of flesh, even
though this will most likely kill Antonio.
Victimised – Shylock is hated by the merchants in Venice not only for his methods of making money, but also for his
religion. One of the main topics of discussion about this play is whether Shylock is actually a villain or a victim.

Friends and enemies

Shylock’s friends are limited to:
Tubal – a Jewish friend and fellow moneylender
Jessica – his daughter runs away because 'our house is hell’.

His enemies are:

Antonio – who lends money without interest, undercutting Shylock
Portia – disguised as Balthazar she ensures that Shylock loses all his wealth
 Changes in character
**Shylock is quick to reject Bassanio’s invitation to dinner on the basis that he will not be friends with
Christians. However, later he delivers a powerful speech about the common humanity that Jews and Christians
share.

**Initially he seems entirely concerned with money and material wealth, yet later when he learns that Jessica
has sold a turquoise ring we see a sentimental side to this character.

**Shylock takes the bond that he strikes with Antonio more seriously as the play progresses. He becomes
increasingly obsessed with claiming the pound of flesh that he has been promised.
Character analysis

Question:Why does Shylock hate Antonio so much?

Shylock bears a long-standing grudge against Antonio. His reasons for hating Antonio are connected both with religion
and money. Antonio lends money to other people without charging interest which means that Shylock and other
moneylenders cannot charge such high rates of interest. This shows a selfish side to Shylock’s character as he only sees
Antonio in light of his own losses.
He says:

SHYLOCK
I hate him for he is a Christian;
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis, and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
Question:How does Shakespeare portray Shylock’s stubbornness?

Shylock insists that he will have his pound of flesh from Antonio, even though other characters plead with him to be
merciful. He repeats the word ‘bond’ and this emphasises his fixation on his goal.
He says:

SHYLOCK
I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond;
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.

Question:At what point do we see a sentimental side to

Shylock?
When Shylock learns that Jessica has traded a turquoise ring of his for a monkey he is particularly upset. We learn that
it was given to him by his wife, Leah, before they were married and is worth more to him that any number of monkeys.
Antonio
•Antonio is the merchant of the title and is
the first character we meet in this play. He
has invested all his money in cargo that is
currently on numerous ships. When his best
friend Bassanio asks for a loan of 3000
ducats, he is unable to offer cash, but agrees
to act as a bond. He enters a contract with
the moneylender, Shylock, which says
Antonio will owe Shylock one pound of his
flesh if the loan is not repaid within three
months. By agreeing to this bond, Antonio
shows his great love for Bassanio.
Character attributes
•Loyal – Antonio is a good friend to Bassanio and puts his own life on the line to help him out.

•Honest – when Shylock demands his pound of flesh, Antonio does not fight or complain but accepts that he has entered
into a contract, no matter how unpleasant.

•Generous – we learn from Shylock that Antonio often gives loans without charging interest. Shylock complains that this
makes business difficult for moneylenders like himself.

Changes in character

•Antonio is melancholy at the start of the play but cannot name the cause of his sadness. Later, he behaves
aggressively towards Shylock who claims that Antonio curses him in public.

•Antonio declares his love for his best friend, Bassanio, and seems prepared to even die for him.

•Although he berates Shylock for being merciless, he doesn’t really show much mercy to the moneylender at the end
of the play. Antonio insists that the moneylender give up his faith and convert to Christianity.
Question:In what ways does Antonio show his love for Bassanio?

We see Antonio’s love for his friend in the way that he happily loans large sums of money to Bassanio. He also shows
that he is prepared to risk his life for his friendship when he signs the contract with Shylock. Other friends suggest that
Antonio only loves life itself because of Bassanio.

Question:How does Shakespeare portray Antonio’s honesty?

We see Antonio’s honesty when he accuses Shylock of appearing good whilst behaving falsely. Antonio seems to wish
for a more honest world in which there is no confusion between reality and appearance.

Question:How do we see Antonio react when Portia asks Shylock to take his pound of flesh?

He is accepting of his fate. His final words to Bassanio are all about love.
He asks Bassanio not to grieve and says he is more than happy to pay this debt for his friend.
Bassanio
Bassanio is Antonio's friend who needs money so he can court the wealthy heiress
Portia, a woman famed for her wealth, wisdom, and beauty. Bassanio has finished
his own fortune and is in debt to Antonio and others, but Antonio cares deeply for
Bassanio and does not refuse the request. Bassanio is successful in his courtship
and marries Portia, but he returns to Venice shortly after they are wed to support
Antonio in his time of need.
He reveals that he owes Antonio a debt of both money and friendship. Shares his
plan to pay back the money. He needs to borrow money so that he may pursue the
wealthy Portia’s hand in marriage.

At the start of the play, Bassanio is an immature, opportunistic man who pursues Portia
for her beauty and money.
Though impulsive and financially irresponsible, Bassanio is kind and loyal to his
friends. Despite needing the loan to pursue Portia, Bassanio doesn’t want his friend
Antonio to accept such a dangerous bond. During Antonio’s trial, Bassanio offers
up “[his] hands, [his] head, [his] heart” in place of Antonio’s pound of flesh. Though
he is reckless enough to gamble with money, Bassanio is not willing to gamble with
his friend’s life. Ultimately, though he is immature, Bassanio’s better qualities win
him the affections of Portia and Antonio.
 Jessica
•Jessica goes against the gender
roles for women, because she is
making her own decision for her life.
She doesn't ask her father if she can
leave and marry Lorenzo, she just
does it because she wants to. This
behavior goes against prescribed
roles for women in Shakespeare's
time period.She steals from
her father;hurts her father’s feelings.
 The conflict between Antonio and Shylock 

The conflict between Antonio and Shylock arises partly from

religion and partly from economic causes. Antonio wants to borrow
money from Shylock, who is employed as a moneylender. While he
needs Shylock, Antonio also curses him. In addition, Shylock is
Jewish, and Antonio is Christian, and anti-semitism on Antonio's
part is a reason behind the feud between them. Shylock says to
Antonio:
In other words, Antonio has cursed Shylock for being a money
lender, as "usances" refers to the practice of lending money and
charging interest. Shylock believes he has handled this abuse with
patience, as Jews suffer patiently and often at the hands of
Christians who mock them. Antonio has abused Shylock and even
spat on him because Shylock lends out money that belongs to him.
However, Antonio now needs money from Shylock, which causes
their conflict to become even more bitter.

There is no doubt that religion is at the core of the conflict between

Antonio and Shylock. 
What is the relationship between Shylock and Antonio in The Merchant of
Venice?
The relationship between Antonio and Shylock is contentious; Antonio is heroic, but Shylock is villainous. Certainly,
they are rivals in their moneylending: Antonio is kind and generous while Shylock is selfish in all aspects of his life.

One reason that Antonio and Shylock are such rivals as moneylenders is the fact that Antonio allows those who have
borrowed from Shylock to come to him in their desperation when their loan and interest are due and, in his liberality,
he lends them money at the last minute. On the other hand, Shylock is completely materialistic. Not only does he
demand the payment on his loans, plus his usury charge, but he is most concerned with his own personal material
possessions. When, for instance, he is told that his daughter Jessica has run off with a Christian to be married, he
seems more concerned about his money.

Another reason that Antonio and Shylock are at ends with one another is that they play opposing roles. Shylock is the
villain, the obstacle to love, while Antonio aids his friend Bassanio in romance; his love for Bassanio follows the
Renaissance concept of friendship, a concept which overrides even romantic love. For, Antonio is willing to lose
his life by giving up a pound of flesh so that his friend can marry Portia. But, Shylock is greedy and vindictive;
he demands his pound of flesh because he hates Antonio.

So strong is this hatred against Antonio that Shylock refuses payment, even three times the amount.
 Mercy versus Justice( revenge & law)
As the play progresses, the question of what constitutes justice becomes more and more prominent. In the past,
Shylock has been wronged by Antonio, and he suggests that revenge is a just action. Shylock holds the idea that
one receives what one gets, and his intended revenge is one version of this kind of justice. The fact that Antonio
loses his ships throughout the play provides even more evidence to Shylock that Antonio deserves his penalty for
defaulting on the loan, and Shylock is all too eager to dispense the corresponding punishment. 

Further, justice is a function of the law, which seems to be Shylock’s primary argument; as long as the contract is
honored, justice will be served. In this way, Shylock’s insistence in taking Antonio’s flesh is doubly just: not only does
it serve the karmic function of returning the cruelty that Antonio had previously shown Shylock, but it is also legally
given a guarantee that he should take Antonio’s flesh. Throughout the trial, he continues to appeal to justice as his
rationale for following through with the contract. 

However, the opposing claim—that mercy is greater than justice—is also argued throughout the play. The first time
mercy is referred to in the play is when Launcelot speaks with Jessica in act 3, telling her that there is no mercy in
heaven for her kind. When Portia speaks of the divine qualities of mercy in act 4, it seems as though she is at least
partly responding to Launcelot’s claim. 
Mercy, she argues, does not follow the logic of kings, laws, and justice. Were that the case, Shylock might be killed—or
at least ruined—by the end of the play. In fact, it is Shylock’s claims to justice that ultimately prevents him from getting
his way; that is, while he is legally and justly allowed to take the pound of flesh, Portia asserts that he has no just claim
to any blood that may fall during the transaction. Through this outcome, the play privileges mercy over justice.
•To sum up, Shakespeare makes us think about the importance of fairness, justice and
mercy. Antonio does not like the way Shylock makes his money because he thinks that
charging excessive interest on loans is unjust. When Shylock agrees to lend 3000 ducats to
Antonio he asks for a pound of flesh as his insurance. We might think that this is unjust as it
places a financial value on human life. When Antonio’s ships sink, he is unable to repay his
loan, and so by the strict laws of Venice he must stick to his contract. However when
Bassanio offers to pay double the original loan, Shylock still insists on his pound of flesh. As
an audience we are invited to think about whether it is always right and fair to stick to a
contract or, in certain cases, mercy and flexibility are best.
Question:How does Shakespeare use the theme of justice to demonstrate the marital situation Portia is in?

Portia is forced into a contract that her father has created. She is unable to choose who she wants as her husband
because of her father’s will.

Question:What is Shylock’s idea of justice?

Shylock seems to regard mercy as a weakness. He becomes obsessed with obtaining the pound of flesh Antonio has
pledged as his bond. Shylock suggests that by showing mercy in this case he would be:

Question:How is Antonio affected by the theme of justice?

Antonio accepts that for justice to be done, Shylock must be entitled to his pound of flesh. The law of Venice governs
traders from all around the world, so Antonio says that it must be followed to the letter.
 Love and Friendship

In connection with mercy and generosity, The Merchant of Venice also explores love and friendship
between its characters. The central romantic relationship of the play is that between Bassanio and 
Portia. Their marriage is paralleled by several others: the elopement of Shylock's daughter, Jessica,
with the Christian, Lorenzo; and the marriage of Portia's servant, Nerissa, to Bassanio's companion, 
Gratiano. In addition, numerous critics have suggested that the strongest friendship in the play—
between Antonio and Bassanio—. In addition, the play shows how strong the amicable ties are that
connect all the various Venetian characters.
Given the generosity that they motivate between characters, love and friendship might seem to offer
alternatives to the ugly emotions of prejudice, greed, and revenge on display in The Merchant of Venice.
However, beginning with Bassanio's borrowing money from his friend Antonio in order to woo Portia,
the play also demonstrates that the apparent purity of love and friendship can be tainted by selfish
economic concerns. In addition, love and friendship are also at the mercy of the law, as seen in Portia's
being subject to the terms of her father's riddle of the caskets.
Question:How much does Antonio love Bassanio?
Antonio cares deeply for Bassanio. When Bassanio says he needs help, Antonio responds by saying he will do anything for
his friend. He is happy to give up anything for love of his friend.

Question:How do the caskets represent a love challenge for Portia?

The caskets are a riddle that should be solved only by the man most suited to his daughter. This could be seen as her
father’s way of protecting his precious daughter after he has died. Nerissa explains to Portia that her father had the best
intentions by arranging how she should be married.

Did you know? In the time when the play is set, women were treated as property. They belonged
to their fathers or brothers and later their husbands. Marriages were often arranged on their
behalf.

Question:Shakespeare believes that people in love will overlook each other’s faults. What does this
mean for Jessica and Lorenzo?
Jessica is prepared to dress as a male torchbearer to escape with Lorenzo, her beloved. She says that even though she
looks like a boy, he will still love her.
JESSICA
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see.
Prejudice and Intolerance
•The Venetians in The Merchant of Venice almost uniformly express extreme intolerance of Shylock and the other
Jews in Venice. In fact, the exclusion of these "others" seems to be a fundamental part of the social bonds that
cement the Venetian Christians together. How otherwise would the ridiculous clown Launcelot ingratiate himself
with the well-mannered  Bassanio? Or why would the sensitive Antonio tolerate someone as rude as Gratiano? It is
possible to argue that Shakespeare himself shares his characters' certainty that the Jews are naturally malicious and
inferior to Christians because of Shylock's ultimate refusal to show any mercy at all and, as a result, his pitiful end.

•Yet there are also reasons to think that Shakespeare may be subtly criticizing the prejudices of his characters.
Shylock's fury comes not from some malicious "Jewishness" but as a result of years of abuse. For example, though he
is criticized by Antonio for practicing usury (charging interest on borrowed money) Jews were actually barred from
most other professions. In other words, the Christians basically forced Shylock to work in a profession that the
Christians then condemned as immoral. Shylock insists that he "learned" his hatred from the Christians, and it is
Shylock alone who argues that all of the characters are the same, in terms of biology and under the law. Viewed this
way, The Merchant of Venice offers a critique of the same prejudices that it seemingly endorses.
 Greed and Generosity
THE play, Merchant of Venice, written by William Shakespeare consists of strong themes such as greed
and generosity. This idea of greed and generosity can be carried into thoughts of todays society

The primary grievance that Antonio has against Shylock is that he is greedy—for charging interest to those who
borrow money from him when they are in need. The Venetians definitely contrast Shylock's greed with the generosity
that they show one another. For instance, Antonio is willing to place his whole "purse and person" at Bassanio's
disposal and regularly saves other Christians from having to pay interest to Shylock by paying off their debts for them.

With Shylock being such a key character in the portrayal of the themes of greed there are obviously multiple
occasions of his selfishness. Another example of this greediness is after his daughter, Jessica, stole some of his jewels
and riches to go run away with Lorenzo. When Shylock notices they are missing he realises this because of the
disappearance of the jewels rather than his daughter. He then goes on to complain about how his riches are gone.

Generosity is evident through the acts of Antonio. Antonio lends money to Bassanio even though, Bassanio is
known for never paying anyone back. Antonio’s ships are away with all his riches and yet he still lends the money to
him without costing any interest.

It seems that, like love or mercy, generosity is limitless, unbounded. However, The Merchant of Venice also frequently
begs the question of whether friends aren't using friends, or lovers their lovers, for materialistic reasons.
 Money

•Money and financial wealth are key to this play. The title
itself refers to the merchant Antonio who trades in the
Rialto. Each of the characters is connected in one way or
another with money – either through a lack of it
(Bassanio), a love of it (Shylock) or an excess of it (Portia).
The question of worth and value is also raised. Shylock is
upset about the loss of a turquoise ring that was given to
him by his beloved Leah. It is the sentiment rather than
the monetary loss that he is sad about. Later, when
Balthazar/Portia asks Bassanio for his ring as a gift he
replies that he would rather find the most expensive ring
in Venice than give away his love token.
Question:How does money complicate Bassanio’s life?

Bassanio has no money. When he speaks with Antonio at the start of the play he tells us that he has been living
beyond his means. He speaks of the debts he owes in both money and love to his friend Antonio.

Question:To what extent is money precious to

Shylock?
Very precious. Shylock seems to suggest that he would rather have his jewels and money returned to him than his
daughter who stole them.

SHYLOCK
I would my daughter
were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear:

Question:How does Portia show her wealth?

Portia is extremely wealthy. When Bassanio tells her about the debt, she immediately offers much more than the
original loan. The ease with which she offers the money reveals her great financial wealth. It also shows her love for
Bassanio as she is willing to give a huge sum of money away on his behalf.
 •Appearance versus Reality Whether the truth is locked in a
casket, hidden under a suit of clothes, or written into a
contract, in The Merchant of Venice appearances constantly

Appearanc
deceive. Portia's suitors, the Prince of Arragon and the Prince
of Morocco, lose their chances at her hand because they are
drawn to the glittery appearance of gold and silver caskets

e versus and choose the wrong casket in the challenge set up by

Portia's father. Bassanio, who recognizes that great things
may be hidden in humble exteriors and glittering exteriors
Reality may conceal emptiness beneath, wins the challenge by
choosing the lead casket. Bassanio himself appears to be a
wealthy man when he arrives at Portia's home, only later
revealing the extent of his debts and poverty. In keeping with
this theme, Portia disguises herself as a man so the reality of
her wisdom and cleverness may be of service at court. While
Shylock appears to be the play's villain, his suffering elicits the
audience's sympathy.
Merchant of Venice Symbols,
The Caskets
•The three caskets from which suitors must choose in
order to win Portia's hand symbolize a test, specifically a
Christian test of one's morals. The contest combines a
number of Christian teachings, such as the gold casket
gives the idea that desire is an unreliable guide and
should be resisted, while the silver casket promises to
bestow what one deserves.Christianity teaches that
appearances are often deceiving, and that people should
not trust the evidence provided by the senses—hence
the humble appearance of the lead casket. 
 Rings.

In The Merchant of Venice rings represent love and

commitment between partners. For example, when they
agree to marry, Portia gives Bassanio a ring that she says
represents their bond of love. She cautions him that if he
loses the ring or gives it away, that will represent the
destruction of their love.
 (A pound of) Flesh
•Flesh is a symbol of life, the actual substance all living
things are made of. Shylock's religion indicates that some
types of animal flesh are tainted and forbids their
consumption. When Antonio accepts Shylock's demand
for a pound of Antonio's own flesh to secure the loan for
Bassanio, he is actually placing his own life on the line as
a potential sacrifice for Bassanio's happiness. When
Shylock demands that pound of flesh as repayment for
the loan, he demands Antonio's life as payment not for
the bond but for the years of unhappiness Antonio—and
Christian society in general—has caused him. The flesh
itself is incidental, the real sacrifice at stake is the value of
Antonio's life.
Gold

•Gold represents wealth, status, and power. Bassanio

 needs gold to demonstrate he is a man of quality, worthy
of marrying Portia. Shylock uses gold to exert power over 
Antonio and others because he has little power in other
parts of his life. Jessica takes Shylock's gold as a show of
power over her father when she leaves home. Yet the
valuable parts of life have no relation to gold. Portia loves
Bassanio even when she finds out he is penniless and in
debt. Shylock discovers neither gold nor his attempt at
revenge will improve his lot in life. Jessica has her father's
wealth, but she values her relationship with Lorenzo
more.
 The conflict
Major (main)conflict: External - Man vs Man Shylock vs. Antonio
The conflict between Shylock the Jewish moneylender and Antonio the Christian merchant in Shakespeare's "Merchant
of Venice" is both religious and economic.
Antonio puts his life and stake for the sake of his friendship with Bassanio. He signs a commercial bond with Shylock
that demands a pound of his flesh if he fails to repay the loan lent by the Jewish moneylender. The conflict lies in the
mutual hatred between Antonio and Shylock. Antonio has mistreated Shylock, for he is a Jew and spat on his gabardine.
Shylock seeks vengeance and is bent to cut his flesh, nearest to his heart.
Minor conflicts
External: Man vs. Nature
Antonio faces this conflict when his ships crash and his merchandise is lost. He is in jeopardy of losing his money and
becoming bankrupt.

External: Man vs. Society

Portia has this type of conflict because she can not chose whom she will marry. The man she will marry must choose a
casket and the man who chooses the right casket will marry Portia.

External: Man vs. Fate

Shylock is a jew in Venice in the time when jews were not welcomed in Europe. He was treated badly because of his
religion. People like Antonio would spit on him and treat him like an animal.
Internal conflict , Portia vs self
Portia’s internal conflict is the casket challenge that her father set up for her. She does not want to select a husband
this way, but she does not want to betray her father. She is bound by the will of her dead father to marry a suitor who
would decode the right casket with her image. She faces an inner conflict wherein she is afraid to marry a man whom
she does not love. 

The conflict man vs.society is presented because Portia is unable to decide who she will marry, even if her father is
dead. The will her father created, makes it impossible for Portia to decide who she marries, and cannot refuse one as
well. This shows conflict of man vs. society, because of how Portia is still controlled by her father even if he has died.
When she says “so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father”, it shows her conflict and
resentment towards the will that was created by her father.

Jessica is the daughter of the Jew. She steals her father's money and elopes with a Christian lover. Shylock is in
conflict with his child. He curses his daughter and wishes her dead at his feet. The conflicts among the characters
propel the development of the plot.

. 
•The exposition ( introduction ) in The Merchant of Venice occurs when Bassanio borrows
money from Shylock, and his friend Antonio acts as guarantor for the bond, promising
Shylock a pound of his own flesh if he cannot pay.

•The rising action comprises Bassanio's courtship, and Shylock claiming the pound of flesh
promised by Antonio. The case goes to trial and Portia, Bassanio's new wife, disguises
herself and acts as Antonio's lawyer.

•The climax occurs when Portia points out that Shylock's bond does not entitle him to any
of Antonio's blood. If he sheds any blood while cutting the flesh from Antonio's body, he
will be sentenced to death. The tables are turned on Shylock, and he is severely punished.

•The falling action comprises Bassanio giving the disguised Portia a ring she (as his wife)
gave to him. Then, when she is no longer in disguise, she pretends to be angry with him for
giving it away. Nerissa, Portia's maid, plays the same trick on her husband, Gratiano.

•The resolution occurs when the couples are reconciled, and Antonio's fortunes are
restored when his ships come in to port.
Dramatic Irony
In dramatic irony the reader or audience has knowledge of some critical piece of information, while the character or
characters do not yet themselves have the same knowledge as the audience.

Portia's and Nerissa's Disguises – Dramatic Irony

The primary example of dramatic irony occurs in trial scene, when Portia disguises herself as Balthazar, the lawyer
—the audience knows this is the case, but no one in the court does (except Nerissa, who is also in disguise).
That the other characters are so easily manipulated by the two "men" underscores Portia's earlier point that
masculinity is in many ways only a performance of power rather than a reality.
Jessica's Elopement –Dramatic Irony
The audience becomes privy to Jessica's plan to elope with Lorenzo long before Shylock finds out. Indeed,
Jessica's fleeing Venice occurs while Shylock is dining with Bassanio. In a moment of dramatic irony, the audience
is aware that Shylock will lose his daughter at the same time he plans to gain new "flesh" in the form of Antonio's
repayment.

Bassanio's Sacrifice-Dramatic Irony

During the trial, Bassanio admits that he would sacrifice his wife, Portia, in order to free his friend, Antonio, from his
contract with Shylock. Of course, Bassanio is unaware that he is admitting this in front of Portia, who is disguised as
the doctor "Balthazar" and who will test Bassanio's loyalty to her by asking for the ring she gave him in Belmont.