The Merchant of Venice Main Text
ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Antonio, Salarino, and Solanio.
ANTONIO
In sooth I know not why I am so sad.
It wearies me, you say it wearies you.
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn.
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me
That I have much ado to know myself.
SALARINO
Your mind is tossing on the ocean,
There where your argosies with portly...
Read The Merchant of Venice Main Text
The Merchant of Venice key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: The Merchant of Venice
Playwright: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Title of the Playwright: Father of English Drama, The Bard of Avon
Source: Giovanni Fiorentino’s Il Pecorone (a 14th-century Italian story), and other Italian tales
Written Time: Between 1596 and 1598
First Performed: 1598
Published Date: 1600 (first quarto), 1623 (First Folio)
Total Acts & Scenes: 5 Acts...
Expand The Merchant of Venice key Facts
The Merchant of Venice Summary
Plot Summary
The entire summary is discussed in a few points. If you can remember these points, it will be easier to recall the whole story. If you pay close attention, you will see that the entire play revolves mainly around four key storylines:
Bond Story – The story of the contract Casket Story – The story of the caskets Court Story – The story of the court Ring Story – The story revolves arou...
Expand The Merchant of Venice Summary
The Merchant of Venice Themes
Friendship: Friendship is very important in this play. Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Solanio are all good friends. They help and support each other. Antonio helps Bassanio by giving him money and risking his life. Gratiano and Lorenzo go with Bassanio and are always ready to stand by friends. Portia and Nerissa are also true friends. Nerissa supports Portia in every situation...
Expand The Merchant of Venice Themes
The Merchant of Venice Characters
Major Characters
Antonio: Protagonist, The Merchant of Venice, a wealthy, generous, and melancholic Venetian merchant. He is the best friend of Bassanio and becomes the target of Shylock’s bond. Shylock: Antagonist, a Jewish moneylender in Venice. He is intelligent, vengeful, and a victim of prejudice. Shylock lends money to Antonio with a bond for a pound of flesh. Portia: Heroine, a wealthy, wi...
Expand The Merchant of Venice Characters
The Merchant of Venice Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: When one thing is called something else, not using "like" or "as." Example: "All the world’s a stage." Simile: When something is compared to another thing using "like" or "as." Example: "Mercy droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven." Personification: When something not human is given human qualities. Example: "But love is blind." Irony: When what is said is opposi...
Expand The Merchant of Venice Literary Device
The Merchant of Venice Quotations
“Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more
But just a pound of flesh.”
Explanation: This line is spoken by Portia in Act 4, Scene 1 in "The Merchant of Venice."
She warns Shylock he can take exactly one pound of flesh from Antonio, not more or less, and without spilling blood.
“All that glisters is not gold.”
Explanation: This is expressed by the Prince of Morocco in Act 2, Scene 7. He learn...
Expand The Merchant of Venice Quotations
Notes
Explore 10 detailed notes related to The Merchant of Venice. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.