DRAMATIS PERSONÆ The DUKE OF VENICE The PRINCE OF MOROCCO, The PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitors to Portia ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice BASSANIO, his friend, suitor likewise to Portia LORENZO, in love with Jessica SHYLOCK, a rich Jew TUBAL, a Jew, his friend LAUNCELOT GOBBO, the clown, servant to Shylock OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelot LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Jailer, Servants to Portia, and other Attendants SCENE: Partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia, on the Continent SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I Bassanio, a young gentleman of Venic, is in love with Portia, a lady of Belmont; but she is wealthy, while he is poor. He feels that he must have three thousand ducats before he can press his suit. For this sum he goes to his dearest friend, Antonio, a merchant of Venice. The latter's wealth at that time is entirely invested in ships at sea, but he remembers a rich Jew, Shylock by name. From him he borrows the money for his friend, giving in return a bond agreeing to forfeit a pound of his flesh should not the money be paid on the day it falls due. Antonio signs. this agreement without fear, for his ships are scheduled to arrive home a month before the day. ACT II Jessica, daughter of Shylock the Jew, elopes with Lorenzo, a Christian and a friend of Antonio and of Bassanio. Her father is very angry at this and the ill-will he bears Antonio is increased. Portia's father provided in his will that his daughter's hand should go to that suitor who should choose the one of three caskets that contained her portrait. Several try and fail. ACT III When Bassanio's turn came, he, to his own and Portia's delight, chooses the right casket. They exchange vows and rings. Bassanio's friend, Gratiano, and Portia's maid, Nerissa, also engage themselves to marry. But their joy is clouded by a letter from Antonio to Bassanio telling of the failure of all the Merchant's ventures and that Shylock claims the forfeiture according to the bond. Bassanio and Gratiano hasten to Venice to aid their friend. Portia and Nerissa plan to be at the trial also. ACT IV Portia and Nerissa arrive at the court as the trial is going on; Portia is disguised as a lawyer and Nerissa as her clerk, and so well do they act their parts that no one, not even their husbands, recognizes them. Portia pleads Antonio's cause with such power and logic that the Jew loses his case, and in addition his estates and property are declared forfeited for plotting against the life of a citizen of Venice. The Duke mitigates his sentence sufficiently to permit him to make a will in favor of his daughter Jessica. Bassanio wishes the lawyer to accept as his fee the three thousand ducats which had been due the Jew. This Portia declines, but asks for the ring she had given him when they plighted their troth. He unwillingly gives it to her. Nerissa in like manner gets her ring from Gratiano. ACT V Portia and Nerissa reach Belmont before the arrival of Bassanio and Gratiano. When the gentlemen get there, Nerissa quarrels with Gratiano for giving away her ring. Portia and Bassanio overhear their friends and Bassanio confesses that he, too, has parted with his wife's ring. The lady feigns anger, but finally agrees to forgive her lord and in token gives him a ring. Great is his surprise to find the ring is the same which he had given to the doctor. Explanations follow and everyone is happy. Antonio, who has come home with Bassanio, hears that three of his ships have come safely to port. |