The Merchant of Venice: A Classic Play in Modern English
Have you ever wanted to read one of Shakespeare's plays, but felt intimidated by the language and the style? If so, you are not alone. Many people find Shakespeare's works challenging and hard to follow, especially if they are not familiar with the historical and cultural context of his time. However, that does not mean that you should miss out on the beauty, the humor, and the wisdom of his stories. In fact, there are many ways to enjoy Shakespeare's plays in a more accessible and enjoyable way, such as watching a film adaptation, listening to an audio version, or reading a modern English translation.
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One of Shakespeare's most famous and controversial plays is The Merchant of Venice, a comedy that deals with themes such as money, love, justice, mercy, prejudice, and revenge. The play tells the story of Antonio, a wealthy merchant who borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia, a rich heiress. However, when Antonio fails to repay the loan on time, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh as a penalty. Meanwhile, Portia has to deal with her own problems, as she has to follow her father's will and marry the man who chooses the right casket out of three. The play is full of twists and turns, as well as memorable characters and speeches.
A modern English translation can help you understand and appreciate The Merchant of Venice better, by making the language more clear and natural, while preserving the original meaning and tone. You can also compare the original text with the translation to see how Shakespeare used words and expressions to create his effects. In this article, we will provide you with a summary and an analysis of The Merchant of Venice, based on a modern English translation by NoSweatShakespeare. We will also give you some suggestions for further reading or watching at the end.
Summary of The Merchant of Venice
Act 1: Antonio's loan and Bassanio's quest
The play begins in Venice, where Antonio, a merchant, is feeling sad for no apparent reason. His friends try to cheer him up, but he says he does not know why he is depressed. His friend Bassanio then asks him for a favor: he needs money to go to Belmont, where a wealthy lady named Portia lives. Bassanio wants to marry Portia, but he does not have enough funds to impress her. Antonio agrees to help him, but he does not have any cash at hand, as all his money is invested in his ships at sea. He suggests that Bassanio borrow money from a moneylender using Antonio's credit as a guarantee.
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In Belmont, Portia is unhappy with her situation. Her father has left a strange will that says she can only marry the man who chooses the right casket out of three: one made of gold, one made of silver, and one made of lead. Each casket has an inscription that hints at its contents. Portia does not like any of her suitors so far, but she remembers meeting Bassanio once and liking him.
Bassanio goes to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who hates Antonio for being a Christian and for lending money without interest, which hurts his business. Shylock agrees to lend Bassanio 3000 ducats for three months, but he asks for a strange condition: if Antonio fails to repay the loan on time, Shylock can take a pound of his flesh. Antonio, confident that his ships will return soon, accepts the deal. Bassanio is worried, but Antonio assures him that everything will be fine.
Act 2: Jessica's escape and Portia's suitors
In Venice, Shylock's daughter Jessica is in love with Lorenzo, a friend of Antonio and Bassanio. She plans to elope with him and convert to Christianity. She also steals some of her father's money and jewels. Shylock is furious when he finds out, and he curses Jessica and Lorenzo. He also blames Antonio for helping them, and hopes that his ships will sink.
In Belmont, Portia receives two more suitors: the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon. They both choose the wrong caskets: the Prince of Morocco chooses the gold one, which contains a skull and a message that says he has been deceived by appearances; the Prince of Arragon chooses the silver one, which contains a fool's head and a message that says he has been too arrogant. Portia is glad that they are gone, and hopes that Bassanio will come soon.
Act 3: Antonio's trouble and Bassanio's success
In Venice, Antonio receives bad news: his ships have been lost at sea, and he cannot repay Shylock. Shylock is determined to get his revenge, and refuses to show any mercy. He says he will take Antonio to court and claim his pound of flesh. Antonio's friends try to help him, but they cannot find a way to save him.
In Belmont, Bassanio arrives with his friend Gratiano. Portia welcomes them, and invites Bassanio to try his luck with the caskets. Bassanio chooses the lead one, which contains a portrait of Portia and a message that says he has won her love. Portia is overjoyed, and gives Bassanio a ring as a token of their marriage. She tells him not to lose it or give it away, or else she will think he does not love her. Gratiano also announces that he wants to marry Portia's maid Nerissa, who gives him another ring with the same condition.
However, their happiness is interrupted by a letter from Antonio, who informs Bassanio that he is in trouble and that he wants to see him before he dies. Bassanio is shocked and saddened, and tells Portia about his debt to Shylock. Portia tells him to go to Venice and save his friend, and offers to pay any amount of money to settle the debt. She also decides to follow him in disguise, along with Nerissa.
Act 4: The trial scene and Portia's intervention
The most famous scene of the play takes place in a court of justice in Venice, where Shylock demands his pound of flesh from Antonio. The Duke of Venice presides over the case, and tries to persuade Shylock to spare Antonio's life and accept double or triple the amount of money. However, Shylock insists on his bond, and says he wants justice according to the law. He also rejects the pleas of Bassanio and Gratiano, who offer to pay him even more money.
At this point, a young lawyer named Balthazar (who is actually Portia in disguise) arrives, along with his clerk (who is actually Nerissa in disguise). They say they have been sent by Doctor Bellario, a famous legal expert who is too sick to come himself. The Duke allows them to take charge of the case, and asks them to examine the contract between Antonio and Shylock.
Balthazar (Portia) first tries to appeal to Shylock's mercy, by giving a famous speech that begins with "The quality of mercy is not strained". She says that mercy is a divine attribute that blesses both the giver and the receiver, and that it is more powerful than justice. She also warns Shylock that he might need mercy himself someday, if he continues to be harsh and cruel.
However, Shylock is unmoved by her words, and demands his bond. Balthazar (Portia) then changes her strategy, and says that she will grant him his bond according to the law. She tells Antonio to prepare for the worst, and asks Shylock for a knife and a scale to measure the flesh.
Shylock is delighted by her decision, and thanks her for being fair and impartial. He sharpens his knife and gets ready to cut Antonio's flesh. However, Balthazar (Portia) stops him at the last moment, and reveals a twist in the law. She says that the contract only allows Shylock to take a pound of flesh, but not a drop of blood. She says that if Shylock sheds any blood, or takes more or less than a pound of flesh, he will lose his property and his life. She also says that Shylock has to be careful to cut exactly from the place where Antonio's heart is, or else he will break the law.
Shylock realizes that he has been trapped, and asks for mercy. He says he will take the money instead of the flesh, but Balthazar (Portia) says it is too late. She says that he has to follow the bond as it is written, or else face the consequences. She also says that Shylock has committed a crime by plotting against the life of a Venetian citizen, and that he has to forfeit his property and beg for the Duke's pardon.
The Duke spares Shylock's life, but orders him to give half of his wealth to Antonio and half to the state. He also tells him to convert to Christianity and leave his estate to Jessica and Lorenzo when he dies. Antonio agrees to give up his share of Shylock's money, on two conditions: first, that Shylock writes a will that leaves everything to Jessica and Lorenzo; second, that Shylock gives him the ring that he received from his wife Leah before she died. Shylock reluctantly agrees, and leaves the court broken and humiliated.
Antonio thanks Balthazar (Portia) and his clerk (Nerissa) for their help, and offers them money as a reward. However, they refuse to take any money, and instead ask for the rings that they gave to their wives. Antonio is surprised by their request, but he tells Bassanio and Gratiano to give them the rings. Bassanio and Gratiano are reluctant to part with their rings, but they eventually agree, after Antonio persuades them.
Act 5: The reconciliation and the revelation
The final scene of the play takes place in Belmont, where Lorenzo and Jessica are enjoying a romantic night under the moonlight. They are joined by Portia and Nerissa, who have returned from Venice in their original clothes. They pretend that they have been at home all this time, and that they have received letters from their husbands telling them about the trial.
Soon, Bassanio and Gratiano arrive with Antonio. They greet their wives, and tell them about their adventure in Venice. They also tell them that they have lost their rings, and explain how they gave them to the lawyer and his clerk. Portia and Nerissa pretend to be angry and jealous, and accuse their husbands of being unfaithful. They also show them the letters that they supposedly received from them, which do not mention anything about the rings.
Bassanio and Gratiano are confused and embarrassed, and try to defend themselves. They swear that they have not cheated on their wives, and that they gave away the rings only out of gratitude and duty. They also beg their wives to forgive them, and say that they love them more than anything.
Portia and Nerissa then reveal their true identities, and show them the rings that they have taken back from them. They explain how they disguised themselves as the lawyer and his clerk, and how they saved Antonio's life. They also tell them about the other good news: three of Antonio's ships have arrived safely in port, bringing him more wealth than he had before.
Bassanio and Gratiano are amazed and delighted by their wives' cleverness and kindness. They apologize for their mistake, and praise their wives for their wisdom and courage. They also thank them for their generosity and love. Antonio is also happy and grateful for his friends and his fortune. He congratulates Bassanio and Portia, and says that he is glad to see them together.
The play ends with a happy and harmonious note, as the couples celebrate their reunion and their marriage. They also forgive and forget the past troubles, and look forward to the future. They decide to go inside Portia's house, and share their stories and their joys.
Analysis of The Merchant of Venice
The conflict between justice and mercy
One of the main themes of The Merchant of Venice is the conflict between justice and mercy, which is explored through the characters and the situations they face. Justice is the principle of giving or receiving what is deserved, according to the law or morality. Mercy is the act of showing compassion or forgiveness, even when it is not deserved or required.
In the play, Shylock represents the extreme of justice, as he demands his bond from Antonio without any regard for his life or his feelings. He believes that he has the right to take revenge on Antonio, who has insulted him and mistreated him because of his religion and profession. He also thinks that he is following the law of Venice, which allows him to make any contract he wants with anyone who agrees to it.
However, Shylock's justice is shown to be cruel and inhuman, as he ignores the pleas of Antonio's friends and the arguments of Balthazar (Portia). He does not care about the value of human life, or the consequences of his actions. He only cares about his own interest and satisfaction. He also fails to see that his justice is self-destructive, as it leads him to lose his money, his daughter, his religion, and his dignity.
On the other hand, Portia represents the ideal of mercy, as she saves Antonio's life by using her wit and her knowledge of the law. She appeals to Shylock's mercy first, by giving him a chance to show forgiveness and generosity. She also shows him the benefits of mercy, by explaining how it makes him more noble and more divine. She also warns him of the dangers of justice, by reminding him that he might need mercy himself someday.
However, Portia's mercy is not unconditional or naive, as she also uses justice to punish Shylock for his cruelty and his crime. She does not let him get away with his bond, or with his money. She also forces him to convert to Christianity and to leave his estate to Jessica and Lorenzo. She uses the law to protect Antonio and to teach Shylock a lesson.
The play suggests that justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary. They need to be balanced and moderated, in order to achieve a fair and humane outcome. The play also implies that mercy is superior to justice, as it reflects a higher moral standard and a deeper understanding of human nature.
The role of money and love
Another theme of The Merchant of Venice is the role of money and love in human relationships. Money is the medium of exchange that enables people to buy goods and services, or to lend and borrow funds. Love is the feeling of affection and attraction that binds people together in friendship or romance.
In the play, money and love are often intertwined and contrasted, as they influence the actions and motivations of the characters. For example:
Antonio lends money to Bassanio out of love for his friend, but he risks his life by borrowing money from Shylock.
Bassanio needs money to woo Portia out of love for her beauty and wealth, but he also loves her for her intelligence and virtue.
Shylock loves money more than anything else, but he loses it because of his hatred for Antonio.
Jessica hates her father's money more than anything else, but she steals it because of her love for Lorenzo.
Portia has more money than anyone else, but she cannot choose her husband because of her father's will.
The play shows that money and love can have both positive and negative effects on human lives. Money can enable people to achieve their goals and to express their love, but it can also create problems and conflicts. Love can inspire people to do noble and generous deeds, but it can also blind them to reality and reason. The play suggests that money and love are not enough to make people happy, unless they are accompanied by wisdom and virtue.
The portrayal of Shylock and antisemitism
A controversial theme of The Merchant of Venice is the portrayal of Shylock and antisemitism. Antisemitism is the hatred or discrimination against Jews as a religious or ethnic group. Shylock is the only Jewish character in the play, and he is often depicted as a greedy, vengeful, and inhuman villain.
The play reflects the negative stereotypes and prejudices that were common in Shakespeare's time, when Jews were seen as outsiders and enemies of Christianity. Jews were expelled from England in 1290, and were not officially allowed to return until 1656. Therefore, most English people had little or no contact with Jews, and relied on rumors and myths to form their opinions. Jews were often accused of being usurers, murderers, kidnappers, and conspirators, and were blamed for various social and political problems.
In the play, Shylock is treated unfairly and cruelly by the Christian characters, who mock him, spit on him, call him names, and rob him of his daughter and his money. He is also forced to convert to Christianity at the end of the play, which is seen as a humiliation and a violation of his identity. Shylock's suffering and isolation make him more sympathetic and human, as he expresses his emotions and his grievances. He also challenges the Christian characters' hypocrisy and double standards, by asking them why they hate him and by demanding his rights.
However, Shylock is not a simple or innocent victim, as he also shows his own flaws and faults. He is obsessed with money and revenge, and he does not care about the value of human life or the meaning of mercy. He also mistreats his own daughter Jessica, who rebels against him and runs away with Lorenzo. He does not show any remorse or regret for his actions, even when he loses everything.
The play does not offer a clear or easy answer to the question of Shylock and antisemitism. It does not condemn or justify either side, but rather exposes the complexity and ambiguity of the issue. It invites the audience to think critically and empathetically about the characters and their motives, and to consider the consequences of hatred and intolerance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Merchant of Venice is a classic play that explores various themes such as justice, mercy, money, love, prejudice, and revenge. It tells the story of Antonio, a merchant who borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to help his friend Bassanio woo Portia, a rich heiress. However, when Antonio fails to repay the loan on time, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh as a penalty. The play is full of twists and turns, as well as memorable characters and speeches.
A modern English translation can help you understand and appreciate The Merchant of Venice better, by making the language more clear and natural, while preserving the original meaning and tone. You can also compare the original text with the translation to see how Shakespeare used words and expressions to create his effects.
If you want to learn more about The Merchant of Venice, you can also check out some of these resources:
[The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare]: The original text of the play with annotations and explanations.
[The Merchant of Venice: Modern English Version Side-By-Side With Full Original Text]: A modern English translation by NoSweatShakespeare that you can read alongside the original text.
[The Merchant Of Venice: Entire Play]: A modern English translation by NoSweatShakespeare that you can read online or download as a PDF file.
[The Merchant of Venice (2004)]: A film adaptation directed by Michael Radford and starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Jeremy Irons as Antonio.
[The Merchant of Venice: Plot Overview]: A summary and analysis of the play by SparkNotes.
FAQs
What is the meaning of the title The Merchant of Venice?
The title refers to Antonio, who is a merchant based in Venice. He is the main character who initiates the plot by borrowing money from Shylock to help Bassanio. He is also the one who faces the danger of losing his life to Shylock. The title also suggests that the play is about the commerce and culture of Venice, which is a prominent setting and theme in the play.
What is the meaning of the three caskets in The Merchant of Venice?
The three caskets are part of Portia's father's will, which says that she can only marry the man who chooses the right casket out of three: one made of gold, one made of silver, and one made of lead. Each casket has an inscription that hints at its contents. The gold casket says "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire"; the silver casket says "Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves"; and the lead casket says "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath". The right casket is the lead one, which contains a portrait of Portia and a message that says "You that choose not by the view, chance as fair and choose as true". The meaning of the three caskets is that appearances can be deceiving, and that true love requires sacrifice and risk.
What is the meaning of the pound of flesh in The Merchant of Venice?
The pound of flesh is the penalty that Shylock demands from Antonio if he fails to repay his loan on time. It is a symbolic and literal expression of Shylock's hatred and revenge for Antonio, who has insulted him and mistreated him because of his religion and profession. It is also a metaphor for the harshness and cruelty of justice without mercy. The pound of flesh represents the human cost of money and greed, as well as the conflict between law and morality.
What is the meaning of Portia's speech about mercy in The Merchant of Venice?
Portia's speech about mercy is one of the most famous and influential speeches in The Merchant of Venice. It occurs in Act 4, Scene 1, when Portia (disguised as Balthazar) tries to persuade Shylock to spare Antonio's life and accept money instead of his flesh. She says:
The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this, That, in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea; Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
The meaning of Portia's speech is that mercy is a divine and noble quality that benefits both the giver and the receiver. She says that mercy is more powerful and more fitting for a king than his crown or his scepter, as it shows his resemblance to God, who is merciful to all. She also says that mercy is essential for human salvation, as no one can be perfect or righteous in the eyes of God. She urges Shylock to consider this, and to show some compassion and forgiveness to Antonio.
What are some examples of comedy in The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice is classified as a comedy, although it has some dark and tragic elements. Some examples of comedy in The Merchant of Venice are:
The scenes involving Portia's suitors, who are ridiculed for their appearance, their behavior, and their choices.
The scenes involving Launcelot Gobbo, who is a clownish servant who makes jokes and puns.
The scenes involving Lorenzo and Jessica, who elope and mock Shylock behind his back.
The scenes involving Portia and Nerissa, who disguise themselves as men and trick their husbands into giving away their rings.
The scenes involving Gratiano, who is a witty and outspoken friend who makes fun of everyone.
The comedy in The Merchant of Venice serves to lighten the mood and to contrast with the serious and dramatic themes of the play. It also shows the diversity and complexity of human nature, as well as the power of language and humor. 44f88ac181